G. W. Kramer - Manchester Santa Claus

G. William Kramer, 84 years, a rural mail carrier and bank director here for many years died Wednesday, October 20, 1965.

He was a director of the former Peoples Bank for many years and served as a director of the Union Savings Bank after the two firms merged.

The Richert Hotel was at Main and Clinton Streets. The George Nisle buggy shop (graced by rooftop posers) was built in 1868. The hotel was moved to Territorial Street where it is now an apartment house.

A rural mail carrier for 55 years, he was given the nickname of "Manchester Santa Claus" because he distributed candy and other gifts to the children on his mail route every Christmas. He was often assisted by his wife. Bill, as he was known to everyone in the area, liked to tell stories about some of the requests he received from patrons along his route. The good natured mail carrier always complied.

He was a former member of the Manchester volunteer fire department, and was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Fisher Council, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Holy Name Society and was very active in the American Red Cross.