USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 12
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In his political views Mr. Denkmann is a republican and on that ticket he was elected to the position of trustee in Davenport township. He is a member of the German Shooting Club and also belongs to the Old German Settlers Asso- ciation. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than six decades and he has long been numbered among its successful, respected and rep- resentative citizens.
DWIGHT G. KREUL, M. D.
Dr. Dwight G. Kreul, a well known and successful medical practitioner of Davenport, was born in Wisconsin on the IIth of December, 1870, his parents being John C. and Theresa (Schmidt) Kreul. The father, a native of Saxony, Germany, obtained his education in that country and was a graduate of Prague University. In early manhood he set sail for the United States and after landing on the shores of the new world took up his abode in the state of Wisconsin. There he was actively and successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits through- out the remainder of his life, passing away in 1871.
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Durchs G, Kreul.
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Dwight G. Kreul supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the public schools, by a course of study in the normal school, while subsequently he entered the University of Wisconsin. After completing his more specifically lit- erary education he took up the study of medicine at .Marquette and in 1897 won the degree of M. D. Locating for practice in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he there remained for a year, on the expiration of which period he went to Europe and spent about twelve months in post-graduate work at London and Vienna. On returning to the United States he opened an office in Davenport, Iowa, and has here been engaged in the general practice of medicine to the present time, his patronage steadily growing in volume and importance as he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician.
In 1901 Dr. Kreul was united in marriage to Miss Emma Schmidt, a native of Davenport and a daughter of Robert Schmidt. They are now the parents of two children, Phyllis and Gregor. Dr. Kreul is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, exemplifying its teachings in his daily life. Realizing fully the obli- gations that devolve upon him in his professional capacity, he performs all du- ties with a sense of conscientious obligation and has won favorable regard by reason of his skill and his personal worth.
HENRY C. PLAMBECK.
Henry C. Plambeck, a retired cigar manufacturer of Davenport, has lived in well earned ease for the past fifteen years. His birth occurred at Preetz, Hol- stein, Germany, on the 28th of April, 1841, his parents being Detlef and Mar- garet (Brooks) Plambeck. The father, who was born in 1811, was engaged in the shoe and tanning business in Germany, although his ancestors had followed general agricultural pursuits. He likewise served as a soldier in the Danish army, as his country was at that time under Danish rule. In 1852, in company with his wife and children, he set sail for the new world, landing at New Orleans after an ocean voyage of eight weeks. The trip up the Mississippi to Davenport con- sumed four weeks, for the ice in the river impeded the progress of their boat and several stops were necessary. On arriving in this city Detlef Plambeck opened a shoe shop but soon afterward his health became impaired and after lying ill for about two and a half years he passed away in 1855. His widow still sur- vives at the remarkable age of ninety-seven years, her birth having occurred on the 28th of February, 1813. She is the oldest person living in Scott county and has a very wide acquaintance within its borders. She became the mother of seven children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were as follows: Detlefine, who is deceased, as is also her husband, Louis Feid; Henry C., of this review ; Dorothea, the widow of Henry Vollmer; and Minnie, who is the widow of Lud- wig Bruning.
Henry C. Plambeck did not begin his education until he was a lad of about eight, as he suffered from ill health during the early years of his life. He was eleven years of age at the time he accompanied his parents on their emigration to
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the United States, and for about two months he attended a German school in Davenport but on account of the illness of his father was compelled to abandon his studies and assist in the support of the family. He was first employed as a farm hand, clearing hazel brush at a wage of twenty-five cents per day, and sub- sequently worked in the vicinity of Davenport at various occupations, scorning no employment that would yield him an honest living. In 1855 he began learn- ing the cigar maker's trade and was continuously identified with that line of ac- tivity for four decades or until the time of his retirement in 1895. He was in the service of the Kuhnen Cigar Company for about thirty years, acting in the capacity of foreman for about twenty-three years of that time. At two different intervals he was engaged in business at Davenport as a cigar manufacturer on his own account and also conducted an enterprise of that character in Denver, Colorado, for about a year. When his untiring energy and capable management had brought him a handsome competence he put aside business cares and for the past fifteen years has lived in honorable retirement at Davenport, making his home with his mother.
Mr. Plambeck belongs to the German Pioneers Society and is also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. He has a very wide acquaintance in the county which has been his home for more than a half century and enjoys the respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
MRS. CATHRINA LAGE.
Mrs. Cathrina Lage, who resides at No. 1445 West Third street, is the widow of Jochem Lage, who was one of the early German settlers of Scott county, and she also belonged to a family who came here among the pioneers. She was born in Holstein, Germany, August 1, 1843, a daughter of Claus and Anna Weise. Her father died when she was very young and her mother married again. In 1852 the family emigrated to America and, landing at New Orleans, ascended the Mis- sissippi river to Davenport. Her stepfather remained for a time in Scott county and then removed to Clinton county, Iowa, where he bought a tract of farm land upon which he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives.
Mrs. Lage grew to womanhood in Iowa and became very conversant with agricultural methods, for when she came here in the early days there was much to be done and a large share of the work fell to the daughters of a family. On the 26th of June, 1864, she gave her hand in marriage to Jochem Lage. He was born in Holstein, Germany, October 24, 1838, and was about nine years of age when in 1847 his parents, Henry and Anna Lage sailed for America. Choosing the southern route, they landed at New Orleans, whence they took a boat up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, Missouri. They remained in that city a few months and then came to Davenport. In Cleona township, Scott county, Henry Lage, bought eighty acres of prairie land, on which he built a small house and made other improvements, living there until his death in 1858.
Jochem Lage continued to live with his parents, assisting his father in the farm work and later assuming some of the responsibilty in the operation of the
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homestead, until he married. Then he and his wife started housekeeping upon eighty acres of land adjoining the parental place, which had been given to him by his father. He resided there eight years and then he removed to Davenport, where he engaged in the real-estate business, to which he devoted his attention profitably for a number of years. He died January 24, 1892, having witnessed in the forty odd years he had been a resident of Scott county the great development of its agricultural possibilities and participated in the growth of Davenport from villagehood to a flourishing commercial center.
Mrs. Lage became the mother of nine children, as follows: Henry, wlio is married and lives in Richmond, Missouri; Laura, who makes her home with her mother ; Emma, who is the widow of Amiel Fick and has three children, Laura and the twins, Harry and Hattie; Otto and Louisa, both at home; Clara, the wife of Joseph Nadler, of Moline, Illinois; Hugo, at home; and two who died in in- fancy. Having experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life in her youth, Mrs. Lage derives added pleasure from the comforts she now enjoys, and from the knowledge that her several children are well established in their respective positions in life. In politics Mr. Lage was a democrat.
A. W. ELMER, M. D.
Dr. A. W. Elmer, who since 1886 has engaged in the practice of medicine in Davenport, making a specialty of the treatment of the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, for which he is qualified by thorough study both at home and abroad, was born in Harrisville, Alcona county, Michigan, February 1I, 1858. His father, D. J. Elmer, a native of the state of New York, sailed on the Great Lakes and also on the high seas. When young he removed to Michigan and in 1868 came to Scott county, Iowa, establishing his home near Big Rock, where he secured a tract of land and engaged in farming for more than a quarter of a century. In 1894, however, he put aside the active work of the fields and re- moved to Onawa, Iowa, where he is now living retired at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Sellick, is also still living.
Dr. Elmer began his education in the district schools of this county after the removal of the family to Iowa, when he was a lad of ten years. Later he entered Griswold College and was graduated in 1883 with the B. A. degree. Two years he devoted to the study of medicine in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, after which he entered the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1886 on the completion of the medical course. The same year he located for practice in Davenport, where he has since resided and in the intervening years has enjoyed a large and growing patronage which has come to him in recognition of the skill and ability that he has displayed in handling important cases. He manifests conscientious obligation in the discharge of his professional duties, and broad reading has kept him in touch with the advance of the medical fraternity as science has yielded up its secrets for the benefit of mankind. He has always made a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and has come to be regarded in Davenport as authority upon those branches.
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He spent the year 1897 in study in Vienna, where he was under the instruction and attended the clinics of some of the most eminent specialists of the old world. In addition to a large private practice he is acting as oculist to the two leading hospitals of Davenport and also for the Rock Island Railroad.
In 1890 Dr. Elmer was married to Miss Kate Hart, a native of Adrian, Mich- igan, and unto them were born two children, William Hart and Katherine. They have gained many friends in the city where they have resided throughout the period of their married life. Dr. Elmer has little leisure for outside interests and yet is always courteous in manner and kindly in spirit. His attention is largely given to his professional duties, however, and to the end of furthering his knowledge and promoting his efficiency he holds membership in the County, State and American Medical Associations.
WILLIAM B. MURRAY.
William B. Murray, a well known and prosperous citizen residing at No. 2012 Ripley street in Davenport, has lived retired since 1892 but was formerly actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of fine farming land in Lincoln and Sheridan town- ships. His birth occurred ten miles east of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1834, his parents being George and Esther Murray. The latter passed away in the Keystone state in 1853. George Murray, who followed mer- chandising and railroad contracting while in Pennsylvania, came to Scott county, Iowa, in 1855 and purchased two hundred and forty acres of improved land in Davenport township, the other members of his family joining him soon afterward. He later bought a tract of three hundred and seventy acres near Mount Joy but continued to reside on his original purchase until he took up his abode in Daven- port, where his demise occurred on the Ist of May, 1887. His children were ten in number but four of his daughters passed away in Pennsylvania while yet young in years. Those who came to this state were as follows: William B., of this review; 'Anna, who is now deceased, as is also her husband, Albert Kratzer; Thomas, who died in the army; George, who has likewise been called to his final rest; James, a resident of Davenport; and Mary E., who is deceased, as is also her husband, John Hyland.
William B. Murray obtained his education in the schools of Johnstown and Summerhill, Pennsylvania, and after putting aside his text-books worked for his father in the store and also acted as timekeeper for the railroad men. On coming to this county he turned his attention to farming and after living with his father for a short time took up his abode on a portion of the three hundred and seventy acre tract near Mount Jay, which he broke up and improved. He built a nice residence and there carried on his agricultural interests energetically and success- fully until the time of his retirement from active life in 1892, since which year he has made his home in Davenport. As the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his landed holdings by additional purchase and also received some property from his father. He is still the owner of two hundred
Mars Caroline & Murray
William 02. Murray 11
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and thirty acres of valuable land in Lincoln and Sheridan townships and is likewise a stockholder in the Iowa National Bank and the Davenport Savings Bank.
On the 30th of October, 1862, Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Criswell, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of James and Jane Criswell. Her mother passed away in Pennsylvania in 1856 and the following year she accompanied her father on the removal to Scott county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Murray were born seven children. George, the eldest, who makes his home in Grinnell, Iowa, wedded Miss Eliza Coapley and has four children: Vera, Grace, Elsie and Mabel. Minnie died at the age of six years. James E., who is likewise deceased, married Miss Ida Garner, by whom he had four chil- dren: Walter ; Hazel; and Martha C. and James E., both of whom have passed away. Albert, who wedded Miss Stella Regnitter, resides in Davenport. Elsie died in 1879, when but two years of age. Frank passed away when only eleven months old. William died in infancy.
Mr. Murray is a democrat in his political views and has been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. While living on the farm he held nearly all of the township offices, including those of justice of the peace, trustee and school di- rector. During his two years' term of service as county supervisor the court- house was erected and his name is inscribed on the corner stone of that struc- ture. In the winter of 1894 he was the representative from this district to the general assembly at Des Moines. Public-spirited and loyal to a marked degree, he proved a faithful and efficient incumbent in the various offices to which his fellow townsmen called him. He and his wife are consistent members of the English Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. In the county where he has now made his home for more than a half century he is very widely and favorably known, for the salient traits of his character are such as have won for him the respect and friendship of all with whom he has come in contact.
EDWARD F. STROHBEHN, M. D.
The circumstances which surrounded the birth and early environment of Dr. Edward F. Strohbehn have had little to do with the success which he has at- tained in the medical profession, for he has so used his talents and powers in former years that he has come to be known as one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of eastern Iowa, now practicing in Davenport. Dr. Strohbehn was born in Hamburg, Germany, July 24, 1865, a son of F. William and Louise (Zapf) Strohbehn. The father, who was born in Holstein, Germany, began to learn the shoemaker's trade ere he had completed his education. As was the custom in foreign lands, he served in the Danish army before that province be- came a part of Germany. After serving for three years he went to Hamburg and, after passing a rigid examination, became a citizen of that place. In 1869 he emigrated with his family to America and, locating in Davenport, continued working at his trade until the time of his death, which occurred May 6, 1890.
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Edward F. Strohbehn was a little lad of six and a half years when he was brought by the parents to Davenport, and in the schools of this city he began his education. Ambitious to acquire a higher education than was afforded by the common schools, he sought and found employment with John Berwald, of Davenport, and from his earnings saved the money that enabled him to pursue a course in the Iowa State University. He then engaged in teaching for a time and in this way earned the capital that enabled him to take up the study of medi- cine in the medical department of the State University. He was graduated from that institution in March, 1891. For a time thereafter he acted as interne in Mercy Hospital of Davenport, while still later he was an assistant in the Iowa State Hospital for the Insane at Mount Pleasant. In the fall of 1891 he went to Vienna, Austria, and there took a post-graduate course in medicine, and subsequent to his return opened an office in Davenport, where he has been suc- cessfully practicing to the present time. During the years that have passed he has displayed marked ability and familiarity with the most modern and advanced methods of the medical profession and has a patronage that is most gratifying. In addition to his private practice he is also medical examiner for the Germania Kranken Verein and the Claus Groth Gilde.
On the 13th of November, 1895, Dr. Strohbehn was married to Miss Alice Lynde, a daughter of Edward A. and Ophelia D. Lynde, of Sterling, Massa- chusetts. Dr. and Mrs. Strohbehn have six children : Louise, Edward L., Mary Ella, Vallie Davis, Elizabeth and Walter William. The Doctor has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry and belongs to various medical societies. Of studious nature, he is ever seeking to advance his knowledge along the line of his profession and today is recognized as one of the able and successful phy- sicians of the state, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public.
WILLIAM J. MANN.
William J. Mann, who was for more than a third of. a century actively identified with the industrial interests of Scott county as a carriage builder, has lived retired in Davenport since October, 1906. His birth occurred in Waldeck, Germany, on the 27th of September, 1833, his parents being Jacob and Anna Kathrina Mann, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father fol- lowed farming throughout his active business career. After completing his education William J. Mann turned his attention to the mastery of the wagon maker's trade. In 1851, when a youth of eighteen years, he set sail for the United States, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, on the 9th of May, after an ocean voyage of six weeks. He worked at his trade in Baltimore for about four and a half years and then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed as a wagon maker for one year. In 1856 he came to Davenport and for four years worked in a carriage shop on Fourth street. During the next seven years he followed his trade in Muscatine and in 1867 embarked in business on his own
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account, opening a shop at Walcott, Iowa. Later he also opened an implement store there and conducted the same successfully for a period of thirty-five years, when he sold out and retired to private life. He continued to reside in Wal- cott for about five years after his retirement and on the 10th of October, 1906, came to Davenport, now making his home in the handsome modern residence which he erected at No. 2211 Ripley street.
On the 6th of November, 1857, Mr. Mann was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schaeffer, who was born in Germany on the 18th of September, 1838, and whose parents passed away in that country. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mann were born seven children, the record of whom is as follows. Mary, who wedded Charles Yust of Colorado, is now the mother of eight children, namely: Charles, Clara, William, Henry, Dorothy, George, Edward and Carter. William, liv- ing in Minnesota, married Miss Caroline Stoltenberg, by whom he has five children : William, Walter, Myrtle, Nina and Winnie. Amelia, who gave her hand in marriage to Edward Meyer of Hickory Grove township, has five chil- dren : Lillie, Hilda, William, Herbert and Arthur. George, who makes his home in Redfield, South Dakota, wedded Miss Nina Armstrong and has four chil- dren : Eva, Dorothy, Millie and a baby. Louis, living in Osmond, Nebraska, married Miss Agnes Graham, by whom he has two children, Winnie and Lulu. Edward, who resides at Calumet, O'Brien county, Iowa, wedded Miss Tena Benedix and has one son, Randolph. Miss Hilda Mann is at home. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 3d of February, 1901, and her loss was sincerely mourned by all who knew her.
Politically Mr. Mann is independent and while residing in Walcott he served as a school director for about twelve years. He is a well known member of the German Pioneer Association of Scott county, and has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he utilized his opportunities to the best advantage and gradually worked his way upward until he gained a place among the prosperous, respected and representative citizens of his community.
HUGO G. BRAUNLICK.
The development of musical taste and talent in Davenport was attributable in large degree to Hugo G. Braunlick, who for many years was recognized as one of the leading music teachers of this city. He possessed the love for and ability in the interpretation of the art that is so characteristic of the German people. His birth occurred in Saxony, German, January 16, 1831, and he was a representative of a prominent family there. He studied both forestry and music in Meissen and Dresden and, like the young men of the period, was in- tensely interested in the political situation of the country. The spirit of politi- cal unrest which was felt throughout Europe found expression in Germany in the war of 1848, and Mr. Braunlick, interested in the movement for the attain- ment of larger liberties for the German people, acted as aide to one of the rev-
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olutionary leaders. Subsequent to this time the family crossed the Atlantic to America and his parents spent their last days in Brooklyn, New York.
Hugo G. Braunlick, however, continued his westwardly way to Davenport, where he arrived in 1853 and no man took a more active or influential part in developing the early musical tastes of this city than he. For a long period he engaged in teaching music, in which profession he held high rank. At one time he was a contributor to the Democrat, his articles being of a practical nature. As a landscape gardner, in which connection he became widely known, he laid out the grounds of many of the best residences. His training in forestry and his natural artistic talent both well qualified him for work of this charac- ter and his services were in great demand.
In 1857 Mr. Braunlick was married to Miss Eliza Uchtorf, and unto them were born six children: Dr. H. U., Hugo, Mrs. John L. Zoeckler, Freda, Emily' and Mrs. J. C. Gude.
Mr. Braunlick held membership in the DeBeroit Club and was a leader of the Maennerchor of Davenport for many years. In his youth there were many stirring and thrilling experiences especially in connection with his military his- tory, but in later years his life was of a more quiet character and, pursuing the even tenor of his way, with regard at all times for the rights and privileges of others, he commanded the good will and esteem of those with whom he was as- sociated and won for himself many friends among Davenport's leading citizens.
NICKLAUS JANSEN.
Nicklaus Jansen, who has lived retired in Davenport for the past eight years, won his competence as an agriculturist and is still the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Allens Grove township, where he also has a timber tract comprising seven and a half acres. His birth occurred in Hol- stein, Germany, on the 4th of May, 1846. In his youthful days he attended the schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books began learning the carpenter's trade. In 1867, when a young man of twenty-one years, he set sail for the new world and after landing at New York came direct to Davenport, Iowa. Here he began work at the carpenter's trade but in a short time turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and was employed as a farm hand for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased and located upon the farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Allens Grove township which has since remained in his possession. The property was well improved and he made his home thereon for twenty-three years, annually gathering bounte- ous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. He next bought a sixty-acre tract of land in Allens Grove township, on which he resided for two years, at the end of which time he disposed of the place to his son-in-law and took up his abode in Davenport. Here he has lived retired since 1902, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
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