Claus H. Lamp

As printed in 1910

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 History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.