Adolph Damman Family

Fredrick Damman was born December 5, 1824 in the province of Hanover, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1855. He married Anna Rohrs who was born February 2, 1830, in the province of Hanover, Germany on Sept. 29, 1855. They settled and purchased a farm from Henry Hogrefe in 1855 in Adams Township, Section 25, Defiance County, Ohio, where they raised their family. Their union was blessed with four children: Henry born March 29, 1858; Fredrick, Jr., born March 18, 1861; William born December 10, 1862; and Sophia born March 22, 1864. In 1873 Frederick Damman sold his farm near Okolona to his brother Henry Damman. His son, Fredrick, died at the age of 35 on February 22, 1897. In 1873 Fredrick purchased a 120 acre farm in Section 22 in Freedom Township. In 1874 they came to live in Freedom Township which is now Raymond Behnfeldt's farm on County Road 16. He also purchased an 80 acre farm in Section 15 in 1873 in Freedom Township. In 1882 he bought a farm in Section 21 on County Road 16 from Henry Sonnenberg, seven acres of which were cleared. The rest was all timber. In 1896 he purchased 80 acres from Herman Holers in Section 16. Fredrick Damman died at the age of 70 on May 1, 1895 and his wife, Anna, died at the age of 70 on February 8, 1900.

Henry Damman Homestead — Henry Damman married Dorothea Sattler, who came from Saulta province of Hanover, Germany on April 16, 1883. To this union nine children were born. Sophia married Carl Von Deylen. They had six children, one died at age 12. Cathrine married Frank Gerken and they had eight children. Fred married Frieda Bostelman and they had eight children, one child died. Anna married George Von Deylen and they had five children. All of them have died. Henry Von Deylen was killed in World War II. William married Adena Bostelman. They had four children of which two died. Adena died in November of 1929. William married Sophia Grampus (who had two sons, Martin and John, they were adopted by William) and they had two children. Their son, Franklin, was killed in an accident on November 25, 1963. Henry was born and lived only eight months. Alma married Theodore Bostelman and they had three children. Adolph married Anna Winkelman and they had five children. Albert married Hilda Hesterman and they had three children.

[Photo 122c.jpg] Damman homestead about 1900.

After Henry married he moved onto the farm in Section 21 on County Road 16. There was just a log house and a couple of sheds. In 1889 Henry built a barn and in 1899 he built a house. Most of the lumber was native from the woods. They were members of the Lutheran church and he served in various ways. They bought their first car in 1913, a Buick, from John Sisk, Napoleon.

When Adolph married in 1930 his parents moved to Napoleon, and Adolph moved onto the farm. Dorothea died in March, 1936. Henry then stayed with his daughter, Alma, until his death in November, 1936.

On February 6, 1930, Adolph married Anna Dorothea Winkelman, daughter of Fred and Dora (Eggers) Winkelman. They were married by Pastor Gusta Thun in the Damman home. They are the parents of five children.

[Photo 122d.jpg] Adolph Damman family. Top row; Donna Drewes, Delbert Damman, Margaret Miller, Diane Grim. Bottom row; Adolph Damman, Anna Winkelman, Marcella Badenhop.

Marcella graduated from St. John Lutheran School and Ridgeville High School. She married MarviQ Badenhop and had nine children. Patricia married Alan Rice and they live in Columbus (they have a son, Mark); Kenneth married Carol Huber and lives near Hamler; Mary married John Beck and lives near Archbold; Keith, Robert, Richard, Peggy and Brenda are at home; Eugene died at the age of ten months. They live on a farm near Delta.

Margaret graduated from St. John Lutheran School and Ridgeville High School. She worked for the Northwest-Signal in Napoleon for many years and is employed at a car dealer, Fort Recovery. She married Wayne Miller, lives in Coldwater, and has two children — Pam, a student at Bowling Green State University, and Lynne a senior in high school.

[Photo 122e.jpg] L. to R.; Dorothea Damman, Mrs. Haase, Henry Damman, Alma Bostelman, Adolph Damman (standing).

Delbert graduated from St. John Lutheran School and Ridgeville High School and served in the U.S. Army. He is a farmer and lives on the Dam- man Homestead, which he purchased on a land contract in 1967, with his wife, Marian Fintel, and their four children — Karen, Elaine, Charles and Daniel.

Diana graduated from St. John Lutheran School, Ridgeville High School and International Business College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She worked for a number of years at the Campbell Soup Company and is now employed as a part-time secretary at Zion's Lutheran Church, Defiance. She married Roger Grim and they have two children — Susan and David. They live on a farm near Pleasant Bend.

Donna graduated from St. John Lutheran School, Ridgeville High School and International Business College, Fort Wayne. After graduation she worked at the Marathon Oil Company, Findlay, and is presently working part-time for Fred Freppel, C.P.A. She married Jerry Drewes and they have three children — Craig, Jennifer and Kevin. They live in Adams Township, Defiance County.

A foster son, William E. Noske, made his home with the Dammans. He came to them from the Lutheran Orphan's Home, Indianapolis, Indiana in September, 1932. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 22, 1941, and served in England, Africa and Italy in Company B, 751 1st Tank Bn. He was killed in action on June 4, 1944 in Italy.

In 1937 the farm on County Road 16 was deeded over to Adolph. He added onto the barn and as the years went by added buildings and bought modern machinery. The house was remodeled in 1943. In 1959 when Delbert married, Adolph and Anna purchased a farm on County Road V from George Aschmeier and they moved there. Delbert stayed on the homestead and has built two chicken houses and constructed a pond. This is the third generation living on the homestead.

[Photo 123.jpg] Aeriel view of Adolph Damman farm — now occupied by Delbert Damman

The Dammans have been active members of St. John Lutheran Church, Freedom Township all of their lives. Our family enjoys getting together for birthdays, confirmations, weddings and other special occasions.

Submitted by: Adolph and Anna Damman 1978