My first Naturalization papers wound up being for my maternal great-great-grandfather- Jacob Hamman. Armed with his Naturalization papers I wondered what I could learn about Jacob? (Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of Jacob.)
What I have learned about Jacob:
Jacob was born in Luxembourg in July 1839.
Jacob and Kate (Catherine Hein Hammond) were married about 1860. Not sure where.
Jacob filed his ‘First Papers’ or Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the United States in Plymouth County, Iowa on 23 October 1880 stating his Nativity was Luxembourg. First Papers could be filed any time after arriving in the United States. He was the only person to file a Declaration of Intention on this date in Plymouth County, Iowa. In reviewing the list of those filing First Papers in Plymouth County, Iowa from 1871-1888 I am seeing other people from Luxembourg but no other families with the last name of Hamman.
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Transcription:
State of Iowa, Plymouth County-SS
Before the undersigned, Clerk of the District Court in and for said County, personally appeared Jacob Hammond, a native of Luxembourg and makes solemn oath that is is bona-fide his intention to become a Citizen of the United States, and to renounce and abjure forever, all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Power, Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly allegiance to The Grand Duke of Luxemburg of whom he was heretofore a subject.
Jacob Hammond
Sworn to and subscribed before me, by Jacob Hammond this 23rd day of Oct. A.D. 1880
W. S. Welliver Clerk
LeMars, Iowa Plymouth County 1st Papers Vol. I page 36
Jacob was granted Citizenship in the United States of America 25 Oct 1882. His ‘Second Papers’ were filed in Plymouth County, Iowa. ‘Second papers’ were the record of the granting of citizenship to persons who had previously filed first papers or who made a declaration of intent at least 2 years previously. Individuals had to live in the United States continually for 5 years. To have citizenship granted in Iowa the individual had to have lived in Iowa for at least 1 year. So, Jacob had to have been living in the US by 1877 at the least. |
Transcription:
Naturalization Record
State of Iowa, Plymouth County
Be it remembered, That at a Term of the District Court holden in and for said County , at the Court House therein, on the Twenty fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighty two, was present the Honorable C. H. Lewis Presiding Judge, Gus Haerling Sheriff of said county and W.S. Welliver Clerk of said Court, whom the following, among other proceedings were had: Jacob Hamman a native of Luxembourg and at present,, residing within said State, appeared in open Court, and makes application to be admitted to become a Citizen of the United States, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that he had declared an oath, before W. S. Welliver Clerk District Court Plymouth County Iowa a court of record having common law jurisdiction, and using a Seal, two years at least before his admission, that it was bona-fide his intention to become a Citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to The Grand Duke of Luxembourg of whom he was heretofore a Subject And said applicant having declared an oath before this Court that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to The Grand Duke of Luxembourg of whom he was heretofore a Subject. The Court being satisfied that said applicant has resided within the United States for the term of five years next preceding his admission, without being at any time during the said five years out of the territory of the United States, and within this State one year at least; and it further appearing to the satisfaction of this Court, that during that time he has behaved as a man of good character, attached to the principals of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.
Thereupon the Court admitted the said Jacob Hamman to become a citizen of the United States, and ordered all the proceedings aforesaid to be entered of Record, which was accordingly done by the Clerk of this Court.
In Testimony Whereof, W. S. Welliver Clerk of the Court aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court at office in said county, this the 25th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighty two and of the American Independence the 106th year.
W.S. Welliver, Clerk
Plymouth County, Iowa Vol. I Page 312
In the 1900 US Federal Census (8 Jun1900) Jacob (60 yo) and wife Kate (55) are living in Fredonia, Plymouth, Iowa with children Mike (22 yo), John (17 yo), Jo (15 yo), Maggie (16 yo), Francis (7 yo). Jacob is listed as a Farmer who can read, write and speak English. He owned his farm and had a mortgage on it. He was 60 on the farm schedule. Year of Immigration 1862, He is listed as being in the US for 37 years. Number of years married 40. (So he and Kate must have been married before they came to the United States??)
Jacob and Kate/Catherine had 8 children (as best as I can figure out): Arthur (b. 1869), Nickolaus (b. 1873), Henry (b. 1873) (my great-grandfather), Michael (b. 1877), John Paul (b. 1883), Joseph (b. 1884 ), Margaretha/Maggie (b. 1888), and Francesa/Frances (b. 1893).
Jacob died 18 November 1900 in Fredonia Tp, Plymouth Iowa at the age of 65 years 3 months 9 days (that would make birth in 1835?) of Asthma. Buried in Remsen, Iowa at St. Mary’s Cemetery. (I find it interesting that 5 months before Jacob’s death on the US Federal Census it states he is 60 but on his death record it states he is 65. I wonder who gave the information for the Federal Census?)
Thoughts and Questions:
- I find it interesting that on Jacob’s first papers his name is spelled as ‘Hammond’ but on his Naturalization papers it is spelled as ‘Hamman’ by the same Clerk of the Court.
- I have had Jacob’s Naturalization papers since the early 1990s when I learned he was from Luxemburg and not Germany as previously thought. It wasn’t until I transcribed them this week that I really thought about what Jacob was giving up to become a Citizen of the United States. Did he find what he was looking for in the US?
- I wonder what brought Jacob to America?
- I wonder why Jacob wound up in Plymouth County, Iowa?
- Did he miss Luxemburg? Did he leave family behind that he missed?
- Why can’t I find him in any of the Iowa State Census records?
If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby
Road trip!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
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