Herman Ihm is engaged in general merchandising in Guttenberg, and is also an extensive dealer in grain, being owner of the elevator at this place. Though a native of Germany, it is over forty years since his lot was cast in with inhabitants of this favored land and in welfare of this favored land and in the welfare of this his adopted county he has taken a prominent part, in every way furthering her interests. During the late war he manifested his patriotism by going to the front in defense of the Union, winning honors in the service and participating in a number of engagements.

A native of Baden, Germany, Mr. Ihm’s birth occurred in 1831, and his father, whose Christian name was William, was also born in the Fatherland , where his death occurred in 1870 at the good old age of seventy years. Our subject’s mother, who before her marriage was Walburga Herman, also died in Germany, when her son Herman was still an infant. The early years of the latter passed uneventfully and he received a more than ordinarily good education, as he learned not only his mother tongue, but acquired a good knowledge of French and became proficient in the English language.

It was in the year 1852 that Mr. Ihm bade adieu to his native land, sailing for America. On landing in New York City he spent some time in that metropolis, from where he proceeded to Belleville, ILL., there remaining for several months. In the fall of 1854 he came to Iowa, and started in the hotel business in Guttenberg, to which he devoted his energies for the succeeding two years. His next move was to erect a good store building, in which, when completed, he opened a general merchandise line of goods and the same year began his dealing in grain. He also shipped cattle to some extant, for a number of years sending car loads direct to Chicago. These several lines of business he has continued to follow and he has been blessed with success owing to his business enterprises and his thrifty qualities.

In 1861 Mr. Ihm volunteered as a member of Company K, Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, under General Sigel, and with his regiment took part in a number of important battles and engagements. For merit and strict attention to his duties he was promoted to be First Lieutenant of his company, and would have continued in the service until the close of hostilities had he not been compelled to resign on account of sickness, for which he received an honorable discharge in 1862. Returning to this place our subject resumed his business interests and in time recovered his health.

Our subject holds membership with several local societies, being a member of Prairie Laport Lodge No. 147, A. F. & A. M. Of Guttenberg Lodge No. 126, I. O. O. F., and of Jefferson Lodge No. 129, A. O. U. W. He still shows his patriotism and love of country by being a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served as the first Commander of the post at this place and at the present time acting as Adjutant.

In 1867 Mr. Ihm was married to Miss Caroline Koelitz, whose birth occurred in Germany. Their marriage has been graced by a family of three sons and a daughter: Albert, who is now living in St.Paul, Minn.; Emily, at home, Henrietta, who is the wife of William Zimmerman of this city, and Carl. The family occupy a pleasant and commodious residence in the city, and are received in the best circles of the town, being classed among its most influential and popular citizens.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 474-475
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell