The Lives of Lewis and Ella Hammann

Lewis Weller Hammann

Born: May 29, 1868, York, Pennsylvania

Died: September 6, 1924, McPherson, Kansas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ella Olive Shaw Hammann

Born: June 17, 1877, Republic County, Kansas

Died: April 10, 1943, McPherson, Kansas

 

 

 

 

Lewis Hammann was the seventh of nine children of Jacob Hammann and Barbara Weller Hammann.  He came from York, Pennsylvania to Kansas to work for his sister’s family, Erastus and Carrie Acres, in 1897.

Ella’s parents, Velzer Shaw and Pheobe Ann Libby Shaw, moved to Kansas from Pennsylvania, as Velzer had relations in Kansas.  She was the youngest of five children.  Although she had poor health, she was home-schooled and succeeded academically when she returned to school despite being younger than the other students in her grade.  After the death of their mother when Ella was 14, she and her brothers pooled their money and purchased a five-acre farm, and eventually had 40 acres.  In her 9th grade year, she attended the Salina Normal School, staying with relatives and doing housework to support herself.  She graduated in 1898.

Salina Normal University Graduation – 1898

(Ella is in the back row, fourth from the right)

She attended a business course in Great Bend, Kansas, completing it in 1902.  She then returned to McPherson and worked for Erastus and Carrie Acres on their farm close to town, where she met Lewis Hammann.  They were wed on February 4, 1904.

 

Lewis and Ella’s Wedding Picture – 1904

In 1905, shortly after they were married, Lewis and Ella bought a farm on Sharp’s Creek, paying almost $10,000 for 400 acres (including a house and pasture).  In 1910, he purchased 15 acres in McPherson for $2,300.  The farm contained a house, although it had to be moved from one end of the property to the other to be closer to town.  This eventually became the family homestead at 1100 Grimes Street, McPherson.  In 1913 they bought 160 acres of wheatland in Sumner County, Kansas for $6,600, and a farm in Allen County for $9,200 in 1921 to round out their farm holdings.

Lewis and Ella Hammann had seven children, six girls and one boy.  

  • Laura, born 1904
  • Zella, born 1906
  • Verna, born 1907
  • Nina, born 1909
  • Myreta, born 1911
  • Glen, born 1913
  • Audrey, born 1918

Lewis Hammann and his son Glen – 1915

 

Ella was determined that all of her children would have a college education.  When Lewis died in 1924 at the age of 56, Ella managed the income from the farm, and sold eggs and milk.  She sold the horses and hogs (too much trouble!)  She earned enough from the wheat crop every year to pay the tuition at McPherson College for her children, thereby achieving her ultimate goal.

Ella Hammann and her Extended Family – 1941

Ella had raised seven quality children, and she was proud of each of them.  The Hammann name was well known and respected in the city of McPherson, Kansas. She died in McPherson in April 10 of 1943 at 65 years if age.

 

Friends and Relatives on LifenTimes

Audrey Luella Hammann Bedell – Daughter

Nina Hammann Berry – Daughter

Laura Inez Hammann – Daughter

Zella Hammann Kubin – Daughter

Myreta Hammann Stephan – Daughter