Joseph Lamm is one of the enterprising commercial men of Elkader, being interested in a number of local industries and business concerns. He is proprietor of the Elkader Elevator, the Elkader Creamery, and also runs one of the large general merchandise stores. In his various ventures and undertakings he has shown sagacity and foresight, his efforts having met with unusual financial success.

Mr. Lamm comes of sturdy German stock and was born in Erie County, N.Y., in 1849. His father, Arbagust Lamm, was born in Germany and came to this country and settled in Erie County, N.Y.; there he resided for a number of years, and then proceeded direct to Iowa, making a settlement in Clayton County, where in course of time his death occurred.

Joseph Lamm, of this sketch, from his early years lived on his father's farm in Wagner Township, and at the age of thirteen years became a resident of Elkader, attending the public school of this place for three years. His opportunities for obtaining an education were not of the best, but he improved such as he had, and by further reading and study supplemented by his experience and observation in after years, he has become the well informed and well read man that he now is. When eighteen years old he bagan to make his own way, starting in as a clerk with the firm of L. Reuther, of Elkader, with whom he remained for some time. In 1869 he accepted a position as Deputy Postmaster of Elkader, where he remained for three and a-half years. He then returned to his former work as a clerk, later for five years serving as railway mail clerk.

In 1878 he embarked in business on his own account in this city, engaging in general merchandising, and this business he has carried on with great success to the present time. The same year after starting as a merchant, he also accepted a place as station agent in Elkader, a position he held until the year 1892 uninterruptedly, at the same time supervising his other business. In 1892 Mr. Lamm built the Elkader Elevator, the business of which steadily increased until it has become one of the features of the town. In January, 1894, he also made a venture in another direction, opening the creamery of this place which now does a large and increasing trade. In these various undertakings Mr. Lamm has been very successful, as he brings to bear upon everything in which he is interested his shrewd and accurate judgment.

Mr. Lamm holds membership with Elkader Lodge No. 72, A.F.&A.M., and is also identified with Chapter No. 41, R.A.M. In politics he sides with the Republican party, with which he has been connected for many years. In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lamm and Miss Ella S. Packer, who passed her girlhood and received her education in Fayette County, Iowa. The pleasant and hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Lamm is situated on High Street, where it is their pleasure to often entertain the many friends they have made in this community. Mr. Lamm occupies an enviable place in the regard and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, as he is upright and honorable in his business transactions, and those who have dealings with hiim feel that they can place the most implicit confidence in his carrying out to the letter every contract and agreement he has made.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 386-387
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall