O FREDERICK C STAMP, b 4 Feb 1851

STAMP, HOENEKE, KRUSE, SCHROEDER, CLAUS, LEONEKE, HOENEKE

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/25/2004 at 21:17:51

One of the most pleasing sights which strike the eye of the traveler as he journeys over the northern portion of Maquoketa Township, is the Stamp homestead, with its beautiful residence and other neat and substantial buildings, the former surrounded by evergreens and forming a home equaled by few in this county. The proprietor is one of the most prominent and popular German farmers in the southern part of this county, more than ordinarily intelligent, and one who by his native thrift and industry has raised himself to an enviable position socially and financially. His farm lies amid the most beautiful scenery of Maquoketa Township, equal in many respects to that of far-famed Switzerland, and indicates the good judgment exercised by Mr. Stamp in the selection of his location. The land is very fertile, well-watered, and produces in abundance the richest crops of the Hawkeye State.

Mr. Stamp came to Iowa in the spring of 1871, embarking at Hamburg in his native Germany on an ocean steamer which landed him in New York City thirteen days later. Thence he came directly to this county, his only capital being his strong hands and resolute will, and employed himself as a farm laborer near Sabula. Later he went into Clinton County, where he was similarly employed in Deep Creek Township. In the fall of 1872, he visited Austin, Nev., but liking Iowa better only remained five months, then returned to this county. He continued working for the farmers of this region some time, then began operating on rented land in Clinton county, where he resided until 1877. He then resolved to invest his little capital in land in Maquoketa Township and purchased 160 acres. A small portion of this had been broken, and upon it stood a log-house. The story of the few years which followed is similar to the career of scores of others who settled in this region about that time. It was a hard struggle at first, but in due time perseverance and industry yilded their legitimate results.

Mr. Stamp, in addition to the cultivation of his land, erected the necessary buildings, one by one, set out forest and fruit trees, enclosed his fields with neat fencing, and gathered together the machinery required for the successful prosecution of agriculture. He is located on the side of a bluff, possessing many natural advantages, among them, native timber and running water. For several years he contented himself with the thorough cultivation of the soil and the raising of grain, then turned his attention to live-stock, having graded Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine, a car-load of which he ships each year, and about fourteen head of graded Norman horses, two teams of which are employed on a farm.

On the 13th of February, 1874, our subject took unto himself a wife and helpmate, marrying, Feb. 13, of that year, Miss Anna, daughter of Carl Hoeneke, then a resident of Deep Creek Township. Mrs. Stamp was born in Centre Grove, Clinton Co., Iowa, March 28, 1856, and was there reared to womanhood, receiving her education in the common school. Her father, a native of Schleswig, Germany, learned cabinet-making in his early manhood, and on coming to America settled in the vicinity of Davenport and occupied himself as a carpenter. Finally he took up residence in Deep Creek Township, turned his attention to farming, and became the owner of 310 acres of land. He resided there until his death, and then left a fine estate to his family. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. The mother, Mrs. Katie (Kruse) Hoeneke, was also a native of Germany, and is still living at the homestead in Deep Creek Township, being now fifty-eight years old. Grandfather Hoeneke, also a native of Germany, served in the army a period of ten years, mostly fighting against the French. He, too, finally emigrated to America, and taking up land in Clinton County, this State, became well-to-do, and here spent his last days.

To the parents of Mrs. Stamp there were born nine children, viz: Lizzie, who was a resident of Clinton County; Anna (Mrs. Stamp); Henry and William, of Maquoketa Township; Louis and Peter, of Clinton County; Lena, who died when fifteen years old; Teresa, of Fairfield Township, this county, and Harmon, of Clinton County. The native place of Mr. Stamp is also in Schleswig, his birth taking place Feb. 4, 1851. As is customary with the children of the Fatherland he was placed in school at an early age. His father died when he was ten years old, and he was then taken into the home of his cousin, Hans Schroeder, with whom he remained until a youth of fifteen. Thereafter he worked on a farm three years, then going to Hamburg engaged in teaming and was thus occupied until setting out for America.

The parents of our subject were Peter and Anna (Claus) Stamp, natives of the same province as their son, and where the mother died. The paternal grandfather, Claus Stamp, was a well-to-do farmer of Schleswig and owned a large estate. Peter Stamp was also well-to-do, and in addition to farming, in which he engaged quite extensively, he also operated as a brickmaker, and kept a grocery store. He had one of the finest improved estates in the province, and there spent his entire life, passing away in 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church.

To the parents of our subkect there were born seven children, namely: William; Carl, in Australia; Ferdinand also there; Edward, deceased; Leopold, in Australia; Herman, in Nevada, and O. Frederick C., our subject, who was the youngest child of the first wife of his father. The latter was married a second time, and there were born two sons: Adolph, now a resident of Crawford County, this State, and Henry, who sojourns in his native Germany. William, the eldest brother of our subject, was a lieutenant in the army during the war between Prussia and Denmark. Later he emigrated to America and served as captain in a Maryland regiment under the command of Gen. Hancock.

Henry Loeneke, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Stamp was a cabinet-maker by trade, and after coming to American located in Sandy Grove Township, Clinton County, this State, where he became owner of a farm and spent the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Stamp there have been born seven children, namely: Peter F.; Emma, deceased; Anna C., Carl H., William F., Mary C., and Minnie M. Those living are all at home with their parents. Both our subject, and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in the organization of which Mr. Stamp assisted, and to which he has given a liberal support. After he became a voting citizen he identified himself with the Democratic party. He has had little to do with politics, however, simply serving as School Director. He is one of the most thorough and skillful farmers in this region, and has accumulated a fine property. He speaks the English language fluently, and has become thoroughly Americanized, maintaining a warm interst in the land of his adoption.

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