Mackerman, John

MAKERMAN, CLAUSSEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 12:48:56

John Mackerman, who carries on farming and stock raising on section 14, is one of the prominent German-American citizens of Sherman Township, Jasper County. A native of Prussia, Germany, he was born on the 11th of December 1841, and is the son of Claus and Sophia Mackerman, who were also natives of Prussia. Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood, and in early life he became familiar with all the departments of agriculture. He acquired a fair education in his native tongue, and since coming to this county has gained a fair knowledge of English.

When a young man of twenty-four years, Mr. Mackerman determined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, for he had heard much of the privileges and opportunities there afforded, and thought he could improve his financial condition by immigrating to the United States. On the 3rd of March 1866, he boarded an ocean steamer at Hamburg, and thirteen days later landed in New York City. He came at once to Iowa, locating in Scott County, where he worked for about three years as a farmhand by the day or month. He subsequently rented land in that county, and carried on farming in his own interests until 1872, which year witnessed his arrival in Jasper County. Settling in Sherman Township, he has here since made his home. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of good land on section 14, comprising one of the best farms in the community, for it is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. On the 26th of November 1874, Mr. Mackerman was united in marriage with Miss Ada Claussen, daughter of Hans Claussen. By their union have been born six children: Mary, John, Lena, Charles, Herman and Walter. The family is widely and favorably known in this community, its members ranking high in the social circles in which they move, and they have a host of warm friends.

Mr. Mackerman was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a supporter of the Democracy, and has served as School Director of his district. He manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and the honorable, upright life he has led commands the confidence and good will of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. He is truly a self- made man. When he arrived in America he had a capital of only $7, but he possessed an industrious and energetic nature and a determination to succeed. These characteristics have gained him prosperity and won him a leading place among the citizens of the community. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 264.