GETTMAN, HENRY

GETTMAN, LAMBRICK, HARRIS, WAGENER, ZINGG, BROWN, WOODWORTH

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/6/2004 at 09:47:32

Biography reproduced from page 664 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Henry Gettman is a prosperous farmer living on the northeast quarter of section 5, Harrison township, Kossuth county. He owns and operates one hundred and ninety-eight and a half acres of land, which is well improved, and raises a great deal of high-grade stock for the market. He was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, May 8, 1868, a son of Peter and Catherine (Lambrick) Gettman, both natives of Germany. The father was a cabinet-maker and furniture maker by trade but after emigrating to the new world in 1866 took up agricultural pursuits and on settling in Washington county, Wisconsin, immediately after his arrival in America, bought a small farm upon which he lived until 1878. He at that time disposed of his Washington county property and removed to Hardin county, Iowa, where he bought a farm and upon that place resided until his death, which occurred in 1883. His wife survives him and is living in Alton, Hardin county, having left the farm after the death of her husband. Four children were born to them, namely: Peter, deceased; Mary, the wife of A. L. Harris, a farmer of Dickinson county, Iowa; Lottie, who married Charles Wagener, of Alden, Iowa, a carpenter and contractor by trade; and Henry, of this review.

The last named was reared in Hardin county, Iowa, his boyhood days being spent on the home farm. He was educated in the district schools there and when not engaged in school work assisted his father with the farm work until he attained the age of eighteen years, when he started out in life on his own account. He first began working as an employe for farmers in the neighborhood, being thus engaged for four years. He then rented a farm in Hardin county upon which he remained until the spring of 1893, when he removed to Kossuth county and purchased land in Harrison township, a half mile west of the place on which he now resides. Later he bought the northeast quarter of section 4 and in 1904 occupied the place. He now has one hundred and ninety-eight and a half acres of land, all of which he is operating with the aid of his sons. He is one of the well known stock breeders and raisers of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, having a number of registered animals of those breeds and his stock finds a ready sale. None of his cattle are less than three-quarters or seven-eights grade, and his hogs, which are not registered, are eligible to registration.

Mr. Gettman was married January 3, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth Zingg, a daughter of Godfrey and Annie (Brown) Zingg. The father was born in Switzerland while the mother is a native of Muscatine, Iowa, both being of German parentage. The father was a farmer all of his life, dying on his farm near Buffalo Center, Iowa, in Lincoln township, September 12, 1908. The mother, who survives, is making her home on the old farm. In their family were ten children, as follows: John, a farmer of Nebraska; Andrew, engaged in mining in Alaska; Henry, carrying on agricultural pursuits in Buffalo Center, Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gettman; Herman and David, farmers of Buffalo Center; Rosa, the widow of Louis Woodworth, who makes her home at Buffalo Center; Daniel, a farmer of Buffalo Center; Sarah, also residing at that place; and Grover, a laborer of Buffalo Center. To Mr. and Mrs. Gettman have been born five children, namely: James Albert, nineteen years of age, who resides at home and assists his father on the farm; William Jesse, aged sixteen years, who also assists his father and attends district school, No. 2, Harrison township; Lottie, who is twelve years of age, and Catharine, aged ten, both pupils in district school No. 2; and Alta May, a little maiden of three years.

In his political views Mr. Gettman is republican. He is prominent in his community and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. He is now serving his sixth year as assessor of Harrison township and was also for four years a school director of district No. 2. The family attend the United Brethren church of Grant township, although the wife and mother is a member of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Gettman belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being with Swea City lodge. He has for many years been recognized as one of the foremost men in this line in Harrison township. He pays close attention to his stock, and his many customers have utmost confidence in him when purchasing animals from him with which to improve their herds. He is among the most respected of Kossuth county’s citizens and, being greatly interested in matters which affect the good of the community, has formed a very large acquaintance, being held in high esteem by all who know him.