When the names of prosperous and successful farmers of Cedar county are mentioned that of Henry John Hammerich occupies a prominent place. He has stanch Teutonic blood in his veins and inherited from his father a fearlessness and energy that are such prominent characteristics of sons of Germany and their descendants wherever they are found. Indeed, it is very doubtful whether the American republic would be such a world power as it is today were is not for the sturdy arms and valiant hearts that ever since the establishment of the Union have sought here the blessings and freedom of thought and action which the old world cannot afford.
Henry J. Hammerich is a native of Holstein, Germany, where he was born August 28, 1852. He is a son of Detlef and Lena (Stender) Hammerich, both of Germany. He was educated in the public schools of his native land and after laying aside his books became a gardener, which is a vocation carried to a high degree of perfection in the old country. As a young man, ambitious of advancing in life and seeing great difficulties facing him in the fatherland on account of the dense population and keen competition, he decided to come to America and in 1878 he landed under the stars and stripes. For four years after arriving in this country he worked as a farm hand, in the meantime acquiring the language and becoming accustomed to the new conditions with which he was surrounded. In 1881 he rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sugar Creek township, this county, on which he continued for two years. At the expiration of that time he rented one hundred and twenty acres inFarmington township, which he conducted for one year. Then for eighteen years in Sugar Creek township he rented eighty acres, at the conclusion of which time, having by industry and good management acquired the necessary capital, he bought one hundred and ninety-two acres in Farmington township, which he cultivated for seven years. He had now reached a condition upon which his mind had been fixed for some time and to which his labors had been directed, and he sold his place and purchased the valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres upon which he now lives and for which he paid two hundred dollars an acre. Here he conducts general farming under the most favorable conditions and is known as one of the most substantial farmers in this part of the county.
On December 6, 1883, Mr. Hammerich was united in marriage to Miss Mary Magdalene Marolf, who was the first child born in the town of Wilton, Iowa, her natal day being July 11, 1850. She is a daughter of Peter and Anna (Nobs) Marolf, who were both natives of Switzerland and came to this country in 1848. They settled in Muscatine county and there the father departed this life April 6, 1881, and the mother died December 14, 1890. Three children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hammerich: Edward I., now deceased, who was born September 9, 1884; Louis, born January 16, 1886; and Edward, born November 14, 1887. Louis and Edward are both making their home with their parents.
Mr. Hammerich is identified with the democratic party but has never aspired to official position. He is essentially a man whose chief interests are in his work and one who values his home as the result of years of toil and well directed endeavor. He is known as a man of sympathetic nature, who readily responds to the call of distress and assists in any worthy enterprise that aims to advance the interests of the neighborhood. It is men of this character that have built up the country and made possible the numberless blessings with which we are surrounded.
