Ralph F. Kamman Biography


	This biography appears on pages 283-284 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				RALPH F. KAMMAN.  

	Ralph F. Kamman, cashier of the Bank of Spearfish, has been 
identified with that institution for a number of years, entering the 
bank as messenger and working his way steadily upward to his present 
position of responsibility. He was born at Central City, South Dakota, 
August 15, 1888, and is a son of Chris H. and Eleanor M. (Kleine) 
Kamman, who were natives of Germany and Kankakee, Illinois, 
respectively. The father was brought to the new world when two years 
of; age and was reared to manhood in Kankakee, Illinois. He thence went 
to Minneapolis, where he was employed in the Washburn Crosby flour 
mills. Removing still farther west, he engaged in mining in the Black 
Hills. He afterward became foreman in the De Smet mill at Central City, 
now a part of the Homestake properties, and continued in that 
connection for about twelve years. He then removed to a farm near 
Sundance, Wyoming, and remained there for nine years, after which he 
arrived in Spearfish in the fall of 1900, taking up his abode there in 
order that his children might enjoy the benefit of education in the 
schools of that place. The mother and the family resided in Spearfish, 
making their home there while the father engaged in mining. He is now 
superintendent of the Pahasa Mining Company at Hill City. He served as 
clerk of the courts in Crook county, Wyoming, and as assessor for two 
terms and made a most creditable record in office by his prompt and 
faithful discharge of the duties devolving upon him. In the family were 
two children, the daughter being Mildred E., who is a graduate of the 
State Normal School at Spearfish and is now attending the University of 
Colorado at Boulder, specializing in library work.  

	The son, Ralph F. Kamman, attended the public schools at 
Sundance, Wyoming, for three years and afterward spent a year in the 
public schools of Spearfish and two years in the Normal Training 
School. He was then a student in the Normal School at Spearfish for 
three years and for four months attended the School of Mines at Rapid 
City. At the age of eighteen years he was employed in a drug store at 
Spearfish, devoting his vacation periods to that work for about two 
years. It was later that he attended school at Rapid City for four 
months and at the end of that time he entered the Bank of Spearfish as 
messenger and general assistant. His fidelity and capability won him 
promotion and he was made bookkeeper and was promoted to the 
cashiership of the bank on the 13th of June, 1911, since which time he 
has served in that capacity. He has likewise been treasurer of the 
Lawrence County Fair Association for three years and is president of 
the Business Men's Club of Spearfish, serving for a second term. He is 
a most progressive and enterprising young man and his efforts as 
president of the club are contributing to the development and 
improvement of business conditions in his city.  

	Fraternally Mr. Kamman is connected with the Masonic lodge, in 
which he is serving as senior warden; with the Royal Arch Chapter as 
high priest; with the commandery, in which he is recorder; and with the 
Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the First Congregational church of 
Spearfish and in these associations are found the principles which 
guide his life and govern his conduct. In his political views he is a 
republican, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and 
issues of the day he has never sought nor desired public office.