Bernard Cremer

Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County (1890)
Transcribed by Danni Hopkins!

Hon. Bernard Cremer. This wide-awake, progressive gentleman enjoys the confidence and trust of the people of Peoria to a degree not exceeded by that bestowed upon any other of her German citizens. He has been connected with many of her most important public enterprises during the past twenty-five years, and as the manager of the “Demokrat” a sheet reputed to be the best and most prosperous German newspaper in the State, has become known, by reputation at least, to many citizens of the great commonwealth. He is the senior member of the firm of B. Cremer & Bros., publishers and proprietors of the Daily and Weekly Demokrat, with which is connected an English and German book and job printing office. The firm includes the brothers, Bernard, Adolph, Mathias, and Charles. Reinhold was also one of the firm, who died December 14, 1876.

The Cremer family came to America form Cologne, Germany, in 1854, settling in Wisconsin. Our subject removed to Peoria in 1864, taking charge of the Demokrat, which he has since successfully managed. The paper was established by Alois Zotz in 1860, its publisher having also established the first German paper in Peoria in the year 1852. He is still connected with the Demokrat as one of its editors.

Bernard Cremer was the originator of the first German Bank in Peoria, the institution now being known as the German-American National Bank. In 1876 he organized the German Fire Insurance Company of Peoria, of which he is now President. In 1886 he was a Director of the Merchant’s National Bank, and was one of the chief instruments in saving this now flourishing institution form wreck. He was also a Director of the National Hotel Company at the time the house was built, and was likewise interested in the Grand Opera House, in which the office of the Demokrat is located.

In 1878 Mr. Cremer was elected member of the State Legislature, where he displayed the same zeal, intelligence, and desire for advancement which have led to his personal success, and won him the esteem of his fellow-men. Having accepted the position tendered him, he endeavored to promote the interests of his constituents, wielding his best efforts in their behalf, and adding to his already excellent reputation.

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