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John Lammers, who was destined to become one of the outstanding
figures in the history of Northeast Nebraska, was born in the city of Hanover,
Germany on July 5, 1839 and, at the age of 18 years he came to America and took
up his residence in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade.
Later he moved to Navine, Iowa and afterwards to Dubuque. He married and, in
the spring of 1861, he and his family joined a number of neighbors, westward
bound and eventually settled near St Helena, in one of the most fertile and
picturesque spots in the whole territory. The part of home seekers included also
the families of Bernard Suing, Gerhard Kohls, Bernard Wubben, Stephen Klug, John
Wieseler, Franz Wiseler (sic) and Gerhard Arends. These families came as most
of the early settlers came, with all their worldly goods loaded in covered
wagons drawn by oxen and reached here only after a long and wearisome journey
across dangerous streams and over wild and unbroken prairie. But they all came
with one purpose in view - to make a home for themselves and their children -
and this was the purpose that animated John Lammers when he came into this land
of opportunity. The late Mr. Lammers was a man of remarkable good judgment and
he knew the value of land. His first act upon coming to Cedar County was to
take up a homestead, buy a preemption and plant a timber claim and he built a
good home for his family where they lived as well as their means would allow.
In personal appearance, Mr. Lammers was a handsome and striking figure, standing
over six feet in height, with a splendid physique, powerful intellect and
excellent judgment and he soon became a power in the community in which he
lived.
As above stated, Mr. Lammers was married in Dubuque, Iowa and to this
union were born four children. They were: Mrs. Mary Thoene, Henry, John W., and
Mrs. Josephine Schaeffer.
The first Mrs. Lammers died leaving her young husband with four small
children, and after a time, he remarried, his second wife being Mrs. Mary
Stratman, daughter of a pioneer family of St Helena. To this union, were born
16 children as follows: Mrs. Peter Becker, (Elizabeth) Frank, Joe, Anton K., Mrs.
Barney Becker, (Martha), Mrs. Peter Kaiser (Ida), Mrs. Frank Heine, (Frances), Mrs.
Carl Bruening, (Matilda), Ignatz, A. J. and Alphonse.
After settling in this county in company with a number of other
intrepid pioneers, he worked industriously for many years in the face of great
difficulties and finally succeeded in accumulating a large property. He died
June 1897 and sleeps today in the old historic graveyard at St Helena where his
two wives are also buried. When Mr. Lammers passed away at the end of a long and
useful life, he owned 3,000 or 4,000 acres of Cedar County land and left behind
him a record of achievement which has seldom been equalled. He was the father
of 20 children, 16 of whom were living at the time of his death, and all of his
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who have lived to grow up have
filled important places in their respective communities.
As previously indicated, the late John Lammers was a man of towering
intellect, keen business judgment and great executive ability and the influence
which he had in the development of Cedar County can never be estimated. It was
said of him that he had the ability to be secretary of the United States
treasury and, while his activities were directed along different lines, he was a
commanding and influential personality. He not only accumulated a vast amount
of property during his life time, but he was also a progressive and public
spirited citizen and he filled many positions of trust with great ability. In
addition to being a farmer, he also engaged extensively in the livestock
industry and is credited with being the first man to ship fattened cattle out of
Cedar County. He was the first owner and proprietor of what is still known as
the Lammers Ranch. This being the largest ranch of its kind in northeast
Nebraska, and he was known as the "Cattle King of Cedar County". He brought the
first self binder into this county and also the first threshing machine and in
all of his farming operations he used the most approved and up-to-date methods.
Nor was this the extent of his activities. He not only engaged in farming and
livestock on a large scale but carried on a mercantile business at St Helena at
one time and later established and operated the lumber yard in Hartington. He
also owned a lumber yard at Bloomfield.
As a result of Mr. Lammers success along these various lines, his
genius was recognized, and, in later years, he was honored with public office
and other positions of trust. He took an active part in the organization of
Cedar County and served for a long number of years as a member of the county
board. He held the office of president of the First National Bank of
Hartington, for a number of years and held many other responsible
positions.
Mr. Lammers' public service was important and conspicuous as the
following incident will illustrate. In the early days, there was a plan to
extend the railroad from Sioux City to the western boundary of Cedar County and
the people of the county had voted the necessary bonds to build it. Mr. Lammers
was opposed to the project on the grounds that it was laying too great a burden
on the taxpayers and he fought the issue to a finish. He declared that he would
not live in a mortgaged county and he went into the courts at his own expense
and had the bond issue declared null and void because it exceeded the amount of
valuation allowed by law. The bonds were burned in the street of St Helena and
thus the people of Cedar County were saved thousands of dollars of
indebtedness.
When John Lammers first came to the United States, he was unable to
speak a word of English, but he acquired the language rapidly and, while his own
opportunities had been limited, he was always interested in education. The
Lammers school, was considered one of the best schools in Cedar County and all
of Mr. Lammers' descendants have been given the best of advantages. All of the
children have received at least a common school and commercial education and,
among the third generation, there are a number of college graduates who have
distinguished themselves in the professions.
History of Cedar County, Nebraska (1937)
Transcribed
and Contributed by: Amy
Robbins-Tjaden
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