President Chester A. Arthur Appoints Ulysses S. Grant’s Brother-in-law as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland

Michael J. Cramer earned his way through college by teaching German and Latin and working part time as a printer. He studied for the ministry and graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1860. Cramer joined the Methodist conference and preached for four years. In July  1864 President Lincoln appointed him Hospital Chaplain, in which post he ministered to sick, wounded and dying soldiers  Cramer stayed in the service until 1867, when President Andrew Johnson named him U.S. Consul at Leipzig, Germany. In addition to his official duties there, he organized a chapel service and preached every Sunday. In 1870, Cramer was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Denmark by his brother-in-law President Grant, and he resided in Copenhagen for eleven years in this capacity.  In 1881 President James Garfield appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, and this post was confirmed by Chester A. Arthur when he became President after Garfield's assassination. Cramer returned to America in 1885, the day after the death of Grant. 

Document Signed as President, on vellum, Washington, July 13, 1882, appointing Cramer Minister Resident & General Consul to Switzerland. It is countersigned by Secretary of State Frederick Frelinghuysen. Before the word "ambassador" came in to common use, this was an ambassadorial-level engagement.