The Lamp Families of Scott County, Iowa

ASMUS H. LAMP.

To few of the European nations which have contributed to the citizenship of this country do we owe more than to the German. Successful in business, its sons have also achieved distinction in agriculture, for the stable qualities of industry and frugality, which are dominant in their makeup, prove to be the characteristics which win the largest returns from the cultivation of the soil. Among the Germans who have settled in this county and whose worth have contributed so large a share to the general prosperity of this section of Iowa is Asmus- H. Lamp, who retired from active life some years ago and now lives in Davenport.

He was born January 18, 1836, a son of Claus and Celia (Gutch) Lamp. The father was a carpenter in Germany, but about 1847 decided to come to this country. The family landed at New Orleans on Christmas day, after having spent twelve weeks and four days in crossing the Atlantic. They traveled up the Mississippi river the day following their arrival and when they reached St. Louis spent the rest of the winter there. In the early spring they continued their journey to Davenport, where on Fouth street the father bought a lot and erected a house. That remained the home of the family for some years while he worked at his carpenter trade. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Davenport township near the northwest corner, for which he paid one hundred and forty dollars as it was all raw land. After having erected a house Asmus Lamp and his brother lived there during the summer, but closed the place in the winter, bringing the cattle to town, where the sons attended school. In this manner several years passed, during which time the father continued to do carpentering in the town, but finally, the land having been well cultivated, the family moved to the farm, on which they resided until the death of the mother at the age of seventy. Thereafter the father lived with his children until his death at the age of ninety-four years. They had four children: Trena, the deceased wife of Henry Stoltenberg, also deceased; Asmus H., the subject of this sketch; Claus H., of Davenport; and Peter, of Port Arthur, Texas.

Asmus H. Lamp had attended school in Germany before he came to this country and after he reached Davenport he spent a few winters in the schools. The most of his life has been devoted to farming. For more than thirty years he lived upon the first farm of one hundred and sixty acres his father had bought in Sheridan township. It had been procured from John Van Patten, who entered it from the government. The first year after it came into possession of the Lamp family Asmus broke it and the next year, that of 1858, he married and took up his permanent residence upon it. As he gained large returns from his labors he bought other land so that now he owns four farms in Scott county: one in Hickory Grove township; three in Sheridan township, one of one hundred and sixty acres, the other two contiguous comprising three hundred and sixty acres — two hundred and one hundred and sixty acres respectively — aggregating a total of six hundred and eighty acres. He also owns the valuable town property where he lives, having bought it about 1888, when he retired from active life. In that year he gave his homestead to one of his sons and, moving to the town, bought stock in the Davenport Elevator Company, in which he worked for some time. Later when the buildings were torn down and a new company organized Mr. Lamp became its president. The concern has about thirty elevators operated in several states. He is also a stockholder in the German Savings Bank, the Union Savings Bank and the Scott Couhty Bank of Davenport, besides being interested in sawmills in Louisiana and cement works in Kansas. As these large interests and the income of which they are productive are the result of his own efforts they certainly bespeak a life record that is most gratifying.

In April, 1858, Mr. Lamp married Miss Wipke Klindt, a daughter of Hans and Dora Klindt. At the age of twenty she came to the United States. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lamp. Minnie married Lon Seaman and passed away, leaving four children, Melinda, Nellie, Arthur and Frank. Anna became the wife of Charles Frye and they live in Seattle, Washington, where he is in the wholesale meat packing business. August married Miss Mary Fulner. They live near Eldridge, this county, and have four children, Henry, Hilda, Frank and Francis. Augusta is the wife of Frank Frye, of Seattle, Washington, who is engaged in the wholesale meat business, and they have one daughter, Marian.

Mr. Lamp has ' consistently given his support to the republican party but has himself taken no part in local affairs. Indeed, aside from looking after his various interests he holds little intercourse with the world of business, for having passed the allotted age of three score years and ten he feels he is justified in enjoying the results of his previous labor.

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

CLAUS H. LAMP.

Wfter about half a century of unremitting labor, which was not without many compensations naturally, Claus H. Lamp has retired from agricultural pursuits in Hickory Grove township and has taken up his residence in Davenport. He is one of the most prosperous farmers of this county and, despite advancing years.

OrS (iliELL AXI) l'A.MII> still retains a keen interest in the old life for he holds a large amount of land which is a constant reminder of the success he gained in former years.

He was born in Holstein, Germany, May 6, 1838, a son of Qaus and Celia (Gutch) Lamp. The father, also a native of Germany, was a carpenter by trade. In 1847 he decided to bring his family to the United States and make a new start in life.. They were fourteen weeks and four days in crossing the Atlantic but finally reached New Orleans on Christmas day. The next day they started up the Mississippi river and, having reached St. Louis, spent the winter there. With the opening of spring they came to Davenport, where the father bought a lot on Fourth street and himself erected a house. It remained the family home for several years while he worked at the carpenter's trade. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Davenport township, for which he paid only one hundred and forty dollars. As it was raw land the father turned it over to his two sons to prepare for cultivation. They accomplished the work so well that shortly the family was able to take up their residence thereon and there lived until the death of the mother, when they separated and the father lived with his children. He died at the age of ninety-four years, while his wife was only seventy when she passed away. They were the parents of four children: Trina, who married Henry Stotenburg, both now deceased; Asmus H., of Davenport; Claus H., the subject of this sketch; and Peter, of Port Arthur.

Although Claus H. Lamp was but eight years old when the family left his native land he had already acquired some education in the schools of Germany. After coming to Scott county he spent a few winters in the pursuance of studies, his first teacher having been Mr. Prescott. He had little time, however, to give to lessons for he had early to begin to work. His first job was driving a team of oxen to a breaking plow. Later when his father bought his first farm he and his brother Asmus undertook to prepare it for cultivation. Taking their sister with them as housekeeper, they lived on that place during the summer, coming to town with the cattle during the winter. Later Mr. Lamp's father bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Hickory Grove township. It also was raw prairie land and Mr. Lamp again undertook to break it. There he lived for two years, working for his father, the latter receiving the crops. Then he was given the place, and it remained his home until about 1897, when he retired from active life and removed to Davenport. In the meantime, however, he kept increasing his landholdings until he has nine hundred and twenty acres of some of the best land of Scott county in his possession. It is divided as follows: three hundred and twenty acres in Hickory Grove township; another farm of two hundred and forty acres in that township; a third of one hundred and sixty acres also in Hickory Grove township; one hundred and sixty acres in Liberty township; and forty acres in Cleona township. Another indication of his prosperity is the fact that he holds considerable stock in the German Savings Bank and in the Walcott Savings Bank. Like his brother Asmus H. Lamp, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, Claus Lamp has made the best use of the opportunities afforded him. More than that he has not been lax in seeking for chances to better his fortunes and prove himself worthy of the highest type of citizenship in this republic.

On the 13th of August, 1861, Mr. Lamp wedded Miss Catherine Lamp, a daughter of Peter and Abel (Goetsch) Lamp. They have had five children. Mathilda became the wife of August Paustian, of Hickory Grove township, and they have seven children, Meta, Wilma, Julius, August, Martha, Hilda and Clarence. Caroline married George Schlapkohl, of Liberty township, and they have four children, Katie, Edna, Albert and Mabel. Julius wedded Lena Schlapkohl and they have four children, Rudolph, Clarence, Martha and Leonard. Gustavus P. married Regina Magnus and lives in Hickory Grove township. They have three children, Louis C. E., Dewey E. and Melinda. Clara C. became the wife of Otto F. Harbeck. They live with Mr. Lamp and have three children, Catherine C, Clara M. and Helen M.

Mr. Lamp has always voted the republican ticket and while he was living in Hickory Grove township was elected upon it to the offices of justice of the peace, trustee, school director and road supervisor. The duties of each position he fulfilled with a care and efficiency which has marked the operations of his private life so that he enjoys the respect of his fellow citizens. He is a member of lodge No. 221, A. F. & A. M., of Davenport, and of the German Pioneer Society.

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

AUGUST H. LAMP.

August H. Lamp, a prominent agriculturist and leading citizen of Sheridan township, there owns and resides upon a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which has remained his place of above from his birth to the present time. He was born on the 28th of June, 1863, and is a representative of one of the old and prominent German-American families of Scott county, his parents being Asmus H. and Whipke (Kindt) Lamp. A sketch of the father, who is now Hving retired in Davenport, appears on another page of this volume.

In his youthful days August H. Lamp attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and subsequently pursued a course at Duncan's.Business College of Davenport. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and has devoted his time and energies to the work of farming throughout his entire business career, now owning a tract of two hundred and forty acres of well improved and productive land in Sheridan township. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged in feeding stock and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income. A man of enterprise and excellent executive ability, he has likewise put forth his energies in other directions and is now one of the directors of the Eldridge Savings Bank and the president of the Farmers Elevator Company. The latter concern has ninety-seven local stockholders and was organized about a year ago with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. Its officers are as follows: August H. Lamp, president; Gus Schneckloth, vice president; Julius Weise, secretary; and Joseph McDowell, treasurer. Mr. Lamp also acts as appraiser for the German Insurance Company of Scott county and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, progressive and influential citizens of his community.

On the 22d of February, 1888, Mr. Lamp was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Fellener, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Gertz) Fellener, who were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lamp now have four children, namely: Henry, Hilda, Frank and Francis, all of whom are still under the parental roof. They have been provided with liberal educational advantages.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Lamp has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust and he is now serving as a trustee of Sheridan township and likewise as president of the school board. He has also acted as the efficient incumbent in the office of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to lodge No. 118 at Eldridge, Iowa. His entire life has been passed here and he is widely recognized as a straightforward and reliable business man and an enterprising, progressive citizen, who well merits the esteem that is universally accorded him.

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

GUS P. LAMP.

Gus P. Lamp, a well known resident of Hickory Grove township, is located on a desirable farm on section 32, whose associations must be doubly dear to him for it was here that he was born January 28, 1872. His parents were Claus H. and Katherine (Lamp) I-amp, who lived for a number of years in Davenport. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of five children: Matilda, the wife of August Paustian, a resident of Hickory Grove township; Caroline, who married George Schlapkohl and lives in New Liberty township; Julius, located in Hickory Grove township; and Clara, who married Otto Harbeck and lives in Davenport.

Gus P. Lamp received his education in the public schools and spent four winters in attendance at Davenport's Business College, his training not being limited to his own particular vocation. Since he began his active business career his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, the scene of his activities being, as previously mentioned, the old home farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 32 and 29, Hickory Grove township. In addition to general farming he devotes a part of his attention to stock raising with profitable result. He is also a stockholder in the Galloway Manufacturing Company, of Waterloo, Iowa. An evidence of his very provident nature is the fact that he carries ten thousand dollars life insurance.

Mr. Lamp was married July 2, 1896, to Miss Regina Magnus, of Davenport. She was born June 2, 1873, and is a daughter of Emil Magnus. They have three children: Louis C. E., Dewey D. and Malinda Luella.

Mr. Lamp is very happy in his fraternal relations, holding membership in two organizations in Walcott, lodge No. 1644 of the Eagles, and camp No. 7749 of the Modern Woodmen of America. Although comparatively a young man, he has accumulated a very considerable amount of wealth. Prudent, resourceful, a keen business man and yet a just neighbor, he is held in high regard by all who know him.

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

Mrs. Christina Lamp, who owns some valuable property in the city of Davenport, is the widow of Hans Asmus Lamp, who was well known as a farmer of Hickory Grove township, this county. She was born in Prussia, Germany, August 16, 1837, a daughter of Frederick and Magdalena Roush, and came to the United States with her parents in 1852. They located in this county, where her father became well known as a butcher and meat packer. Indeed he was one of the pioneers in that line of work in Davenport. He was successful and well respected when in 1899 his long life of seventy-six years was brought to a close. His wife survived him about a year, her death having occurred in 1900, when she was eighty-two years old.

Mrs. Lamp had lived in Iowa for about nine years when, on the 6th of November, 1861, she gave her hand in marriage to Hans Asmus Lamp. He had been born in Holstein, Germany, December 11, 1834, but in 1851 came to America with his parents, Peter and Able Lamp. The family landed at New Orleans and then came up the Mississippi river to Davenport, where the father and son found work in a sawmill. Later Peter Lamp bought half a section of land in Hickory Grove township, which was partly improved at the time. He prospered well in his undertakings, acquired considerable property, and in the course of years became one of the substantial and prominent German farmers of Scott county. He and his wife both died here.

Hans Asmus Lamp learned the trade of a carpenter while he worked in the sawmill after coming to Scott county, and during the succeeding years followed hi; trade in the winter, while in the summer he assisted his father on the farm. In both occupations he achieved a distinct success, for many of the fine residences of Davenport and the surrounding country bear witness to his skill as a workman, and the several tracts he rented won him a generous return for his labors. He rented and operated several tracts of land and in early days engaged in breaking prairie with ox-teams in other counties besides Scott. He also engaged in threshing, owning a machine. On the 26th of October, 1892, his long and eventful life was brought to a close. He had participated in and contributed to the remarkable progress which has transformed the character of Scott county in the past half century.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lamp were born ten children but the first two died in infancy. Herman, a carpenter in Davenport, married Miss Dora Harding and they have had nine children: Ella; Walter; Edna; Arthur; Wilham; Laura; Agnes; Henry, deceased; and a baby. Emma lives at home. Charles, a resident of Durant, Iowa, married Miss Bertha Yep, and they have three children: Flora, Arthur and Viola. Minnie is the widow of Joseph Allen, a native of Davenport and a prominent teacher in this county, who died in the Philippines when his son Philip was an infant. His widow lives with her parents, under whose roof she is rearing her two children, James and Philip. August is residing in Chicago, Illinois. The other children of the family died in infancy. Mr. Lamp was a member of the German lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and among his fraternal brethren had made many stanch friends by whom he was sincerely mourned at the time of his death.

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