Newton Internet Family Tree

Person Sheet

Name	Charles Chester CRAMMOND
Birth	23 Jun 1878, Algona, IA
Death	6 Oct 1939, Lansing. MI
Occupation	Composer, Music Teacher
Education	Natl. Correspondence Schools of Music , NYC, 27 Apr 1909
Religion	Methodist, Nazarene
Father	William James CRAMMOND (1845-1911)
Mother	Josephine Louisa GREEN (1852-1928)

Spouses:

1	Margaretha Katherine Johanna HEIDECKER
Birth	14 Aug 1880, Kattenhundt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Death	18 Aug 1969, Miami, FL
Occupation	Milliner, Minister, Housewife
Education	Diploma, Chicago Evangelistic Institute, 24 May 1917
Religion	Nazarene, Methodist
Father	John Jacob HEIDECKER (1842-1905)
Mother	Margaretha Dorathea CARLSON (1845-1929)

Marriage

14 Feb 1904

Children:	Dorothy Vernon (1905-1981)
	Margaret Maureen (1909-2002)

Last Modified 9 Oct 1994

Created 15 Mar 2003 by EasyTree for Windows

Charles Chester Crammond truly was a well-known composer. He wrote many teaching pieces for piano and also composed student-level violin music. His music regularly appeared in The Etude music magazine. His only formal advanced degree in music was from Natl. Correspondence Schools of Music, NYC, completing his degree in 27 Apr 1909. He earned a lot of his livelihood giving lessons (piano, guitar, trombone, and voice). He also co-wrote numerous religious songs and led the singing at the revival meetings where his wife was the preacher.

Both of their daughters (Dorothy Vernon Crammond, 22 Sep 1905 – 10 Jul 1981, and her younger sister, Margaret Maureen Crammond, 6 Nov 1909 – 11 Oct 2002) composed and arranged music. Some level of arranging was – and is – expected of church organist and choir directors, and Dorothy continued arranging during her long tenure as organist and choir director at the United Church in Big Rapids, Michigan. However, although she had her piano music published when she was a pre-teen (and followed her father’s advice to “write like an adult” when she submitted the works to the publisher so they wouldn’t know they came from an 11-year-old girl), she had lost interest in composing by the time her children were born. On the other hand, Aunt Mickey continued composing music for a long time while establishing herself as one of the most prominent piano teachers in the Miami area and continuing during her retirement.

This picture has no identification on the back, but it appears to be an accordion and piano recital by the pupils of Professor Charles Chester CRAMMOND (back row, right). Dorothy is 3rd from left in the front row, Margaret Maureen is next to her, 2nd from the left. It may be Margaretha at the far left in the front row.