USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 24
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
brought from Connecticut. While he never spared any means to advance his own prosperity, Mr. Ballord has found time to devote to other matters, for during a long period of years he occupied the position of trustee of the C. C. Cook Home for the Friendless and for a number of years was the president, vice president and director of the Davenport National Bank.
On September 4, 1862, Mr. Ballord was united in marriage to Miss Frances Webb, a daughter of Zerah Webb and a descendant in the eighth generation of Christopher Webb, of Braintree, Massachusetts. She is also a descendant in the seventh generation of Henry Adams, of Braintree and Quincy, Massachu- setts, who was the ancestor of the two presidents, John and John Quincy Adams, and also of Samuel Adams. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballord. Katharin Augusta is the wife of Leon M. Allen, passenger traffic manager of the Rock Island system, and they live in Kenilworth. Illinois. They have three children, Leon, Priscilla and Francis. Bessie W. is a graduate of Wellesley College of the class of 1887. She has traveled widely abroad, but makes her home in Davenport. Belle became the wife of Jenness B. Richardson, who is manager of the Davenport Democrat. They have one son, David Nel- son. John Gilman married Marie Cooper Adams, and they have a son, John Adams. Webb Rysee wedded Gertrude Jones, of San Francisco, and is a grad- uate of the Webb Naval Academy, but completed his education in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a naval architect by profession, and is now manager of the Canon Lumber Company of Everett, Washington.
The family are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active interest. Mr. Ballord belongs to the Iowa Sons of the Revolu- tion and of the Colonial Wars. He was one of the founders of the Runnemede and a member of the New England Historical Society of Boston. With his daughter, Bessie W., he is a life member in the Davenport Academy of Science. He also took out a life membership certificate in the American Sunday School Union, as he was fully in sympathy with the principles which lay at the bot- tom of this organization. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, be- longing to Trinity Lodge, No. 208. Mrs. Ballord belongs to the Mayflower and Colonial Dames through her descent from Governor William Bradford and John Alden and takes an active part both in the work of the local society and in the national body. Her daughters Katharin and Belle are also members of Colonial Dames. One of the more prominent families of Davenport, Mr. Bal- lord's home at 226 East Locust street, is frequently the scene of congenial gath- erings of friends, in whose midst Mrs. Ballord shows that she is a hostess of charming qualities.
EDWARD MEYER.
Among the leading men of his part of Scott county must be numbered Edward Meyer, who was born in Davenport township, September 19, 1859, his parents being Hans and Cecelia (Stoltenberg) Meyer, natives of Holstein, Ger- many. Both of them came to America in 1847, she in company with her parents
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and he alone. They were married in Davenport and lived on a farm in Daven- port township until 1867, when they moved into Blue Grass township, only a short distance from the city, the father engaging in farming there. In 1897 he died at the age of seventy-seven, and upon the consequent breaking up of the home, the mother returned to Davenport, living there until 1904, in which year she entered into her heavenly rest. This estimable couple were the parents of seven children : Matilda, wife of Hans Hansen, of Davenport; Martha Mollie, unmarried, residing in Davenport; Adelia, wife of William Koberg, of this county ; William of Blue Grass township; Caroline, wife of William F. Frye, of this county; Theresa, wife of Fred Rehder, of Lake Park, Iowa; and the subject of the sketch who is the fifth in order of birth.
Edward Meyer resided under the parental roof in Davenport and Blue Grass township, assisting his father and becoming well grounded in the manifold branches of the agricultural science. In 1886 he deemed it expedient to make himself more independent and took possession of the farm upon which he still resides. This valuable property consists of two hundred and twenty-five acres and is located on sections 22 and 14. It is exceptionally well improved and adorned with an attractive residence. Mr. Meyer engages successfully in gen- eral farming, stock-raising and dairying. As additional interests, he is a director in the Farmers' Savings Bank of Walcott and the Farmers' Elevator Company of the same place.
On the 24th of February, 1886, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Mann. Mrs. Meyer was born April 15, 1864, and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Schaffer) Mann, both of them natives of Waldeck, Germany. The mother is deceased, the father now residing in Davenport. A family of five children brightens the home of Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, these being by name: Lilly, Hilda, William F., Herbert H., Arthur E., all of whom reside still with their parents. They also lost a daughter, Adelia, who died at the age of ten years.
Mr. Meyer is a loyal democrat and at present holds the office of township assessor in which capacity he has served for two terms. He has also been a member of the school board for twelve years. He is progressive both in the management of his own affairs and in his ideas for the advancement of the community in which he lives, which is only another fashion of saying that he is a valuable citizen.
CHARLES FRANCIS.
Charles Francis, who in the practice of his profession, that of civil engineering, has traveled extensively, thus gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the country and at the same time giving proof of his ability in his chosen field of labor, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, August 10, 1842. His father, James B. Francis, was a native of Oxford, England, born on the 15th of May, 1815. He came to the United States in 1833 when a youth of eighteen years and after studying hydraulic engineering followed that profession with headquarters in Lowell, Mass-
Charles Francis.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
achusetts, for fifty-five years. He was a man of keen intellect and brilliant attainments, who became very eminent in his profession. Without prestige or influence to aid him at the outset of his career, as the result of his earnest study and notable ability, he came to rank with the foremost representatives of engineer- ing in New England, his opinions upon professional subjects largely being accepted as authority. His superior skill also won him that financial success which is the legitimate goal of all business endeavor. He died in 1892, his wife surviving him until 1904. In her maidenhood she was Miss S. W. Brownell, a native of Wal- tham, Massachusetts, born in 1817.
Reared in his native city Charles Francis pursued his studies until he had com- pleted a course in the Lowell high school, after which he entered Harvard in 1860 and was graduated with the class of 1864. In the meantime, however, he served his country as a soldier of the Union Army, enlisting in 1861 in the Forty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment. He was assigned to Company F, with which he con- tinued for one year, when he was honorably discharged. After leaving college he entered the Lowell Machine Shop and learned the trade, for he had decided to follow his father's profession and determined to qualify therefor by actual prac- tice as well as by theory. He afterward had the invaluable advantage of several years' experience and business training with his father. His first public work of importance was assisting in the construction of a dam in the Connecticut river at Turners Falls, and later was engaged on the building of the Provincetown dike. He afterward went to Chicago, where he remained until the time of the great fire of 1871, when he removed to California and did much work on the Pacific coast, principally in the construction of mining ditches and other work relative to the development of mining interests. He remained there for nine years, after which he went to Mexico and was connected with the Mexican Central Railroad from 1879 until 1883. He then returned to Lowell and was again associated with his father until 1889.
In that year Mr. Francis came to Davenport under government appointment as engineer in charge of the dam at the Rock Island Arsenal. On the completion of that work he decided to make Davenport his home and has never had occasion to regret his determination to remain here. He has done much work of importance in this city along professional lines and has also taken an active and helpful part in public affairs. He has practiced here as a construction engineer, in which capacity many contracts have been awarded him, and for eight or nine years he has been working on the development of the water power in this city. He was for seven years a member of the state board of health and from 1891 until 1892 was com- missioner of public works. His professional and public services have alike been of an important character and have constituted elements in the city's advancement and improvement.
In 1869 Mr. Francis was united in marriage to Miss S. C. Crosby, a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, and unto them has been born a daughter, Fanny C. Mr. Francis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, being connected with the Knights Templar and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Contemporary Club. The consensus of public opinion regarding Mr. Francis is of most favorable character. Davenport feels that she gained a valuable addition to her citizens when he determined to make his home
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here. His public-spirited devotion to the city has been manifest in many tangi- ble and practical ways and his work has been of far-reaching and beneficial effect. In his profession, stimulated by the example of his father, he has long since passed beyond the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few.
GEORGE LUEDERS.
No history of Liberty township would be complete without mention of George Lueders, the present mayor of the town of New Liberty, who is well known in financial circles as the cashier of the German Savings Bank. He claims Germany as the place of his nativity, his birth occurring in Holstein on the 30th of January, 1861. A son of Michael and Lena (Brade) Lueders, the parents were both born in Holstein, Germany, the former on the 4th of March, 1828, and the latter on November 12, 1831. They came to the United States in 1875, making their way direct to Davenport, Iowa, where they resided until 1887, and then came to New Liberty. The father had been a musician, playing in a band in both the old country and after coming to Iowa, and was thus en- gaged until he entered the hotel and saloon business, with which he was con- nected for some time. Later he withdrew from active life and returned to Davenport, where he spent his remaining days in retirement. He passed away on the IIth of January, 1899, while his widow died November 2, 1909, having made her home with our subject for several years. They were the parents of four children, namely : John, a resident of Madison, Wisconsin; Christ, whose death occurred in California about ten years ago; Lena, the wife of H. B. Arp, of West Liberty; and George, of this review.
George Lueders was a lad of fourteen years when he came with his parents to America, and his education, which had been begun in the schools of the fatherland, was completed in the common schools of Davenport. After laying aside his text-books he was engaged as a farm hand for a few years, and then for ten years assisted his father in his hotel and saloon business in New Liberty. At the expiration of that period he inaugurated a live stock, lumber and farm implement business at this place, becoming an extensive dealer in those com- modities, in which connection he continued until he became identified with the banking business in 1905. In that year the German Savings Bank of New Liberty was organized, with W. Treimer, president, J. C. Bolte, vice-presi- dent, and Mr. Lueders as cashier and general manager, which office he has held since its inception. The bank was capitalized for ten thousand dollars, while its annual statement for 1909 shows deposits amounting to more than one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. Its safe, conservative policy recom- mends it to the judgment of the public, and has made it one of the sound and reliable moneyed institutions of the township. Its steady and rapid develop- ment has been due in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. Lueders, who in the capacity of cashier has proven a most capable official who, through his ability and fidelity to the interests of the house, has won the esteem and confi-
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dence of his fellow officers, and by his unfailing courtesy and promptness in the discharge of his duties has become popular with the patrons of the bank.
It was on the 24th of October, 1889, that Mr. Lueders was united in mar- riage to Miss Alvina Roehlk, a native of Scott county, born on the 24th of June, 1871. She is a daughter of Hans and Bertha (Giese) Roehlk, who were both born in Holstein, Germany, but now make their home in New Liberty. Fra- ternally Mr. Lueders is identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bennett, and also holds membership in the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at New Liberty, being an active and exemplary member of both organizations. Politically he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party, and has served as justice of the peace for the past five years. At the incorporation of the town of New Liberty, which occurred in 1909, his fellow townsmen manifested their regard for him in electing him mayor, in which office he is now the incumbent. In the discharge of his duties in that capacity he is proving a worthy official, justifying the trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens and fulfilling every obligation that devolves upon him with the same spirit of thoroughness and fidelity that characterizes his business career. A man of resourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities, he has seized legitimate advantages as they have arisen and has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that inspired confidence, the simple weight of his character and ability has brought him into positions of trust and responsibility, and he ranks high among the well known and valued citizens of Liberty township.
CLAUS ECKMANN.
The life history of Claus Eckmann is that of a self-made man who, diligent and persevering, worked his way steadily upward from a humble financial posi- tion until he was able to spend his last days in retirement in Davenport, where as a respected and worthy citizen he lived until called to his final rest on the 12th of April, 1902. He was born in Holstein, Germany, February 12, 1827, and was a son of Claus Eckmann, Sr. Both of his parents died in the father- land, where the subject of this review spent his youth, acquiring his education and learning the cabinetmaker's trade. He afterward served in the Schleswig- Holstein war in 1848-50. He continued his residence in Germany until about 1862, when he came to the United States with his wife and two children, for he had been married in the meantime to Miss Catherine Pahl, a daughter of Claus Pahl, of Germany. Mrs. Eckmann was born December 24, 1831.
On crossing the Atlantic to America, Mr. Eckmann came direct to Davenport with his family and for a time worked at the cooper's trade. About 1876, how- ever, he purchased a dairy farm near the mile racing track and lived thereon for many years, successfully conducting business as a dairyman and general agriculturist. From time to time he bought other land, which he rented, and this added materially to his income. At length he retired and took up his abode in Davenport in 1892, living there for about ten years ere called to his final rest.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eckmann were born seven children. William, who was a graduate of the State University and became a practicing physician of Man- ning, Iowa, died in 1892. Margaret died while the parents were crossing the Atlantic to the new world. Emma is the wife of Henry Schwenck, of Lyon county, Iowa. Alvina and Bertha were twins and the latter is now deceased, while the former is the wife of Charles L. Haller, of Oklahoma city. Carl has also passed away, and Clara C. completes the family.
The death of the father occurred April 12, 1902, while his wife survived until June 18, 1904. He was a member of the German Odd Fellows lodge, in which he held office, and was also a member of the Schleswig-Holstein Society. His life was well spent, his diligence and industry bringing to him a substantial measure of success, while his business probity gained him the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he was associated.
EDGAR H. RYAN.
Edgar H. Ryan, although he is now retired from manufacturing interests, with which he was long identified, is still financially concerned in many impor- tant business enterprises which have direct bearing upon the progress and com- mercial development of Davenport. His industry and keen perception have enabled him to make his way steadily to the foremost ranks of the city's dis- tinguished and honored business men, in which connection he is justly entitled to definite mention in the annals of Iowa. He was born in Warren county, Indiana, January 13, 1851. His father, Edgar Ryan, Sr., was a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred near Columbus on the 10th of June, 1820. When a young man he went to Indiana, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which undertaking he was quite successful. In the fall of 1855 he came to Davenport, where the following year he was joined by his wife and children, the family home being since maintained here. The father engaged in the whole- sale grocery business in the old Burrows & Prettyman block on the river, under the firm name of Ryan & McCarn. During a flood, while working to remove his goods to a place of safety, he contracted a severe cold which resulted in his death in June, 1857. Although the period of his residence here was of com- paratively short duration, during that time he gained the good will and respect of his neighbors and business associates and had every promise of a successful career. He was married in Ohio to Miss Celinda Osborn, a native of Colum- bus, Ohio, who died in January, 1895. She had been a resident of Davenport for many years and following her husband's death had carefully reared her family of five sons.
Edgar H. Ryan, the youngest of the family, was but five years of age when the mother and her children joined the husband and father in this city. Here he was educated in the public schools and at the age of twenty-one years be- came a recognized factor in the business circles of this city as proprietor of a hat, furnishing goods and fur store at Second and Main streets. There he remained until 1885, when he withdrew from that field of labor to engage in the
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Cort Ryan
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grain business and for eleven years was a partner in the Bosch-Ryan Grain Company. He next turned his attention to manufacturing interests, engaging in the manufacture of Portland cement at Iola, Kansas, with the principal office of the company at Davenport. After a successful and active business career in this field he retired in January, 1906, but still has many financial interests and investments, including farm lands in Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas, and large land holdings in Mexico, the supervision of which makes him a busy man. In 1888 he erected the Ryan building, now known as the South Putnam build- ing. He has long been interested in Davenport real estate, becoming a member of the Davenport Real Estate Company, and has laid out many additions and done much to improve the city. He is also interested in banks and industrial concerns and his sound judgment constitutes a valuable feature in the pros- perous control of these undertakings. Opportunities which others pass by heed- lessly he recognizes and utilizes and his intelligent and well directed activity have brought him prominently to the front in relation to the business life of the city whereon Davenport's growth and development rest. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the Davenport Real Estate & Town Lot Company, which has laid out Park Lawn in its first, second and third additions, also the valuable tract north of Central Park and Cook's Home addition. For fifteen years he was the secretary and treasurer of the Davenport Safety Deposit Company.
In June, 1873, Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Ella Coleman, a daughter of Thomas Coleman, a prominent banker of La Fayette, Indiana, and they have one child, Julia. The family home is a fine residence on Brady street. Mr. Ryan has lived to witness remarkable changes in the city, which was a small town of comparatively little industrial or commercial importance at the time of his arrival here. His father's home was on Seventh and Brown streets and the business center was largely along the river. Taking his place in commercial circles when he attained his majority, Mr. Ryan's activities have since been of a nature that have contributed in substantial measure to the city's business and financial growth as well as his individual prosperity. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, attaining the Knight Templar degree in the comman- dery, and he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. Politics have little interest for him, for he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his busi- ness and by industry, close application and determination he has become one of the foremost citizens of Davenport.
M. J. TOBIN.
Since 1852, or for a period of fifty-seven years, M. J. Tobin has been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Scott county and his possessions, now embracing five hundred and sixty acres in Winfield township, make him one of the substantial citizens of eastern Iowa. He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1835, a son of Richard and Mary (Cody) Tobin, who emigrated with their family to the new world in 1852, in which year they settled in Scott county.
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They made the journey from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to this district by boat, and in Winfield township the father entered one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which he broke with ox-teams, in due time making it a cultivable prop- erty, continuing his work as a farmer throughout his entire business career. He passed away in 1897, having reached a very advanced age. He was one of the influential and valued citizens of Scott county and at his death the community mourned the loss of one whom it had come to love and honor.
M. J. Tobin was a youth of seventeen years when he accompanied his parents to the new world. When they located on the farm in Winfield town- ship the son rendered valuable assistance in the work of developing and improv- ing the tract on which substantial buildings were erected. When starting out in life on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and the original farm is now in his possession, and the additional purchases he has made finds him today the owner of five hundred and sixty acres. All this is well improved land and the first buildings which were put upon the farm have been replaced with those of more modern type, so that the farm is now one of the valuable properties in eastern Iowa. In connection with general farming Mr. Tobin has also given much attention to the raising of stock, making a spe- cialty of cattle, and through this means he has greatly augmented his financial resources.
Mr. Tobin has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna Moore, their marriage ceremony being performed in St. Ann's Catholic church at Long Grove. Four children were born of this union : Richard, Mary Ellen, Sarah and Margaret. For his second wife Mr. Tobin chose Mary Doyle, and there are four sons of this marriage: Martin, Thomas, John and Arthur. He has given all his children good educational advantages, the sons having attended St. Am- brose College, while the daughters were educated in a Catholic convent.
Mr. Tobin has been a life-long democrat and for six years served as trustee of Winfield township. He is a communicant of St. Ann's church. Public- spirited in an eminent degree, no pioneer of Scott county is deserving of more prominent mention in a history of this character than is Mr. Tobin. In him are embodied the virtues of the early pioneers-the steadfast purpose, rugged integrity and religious zeal-virtues to which the splendid civilization of this great state is indebted for its wonderful development and its glorious progress. He has led a busy, active and useful life and now, at the age of seventy-five years, he stands crowned with honors and years, one of the most respected pio- neer citizens of Scott county and Winfield township.
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