Mammen, Dr. G. H.

MAMMEN, AHRENSFELD

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer
Date: 8/2/2011 at 11:59:23

Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa (Anonymous, 1899)

Mammen, G. H., M.D. Engaged in a lucrative medical practice at Le Mars is Dr Mammen, a young man whose early life was passed on the farm. His father was born in Germany, in 1840, of plain, honest and poor parents. He received no school advantages worthy of mention, and in 1865, when he had saved enough from his wages on the farm to procure a ticket, came to the United States, landing in New York without money and without friends. After a discouraging search for work, his persistency was rewarded, and for a month he worked as gardener, then came west, locating at Sterling, Ill., where he found employment on a farm. Through the practice of rigid economy he was enabled later to purchase a small tract of land, upon which he built a home. He was married in 1869 to Miss Johanna Margaretta Gesiene Landheer, a young lady who had emigrated from Germany the year before. She died June 10, 1881. The ancestors of both branches of the family were Germans and tradesmen.

Dr Mammen was born on a farm in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, Ill., March 14, 1872, and is therefore 27 years of age, but notwithstanding his youthfulness he is a professional man of reputation and large practice. When 4 years old he entered the district school, and at 12 removed with his parents to Le Mars, where the process of education was materially retarded by the labor that was required on the farm. In 1886, however, he had the privilege of attending the German Lutheran school, and so well was the opportunity improved that he finished the following year. Returning to farm work for the purpose of earning money with which to continue his schooling, he was soon enabled to enter the Le Mars Normal school and business college, where he remained one winter. He attended that institution as regularly as his means would permit until 1891, when he graduated. He commenced the study of medicine in 1891 in the office of Dr Richey, and in the fall of that year entered the Iowa State university, where he remained one term, then matriculated in Rush Medical college of Chicago, from which he graduated May 23, 1894. He at once returned to his home in Le Mars and engaged in practice, with most gratifying success from the start, and is now regarded as among the leading practitioners of that city. He was chosen county physician in 1894, and in 1895 was elected coroner. These offices were given him by republican votes, he being an earnest supporter of that political faith. He is a member of the American Medical association, the Sioux Valley Medical association and the Missouri Valley Medical society, the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias. He is medical examiner for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, American Union of New York, Mutual Reserve Fund Life of New York, Northwestern Life Assurance company of Chicago, Masons' and Odd Fellows' Union Aid association and the orders of A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F., I. W. of A. and Sons of Herman. June 11, 1896, he married to Miss Emma Louise Ahrensfeld, of Chicago, Ill.