Individual Details

Death

George Oltmanns is distinctly a product of Jones county, for he was born and bred here, the date of his birth being August 4, 1871. He comes, however, of that sturdy German stock which has done its full share in contributing to the strength and prosperity of our noble country. His parents, Harm G. and Deborah (Reinerts) Oltmanns, were natives of Germany, where they were married and about 1867 came to the United States. They had the distinction of making the voyage in one of the first steamers to cross the Atlantic ocean. They located near Dixon, Illinois, but after two years decided upon a change of scene, choosing Iowa as their destination. The journey thither was made by wagon, and after looking about them, they settled in Monticello, where for a year or two the head of the family worked for a Mr. George. The next step was a removal to Scotch Grove township, where for some time the father farmed as a renter. About 1880 he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 8, that township, whose possession he enjoyed for the ensuing decade, his death occurring October 18, 1901, in the seventieth year of his age.
George Oltmanns spent his early years under the parental roof and availed himself of the advantages of the common schools. In 1893 when a little past his majority, he commenced work as a farm hand, but it was only a matter of two years, however, before he began farming for himself, beginning modestly as a renter, in which capacity he continued for the next eight years. In 1903 he purchased a desirable two hundred acres of land on section 8, Scotch Grove township, in the cultivation of which he has since been engaged.

In 1895 Mr. Oltmanns was united in marriage to Miss Cena Rickels, of Scotch Grove township, and six children were born to this union, four of whom survive. They are in order of birth: Alta, Minnie, William and Ferdinand.

For the past several years Mr. Oltmanns has added to his interests the breeding of standard bred road horses and thoroughbred draft horses, and he is able to congratulate himself upon his achievements. In truth he has gained a reputation in this line which is not confined to the immediate locality. He is independent in politics, and is at present serving as justice of the peace. In addition to his various other interests be is a stockholder and director of the Scotch Grove Creamery. He is a man of influence and is recognized by all who know him as one of the substantial citizens of Scotch Grove township. Both he and Mrs. Oltmanns are members of the German Lutheran church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 616.