Tombstone Tuesday–Catherine “Katie” Hein Hamman

My maternal 2x great-grandmother Catherine “Katie” Hein Hamman was born in Luxembourg and died in Remsen, Iowa.  Last summer I was able to visit her gravesite and see her tombstone in person.

Katie is buried next to her husband Jacob in St. Mary’s (Roman Catholic) Cemetery in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa.

Transcription:  

 Katie Hamman

Died

June 21, 1908

Aged

63 Yrs

For information about Kate’s obituary and Will see post What’s the Correct Information? and  Amanuensis Monday-A Will but…Whose Signature is That?

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Sunday Obituary-Jacob Hamman

In a previous post entitled My First Naturalization Papers-Jacob Hamman written in April 2017 I wrote about what I knew at the time about my maternal 2x great grandfather Jacob Hamman.  I had some vague information about the family but I had Jacob’s naturalization papers.  Later in 2017 I would write about Jacob’s wife Kate in posts entitled What’s the Correct Information? and Amanuensis Monday-A Will but…Whose Signature is That?.  Even after all this information…I still had questions.  I still had missing pieces about Jacob.  I wasn’t sure of his birthdate or when he married Kate or even when he died.  That was until I finally found his obituary in the Remsen Enterprise newspaper on page 5 which was published in Remsen, Iowa on Friday, November 23rd, 1900.  Will this have some answers for me?



Transcription:                                                             "Death of Jacob Hamman
Jacob Hammon died at this home in Fredonia township, very suddenly Sunday evening, November 18, 1900 of asthma after an illness of but a few hours.
Deceased was sixty-four years old and was born at Hesper, Granduchy, Luxembourg on the 25th day of August 1836. He came to America when a young man thirty six years ago.  He lived at first in Dubuque county where he engaged in farming. He was married thirty-one years ago to Katerina Hein, who still survives as his widow.
He came to Plymouth county twenty-one years ago, and after some time bought the place he owned by him until his death,
He leaves a family consisting of his widow and nine children: Nicolas, Lena Mauer, of Minn., Henry, Peter, Mike, John, Joe, Maggie and Francis all living at home or hear Remsen except Mrs. Mauer.
The funeral took place at ten o’clock on Wednesday morning, Rev. Father Schulte officiating.
The deceased was an honorable and upright man and was much respected by all the citizens of the community where he has lived so long, and who sincerely mourn his loss, and extend sympathy to his bereaved family."

What I’ve learned from his obituary:

I knew from Jacob’s Naturalization records that he was from Luxembourg but now I have a location: Hesper.  ‘Hesper’ in Luxembourgish and ‘Hesperingen’ in German.  Hesper is located southeast of Luxembourg City.

I now know that Jacob, according to his obituary was born on August 25th, 1836.

I now know that Jacob came to America about 1864.

I now know that Jacob and Kate were married about 1869.  Although in 1908 in Kate’s obituary it says she had been married for 40 years to Jacob.  So they may have been married 1860-1869?  Hmm, were they married in Luxembourg or America? 

I now know that Kate was about 6-7 years younger than her husband.

I believe Jacob and Kate had 12 children.  I now know there were 9 children living when Jacob died and 7 children living when Kate died 8 years later.

I now know that Jacob owned land when he died so I can search for land records.

I now know a death date, place and cause of death for Jacob: November 18th, 1900 Fredonia, Plymouth County Iowa and he died of asthma.

I now also know that Jacob was an “honorable and upright man and was much respected by all the citizens of the community where he has lived so long, and who sincerely mourn his loss”.  This is information I definitely cherish!  

By finding this obituary there was so much new information that I now have.  This was a GREAT find!

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby

Who was my Great Grandfather-Henry Hamman?

One of my maternal great-grandfathers was Henry Hamman.  I wondered what I could find out about a man I never knew?

Henry was born to Jacob (see post My First Naturalization Papers-Jacob Hamman) and Catherine ‘Katie’ Hein Hamman (see post Amanuensis Monday-A Will but….Whose signature is That?) on the 4th of March 1874 in Dubuque County, Iowa.  Jacob and Kate came to America from Luxembourg and settled by 1870 in Dubuque, Iowa.  Dubuque is located in Iowa on the western side of the Mississippi River.  Many immigrants, including many of German descent, settled in the area.  I wonder if Jacob and Kate were following other Immigrants they knew who maybe came to this area? 

Henry, a first generation American, was the third of 10 children: Lena (1870), Nicholas (1872), Henry (1874), Peter (1876), Michael (1878), John (1883), Joseph (1884), Margaretha/Maggie (1888), Theodore (1878) and Francessca/Frances (1892).  When Henry was born his father had not yet filed his ‘First Papers’ to become a Naturalized citizen of America. 

According to the 1880 US Federal Census Henry had moved with his parents and siblings and they were now living in Fredonia Township, Plymouth County, Iowa when the census was reported on the 22/23rd of June in 1880.  Henry was 7 years old and attending school.  The first Homestead recorded in Fredonia in 1868 so when the Hamman’s arrived Fredonia was still a very new settlement.  According to the census there were 197 families in Fredonia Township with an area of about 36 square miles.  The winter of 1880-1881 proved to be one of the worst on record noted for severe, long continued snow storms.  I can’t even begin to imagine the feeling of isolation and the hardships they endured to survive in such an area.

According to the 1895 Iowa State Census Henry was 22 years old and living in Fredonia, Plymouth County, Iowa.  Henry’s birthplace was listed as Dubuque, Iowa.  I wonder what the options for careers were for a 22 year old man in Fredonia?  Had he met Suza yet?
Henry married Suza Bentz (see post Susan Bentz Hamman) on 11 October 1897 in Plymouth County, Iowa but no Town or City within Plymouth County was listed .  When they married Henry was 25 years old and Suza was 20 years old and also a resident of Remsen, Iowa.  Henry and Suza had 6 children: Mary Jeannette (1898), Arthur (1899), Margaret (1901), James (my grandfather-see post Celebrating the Life of James Jacob Hammond) (1903), Michael (1904) and Joseph (1907).  The railroad built at Remsen in 1871 and the town of ‘Remsen’ came into being in 1881.  I wonder if the Bentz and Hamman families followed the railroad to Remsen?

Henry’s father Jacob died on 18 November 1900 in Fredonia, Iowa.

I have been unable to locate Henry, his wife Suza, daughter Mary Jeannette or son Arthur in the 1900 US Federal Census.  How did they manage to miss the census takers?  Both of their families were in Remsen.

According to the 1905 Iowa State Census Henry and Susie and 5 of their children are reported as living in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa.  In a 1905 Iowa Population Schedule Henry is listed as 31 years old, Occupation -Blacksmith, born in Sand Springs, Iowa.

Henry’s wife Suza died on 21 May 1908 of cervical cancer leaving Henry with 6 children under the age of 9.  I was able to find an obituary for Suza.  It mentions the children but not Henry.  I wonder why?  I know that Henry never remarried, which was definitely the custom at the time so was he devastated by Suza’s passing?  Was she the ‘love of his life’?  Was it too much for him to bear the passing of his wife and raising 6 young children?

Henry’s mother Kate died on 21 June 1908 in Remsen, Iowa, less than a month after Henry’s wife died.  How did the deaths of 2 important women in Henry's life shape how he would move forward with his life?  This had to have been a very difficult time for him.

According to the 1910 US Federal Census Henry was 30 years old, a widower, living as a boarder in the home of John and Mary Heyman (with their family and 4 other Boarders) and working as a House Carpenter, a wage earner, employed on April 15th, had been out of work 12 weeks in the year 1909 and could read and write English.  John Heyman was a Mason and like Henry’s parents was from Luxembourg.  I wonder if John and Henry worked on some of the same jobs?  I can imagine that for Henry there must have been some comfort in having many of the same cultural similarities.  None of the children were with Henry.  I found several of the children, including my grandfather, living in a Catholic Orphanage in Dubuque, Iowa.  I wonder if it was just too much for Henry to work and take care of the children?  Why didn’t family members take the children in to their families?  Henry had siblings living in the area.

According to the 1915 Iowa State Census Henry was living in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa and a 36 years old widower, his parent’s birth places are listed as Luxembourg, his occupation was Ditching, and his church affiliation was Catholic.  in 1914 he was employed for 12 months.  His earnings for 1914 from his occupation were listed as $600.00.  This would be about $15,000 per year today.

There were 2 draft registrations in 1917-1918.  The first one was for men ages 21-31, the second for men who had turned 21 since the previous registration and the third for men ages 18-45.  Henry registered during the third registration in 1918.  According to the World War I Draft Registration Card dated 12 September 1918 Henry is 44 years old and his permanent home address in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa.  His date of birth is listed as 4 March, 1874.  He is White and Native Born.  His present occupation is Laborer and his employer’s name is John Mai in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa.  His nearest relative is Arthur Hamman (son) of Remsen, Plymouth, Iowa.  (My grandfather Jacob was living in Upstate New York at this time.)  Henry’s height is Medium and his build is Medium.  His eyes are blue and his hair is brown.  He has not lost an arm, leg, hand, eye or is he obviously physically disqualified.  Thanks to the draft registration I can now begin to picture what my Great-Grandfather looked like with his medium build and height and his brown hair and blue eyes since I have not been able to locate any pictures of him.  I think of my grandfather and wonder how much he may have looked like his father.  I am even fortunate enough to see what his handwriting looked like.  I like the fluid way he made his ‘H’ on Henry.   His signature on his Registration Card is:

I am unable to locate Henry in the 1920 US Federal Census.    I know that in 1920 my grandfather James ‘Jake’ Hammond is living at Boy’s Town in Omaha, Nebraska with his youngest brother Joseph.  Children Mary Jeanette, Maggie, Arthur and John were married.  Michael was the only one that may still have been at home.

According to the 1925 Iowa State Census Henry was 52 years old and his son Michael age 19 was living with him, he rented a room, I believe for $20 per month.  Henry attended a Rural High School, Highest Reader Completed 7, no listing for Highest Grade Completed, was able to read & write in English.  Henry’s father is listed as Jacob and place of birth Luxembourg. No name of Mother is listed but place of birth Luxembourg and their place of marriage listed as Iowa. Henry was listed as engaged in  the Trade and Transportation Industry and he was affiliated with the Catholic Church.  St. Mary Catholic Church (dedicated in 1904) in Remsen, Iowa seems to have been the church the family attended.  Iowa asked some very comprehensive questions which helps me learn more about Henry.

According to the 1930 US Federal Census Henry was 52 years old, a widower, he rented a house in Remsen, Plymouth County, Iowa valued at $6, he could read and write and speak English, he was listed as a Laborer doing Odd Jobs and a wage earner.  He was not a Veteran.

Henry died at the age of 66 on 23 June 1939 in LeMars, Plymouth County, Iowa at the Zimmerman Home of Lobar Pneumonia with a contributing factor of cardiac-vascular failure. His occupation was a Laborer at the County Farm.  He last worked in June of 1939.


Thank goodness for the State and Federal Census since this is the only information I can find on Henry.  By listing out all the information in each of the records and research the time period and the locations I found I was able to put together a better picture of Henry.  Now I just wish someday I will find some pictures of Henry and some additional information to add to ‘his’ story.

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,
Debby

What’s the Correct Information?

I get so excited, as we genealogists all do, about finding that one new piece of information on one of our ancestors.  I find it a little disheartening that when I go back and look at the information I already have on a particular person, as in this case, I sometimes realize that while this one piece of information may be a tremendous find, ugh… I have so many gaps that also need filling in…  Such is the case with my maternal Great-Great-Grandmother Kate Hein Hamman.

What I found was a copy of her Will.  YEA!!!  Happy dance!  What I realized is there are so many unanswered questions and gaps I have about her life.

• Kate Hamman is my maternal great-great-grandmother. 
• Based on a census record (1900) and Kate’s death certificate she was born in Germany or Luxembourg  about 1842 to 1845. 
• Her parents names are unknown except that her maiden name was Hein. 
• Kate married Jacob Hamman, possibly, in Luxembourg before heading to America by 1880 and settling in Iowa.  Or did she come here with her parents and then meet and marry Jacob Hamman or Hammen?  According to Jacob’s immigration paperwork (See post My First Naturalization Papers-Jacob Hamman) I know that he was in Plymouth County, Iowa in 1882. 
• In the 1900 census it states that Kate was born in Luxembourg  (Jun 1844) as were her parents.  She had been married for 40 years and she could read, write and speak English.  She had given birth to 12 children but only 9 were alive at the time of the census on 8 June 1900.  She was living in Fredonia, Plymouth County, Iowa.  I can find no US Federal census records for them before 1900.
• I have found Jacob and Katrina on the Iowa 1895 census in Fredonia, Plymouth County, Iowa with children: Nick, Henry, Peter, Mike, John, Joseph, Maggie and Frances.
• Kate and Jacob had possibly 12 children: Nickolaus, Henry (my Great-Grandfather), Peter, Michael, John, Joseph, Margaretha/Maggie, Francesca/Frances and Lena, that I know of.  Jacob died in 1900 in Fredonia, Iowa.
• Kate died 21 June 1908 in Remsen, Iowa.

I found 2 obituaries for Kate:

“Kate Hamman
Died
Mrs. Kate Hamman died at the family home in Remsen Sunday morning at 5:30 o'clock after a lingering illness. She had been far from well the past few years and death came to her as a relief. She was born in Luxemburg, Europe, 68 years ago, when a young girl she came to this country and settled with her parents at Dubuque, Iowa. There she met and married Jacob Hamman about 38 years ago. Eight years later they moved to Remsen, and she has made her home here ever since. She was the mother of ten children, of which two are dead. The eight living are Nick, Henry, Peter, John and Joe, and Miss Francis all of whom reside here, and Mrs. Henry Franks, of Marcus, Iowa. Those, together with a host of friends are left to mourn the loss of a devoted, kind and Christian mother. Her husband preceded her to the great beyond eight years ago. The funeral services were held from St. Mary's church Tuesday morning at 9:30 and were conducted by Rev. Father Schulte. We extend sympathy to the bereaved sons and daughters in their hour of sorrow.”
[The Remsen News, Remsen, Iowa, June 25, 1908, transcribed by Mary Kay Krogman]

“Remen
Mrs. Catherine Hammen died at her home in Remsen on Sunday, June 21st at 3 p.m. at the age of 68 after a long and patiently endured suffering from the ills and infirmities due to her years.  Deceased was born n the grand Duche of Luxemburg sixty eight years ago.  Thirty-one years ago she came with her husband, Jacob Hammen, to Plymouth county, Iowa, and located on farm in Fredonia township.  Eight years ago the husband died, leaving his widow with twelve children, of whom four have since followed the father to the grace.  The eight surviving children are Nicholas, a farmer of the neighborhood; Lena Maner, of Wilmont, Minnesota; Henry, of Remsen; Peter, a farmer of the neighborhood; John, Joseph, Margaretha and Francesca, at home.  the funeral obsequies and the burial in St. Mary’s cemetery were Tuesday morning and were largely attended.”
[LeMars Sentinel, 30 June 1908 Page 2 Column 7, transcribed by Debby Warner Anderson]

The obituaries give me some additional information but there are also some inconsistencies.  The biggest is that one states she came with her parents to America and met Jacob here and the other account states she came with her husband from Luxembourg.  Her death certificate, copy from the State of Iowa,  says she was Mrs. Kate Hamong 63, died of Chronic Bronchitis and Complicated by Chronic Nephritis and came from Germany.  The copy of the ledger for death records in Iowa says she was Catherine Hamonn, she was 63, born in Germany and died of Old Age and Infirmities.  Yikes…I do like it better when information is consistent.  I know the obituaries and death certificate information or even census information are second hand information at times frequently based on accounts given by family members who may be repeating stories/facts they remember that weren’t recorded or written down.  I am also wondering if the copy I paid for from the State of Iowa is the wrong person or someone just copied the information incorrectly?? (I always prefer a copy of the ledger).   It’s amazing when you look at society today and how well recorded information is.  We have to remember that in the 1800s there were few requirements for recording vital statistics.

I have so much more digging to answer the many questions I have and the inconsistencies.  Perhaps Kate’s Will may help?  I so wish I could find someone in the family who has a picture of Kate they would share with me.

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby

My First Naturalization Papers-Jacob Hamman

Most of the ancestors I grew up knowing about had been in the United States since the 1600 and 1700s so there was no need for them to apply for Citizenship since they were here at the beginning.

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.

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?

There seems to be so little information available that I can find on Jacob.  Will have to do some deeper research, perhaps at the Iowa State Archives??

If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.

Enjoy the journey,

Debby