Herman Vondemkamp was born June 25, 1870 at Lohne or Steinfielt, Germany. He Immigrated to America In 1889 and settled In Nemaha County Kansas. On October 22, 1895 he married Elizabeth Krogman at St. Peter & Paul Church, Seneca, Kansas. To this union was born  twelve children. Soon after their marriage they located on a farm near Seneca.

In 1900 Mr. Vondemkamp purchased a quarter section of land and gradually made Improvements on this 160 acres. converting a part of the farm Into a little village known as Kampler. The town received its name from the Vondemkamp  Winkler names, by dropping the first two syllables of  Vondemkamp name -leaavlng the "Kamp' and dropping the first syllable of the William Winkler name leaving the "ler".

Mr. Winkler owned a part Interest In the place for about one and a half years. Mr. Vendemkamp then bought the Winkler Interest, erected a building for a general store: another building was soon added for (An elevator.- later a cream station. These business places were all under the management of the Vondemkamp family.

In October 1916 Herman met with a tragic death In an auto accident. Herman, Joseph Strohmeyer and Roland Whiteside were passengers In an Overland car driven at a high rate of speed by Will Strohmeyer. He missed the path of the bridge just across the state line In Nebraska and the heavy car plunged fifteen feet to the creek bed below. All the occupants excepting Whiteside were pinned beneath. Herman was taken to DuBois and later to a Kansas City Hospital where he died.

After Herman's death, Elizabeth, his faithful companion and widow, who was known as one of the best mothers and a model for her good natured disposition, controlled the affairs four years when she sold the place to Jacob Rottinghaus, who later sold to Julius Tangeman the present owner.  (1916)

date written likely 1916

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