HENRY C. HAMANN

Henry C. Hamann, whose well directed labors as an agriculturist have won him a gratifying measure of success, is now the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in Farmington township. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 12th of February, 1854, his parents being Fred and Elsie (Licht) Hamann, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, whose natal day was August 28, 1820, emigrated to the new world in 1875 and carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away on the 15th of March, 1895, in Harrison county, Iowa, where his widow still makes her home. Their children were seven in number, as follows: Charlie, who is a resident of Harrison county, Iowa; Henry C., of this review; Louisa, the wife of Charles Gramkow, of Harrison county; John, who lives in Harrison county, Iowa; Minnie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ernst Frederickson, of Wilton, Iowa; Dora, who is the wife of Murry Evans and lives in Nebraska; and William, deceased.

Henry C. Hamann spent the first sixteen years of his life in the fatherland and there largely obtained his education. In 1870 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for a short time attended school in Scott county, Iowa. After putting aside his text-books he secured employment as a farm hand, being thus busily engaged for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he rented a tract of land in Inland township, Cedar county, devoting his attention to its cultivation for four years. He then purchased eighty acres in Farmington township and later added an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres. Subsequently he again extended the boundaries of his farm by an additional purchase of forty acres, so that his land holdings now embrace two hundred and forty acres. Since the property came into his possession he has built two fine residences thereon and has also erected good barns and other outbuildings. The farm is modern and up-to-date in all of its appointments and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Hamann also raises stock to some extent, deriving from both branches of his business an ample income.

On the 15th of February, 1883, in Davenport, Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Reins, a daughter of William and Minnie (Rudolf) Reins, both of whom were natives of Germany and are now deceased. Their marriage was celebrated in Scott county, Iowa. Our subject and his wife have six children, namely: William, born on the 9th of November, 1883,who was married November 28, 1908, to Emma Glaser and resides upon a part of his father’s farm; Henry, whose natal day was January 26, 1885; Edward, whose birth occurred July 17, 1888; Frank, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 8th of June, 1892; Minnie, who was born May 19, 1899; and Mabel, whose birth occurred on the 14th of July, 1901.

Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Hamann supports the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served as school director for ten years, while for three years he held the office of road supervisor. Both he and his wife belong to the German Lutheran church and are deeply interested in its work. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way upward, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well directed energy. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers four decades and he has many friends here, having won the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated.