GEORGE HAMANN

View Portrait of George Hamann and Family

George Hamann, a respected and worthy resident of Durant, won the competence that now enables him to live retired through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years and is still the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in Fairfield and Farmington townships. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Holstein on the 5th of August, 1853. In 1858 his parents crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, making their way direct to Iowa, arrived in Davenport on the 15th of May of that year. They remained at that place for six months, the father working in a brickyard at a wage of seventy-five cents per day and receiving instead of cash a slip of paper each Saturday night which entitled him to go to the store and purchase groceries for his family. In November, 1858, he removed with his wife and five children to Le Claire, Scott county, where he secured employment as a farm hand, receiving one hundred and eighty dollars for his services at the end of a year. Subsequently he went to Clinton county, where he was actively engaged in the cultivation of rented land for seven years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Cleona township, Scott county, paying forty dollars an acre for the property. The operation of that place claimed his attention until about 1890, when he leased the farm to his son and took up his abode in Durant, where he lived in honorable retirement until called to his final rest in 1904. The demise of his wife had occurred in 1896.

George Hamann, who was but a little lad of five years when brought to the new world by his parents, has resided within the borders of the state of Iowa continuously since. Under the direction of his father he early gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and throughout his active business career wisely followed the occupation to which he had been reared. He was married when about twenty-three years of age and following that important event in his life remained on his father-in-law’s farm in Muscatine county for two years. During the second year his crops were destroyed by a hail storm and in the spring of 1878 he established his home in Farmington township, Cedar county, where he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1903. He then put aside the active work of the fields and during the following six years lived retired at Bennett. Since June, 1909, however, he has made his home in Durant. His property holdings include four hundred acres of well improved and highly productive land, one hundred and sixty acres thereof lying in Fairfield township and the remainder in Farmington township. He likewise owns a fine residence in Durant and the prosperity which he now enjoys is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it is attributable entirely to his untiring industry, indefatigable energy and good business management.

On the 16th of February, 1876, Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Jockheck, a daughter of E. F. and Sophia Jockheck, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this volume. Their home has been blessed with seven children, six daughters and one son. Amanda S., whose birth occurred in Muscatine county on the 19th of November, 1876, is now the wife of William Trede, of Farmington township. Erena C., who was born in Farmington township on the 10th of September, 1878, is the wife of Fritz Schlunsen and resides on the old homestead. Regina M., who was born in Farmington township on the 19th of June, 1880, gave her hand in marriage to Albert Langmann, of Inland township. Hulda L., whose birth occurred in Farmington township on the 15th of April, 1883, is the widow of Herman Langmann and makes her home in Durant. Sophia Jane, who was born in Farmington township on the 24th of December, 1889, is still at home. George I., whose birth occurred in Farmington township on the 16th of May, 1892, is employed in the Scott County Savings Bank of Davenport. Norma D., born in Farmington township, August 16, 1895, attends the Durant public school.

Mr. Hamann’s political views are in accord with republican principles but he does not consider himself bound by party ties and frequently casts an independent ballot, taking into consideration the capability of a candidate rather than his party affiliation. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He is a member of the village council of Durant and served in a similar capacity while a resident of Bennett, this county. He has likewise acted as justice of the peace, school director and road supervisor in Farmington township, ever discharging his official duties in a most satisfactory and praiseworthy manner. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. They have a host of friends that is constantly increasing as the circle of their acquaintance broadens and all who know them speak of them in terms of warm regard.