John H. Tamm
For nearly twenty years John H. Tamm has been connected with business interests in Denison and has assisted as a public-spirited citizen in promoting the welfare of the community. He found congenial employment in mercantile lines and the success that has attended his efforts is proof of his ability.
He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, April 14, 1865, a son of Henry and Catharine (Stoltenberg) Tamm, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was reared as a farmer. He came to America at the age of eighteen and engaged at various times in clerking, teaming and farming in Davenport and Camanche, Iowa. In 1882 he settled in Morgan township, Crawford county, and bought seven hundred and twenty acres of land, which he partly improved. He died three years after taking up his residence in this county, being then in the midst of a useful life, as he was only forty-seven years old. He was prominent in the community and served with marked ability as justice of the peace, school trustee and in other township offices. His wife is still living and makes her home at Ida Grove, She is a member of the Lutheran church, as was also her husband.
Three children were born to them: John H., of this review; and Charles and Edward, both of whom live near Schleswig.
Our subject's grandfather Tamm was a blacksmith in Germany and lived to the age of sixty-five years. Of his family Henry, Fred, Anna and Dora came to America and two members remained in the old country. The grandparents on the maternal side, Peter and Betty Stoltenberg, established their home in Crawford county, Iowa, where they spent their last years.
They had four children: Catharine; Henry; Bertha, of Davenport, the widow of John Johann; and William.
John H. Tamm lived in Clinton county until sixteen years of age and received his education in the district schools and in a business college at Davenport. He came to Crawford county with his parents and lived at home until he reached manhood, he and his brothers then taking charge of the home farm. In 1892 he took up his residence in Denison and entered the farm implement business, with which he has ever since been connected. He also sells automobiles and by intelligent and thoughtful attention to the wants of his customers has attracted a liberal patronage.
On the 8th of June, 1892, Mr. Tamm was united in marriage to Miss Orville Hilbert, a native of Clinton county and a daughter of Hans and Lena (Paulman) Hilbert. The father was born in Iowa and the mother in Germany. There were five children in their family: Orville, Ferdinand, William, Alfred and Minnie.
Mr. Tamm and his wife are sincere members of the Lutheran church and take a deep interest in its various beneficences. Politically he is not allied with any of the established parties, as he prefers to vote independently, selecting his candidates according to the needs of the times. He is genial and pleasing in address and has made a host of friends not only by his kindly disposition but also by his honorable and straightforward dealing.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.