JERRY RAMM, b 15 Jul 1828

RAMM, CRABBY, BANNICK

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/16/2004 at 18:06:01

This enterprising and successful German-American citizen, and one of the most highly respected residents of Van Buren Township, began life at the foot of the ladder, and is to-day far ahead of some of the men who were wealthy when he came to this county. His estate includes 270 acres of fine farming land, 110 acres being situated on section 1, and 160 acres on section 11, his residence being on the former section. During his residence in this country he has become familiar with her institutions, and justly prides himself upon his acquisition of the English language, which he has learned mostly through his own unaided efforts. He is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, has a comfortable homestead, with good improvements, and has at all times distinguished himself as an honest man and good citizen.

Mr. Ramm was born in Schleswig, Germany, July 15, 1828, and lived there until a man of twenty-seven years. He attended school from the age of six until sixteen, gaining a good education in his mother tongue, and was carefully trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. He served a year in the German Army, during the war between Denmark and the Fatherland, and later was in the Danish Army. After that he was mostly occupied at labor until making up his mind to come to America. He embarked at Hamburg in August, 1855, on the sailing-vessel "Franklin," and landed in New York City in October following. Thence he proceeded directly to this State, joining his friend and schoolmate, Peter Benning, who had taken up his abode in Iowa Township, this county.

Our subject first engaged as a farm laborer by the month, then rented a farm, upon which he operated until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. He was drafted into Company C, 15th Iowa Infantry, 3d Brigade, and served from September, 1864, until the close of the war, engaging in several skirmishes, and in the battle of Bentonville, N.C. He suffered with his comrades many hardships, but was fortunately never wounded or captured, and, when receiving his honorable discharge, returned to his old haunts in this county.

Prior to this, however, our subject had been married, in Jackson County, Iowa, Dec. 6, 1863, to Miss Ann Crabby. This lady was born in the Prussian Province of Pomerania, and was twenty-seven years of age when she came to America. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children, namely: Fredricka, Catherine and Emma (twins), and Anna, who died at the age of eleven years. Fredricka is now the wife of Claus Bannick, a farmer of Van Buren Township, and they have one child, a daughter, Anna. The others are at home with their parents.

For a number of years Mr. Ramm was an employee of Thomas L. McFarlane, and finally rented a part of Mr. McFarlane's farm. Subsequently he purchased seventy acres from him, which formed the nucleus of his present property. In the improvement and cultivation of this he has labored industriously for over twenty years, with most excellent results. Upon becoming a naturalized citizen he allied himself with the Republican party, and is warmly interested in everything which tends to the progress and glory of his adopted county.

The parents of our subject were John and Elsibie Ramm, who were also natives of Schleswig, and whose family consisted of seven children, six daughters and one son. The parents are now deceased; four daughters and one son are living.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)