Nevada Genealogy Trails Lyon County George Rammelkamp Biography

GEORGE RAMMELKAMP. Widely and favorably known in the city of Dayton and this section of Nevada, George Rammelkamp dates his residence in the state since 1869. He is a native of Prussia, and in his life exemplifies many of the sterling traits of his race. He was born in the year 1846, and remained in the fatherland until about thirteen years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He had attended school in his native country and thus laid the foundation for a good practical education. On reaching the United States he made his way to a sister who was living in Galena, Illinois, after which he worked upon an Illinois farm until he became large enough to secure employment in the lead mines of that portion of the state. He obtained a position as teamster, hauling lead from the mines, and while thus engaged was intrusted by the company with the work of carrying back to the office the money received for the lead. On one occasion he had a very narrow escape from death. He was walking behind his wagon, and in his pocket were seventy-two dollars which he had just received. Three ruffians attacked him and knocked him down. He fell upon his bull dog that was chained to the back of the wagon. Although excited, he had the presence of mind while down to quickly loosen the chain which held the dog. It was a savage animal, and, realizing the danger of its master, it at once leaped upon one of the men while Mr. Rammelkamp struggled with another and the third ran away. Mr. Rammelkamp was very strong and vigorous, and in the struggle was too much for his antagonist, although he received in the skirmish a severe wound in his hand which disabled three of his fingers, so that he has never been able to use them. He was also stabbed several times in other places, but succeeded in putting off his assailants, and they were afterward all three arrested and each sentenced to fifteen years in the Illinois state penitentiary. This little incident is sufficient to show the courage and strength of character which the young German had in him. The faithful animal that had aided in his defense sustained several knife wounds, but eventually recovered from these.

In the year 1869 Mr. Rammelkamp drove a team across the plains to California. The party had some difficulty with the Indians on the Snake river, but all of the number got through in safety to Sacramento. On the 2d of August, 1869, Mr. Rammelkamp arrived in Silver City, Nevada, and became engaged in mining and milling. His first work was in the Sucker mine, where he labored with pick and shovel. He also worked for a time in the Burk mine at Silver City, and in 1870 he came to Dayton to work in the Sutro tunnel in the employ of Mr. Sutro. He had charge of the stock, and later was intrusted with the work of improving Mr. Sutro's seventeen hundred acre farm, which he developed from a sage brush, irrigated and placed under a high state of productiveness, raising thereon barley, oats, and alfalfa, and other farm products. All this required much labor, which was capably performed by Mr. Rammelkamp, whose methods were practical and successful, resulting in making the tract a land very valuable. He also built the road to Virginia City, and continued in the employ of Mr. Sutro until that gentleman sold out. He had the entire confidence and regard of Mr. Sutro, who entertained for him warm friendship and respect, and the business relations between them were mutually pleasant. As the years passed Mr. Rammelkamp saved his money and made judicious investments, so that he is now enabled to live retired from active business. He loans his money, and, receiving a good interest, has an income sufficient for his needs and also to supply him with many of the comforts and luxuries of life. He owns and occupies a good home in Dayton, and he also has three hundred and sixty acres of rich land in this section of the state.

In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rammelkamp and Miss Ann Daugherty, a native of Ireland. Their union has been blessed with three daughters. Clara and Elizabeth are graduates of the Nevada State University and are successful school teachers, while Georgiana is now pursuing a course in the university. The family are all communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Rammelkamp holds membership relations with the Anicent Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican, but has never desired office, preferring to perform his public service as a private citizen. He is true and loyal to the stars and stripes, although born across the water, and America and her institutions are very dear to him.