Gamerdinger, Jacob F. 1870-1943

GAMERDINGER, LEITHOFF

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/27/2012 at 05:37:33

Jacob F. Gamerdinger, one of the well-known and successful business men of Remsen and the manager of the elevator at that place, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 27, 1870, the son of George and Christiana Gamerdinger, also natives of Germany, who spent all their lives there. They were the parents of seven children, Jacob F. being the only one who came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Gamerdinger were prominent in the social and the religious life of their community and were held in the highest regard by all. Mr. Gamerdinger was a farmer and held the office of state road overseer. He was man of much ability and was held as one of the prominent men of the district.
Jacob F. Gamerdinger received his education in the public schools of his native country and there grew to manhood. As a young man he learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed for some years in the Fatherland. He remained a resident of the land of his birth, until 1889, when he decided to come to America. On his arrival in the United States he came direct to Iowa and located at Marcus, in the neighborhood of which place he worked as a farm hand until 1895, when he entered the Unites States regular army in which he served for three years. After his discharge from the army he returned to Iowa and later went to Kansas, where he remained until 1900, when he returned to Iowa and located near Marcus, where he rented land and remained until 1903. He then came to Plymouth county and rented three hundred and thirty acres of land one mile north of Remsen, and there engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1914, in which year he moved to Remsen and on July 4, of that year became the manager of the farmers elevator, which handles grain, flour and feed and also handles salt, fence posts, wire, gasoline and oil and buys hogs. In that position Mr. Gamerdinger has given the most general satisfaction and has the confidence and the respect of the entire community.
On December 21, 1898, Jacob F. Gammerdinger was united in marriage to Anna Leithoff and to this union two children have been born, George and Jacob. The family are active members of the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran church and take much interest in church work, Mr. Gamerdinger having served as secretary and president of the church organization. Mr. Gamerdinger is a Knight Templar Mason and is prominent in the work of the order.
At the time Jacob F. Gammerdinger came to this country he was compelled to borrow money with which to pay his way to the United States. Today he is recognized as one of the substantial men of the community and has the confidence and the respect of all.

Source: The History of Plymouth County, Vol. II, edited by W. S. Freeman, 1917.