History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1166

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On May 5, 1895, Mr. Bannister married Miss Caroline Magdaline Arp, who was born on the farm they now occupy, August 14, 1861. Her parents were Timm and Bertha (Arp) Arp, both natives of Holstein, Germany, though resident in different towns. They were married across the water and came direct to Daven- port on landing in New Orleans, making the journey up the Mississippi river in 1851. They spent two years in Davenport, the father working at the carpenter trade and among other things assisting in the construction of the First Lutheran church. Upon his removal to the country Mr. Arp took up the new vocation of farming which proved congenial and profitable. Beside the farm now owned by his daughter, he owned another of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining. He has five children as follows : Paul William, of Hickory Grove township, occu-

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pying a neighboring farm to the subject of the sketch; Johannas Adolph, also a neighbor ; Henry Peter, of Glyndon, Minnesota; Mrs. Bannister; and Ferdinand Theo, of Tea, South Dakota. Mr. Arp was born May 23, 1819, and died Septem- ber 21, 1890, and Mrs. Arp was born March 31, 1830, and died March 14, 1899. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bannister has been blessed by the birth of five chil- dren : Birdie Johanna; William Chester; Carlisle Timm; Catherine Margaret, who died in infancy; and Emil Clifford.

Mr. Bannister gives a stanch adherence to the policies and principles of democracy. He is now serving his third term as constable, in which capacity he has given most efficient service. Fraternally he is identified with the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America in their Walcott camps. Mr. Bannister has many friends and is well regarded, being a public-spirited man, strong in his advocacy of those measures he believes will bring the greatest good to the greatest number.

HANS KRUSE.

Among the residents of Davenport who are now living retired, their present comfortable financial position being the direct result of former activity and enter- prise along agricultural lines, is numbered Hans Kruse. He is one of those sturdy, industrious and frugal German citizens who through their untiring efforts, indefatigable energy and strong purpose have lived their lives to good advantage and are entitled to a place among the substantial and representative citizens of Scott county. Born in Holstein, Germany, on the 7th of September, 1838, he is a son of Jochim and Anna Kruse. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to the United States with his family in 1854, the ocean voyage requiring fifty-six days. After landing at New York the family did not tarry in the eastern metropolis but came by rail direct to Rock Island, Illinois, and then across the river to Davenport. In this city the father established a blacksmith shop on Fourth street and there followed his trade for about two years. At the expiration of that period he sold out and took up agricultural pursuits as a renter in Davenport township. Later he purchased land in Iowa county and developed a good farm, upon which he and his wife passed their remaining days. His death occurred when he had reached his seventy-third year, while his wife survived un- til ninety-one years of age. In their family were six children : Hans, the subject of this review; Claus, now deceased; Jochim, also deceased; Peter, of Iowa county ; Brant, a resident of Alaska; and Lena, the wife of Henry Martin, of Davenport.

Hans Kruse acquired a good education in the common schools of Germany and was a lad of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion to the new world. After his arrival in Scott county he was employed as a farm hand for about four years, at the expiration of which period he went to work on the farm which his father had rented in Davenport township. There he re- mained for about six years and then, on the 12th of November, 1867, established pleasant home relations of his own through his marriage to Miss Ida Hahn, a daughter of Wolfe Hahn, of Davenport township. After their marriage the

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young couple took up their abode on a farm of eighty acres which Mr. Kruse had purchased in Blue Grass township. When it came into his possession it was all wild prairie land, but with characteristic energy he fenced it in, erected a house and began the cultivation of the soil, breaking the sod and transforming the land into fertile and productive fields. With the passing of the years he brought the farm under a high state of cultivation and became so prosperous by reason of the careful conduct of his agricultural interests that he was able eventually to purchase more land in that township. He continued to make his home on that place for twenty years and then purchased a farm in Davenport township, to which he removed, leaving one of his sons to operate the old homestead. He re- mained on the new farm for eleven years, devoting his energies to general farm- ing pursuits with such success that at the end of that time he was able to with- draw from active life and retire from business with a competency sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He came to Davenport in 1898 and here erected a fine residence on Brown street, where he has since made his home. A farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Davenport township, another of one hundred and twenty acres in Blue Grass township, and valuable town property are the visible evidence of a life of thrift and industry on the part of Mr. Kruse, whose success has come to him as the legitimate and logical result of intelligently applied labor and well directed efforts.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kruse were born two sons, namely: Charles, operating his father's farm in Davenport township, who married Katie Rugi, by whom he has two children, Erma and Ella ; and Henry, on the old homestead in Blue Grass township, who married Amelia Rilk and has three children-Hilda, Ella and Norma. The wife and mother, who was born in 1847, passed away on the 3d of April, 1906, her remains being interred at Fairmount cemetery.

Mr. Kruse, whose residence in Scott county extends over a period of more than a half century, is numbered among the old settlers of this district, where he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends, and he is one of the prominent and honored members of the German Pioneers Association. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given stalwart support to the men and measures of the democracy but has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty. He has, however, at all times been most public-spirited in his citizenship and although born across the water, has ever been thoroughly identified with American interests and institutions, while Scott county has no more worthy and representative citizen than this adopted son.

PROFESSOR JAMES MADISON DE ARMOND.

No history of educational interests of Davenport would be complete with- out extended reference to the life work of James Madison DeArmond, who for many years was connected with the ward schools of the city as principal. He stood for all that is highest and best in educational work and his aims, his pur- poses and his labors inspired other teachers and pupils, so that the results of his achievements are yet seen in the lives of those with whom he came in contact,

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leaving the impress of his strong individuality and laudable ambition upon them. A native of Pennsylvania, Professor DeArmond was born in Blair county on the 7th of September, 1846. His grandfather's brother, Michael DeArmond, was a brave soldier of the Revolutionary war, doing active duty with Company B, Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He took part with his company in the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, and also in other important engage- ments. The father was James DeArmond, who for many years followed gen- eral farming in Pennsylvania, leaving that state about 1864. His identification with agricultural interests in Iowa continued until 1871, when he removed to Greenfield, Missouri, where he established his home. There his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1885, when he had reached the very venerable age of ninety-five years. His widow survived him and for a long period made her home with Judge DeArmond of Butler, Missouri. She has now passed away. Judge DeArmond, congressman from Missouri, W. W. DeArmond, an attorney of Chicago, and Dr. J. A. DeArmond, of Davenport, were brothers of our subject.

Professor James Madison DeArmond was reared upon the old homestead in the Keystone state, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors incident to the development of the fields. He received such education as the common schools afforded and remained on the home farm until his eighteenth year, and when he left home for the first time he attended college in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania. He had been a student in that institution for a year when his parents removed to Scott county, Iowa, and he accompanied them. He continued his education here and within a year was graduated from the high school of Daven- port. Entering upon educational work, he was appointed principal of public school No. 6, and his success in that field of labor was most marked. He was afterward made principal of school No. 5 and creditably filled that position until he was appointed postmaster of the city by President Cleveland in 1885. He served with distinction in that position, his administration being generally satis- factory to the public, for his efficiency, systematic labors and intelligently directed methods of conducting business made this a model office. On the expiration of his four years' term he retired and for a year thereafter was engaged in no business. He was then again placed on the roll of school superintendents as the head of school No. 3, which position he continued to fill until his death. He held to high ideals in his work, continuously seeking out new methods which would prove of practical value in the conduct and advancement of the schools. He had a great passion for history and made himself authority especially upon the history of his own country, while upon that of foreign lands he was scarcely less versed. In 1874 he became a member of the Iowa State Teachers Associa- tion, of which he served as secretary for a year. He was prominent among the organizers of the Iowa Reading Circle and did much to advance its interests as long as his health permitted.

In 1869 Professor DeArmond was married to Miss Rachel Scott, a daughter of Colonel Thomas Scott, and they became the parents of four children, who are all now deceased. Professor DeArmond was for many years a member of Trinity Lodge, F. & A. M., and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He was always a stanch democrat in his political faith and undoubtedly would have

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been chosen for the office of mayor had he not been too modest to accept the honor. At all times he rejoiced in Davenport's advancement and cooperated in many movements for its progress. His labors were of a most effective charac- ter, for while he held to high ideals he utilized practical methods in achieving results. During the periods of vacation he did much newspaper work in connec- tion with the Democrat. He attended the Presbyterian church and held member- ship with the Sons of the American Revolution. He always took great interest in young people and performed his professional services with a sense of conscien- tious obligation, realizing how important is the training of the young as a prepar- ation for life's work. He knew that he was implanting in the minds of pupils seeds of knowledge and truth which in due time would bear fruit, and he was therefore most careful to give them that which in later life would be most helpful.

JOHANNES A. ARP.

Johannes A. Arp, one of the progressive agriculturists of Hickory Grove township, was born in Davenport, November 9, 1855, but removed, with his par- ents, to the farm he now operates shortly after his birth. His father, Timm Arp, was a native of Holstein, Germany, and there married Miss Bertha Arp, also a native of that province. Shortly after their marriage they embarked upon their journey to this country, crossing the ocean by the southern route and land- ing at New Orleans, whence they made their way up the Mississippi to Daven- port, reaching the city some time in 1851. Here Mr. Arp followed his trade of a carpenter for a couple of years, assisting in the construction of several of the more important buildings, among them being the First Lutheran church. Later he engaged in farming in conjunction with his brother Jochim, upon a tract of two hundred and forty acres in Hickory Grove township, which they operated successfully for a number of years. Later they divided the property, half of it falling, in the course of time to the heritage of Johannes A. Arp, the subject of this sketch. In the family were five children : Paul William, a sketch of whose life follows : Johannes A., the subject of this review; Henry Peter, of Glyndon, Minnesota ; Caroline Magdaline, the wife of Levi Richard Bannister, of Hickory Grove township; and Ferdinand Theo, of Tea, South Dakota.

Johannes A. Arp has passed the greater part of his life upon the land he now cultivates. In his early years he assisted his father in the cultivation of its fields, even during the period when many boys give little thought to the seri- ous responsibilities of life and are devoting all their time to school and lessons. When he married in 1879, he assumed full charge of the farm, which has since been his concern. The improvements which his father and uncle instituted upon the place, he has bettered, while he has, through care and skill, brought the fertility of the soil to its most productive state. He has been an earnest, indus- trious and thrifty farmer and is now in the enjoyment of an income which is a just recompense for his toil.

In 1881 Mr. Arp married Miss Amelia Puck, likewise a native of Scott county and a daughter of Egger Puck. They have four children: Adolph, Emil,

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Theo and Gustave. The eldest is residing in South Dakota, but the others are at home. After the death of his wife, Mr. Arp wedded Miss Dora Hansen, who was born in Schleswig, Germany, October 20, 1872. In 1891 she and a brother, Detlief, and a sister came to Davenport. The former is now a resident of North Dakota, and the latter is Mrs. Thomas Daily, of Davenport. A sister Maggie, who is the wife of John Westphal, of Davenport, and a brother Hans, now of Jackson county, Minnesota, had preceded Mrs. Arp to the United States, as they came in 1883. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Arp was celebrated November 6, 1906, and has been blessed with one son, Clifford.

Mr. Arp has given his unqualified support in political matters to the demo- cratic party but has taken no active part in the public life of his community. He is, however, a man of considerable spirit and is deeply concerned for the welfare of his fellow citizens, whose respect and esteem he enjoys.

PAUL WILLIAM ARP.

Paul William Arp, a brother of Johannes A., was born in Davenport, January II, 1853, and was little more than an infant when his parents removed to the farm adjoining that on which he now lives. He assisted with the cultivation of the homestead until he was married when he engaged in farming for himself, purchasing the eighty acres of land he now owns. He has instituted all the im- provements which adorn the place and in the cultivation of the fields displays the skill of the husbandman who is born as well as reared to his vocation. While not one of the larger tracts of land in Hickory Grove township, it may compare favorably with any as regards to fertility and the condition in which Mr. Arp maintains his fields and buildings. He is thrifty, industrious and progressive, and in consequence has won a well merited success from his farming.

In 1903 Mr. Arp was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wellendorf, who was born in Prepstei, Holstein, Germany, January 2, 1857. She came to America in 1901, reaching Davenport July 7 of that year, and there she joined her brother James Wellendorf, who is a resident of that city.

Mr. Arp is a representative of the sturdy German race whose unremitting toil has done so much toward developing the resources of Scott county, and of Hickory Grove township in particular to their highest degree. He enjoys the well earned esteem of his associates and fellow agriculturists. He is a democrat in his political preferences.

COLONEL THOMAS SCOTT.

Colonel Thomas Scott, one of the most honorable and genial business men and popular residents of Davenport, passed away May 26, 1905. He was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, June 3, 1823, and, removing to Indiana, was there married in 1845. He continued his residence in that state until 1857, when he

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came to Davenport, where he entered the wholesale grocery business as a member of the firm of Ryan, Scott & McCann. Later he engaged in the live stock and commission business and in 1880 removed to Chicago to become a commission merchant in that line at the Union Stock Yards. For seventeen years he suc- cessfully conducted business in that city, after which he returned to Davenport in 1897 and lived retired here until called to his final rest. His success was due to his capable management and indefatigable energy. He was one of the twelve organizers of the First National Bank of this city, which was also the first national bank established in the United States. For years he served as one of the directors of the Davenport Savings Bank and his name was ever an honored one in finan- cial circles and on commercial paper.

Prominent in public affairs, he represented the first ward as alderman for several terms and while a member of the city council exercised his official pre- rogatives in support of many measures and movements for the public good. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, which at one time honored him with the nomination for mayor. He stood as a splendid type of American manhood and citizenship, loyal at all times to his honest convictions and to the best interests of the community at large.

In the family of Colonel and Mrs. Scott were the following children : Mrs. Selinda Hewitt, Mrs. Rachel De Armond, Thomas Winfield, Warren W., Mrs. Cora S. Smith and Charles L.

JOHN L. ZOECKLER.

The industrial and commercial history of Davenport would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to John L. Zoeckler, who was the founder of the packing-house interests of this city and the promoter of a business which in the course of years grew to large proportions and constituted not only a source of individual wealth but of public prosperity as well., Mr. Zoeckler was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was sixty-eight years of age at the time of his death, which occurred May 28, 1906. His youthful days were spent in his native city and its public schools afforded him his educational privi- leges. When a young man of twenty-eight years he came to Davenport and from that time forward was associated with business interests here. After a brief period he established a packing house which constituted the nucleus of the pack- ing industry and as the years passed the enterprise grew until the firm name of John L. Zoeckler & Sons became widely known. In the course of years he associated his boys with him in the business but remained as the chief executive head of the enterprise until 1906, when he retired from active life. Some time later the plant was sold to the Kohrs Packing Company. Placing his dependence upon the safe, substantial qualities of energy and wise management, Mr. Zoeckler made steady progress in the business world and his name came to be widely known and honored on commercial paper. His efforts constituted an important element in making Davenport a leading commercial and industrial center of Iowa.

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In early manhood Mr. Zoeckler was wedded to Miss Veronica Orth, by whom he had two sons and two daughters, namely: Charles, Mrs. Julius Brammer, Mrs. John F. Kehrman and John H. The last named died, leaving a widow and children. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Zoeckler was again married, in 1898, his second union being with Miss Anna Braunlick, a daughter of H. G. Braunlick, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Zoeckler also had several grandchildren, with whom he was ever a favorite because of the interest which he displayed in their joys and sorrows. He was devoted to his family and did everything in his power to promote their happiness. For years he resided at No. 1337 West Second street, where he reared his children, but later removed to Eighth street and Western avenue, where he erected a modern home that he occupied up to the time of his death. He was prominent in local Masonic circles and held several offices in the lodge. He passed away when in Denver, Colorado, his remains being brought back to Davenport for interment. He was a man of genial nature, whose friends were legion, so that his death was widely and deeply deplored in this city, where he had long made his home. To every test his character gave ringing response and in no utterance of his life was there anything equivocal, while in his entire career there was not a single esoteric phase to be found. He dealt justly with all men and even generously and at the same time managed his business affairs so capably that the interests of his family were wisely conserved and to them he left a very substantial competence.

OTTO DENKMANN. -

Otto Denkmann, who has spent practically his entire life in Scott county and was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, is now living retired in Davenport. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 17th of August, 1847, a son of John and Marie Denkmann. In 1847 the mother set sail for the United States with her infant son and reached American shores after an ocean voyage of about nine weeks, landing at New Orleans three days before Christmas. In the Crescent City she joined her hus- band, who had previously emigrated to this country. They made their way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where they were compelled to tarry until spring on account of the ice in the river. After arriving in Davenport in the spring of 1848, John Denkmann purchased about one thousand acres of prairie land within nine miles of the city, erected a shanty and there spent the remainder of his life. His widow afterward took up her abode in Davenport and here passed away in her sixty-eighth year. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: William, who is deceased; Erminie ;. Charles, who has also been called to his final rest; Anna, who is the widow of Dr. Brunner and re- sides in Fremont, Nebraska; Julius, living in Davenport township; Frederick, who makes his home in Walcott, Iowa; Otto, of this review; and Amelia, the wife of Carl Rocco, of Rock Island.

Otto Denkmann, whose name initiates this review, was scarcely a year old when brought to Scott county by his parents and he has since continued to reside

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within its borders. In pursuit of an education he attended school at Walcott and after putting aside his text-books turned his attention to farming, which branch of activity claimed his energies throughout his active business career. His farm in Blue Grass township remained his home until he disposed of the property about 1874 and took up his abode in Davenport. He is now living re- tired but still has important financial interests, being a stockholder in the Farm- ers & Mechanics Bank of Davenport and also in the Rock Island Savings Bank. He also owns considerable city property.

On the 12th of October, 1869, Mr. Denkmann was united in marriage to Miss Helena Paul, whose birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 17th of January, 1850, and who came to Scott county with her parents in 1866. Her father, Christopher Paul, was a prosperous agriculturist of Buffalo township and was likewise prominent in public affairs, serving as justice of the peace and also as assessor. He was the president of the German Insurance Company and was widely recognized as an influential and respected citizen of his community. His demise occurred in 1894, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years, while his wife was fifty-four years old when called to her final rest. Their children were twelve in number, as follows: Margaret, who is deceased; Anna; Eggert; Mrs. Denkmann; Christ, who has likewise passed away; Elsie ; Christina; Louisa; Johanna; Henry; Wilhelm; and Lewis. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denkmann have been born seven children, the record of whom is as follows. Theresa, living in Illinois, married William Scranton and is now the mother of five children: Ray- mond, Earl, Etta, Loen and Lillian. Tillie is the widow of Robert Napset and has one daughter, Corinne. Hugo, who resides in Fullerton, Nebraska, wedded Miss Olive Parker and has two children, Dorothy and Perry. Charles, who makes his home in Davenport, married Miss Agnes Courtney. Alma is the wife of G. P. Stebolt, of California. Oscar, living in Davenport, married Miss Ella Bearns and has one son, C. O. Alfreda Denkmann is deceased.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Downer, Harry E Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1166

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1166