Charles J Kremer - February 26, 1864-October 18, 1933

The late Charles J. Kremer, president of the Wisconsin Association of Master Bakers from 1905-1907 which today is known as the Wisconsin Bakers Association, owned and operated Kremer’s Bakery in Milwaukee, WI prior to becoming a senior food inspector and dairy and food commissioner. It was during this time when Kremer was a food inspector that he got the idea to start a dairy bakery. He wanted the public to see the relationship between the dairy industry and the baking industry and he felt the dairy bakery at the Wisconsin State Fair would be the perfect place to get the message across.

His message stands clear today as it did when he was alive, “We stand for good bakery goods, honorable business methods, clean shops, and living prices.” Cream Puffs were born and the legendary puffs continue to be a tradition at the Wisconsin State Fair today.

Kremer’s son, Philip Kremer later managed the bakery alongside Fred Laufenberg, secretary of the Wisconsin Bakers Association from 1952-1965.

On Saturday, August 14, 2004, the Kremer family was presented with a Hall of Fame plaque and a special inductee plaque to honor the memory of Charles J. Kremer on WBA Day at the Wisconsin State Fair. A duplicate special inductee plaque was made to permanently display at the Dairy Bakery at the Wisconsin State Fair. The WBA hopes to keep the memory of Charles J. Kremer alive for years to come by sharing his story with fairgoers and bakery visitors.

How WBA Started

It all started when Milwaukee area bakers joined forces to become more effective in fighting union efforts toward closed shops. Three far-sighted bakers were the catalysts: Charles Lehman, George Thuring and Joseph Poehlmann. One thing lead to another and on May 11, 1886, the Milwaukee Baecker Master Verein was created. Its motto was “Unity Makes Strength.”

Before long bakers in other parts of the state were facing similar struggles. By 1905, interested bakers and delegates from other communities throughout Wisconsin were ready to meet with the Milwaukee group and talk about a forming a statewide organization.

They set up a meeting, which was held September 14, 1905 at the Republican House in Milwaukee. Both wholesale and retail bakers were involved. After preliminary talks, a constitution similar to that of the national association was adopted, and the Wisconsin Association of Master Bakers was born. The name was changed to Wisconsin Bakers Association when the association incorporated in 193