Otto Hammelmann, well known as a representative and prosperous agriculturist of Buchanan county, is the owner of a productive farm embracing two hundred and fifty acres on section 33, Westburg township. His birth occurred in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, on the 23d of September, 1866, his parents being August and Augusta (Strausburg) Hammelmann, both natives of Germany, where they were married on the 6th of August, 1864. They emigrated to the United States in June, 1866, locating in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where the father secured employment as a farm hand, after which he worked in a sawmill. Subsequently he purchased a tract of forty acres, which he sold, and rented a small adjoining farm. Later he bought ninety-two acres of land and continued its operation throughout the remainder of his active business career. He is now living in honorable retirement in Millersville, Wisconsin, where his wife passed away June, 1912, at the age of seventy-nine years.

Otto Hammelmann acquired his education in the public schools of his native county and after putting aside his text-books served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. In 1886 he came to Westburg township, Buchanan county, Iowa, but three weeks later went to Beadle county, South Dakota, where he purchased a farm. He hired a man to operate the place, however, and devoted his attention to carpentering and contracting, remaining in that state for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Westburg township, this county, and after working at his trade for two years purchased one hundred acres of land, having been actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits to the present time. He has extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land which annually yields him a gratifying income, for he carries on his agricultural interests in a most progressive and resultant manner. The prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts and he has long been numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of his community.

In 1890 Mr. Hammelmann was united in marriage to Miss Helena Luloff, born in Westburg township on the farm which our subject now owns, and a daughter of Ludwig and Henrietta Luloff, who were born in Germany and settled in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, after emigrating to the United States. The father passed away on the farm of our subject in Westburg township, while the mother, who survived him, died on the farm of Fred Luloff in Jefferson township, Buchanan county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hammelmann have been born six children, as follows: August L.; Louis; Mrs. Clara Hoppe, who resides in Fox township, Black Hawk county, this state; Alma, at home; Anna, whose demise occurred February 27, 1914; and Esther, at home.

Mr. Hammelmann gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has creditably served in the capacity of road supervisor and also as a member of the school board. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church. He deserves great credit for his successful career, for industry, ability and a progressive spirit have constituted the basis of his prosperity and his genuine personal worth has enabled him to maintain his high standing in the community as a substantial and desirable citizen.

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