Heinrich Gamm

The Gamm family was a dynasty of entrepreneurs from Sulechów, (then part of the Kingdom of Prussia), who were active in Prussia and northern Poland, from the mid-19th century till the end of WWII. They established the first soap and candle fafctory in Bydgoszcz. In addition, the family had a quasi monopoly of the production and trade of soap and candles in Gdańsk till 1945. Furthermore, many of its members were involved in the local political life.

Family origins The Gamm family roots find their origin in the town of Züllichau (Sulechów, north of Zielona Góra County), as attested by records from the 17th century. The earliest known ancester is Markus Gamm (1560-1651). Several Gamm generations can be tracked back there: Adam, Michael, Michael Adam (1693-1744) and Joseph Samuel, father of Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Gamm. It was located on what later became GammStraße (today's Warmińskiego Street). The company had its own shop, located on the Old Market Square.

He married Johanna Florentina Fitzke (3 April 1768, Piła–2 August 1834, Sopot). The couple had 10 children, 5 daughters and 5 sons:

Purchased in 1812 by Paul Hüter and Felix Japha, the company continued to operate till the outset of WWII. During the conflict, it has been working under Nazi administration, using slave labor.

Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Gamm (Bydgoszcz-Gdańsk) Johann Friedrich Wilhelm was born on 7 February 1791 in Bromberg.

He moved to Gdańsk in October 1814: the following year, he purchased a tenement house at 279 Hundegasse (present day 58 Ogarna street) from Georg Grabovius, a merchant. The purchase comprised an annex at 194 Dienergasse (32 Służebna street, no longer extant), where he established a soap and candle factory. The plant, based on modern production technology, soon thrived.

Together with the companies of his brothers who settled also in Gdańsk, the Gamm family dominated for many years the production and sale of soap, laundry products and

candles in the city.

Family and descendants Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Gamm was married to Christiana Florentina Schwabe (14 September 1793, Bydgoszcz – 21 March 1871, Gdańsk). Among the offspring, the following children have been recorded:

In 1818, he married his cousin, Julianna Justyna Gamm, (born in Frankfurt (Oder) on 20 March 20 1798). Together with Samuel Ludwig, he co-founded the city Merchants' Corporation in 1822, remaining a member until his death. From 1824 to 1841, he was also a member of the Rada Miasta Gdańska. In 1840, he represented the city of Gdańsk at the Prussian provincial assembly in Königsberg.

Johann Carl Benjamin died on 9 November 1841 in Gdańsk, at the early age of 48. After his death, his wife Julianna managed the company for several years on behalf of her minor children. She died in Gdańsk on 2 July 1852.

On 12 June 1846, he decided to end the partnership with his father's colleague, Hermann van Almonde. The new company was rebranded J.C. Gamm and dealt with wholesale grain business. On 19 June 1858, a major city fire burned down his tenement house and the currency office. Julius Cäsar had to sell the ruined property on Szeroka Street to his uncle Johann Eduard Gustav.

With the benefits, he could purchase a tenement house at 115 Heilige-Geist-Gasse (today's 41/43 św. Ducha Street); he installed his business and the currency exchange office there. From 1865 to 1870, he served as a member of the City Council . Furthermore, he was a long-time member of the Gdańsk Merchants' Association. Julius Cäsar Gamm died on 2 February 1895.

In April 1853, he had married Johanna Mathilde Schwabe (11 February 1834, Kwidzyn–22 December 1920, Gdańsk). They had 3 children: In August the same year, Eduard Gustav received the citizenship of the city.

On 2 July 1858, he opened a branch of his business at 132 Breitgasse, where other members of the Gamm family were already installed. He entrusted this branch's management to his son Johann Friedrich Oscar.

Between 1835-1838 and 1844–1860, Eduard Gustav was a member of the Gdańsk City Council. He died on 26 March 1874.

He married Friederika Emilia Bigalke (21 February 1802, Bydgoszcz-23 December 1878, Gdańsk). They had 6 children:

In 1888, he expanded the plant by purchasing land from the old wooden synagogue that had burned down in the 1858 city fire. Rudolf Eduard (28 October 1884-2 April 1961 in Sopot). In 1935, he became a member of the Volkstag, representing the DNVP.

In the 1860s, these candles, then the main light source, were replaced by candles made from stearin and paraffin wax. In addition, the need for products like kerosene for oil lamps started to grow. Following the demand, the Gamm company also increased the production of a new, higher-quality hard soap, which easily replaced the initial manufactured soft soap.

In 1868, the plot of land adjacent to the factory was purchased : using both premises, the new company's headquarters were constructed there. A small vinegar producing workshop was later erected in the backyard. In the 1880s, Heinrich Julius handed over the firm to his youngest son, Friedrich Emil.

Competition was harshed on the soap and candle business in Bromberg: out of more than 5 firms in 1880, only 3 remained operating in 1900 (Gamm, Böhlke and Mix).

On 29 August 1888, the city council of Bromberg awarded him the title of Honorary Citizen of Bydgoszcz , on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the company. Heinrich Gamm died on 3 January 1892, in Bromberg. He was married to Johanne Rosemunde Emilie Schwabe. The couple had 5 children, three daughters and two sons.

Friedrich Emil Gamm

Born in 1842, Friedrich Emil was the last family member in Bromberg to run the Gamm business. He was a city councilor and a member of the city magistrate. His wife's father was also a soap manufacturer and city councilor, Emanuel Gottfried Robert Meyer.

In addition, Emil was a devoted philanthropist:

Fragmentary family tree Source:

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Markus Gamm (1560-1651) Adam Gamm Michael Gamm Michael Adam Gamm (1693-1744) Joseph Samuel Gamm (1763-1834)

Johanna Florentine Gamm (1787-1822) Johann Samuel Ludwig Gamm

Rosa Louisa Albert Emil Maria Angelica

Johanna Dorothea Elisabeth Gamm

Emma Rosamunda Mathilda Augusta Maria Natalia Otilia Maria Clara

Elisabeth Adelaide Johann Carl

Johanna Henrietta Wilhelmine Gamm

Maria Gustav Egmont Friedrich Wilhelm Julius Ida Mathilda

Emil Fritz Heinrich Julius Benno Albert Julius Emilia Elsa

Franz Kurt

Emilia Ida Rosamunda

Johanna Charlotte Mathilde Johanna Rosamunda Emilia married Heinrich Wilhelm König.

Wilhelm