A native of Berlin, Germany, where his father was a book seller, Schramm studied at the Berlin Academy of the Arts, once his study was complete he travelled in eastern Europe for several months settling in Poland. Schramm exhibited at the Berlin Academy exhibitions between 1834 to 1838.

In 1849 Schramm migrated to South Australia arriving on the 7th of August aboard the Princess Louise one of 12 ships that brought around 1500 German immigrants to South Australia.

His reasons for leaving Europe are unknown. It is possible the political unrest of 1848 played a role in his departure. His life in Adelaide was not well documented, he was unmarried, and did not have any direct family in South Australia. He died of Tuberculosis on the 8th of November 1864, at the age of 50 and was given a paupers burial.