My Genealogy Hound

FRANK HAMM, one of Randolph County’s well known citizens, and a farmer of township 7, range 7, was born in Hanover, Germany, in February, 1826. He is a son of Kasper and Mary (Topp) Hamra. who resided in the Old County until the death of Kasper, after which the widowed mother with our subject came to America in 1854. The latter attended the schools of Germany until fourteen and one-half years of age, when his studies were discontinued. He embarked in farming, and followed that occupation in the land of his birth prior to his emigration to the United States.

Upon coming to this country, Mr. Hamm at once settled near Chester, Ill., where he still makes his home. During the period of thirty-nine years that have passed since settling here, he has improved the property until it is now one of the finest farms in the township. Being a man of energetic disposition, shrewdness and keen discrimination, he has made a success of his chosen calling, and is deservedly numbered among the representative agriculturists of this section.

In 1863 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hamm to Miss Elizabeth Gausman, whose parents were Prussians by birth. Eleven children were born of this marriage, of whom the following are still living: John, who married Lizzie Breel; David, who is engaged in business in Chester; Henry, Mary, Frank, William, Rudolph and Lizzie, all of whom remain with their parents. The religious home of the family is in the Catholic Church. In politics, Mr. Hamm always votes the Democratic ticket, but has never been solicitous for public offices, preferring to give his undivided attention to the work of conducting his farm.