Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Stamm, Abraham 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:06 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Stamm, Abraham, one of the highly esteemed residents of Gardner, Ill., and the 
owner of 440 acres of valuable land, although now somewhat retired from active 
pursuits, still takes an interest in the affairs of Grundy County, where for 
many years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born June 5, 1838, 
in Butler County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Ziegler) Stamm. The 
father of Mr. Stamm was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1811, and the mother in 
Bucks County, Pa., in 1810, and they were the parents of eight children: 
Deborah, Abraham, Kezia, Solomon, Elizabeth, Mary, Susanna and Jacob.

Like other Pennsylvania farmers' son of his day, Abraham Stamm divided his 
boyhood and youth between attendance at the log schoolhouse and working on his 
father's farm. In 1866 he came to Illinois and bought a farm of 160 acres in 
Good Farm Township, Grundy County, but this he soon disposed of and purchased 
a quarter-section of land south of Gardner. This he also sold, and purchased 
160 acres on section 6, and this he increased to 400 acres, made many 
improvements, and continued operations thereon until his retirement, since 
which time he has been living a quiet life on a 3-acre tract in Gardner. He is 
widely known as an honorable man of business, and his integrity and honesty of 
purpose have never been questioned.

Mr. Stamm was married (first) in Grundy County, Ill., to Miss Ellen Halteman, 
who was born in Miami County, O., in 1845, and they became the parents of six 
children:Jacob, Charles, Pliny, Clifford, Ida and Chloe, of whom Clifford died 
in infancy. Mrs. Stamm passed away September 23, 1897, in the faith of the 
Methodist Church. In August, 1900, Mr. Stamm was married (second) to Miss Lucy 
M. Banks, who was born in Westchester County, N. Y., and there received her 
early education. When fourteen years of age she accompanied her parents to 
Illinois, here attended the Illinois State Normal School, and for thirty-three 
years was a teacher in the schools of Grundy and Livingston counties. Her 
parents, John and Mary (Barker) Banks, were natives of Westchester County, N. 
Y., and came to Grundy County, Ill., in 1857. Mr. Banks being here engaged in 
farming up to the time of his death in 1874. His widow survived him many 
years, passing away in 1898. They were the parents of ten children, as 
follows: Rocilia, who is deceased; Joseph; Elias, who died in the Union army 
during the Civil War; Lucy M.; Mary; Sarah, who is deceased; Margaret; Madora; 
Emma, who is deceased; and Antoinette.

Mr. Stamm was for a long period a supporter of Republican principles, but of 
late years has voted with the Prohibition party. For a number of years he 
served as a member of the school board in Garfield Township. In his religious 
belief he is a Methodist, while his wife adheres to the Presbyterian faith. 
Both are people of education and refinement, are much interested in historical 
data, and as a hobby have taken up the collection of relics. Mr. Stamm has in 
his possession a gun, with the Stamm coat of arms on it that was brought to 
this country by his great-grandfather, Conrad Stamm, who lived in Beaver 
County, Pa., where he died. They are highly esteemed in their community and in 
a wide acquaintance number many warm friends.

pages 902-903

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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