Gaston, Joseph. "Oregon Pictorial and Biographical." Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing, Co., 1912. p. 327. JOHN TIMMERMANN A fact to which due recognition must be accorded is that Germany has contributed in large measure to the development and progress of the United States. John Timmermann was numbered among those whose worth as a citizen and agriculturist reflects credit both upon the land of his nativity and the land of his adoption. He was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 5th of April, 1861. His parents, Henry and Christine (Kupus) Timmermann, were reared in Germany and came to Oregon about twenty-one years ago. The father, at the time of his death on the 3d of June, 1911, When he was seventy-six years of age, was the owner of one quarter section of land and had accumulated considerable wealth. The mother passed away in 1906 at the age of seventy-three. Four children were born to them. John, the subject of this review; Mary, who is the wife of John Seibert of Pendleton; Annie, who is married to Joseph Basler, of Portland; and Sophia, the wife of Louis Miller, who lives six miles northwest of Helix. John Timmermann acquired his education in the public schools of Germany, and in 1882, when about twenty-one years of age, came to the United States, being the first of his family to leave the fatherland. He spent some time in Nebraska where he worked by the month, but in 1883 came to Oregon and took up as a homestead the land upon which he is widow now resides. This property comprises one hundred and seventeen acres and is located one and one half miles northeast of Helix. Later he purchased two other homesteads, and for over twenty years rented a section of school land which his widow still operates. She owns two and one quarter sections of land, and their large and modern home and outbuildings attest Mr. Timmermann's success as an agriculturist. What he acquired he won by hard labor, persistency and energy. His enterprises were so wisely and carefully conducted that his life's record is worthy of emulation and may well prove an inspiration to those starting out upon an agricultural career. His death occurred on the 17th of November, 1910. John Timmermann was twice married, his first union occurring on the 2d of November, 1890, when he was married to Miss Sophia Kellerman, a native of Germany. To them four children were born, two of whom survive. William and Emile, born July, 1892, and June, 1893, respectively. Mrs. Sophia Timmermann's death occurred on the 1st of September, 1901. On the 16th of November, 1902, Mr. Timmermann was again married, his second union being with Miss Annie Catherine Dencen, whose birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 23d of May, 1867, and who came to the United States in 1893. To them three children have been born: John, whose birth occurred April 5, 1904; Herman, who was born November 3, 1906: and Ernest, who was born on the 19th of August, 1908. Mr. Timmermann gave his allegiance to the republican party he held membership in the Lutheran church and also in the Masonic Order. He came to America as a poor boy, but by steady progress worked his way upward until he became one of the large property owners of this section, his holdings including property in Helix, Walla Walla, and sixteen hundred acres of land in Texas. His prominence in the community and his enterprising spirit led him to aid in establishing the Bank of Helix, in which he was one of the original stockholders. He was unfaltering in the accomplishment of his purpose, and therefore gained a most satisfactory reward, permitting him later in life to enjoy those comforts which make life worth the living, his enterprise and energy being the salient features of his success. Transcribers additional notes: This same biography appears in the following book "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811 - 1912" Author: Joseph Gaston S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Chicago; 1912 Vol. 2, Page 314 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.