Henry Stamp
Among the farmers of German parentage residing in Crawford county is Henry Stamp, whose home is on section 31, Soldier township.
He is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, March 20, 1877, and is a son of Hans and Anna (Klinck) Stamp. The parents were both born in Germany and were married in their native land. They came to America in 1868 and being attracted to Iowa took up their home in Clinton county, where the father worked in a sawmill for ten years. He then rented land for three years, after which he removed to Dallas county and continued renting for two years. Believing that Crawford county presented more favorable advantages he located here and after renting land for eight years purchased eighty acres. He cultivated his farm for a year and then disposed of it, buying one hundred and twenty acres in Soldier township. Here he lived for seven years and then sold his property and retired to Berne, Iowa.
He died May 17, 1910, but his wife is still living and makes her home with her children, being now sixty-nine years of age. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stamp, namely: Mary, the wife of John Mordhorst, of Denison; Henry, the subject of this review; Mamie, the wife of Hans Jacobs of Bonhomme county, South Dakota; and Peter, Henry, Hans, Anna and Otto, all of whom died in early childhood.
Henry Stamp attended the public schools in his boyhood. receiving the foundation of an education which he has greatly broadened by contact with the world. He remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then began farming on his own account by renting land for one year. At the end of that time he purchased the farm of eighty acres upon which he is now living. The soil is rich and productive and yields bountiful harvests. He raises good grades of cattle and hogs, which he is usually successful in disposing of at a profitable figure.
On the 29th of May, 1901, Mr. Stamp was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Johannsen, who was born in Germany, November 2, 1874, and is a daughter of Hans and Margaret (Klinck) Johannsen. Her parents were married in Germany and came to America in 1888. The father worked for wages for four years at Bryant, Clinton county, Iowa, and then came to Soldier township, Crawford county, where he rented land for eleven years. He is now the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Of eight children in their family two died in infancy, the others being: Jurgen, of South Dakota; Mary, who died at the age of two years; Catherine M., the wife of Hans Boyens, of Goodrich, Crawford county; Maggie, now Mrs. Henry Stamp; Christina, the wife of William Penker, of Crawford county; and Claus, who is living on the family homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Stamp have five children, namely: Ita A. M., who was born May 31, 1902; Adele Marie, born July 2, 1904; George Henry, March 13, 1906; Helma c., September 29, 1908; and Esther Margaret, March 12, 1911.
Mr. Stamp has not given much attention to politics but he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are greatly interested in the welfare of those with whom they are associated. He has been successful in his business and has a practical knowledge which he uses to good advantage. He is a man of unexceptional character and his financial standing is unquestioned. Such men are a credit to their class and to the community which they adorn.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.