The Hamann Families of Scott County, Iowa

JOHN H. J. HAMANN.

John H. J. Hamann, who has lived retired in Davenport since 1896, was formerly actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests and is still the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township. His birth occurred in Schleswig, Germany, on the 5th of October, 1824, his parents being Hans D. and Ida E. Hamann, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. He acquired his education in the schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books began farming in association with his father. During the Schleswig-Holstein wars, from 1848 until 1850, he served as a teamster. In 1857, when a young man of thirty-three years, he determined to establish his home in the new world and set sail for the United States, landing at New York. His brother, Hans Hamann, who had emigrated to this country about 1848, was living in Davenport and this fact induced our subject to come direct to Iowa. He immediately went to work for his brother on a farm in Davenport township and for a time was busily employed as a farm hand, being engaged in threshing, etc. Subsequently he rented a tract of land in Davenport township from his brother, making his home thereon for six years, while during the following eleven years he devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of a rented farm in Sheridan township. On the expiration of that period he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land of his own and in 1875 he came into possession of an adjoining farm of 160 acres, taking up his above thereon. As there were only a few improvements on the property, he erected a house, barns, etc., and soon the place was lacking in none of the equipments and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and was actively engaged in the work of the fields until 1896, when he removed to Davenport, where he has since lived retired. For about fifteen years he served as one of the trustees of the Farmers' Insurance Company.

On the 17th of April, 1857, just prior to his emigration to America, Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Louisa H. Grimm, who was born on the 22d of January, 1828, her parents being Hans and Carolina A. Grimm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamann were born seven children. John A., residing in Davenport, wedded Miss Carolina Wors, by whom he has a daughter, Hilda. Lewis C, who makes his home in Lyon county, married Miss Lena Roheff and has four children: Clara, Grover, Herbert and Ella. Alvina C, who gave her hand in marriage to Hugo Kuehl, of Eldridge, is now the mother of four children: Emil, Hugo, Adelia and Alma. Adelia wedded Otto Dehn, of Lyon county, and also has four children, namely: Lewis, Mello, Herbert and Alma. Henry, who resides on the old homestead farm in Sheridan township, married Miss Anna Hintz, by whom he has six children — Alma, Cynthia, Elva, Maletto, Cora and Blanche. Louisa and Meta Hamann have both passed away.

Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Hamann has given his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust, including those of school director and road supervisor. He has long been a prominent member of the German Pioneers' association of Scott county and has recently been honored with its presidency. The period of his residence in this county covers more than a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its most, respected and venerable citizens, having now passed the eighty-fifth milestone; on life's journey. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN H. HAMANN.

A valuable farming property of two hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township is the result of what John H. Hamann has accomplished since coming to America, for he possesses the industry, thrift and perseverance so characteristic of the German race. He was born in Holstein, Germany, September 18, 1834, a son of Henry and Dorothy Hamann. The father served in the army and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He passed away in Germany but his wife, who emigrated to the United States about 1863, died in this country in 1886.

From the reports which came to John H. Hamann in his early manhood, he was convinced that America offered better opportunities to the ambitious young man than did his own country, and accordingly, after he had completed his studies and was ready to start out in the business world, he set sail for the United States, the year 1857 witnessing his arrival in New York. From that place he at once made his way to Scott county, where for five years he was employed at farm labor. He then established a home of his own by his marriage, after which he located in Davenport and engaged in teaming for five years. However, farming seemed to appeal to him and accordingly he rented a tract of land in Sheridan township, which he cultivated for six years. During these years he had been successful, each year gathering good crops, which brought to him a sum of money that enabled him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres, which constitutes a portion of his present acreage. Locating on his newly acquired possessions, he at once began to further improve and develop the place and now has a fine country residence, surrounded with substantial barns and outbuildings. He has since added one hundred acres and now has a farm comprising two hundred and sixty acres, all of which is in a cultivable state. In addition to carrying on general farming he raises shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and he is today accounted one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Sheridan township.

It was on the 31st of January, 1863, that Mr. Hamann was married to Miss Anna Neilsen, who came to the United States from Germany in 1862, making the trip alone. She was born in Schleswig, Bredstedt, Germany, on the 28th of May, 1837, a daughter of Dietrich and Cathrina (Tackmann) Neilsen. By her marriage Mrs. Hamann has become the mother of two sons and two daughters. Rosie is. the wife of Julius Grell, of Aliens Grove township, and they have a daughter and son, Margaret and Carl. August, the second member of the family, wedded Minnie Leptien and they reside on his father's farm. They have four children: Leona, August, Luther and Elma. Augustus and Bertha are still with their parents.

Mr. Hamann gives stalwart support to the democratic party and on that ticket was elected township trustee, which office he filled very acceptably for six years. He has also been road supervisor and school director. He is methodical and systematic in his work, as is apparent in the conduct of his farm, all fields being platted and arranged so that the best results may be obtained from the labor expended. The outbuildings and barns are also arranged with a view to convenience and a glance at his attractive and well kept place, which is located within three miles of Eldridge, is in itself a lesson in thrift and industry.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALBERT W. HAMANN.

Albert W. Hamann, prominent as a representative of the legal profession and also active in political circles in Davenport, has found in these two fields scope for his energy and laudable ambition, his dominant qualities. One of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurred in Audubon county, November 8, 1876. His father, C. H. Hamann, was a native of Germany and, coming to America in 1855, established his home in Davenport, where he resided until 1873. In that year he removed to Audubon county, where he turned his attention to farming. He later returned to Davenport, where he established a wagon manufactory, becoming one of the pioneers in this field of business in the city. He retired from active life in the year 1890, and died in 1899, respected and honored by all who knew him. In early manhood he had wedded Marie Koenig, who was also a native of Germany and came to Davenport in 1856 with her father, Carl A. Koenig, one of the early settlers of this city.

Brought to Davenport during his early boyhood, Albert W. Hamann acquired his education in the public schools here, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school as a member of the class of 1893. He then entered the University of Iowa, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and with broad literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning he entered the law department of the Iowa State University and was graduated in 1898. The following year he pursued a post-graduate course in law at Columbia University of New York city and returned to Davenport.

When he entered upon practice here his equipment was unusually good. To an understanding of uncommon acuteness and vigor he added a thorough and conscientious preparatory training, while in his practice he has exemplified all the higher elements of the truly great lawyer. He became associated with Carl F. Hass, and under the firm style of Hass & Hamann the partnership has since been maintained. His diligence and energy in the preparation of his cases, as well as the earnestness, tenacity and courage with which he defends the right as he understands it, challenges the admiration of his associates. His fidelity to the interests of his clients is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

Frqm his youthful days Mr. Hamann has been actively interested in politics and served for one term in the twenty-ninth general assembly of Iowa, giving earnest and careful consideration to each question which came up for setdement. In 1902 he was a member of the code supplement committee. In 1904 he was elected county attorney and acceptably filled that, position for foulyears. His standing among fellow members of the bar is indicated in the fact that in 1908 he was elected president of the County Attorneys Association of the state. In 1902 Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Clara Heuck, a native of Germany, who came to Davenport with her parents in her girlhood days. They are prominent socially, and Mr. Hamann is a popular member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is recognized as a young man of high character who has demonstrated his worth in his chosen profession and in citizenship, and undoubtedly has before him a bright future.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.