John H. Hamann

As printed in 1910

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 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.