Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 314.
 
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
 
"Oregon Pictorial and Biographical"            
by Joseph Gaston
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Chicago; 1912
Page 327


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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.