USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
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It was about five years after his arrival in the new world that Mr. Eckmann was married on the 6th of July, 1857, to Miss Weipka Keil, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Keil, of Germany. Mrs. Eckmann was likewise born in the father- land and emigrated to the new world in the year of her marriage. Two sons
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have been born of this union but the eldest, Charles, died when a little lad of seven years. The surviving son, George H., wedded Miss Louisa Lemcool and they have one daughter, Nettie.
Mr. Eckmann belongs to the German Pioneer Society of Scott county. A man of great natural ability, his success from the beginning of his residence in Scott county has been uniform and rapid. Possessing a quick, alert spirit, he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity and now in the evening of life he and his estimable wife are living contented and happy lives in a nice modern home and are surrounded by many warm and admiring friends.
FRITZ PRIESTER.
Fritz Priester, who since 1900 has lived retired in his fine home at No. 1102 West Fourteenth street in Davenport, was actively engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits throughout his entire business career and is still the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Lincoln township, Scott county. He was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 22d of March, 1844, his parents being Carl and Eliza Priester. The father was a farmer by occupation and also served as a soldier in the Germany army. In 1857, in company with his wife and children, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York, whence he came direct to Davenport, Iowa. He purchased and estab- lished his home on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of improved land in Lincoln township, which is now in possession of our subject, and there success- fully carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his demise, his death being occasioned by injuries which he received in a runaway accident in 1864. A year afterward his widow went to live with her son Adolph in Davenport, where she made her home until called to her final rest in 1891, when eighty-three years of age.
Fritz Priester, who was one of a family of twelve children, received his early education in the schools of his native land and after coming to this country con- tinued his studies throughout one winter season. He early became familiar with the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assis- tance which he rendered in the work of the home farm and after his father's death took charge of the place, devoting his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement throughout the remainder of his active business career. The property still remains in his possession and the other tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he owns in Lincoln township was given to his wife by her father. His place is lacking in none of the conveniences and im- provements of a model farm of the twentieth century and he recently erected thereon a fine residence and substantial barn. It was in 1900 that he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in a residence which he pur- chased at No. 1102 West Fourteenth street in Davenport, where he has since lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 8th of February, 1867, Mr. Priester was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hacker, whose birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, January 14,
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1849, and who was therefore but three years of age when in 1852 she was brought to the United States by her parents, Christopher and Fredericka Hacker. Af- ter landing in New Orleans Mr. and Mrs. Hacker made their way direct to this county, locating on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land which the former purchased in Butler township. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lincoln township, where he made his home for a great many years, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his farming opera- tions. His demise occurred at Eldridge in 1908, when he had attained the age of eighty-seven years, while his wife passed away in Davenport in 1894 at the age of seventy-four years. They had two children who grew to maturity, namely : Mrs. Priester; and Fredericka, the wife of Emil Rohlf, of Eldridge. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Priester have been born nine children, the record of whom is as fol- lows: Laura is now the wife of Gustavus Wellendorf and resides in Minnesota. Herman, an agriculturist of Sheridan township, wedded Miss Laura Fellener, by whom he has two children, Herbert and Lillian. Adolph, living in Wisconsin, married Miss Sophia Meier and has one son, Arnold. Louisa gave her hand in marriage to Henry Fellener, of Sheridan township, and is now the mother of four children: Fred, Walter, Harvey and Leila. Matilda, living in Lincoln township, is the wife of Julius Greenwald, by whom she has three children-El- mer, Linta and Eleanor. Emil, who resides on the old home farm in Lincoln township, married Miss Louisa Lepten, by whom he had three children, namely : Wilma; Altha, deceased; and Elna. Ferdinand, whose birth occurred on the Ioth of July, 1880, passed away December 19, 1902. Alma is the wife of August Rauch, of Davenport, Iowa, and has two children, Vera and Mervin. Ella, also living in Davenport, is the wife of William Claussen and has one child, Evelyn.
In his political views Mr. Priester is a stanch democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. He has held the office of township trustee and acted as school treasurer for two years, while for nine years he was a school director, ever proving a faithful and capable public official. As a citizen he is public spirited to an eminent degree, deeply interested in the welfare and pros- perity of the county in which he has now resided for more than a half century. His many good qualities are displayed by the friendship which is uniformly ac- corded him by those who know him.
CLARENCE C. HETZEL, M. D.
This is preeminently an age of specialization. Comparatively few men in any profession attempt to cover the entire field of practice but give their attention to a particular line, thus gaining skill and ability therein that could not be acquired if time and energy had to be divided with other interests. Dr. Hetzel has in his practice made a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and his broad study and comprehensive understanding have gained for him a skill that is the source of the large practice that is accorded him. He was born in Avoca, Iowa, May 10, 1877. His father, Fred G. Hetzel, was a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, born June 10, 1846. When a boy he came to Davenport with his father, Charles Hetzel, who engaged in farming on Telegraph road, about six miles
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from the city, and there reared his family. He brought his farm into a good state of cultivation, erected thereon a substantial residence and become one of the prosperous and respected citizens of the community. It was on the old homestead there that Fred G. Hetzel was reared and after attaining his majority he turned his attention to the grain business. In 1871 he removed to Avoca, where he established a hardware store and has since remained a successful mer- chant in that place. He married Miss Belle Boyd, who was born at Wilton, Iowa, October 30, 1854, and their family numbers five children, three daughters and two sons.
Clarence C. Hetzel, the second in order of birth, pursued his education through successive grades in the Avoca schools until he was graduated from the high school in 1895, while later he entered the Iowa State University and completed the medical course by graduation with the class of 1903. He has further qualified for his chosen profession by study in the Polyclinic and in Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was also for one year in the hospital at Iowa City, where he added to his theoretical knowledge the broad and valuable ex- perience of hospital practice. He established his office in Davenport in 1904 and makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In that depart- ment he is thoroughly qualified and his reading upon the subject has been ex- tensive, bringing him broad and thorough knowledge. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Otology and Laryngology. He also be- longs to the County, State and District Medical Societies.
Dr. Hetzel was married July 27, 1907, to Miss Alta S. Smith, a native of Har- lan, Iowa. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in all social relations manifests a genial spirit and unfeigned cordiality. In his practice he holds to a high standard of professional ethics and therefore enjoys the respect of his brethren of the medical fraternity as well as of the general public.
MRS. ELISE OVERDIECK.
Mrs. Elise Overdieck, occupying one of the fine residences of Davenport, has been a resident of this city for more than a half century, living on the site of her present home since 1854. She is the widow of Gustave Overdieck, who was born in the village of Preetz, Holstein, Germany, January 18, 1818. His par- ents, Ludarino and Dora Overdieck, spent their entire lives in Germany, the father following merchandising. Gustave Overdieck, reared in his native land, came to the United States in 1848, when about thirty years of age. He landed at New Orleans, whence he made his way northward to Davenport, but, purchas- ing a small tract of land in the vicinity of the city, took up his abode there and resided thereon until 1854. In that year he purchased an acre and a quarter of land in the city and built thereon a house, which was later destroyed by fire. He then erected the present fine residence occupied by his widow. His death oc- curred on the 29th of March, 1877.
Mr. Overdieck was married in this county to Miss Elise Anderson, a daughter of D. J. and Marie Anderson, who came to Iowa with their family in 1848,
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having previously been residents of Kiel, Germany. The father purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Pleasant Valley township. It was nicely improved with substantial buildings and an orchard and as the years passed Mr. Anderson continued to devote his time and energies to the further development of the place. He only lived for a short time after his arrival, however, nor did his wife survive for very long. Their daughter Elise was born on the 18th of November, 1829, and it was in the spring of 1851 that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Overdieck. They became the parents of five children: Harriet, at home; Frederick, who departed this life in 1876; Charlotte, the widow of O. S. McNeil, of Davenport; Ellen, the wife of L. F. Robinson, of Davenport, by whom she has a daughter, Amy; and Albert, at home. Mrs. Overdieck is now one of the esteemed old ladies of Davenport, having passed the eightieth mile- stone on life's journey and fifty-five years of that period has been spent as a resi- dent of this city, while for sixty-one years she has lived in the county. She is therefore familiar with much of its history and relates many interesting inci- dents of the early days before the evidences of pioneer life had been entirely re- placed by the improvements of a modern civilization.
THIES SINDT.
After a career characterized by industry and thrift it is the happy lot of Thies Sindt, one of Davenport's retired citizens to spend the evening of life free from pecuniary cares and removed from commercial strivings, amid the comforts and refinements of an attractive home which his former efforts have given to him. Like so many of Scott county's adopted citizens he is a native of Holstein, his birth having occurred there November 19, 1824, his parents being Hans and Anna Sindt. The former, a timber overseer, came to the United States in 1854, his son having preceded him by a number of years, but he was permitted to enjoy his new home only for the short period of four years, his death occurring in 1858.
Thies Sindt obtained his education in the public schools whose excellence so materially adds to Germany's high standing among the nations. Then, in the custom of the country, he set about him to learn a trade, his choice falling upon the tinner's trade. When a little past his majority he decided to cast his for- tunes on this side of the Atlantic and June 21, 1847, he arrived in New Orleans, coming up the Mississippi river to Davenport. Here he speedily secured work in a tinner's shop and continued to follow that occupation until 1854, when he be- came a landholder, buying an eighty acre tract in Davenport township. No easy lot confronted him for the land was unbroken prairie and it was necessary to expend great labor upon it before it could be brought to a cultivable condition. Nothing daunted, Mr. Sindt proceeded to do this and in the following year built a house and went there to live. As opportunity and means presented he bought more land and now owns one hundred and twenty acres in Davenport town- ship, two hundred acres in Benton county, Iowa, and six hundred and forty in Ida county, this state, these making him one of Davenport's extensive property
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owners. His residence on his Scott county farm extended over nearly half a century, in which time he witnessed most remarkable changes and did his share toward the growth and progress.
In recognition of his public spirit and trustworthiness Mr. Sindt was made school director and served so efficiently that he held the office for twenty-five years. He was also a member of the board of supervisors. In 1900 he con- cluded that advanced years justified his giving up active life and he retired and came to Davenport, where he owns a fine home at 1506 South street.
In February, 1850, in the early days of his life in Davenport, Mr. Sindt was united in marriage to Miss Able Stoltenberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Stoltenberg, German people, who were among Scott county's pioneer settlers. Nine children were born to this union. Henry, deceased, married Trena Horst and was the father of three children, August, Clara and Alma. Minnie is at home. William, residing in Algona, Iowa, married Ella Bey and has two children, Nora and Elsie. Theodore married Anna Brauch and lives in Davenport. He has two children, Howard and Erwin. Meta is at home. Herman B., a resident of Walcott, married Anna Wiese and has a family of five children, Hilda, Velma, Norma, Arnold and Alfred. Lewis E. married Mary Soering and lives on the old homestead. Clara C. married Henry Arp, of Davenport. The youngest child died in infancy. Mrs. Sindt passed to her reward in 1872 at the age of forty-eight years.
Mr. Sindt's interests are not limited to the supervision of his property. He is a stockholder in the German Savings Bank of Davenport and the Savings Bank of Walcott. Socially he is affiliated with the Society of Old German Settlers. His long life has been its own reward, for now wearing his years with ease and dignity, he has time and means to spend his remaining days in the cultivation of the finer things of life and in the society of children, grandchildren and the friends, of whom he possesses fully his share.
PRESLEY B. NEBERGALL.
That the life history of Presley B. Nebergall is the record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he displayed through the many years of his connection with agricultural interests in Scott county. He was born in West Virginia, in 1834, and pursued his education in his native state. In 1854, when a young man of twenty years, he came to Scott county with his father, Jacob Nebergall, who settled in Blue Grass township, where he purchased a partially improved farm. Later he bought more land at different times and improved his acreage, devoting his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits.
After coming to Iowa, Presley B. Nebergall lived with his parents on the home farm and assisted his father in the cultivation and improvement of the fields until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 27th of January, 1859. On that date he wedded Miss Felicity B. Van Bibber, who was also a native of West Virginia. They began their domestic life on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres near
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the home of his father and there Mr. Nebergall continued to cultivate his fields until his life's labors were ended in death on the 22d of September, 1878. He was dili- gent and persevering and, working on persistently year by year, he won that measure of prosperity which always crowns earnest and indefatigable effort.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nebergall were born six children, but one son, George, died at the age of twenty-two years. The others are: J. F. and Jacob A., both of whom are now residents of Davenport; Mrs. Eugenia Whittaker, who is living in Grinnell, Iowa; Edward Lee; and Mrs. Grace Porter, whose home is in Canada. There are also twelve grandchildren in the family.
When Mr. Nebergall purchased the home farm he paid thirty-five dollars per acre for it, but with the settlement of the county and owing to the improve- ments placed upon the farm its value increased until Mrs. Nebergall sold it some years after her husband's death for one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. Following her husband's demise she resided thereon for fifteen years, or until 1893, when she removed to this city and purchased a tract of land within the city limits upon which she has since made her home. It was at that time that she dis- posed of her farm, obtaining therefor a substantial price which places her in com- fortable financial circumstances.
In his political views Mr. Nebergall was a stalwart democrat, believing that the adoption of the principles of that party would best conserve the interests of good government. He served as president of the school board in his township and was a stanch champion of the cause of public education. He held membership in the Bap- tist church, in which he was a deacon, and at all times was a public-spirited man, active in support of measures that contributed to the social, educational and moral progress of the community. All who knew him respected him for his sterling worth and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
JOHN H. J. HAMANN.
John H. J. Hamann, who has lived retired in Davenport since 1896, was formerly actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests and is still the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sheridan township. His birth occurred in Schleswig, Germany, on the 5th of October, 1824, his parents being Hans D. and Ida E. Hamann, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. He acquired his education in the schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books began farming in association with his father. During the Schles- wig-Holstein wars, from 1848 until 1850, he served as a teamster. In 1857, when a young man of thirty-three years, he determined to establish his home in the new world and set sail for the United States, landing at New York. His brother, Hans Hamann, who had emigrated to this country about 1848, was living in Dav- enport and this fact induced our subject to come direct to Iowa. He immediately went to work for his brother on a farm in Davenport township and for a time was busily employed as a farm hand, being engaged in threshing, etc. Subse- quently he rented a tract of land in Davenport township from his brother, making his home thereon for six years, while during the following eleven years he devoted
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his time and energies to the cultivation of a rented farm in Sheridan township. On the expiration of that period he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land of his own and in 1875 he came into possession of an adjoining farm of 160 acres, taking up his abode thereon. As there were only a few improvements on the property, he erected a house, barns, etc., and soon the place was lacking in none of the equipments and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and was actively engaged in the work of the fields until 1896, when he removed to Davenport, where he has since lived retired. For about fifteen years he served as one of the trustees of the Farmers' Insurance Company.
On the 17th of April, 1857, just prior to his emigration to America, Mr. Hamann was united in marriage to Miss Louisa H. Grimm, who was born on the 22d of January, 1828, her parents being Hans and Carolina A. Grimm. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamann were born seven children. John A., residing in Daven- port, wedded Miss Carolina Wors, by whom he has a daughter, Hilda. Lewis C., who makes his home in Lyon county, married Miss Lena Roheff and has four children : Clara, Grover, Herbert and Ella. Alvina C., who gave her hand in marriage to Hugo Knehl, of Eldridge, is now the mother of four children: Emil, Hugo, Adelia and Alma. Adelia wedded Otto Dehn, of Lyon county, and also has four children, namely: Lewis, Mello, Herbert and Alma. Henry, who re- sides on the old homestead farm in Sheridan township, married Miss Anna Hintz, by whom he has six children-Alma, Cynthia, Elva, Maletto, Cora and Blanche. Louisa and Meta Hamann have both passed away.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Hamann has given his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust, includ- ing those of school director and road supervisor. He has long been a prominent member of the German Pioneers' association of Scott county and has recently been honored with its presidency. The period of his residence in this county covers more than a half century and he is widely recognized as one of its most, respected and venerable citizens, having now passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. He is numbered among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.
WILLIAM STEWARD.
William Steward, a retired farmer living at No. 1405 LeClaire street in Davenport, has been enjoying well earned rest since the spring of 1889, but for many years previously was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits and at one time owned 480 acres of rich and productive land in Allens Grove town- ship. His birth occurred in County Norfolk, England, on December 1, 1827, his parents being James and Frances (Green) Steward. The father, a farmer
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and horse trader, died when his son William was but four years of age. The mother's demise occurred in Scott county, Iowa, and her remains were interred at Allens Grove.
William Steward attended a private school in England until thirteen years of age and after putting aside his text-books learned the trade of wagon making. In the fall of 1850, when a young man of about twenty-three years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with his mother and wife, having been married three weeks previously. They reached New York about November 20th with one shilling in cash, two good watches, and some silver spoons, which they sold in order to obtain sufficient money to take them to Rochester. There Mr. Steward worked at the carpenter's trade for six years, on the expiration of which period he came to this county, reaching Davenport in the fall of 1857. Here he was employed as a carpenter by Thomas McClellan, his first work being in connection with the construction of what is now the First National Bank. He followed that trade until 1860, and his last work as a carpenter was on the county poorhouse in the employ of John Hornby. In 1860 he rented a tract of prairie land in Allens Grove township where the town of Donahue now stands, and all that he possessed on starting out as a farmer was a good team. The man who owned the property built a house thereon and for four years Mr. Steward leased the place, which embraced a quarter section of land. About 1868 he bought the farm and as his financial resources increased he extended its boundaries by additional purchases from time to time until he owned 480 acres of land. He successfully carried on his agricultural interests there for a period of twenty-nine years, or until the spring of 1889, when, having accumulated a handsome competence by reason of his well directed labor and good management, he put aside the work of the fields and has since lived retired in Davenport.
On the 26th of September, 1850, Mr. Steward was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Taylor, a daughter of George Taylor, who spent his entire life in England. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Sarah, who wedded George Dayton, of Clinton, Iowa, and has three sons-William, John and George; Elizabeth, who gave her hand in marriage to Jeremiah Binford, of Min- nesota, and now has four children-Edna, George, Harry and Frank; Fannie, who wedded John Madden and who is now deceased, as is also her husband; George, who has likewise passed away and who had four children by his marriage to Martha Mickelwright; Christopher, residing in Allens Grove township, who married Miss Ethel Foster ; Charles, who lives on the old home place and wed- ded Miss Naomi Snyder, by whom he has five children; and John T., who died when about a year old. The wife and mother passed away on December 29, 1901, when sixty-nine years of age, her birth having occurred May 3, 1832. On September 9, 1903, Mr. Steward was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Delilah Burch, the widow of Henry Burch.
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