Henry Gramlich

 

Henry Gramlich, one of the progressive and representative farmers of Allamakee county, residing on a well improved property of two hundred acres on sections 18 and 19, Lansing township, was born upon this farm September 27, 1859. He is a son of Ernst F. Gramlich, one of the pioneers in Iowa, his residence in this state dating from 1856. He was born in Baden, Germany, February 22, 1826, and as a young man emigrated to America, where he first located in Ohio. He learned there the blacksmith’s trade and worked at it successfully until he came to Iowa, purchasing in 1856 eighty acres of unimproved land in Allamakee county. He steadily carried forward the work of developing this property, building upon it a log house, in which he and his family lived for many years and which is still standing upon the homestead. Later Mr. Gramlich built a comfortable frame residence and in this made his home until he retired from active life about twenty-five years ago. The declining years of his life were spent at the home of his daughter Mrs. Frank Goettle, of Lansing township, and he there died December 16, 1905. He was a man of exemplary character and sterling worth, holding membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church, helping in the organization of the congregation and in the erection of the house of worship. He married in Ohio Miss Mary Kutcher, a native of Germany, born May 1, 1826. She passed away in Allamakee county in 1907. They became the parents of six children: George, who was born in Ohio and who passed away when he was still a child; John, a native of Allamakee county, also deceased; Mary, the wife of Henry Lenz, of Center township; Henry, of this review; Katie, who died at the age of eighteen; and Emma, who married Frank Goettle of Lansing township.

Henry Gramlich acquired his education in the district schools of Lansing township and his childhood was similar to that of most farmers’ sons in those days, his time being divided between his studies and work upon the homestead. After his father died he purchased the interest of the other heirs and assumed entire control of the farm, which is his today and which by practical and well directed labor he has made one of the finest properties in this vicinity. The land lies on sections 18 and 19 and comprises two hundred acres, upon which he engages in general farming.

Mr. Gramlich married, in Allamakee county, May 22, 1888, Miss Christina Kumpf, a daughter of Fred and Dorothea Kumpf, natives of Germany. The parents were married in Dubuque, Iowa, and came to Allamakee county at an early day, and the father here engaged in farming until his death. His wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Gramlich became the parents of four children: Flora Emma, the wife of Ed Wessel, of Clayton county, Iowa; and Ella Jeannette, Ed Frederick and Henry Dewey, all whom live at home. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Gramlich is a stanch republican in his political views and has held some responsible official positions, serving for twenty years as secretary of the school board and for twelve years as school director. In 1912 he was elected township trustee and is still serving, discharging his duties in an able and conscientious way. A resident of Allamakee county since his birth, he is well known here and by a life upright and honorable in all its relations has won the favorable regard of his neighbors. His success in the conduct of his farm places him in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists and he is undoubtedly a native son of whom the county has every reason to be proud.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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