History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 26

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

USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 26

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It was in 1897 that Dr. Vollmer was united in marriage in Davenport to Miss Paula Koehler, a daughter of Henry and Ottilie Koehler, mention of whom

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will be found elsewhere in this volume. This union has been blessed by the birth of one son, born on the 20th of October, 1902, who is the life and light of the household. The family reside in an attractive home at No. 817 West Seventh street, and are very prominent in the social circles of the community.

Dr. Vollmer is on the staff of Mercy and St. Luke's Hospitals, and with a large private practice demanding his time and talents, he has little time for the amenities of life, yet he takes time to keep up his interest in things municipal and social and gives hearty support to the democratic party, while he is a mem- ber of the Commercial Club, the Outing Club, the Davenport Turn Verein and many local social societies of lesser note. His principal interest, however, is in his profession, the duties of which he performs in a conscientious and thorough manner, fully realizing the heavy responsibilities that rest upon him in the con- duct of his chosen calling. Davenport has watched with interest his rapid and substantial rise and this city, in which he was reared and which has been the center of his efforts and activities, recognizes him as one of her most valuable citizens and an honor to his profession.

WILLIAM DE LAP.

William De Lap, who, since 1908, has served as mayor of Buffalo, is also successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business at that place. He was born in Millville, Wisconsin, November 14, 1857, a son of Elijah and Amanda (Swain) De Lap, both of whom were natives of Steuben county, New York, the former born in 1818 and the latter in 1821. The father, who was a physician, came to Buffalo in 1870 and engaged in practice here until the time of his death, being numbered among the representatives of homeopathy. The mother still survives and makes her home with a daughter, Mrs. A. N. Darman.

William De Lap accompanied his parents on their removal to Scott county and his education was acquired in the schools of Buffalo. After putting aside his text-books he engaged in farming and also did a general teaming business for several years, but for the past few years he has engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is demonstrating his ability in these lines, is fa- miliar with the values of property in this section, so that he can buy and sell advantageously, and also writes a large number of insurance policies each year. He is also a stockholder in the Buffalo Savings Bank.

In addition to his business interests Mr. De Lap is also giving of his time to community affairs, having in 1908 been elected mayor of Buffalo. He is quali- fied to fill the office to the satisfaction of the people and with credit to himself as has been demonstrated in the past year. He ever advocates a movement which he believes will promote the interests of the community and in many ways manifests his public spirit.

Mr. De Lap is a republican in his political views and for some years served as a member of the city council. His fraternal relations are with Banner Lodge, No. 16, K. P., at Buffalo. He possesses unusual will power, undaunted tenacity and a high order of business talent, and is affable and approachable, always

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glad to receive suggestions from any one along lines of advancement for the general good, so that no man of Buffalo is held in higher esteem than is Mr. De Lap.

In his family are three children: Mamie, who died in infancy; Sadie, who is the wife of John Murer, of Buffalo township; and Williard, who married Daisy Oard, of Jamestown, this county, and resides in Buffalo.

ROBERT M. ABBOTT.

Among the older citizens of Davenport who have retired from the active pur- suits of business must be numbered Robert M. Abbott, who was for many years prominent as a grain and produce merchant. He is a descendant of one of the earliest families to settle in America. The first of his name to cross the ocean were George and Hannah (Chandler) Abbott, who settled in this country in 1640. They were natives of Yorkshire and Puritans in their religious faith and upon reaching Massachusetts located in Andover, where their house was a garrison during the early Indian troubles. Indeed, George Abbott became one of the im- portant members of the little colony in those days and a monument was erected in his memory as is recorded in the annals of Andover. His son William mar- ried Elizabeth Geary, from whom was descended Philip Abbott, who was born 'April 3, 1699. He married Abigail Bickford and died in 1748, having been a participant in the struggles of the colonists. His son John enjoyed the distinction of having erected the first dwelling house in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne county Penn- sylvania. It was erected in 1769 and was standing until 1812. There he was killed during the Indian troubles. He wedded Alice Fuller and of their union was born Stephen Abbott, the grandfather of our subject. He served in the war of the revolution and after its close returned to the estate his father had procured, where he followed the vocation of a farmer. He married Abigail Searls, July 14, 1799, and of their union was born John Abbott, the father of our subject. His birth occurred at the opening of the nineteenth century. Like his father he was a farmer and as he gained a success in his life's work he be- came a financier and a man prominent in his locality. He married Hannah Court- right in early manhood and died November 23, 1860.

Robert M. Abbott, having as his heritage the record of ancestors who had become prominent in Wilkes Barre, was born in that city, June 17, 1837. He received his early education in the place of his birth, which remained his home for several years after the death of his father. He engaged in agriculture, in which he attained proficiency, and about 1865 came to Iowa, locating in Daven- port. Here he became connected with the grain business but after two years embarked in the hardware business, in which he remained for some time with Mr. Collamer. He then returned to the grain and produce business, to which he gave his attention until advancing years and a large competence suggested to him the feasibility of retiring from active life. During the years in which he was engaged in mercantile pursuits he evinced a keen appreciation of the value of grain and the operations upon the stock market, but, while he was never at

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Robert Funcen Abbott

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a loss to profit by opportunity for bettering himself, the record of his dealings was never marred by any act which he might desire to keep hidden. His home is now at 1026 Brady street, where guests are made welcome and hospitably entertained.

On the 29th of December, 1864, Mr. Abbott was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Courtright. Like her husband she is a descendant of colonial ancestors. In the annals of Harlem the first member of the family bore the name of Se- bastian Van Kortryck. He had come to this country from West Flanders, Hol- land, his people having gone there from Belgium in the seventeenth century. He was a man of wealth and social position and his descendants became promi- nent in the New Amsterdam colony. His son was known as Jan Bastian Van Kortryck, who in the course of years was the father of Hendrick Jans Van Kort- ryck. His son Cornelius wedded Christiana Rosencrans, and of their union was born Benjamin Courtright, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Abbott. He married Catherine Cuddebeck, and of their union was born John Courtright. He mar- ried Alice Abbott, nee Fuller, and became the father of Cornelius Courtright, the father of Mrs. Abbott. He in turn married Harriet Bailey, among whose children was Caroline Courtright, who on December 29, 1864, married Mr. Ab- bott and became the mother of three children. John Howard, was long known as one of the best young men in Davenport, where he was engaged in different pursuits. Recently, however, he has taken up his residence in Kansas City, where he is now engaged in the real estate business. Carrie Helene makes her home with her parents. She belongs to the Colonial Dames and takes an active part in the affairs of the society, while Mrs. Abbott belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution and also to the Colonial Dames. Robert Bruce is now in St. Paul, where for the past ten years he has been connected with a large department store.

Mr. Abbott has always been prominent in the public affairs of Davenport and many of the improvements of the city are the result of his suggestion or active work. In consequence he enjoys a large reputation besides the satisfac- tion of knowing that his sons profit by his example and are well advanced along the road to useful and successful lives.

LOUIS SCHROEDER.

Louis Schroeder, who is living retired at No. 1557 Prairie street, in Daven- port, followed farming in this county for many years, and through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests won the competence that now enables him to spend the evening of life in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was born in Germany on the 16th of April, 1839, his parents being Anton and Martha Schroeder, both of whom passed away in the fatherland.

Louis Schroeder spent his youthful days in the acquirement of an education and when his text-books had been laid aside he learned the stonemason's trade, following that occupation in Germany until the time of his emigration to the new world in 1867. He was accompanied on the voyage by his wife and one

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child and after landing at New York made his way at once to Davenport, Iowa, where he secured employment at his trade. A short time afterward, however, he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and was actively engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Davenport township for seven years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a small tract of land in the same town- ship, devoting his time and energies to its cultivation for thirteen years. At the end of that time he traded the property for sixty-six and a half acres of fine farming land on the Jersey Ridge road, where he likewise carried on his agri- cultural interests energetically and successfully for about thirteen years. He then sold the place and bought his present property on Prairie street in Daven- port, where he has since lived retired without recourse to further labor.

On the 14th of February, 1866, Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage to Miss Lena Miller, by whom he had six children, namely : Louisa, who wedded Henry Leonard, of Rock Island, Illinois, and has one child-Charles; August, who follows farming near Walcott, Iowa, and who is married and has eight children; William, who wedded Miss Mary Seaman and resides in Davenport; Emma; Edward, at home; and Albert, living in Davenport, who is married and has one child. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 30th of November, 1909, when she had attained the age of seventy-two years, six months and nine days.

Mr. Schroeder has made his home in Scott county for more than four de- cades and is widely recognized as one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man-and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward.

JOHN BANGERT.

Among the successful and representative agriculturists of Cleona township who claim Germany as the place of their nativity, is John Bangert, whose birth occurred in Hesse-Darmstadt on the 12th of November, 1852. His parents were Henry and Marie (Wanda) Bangert, also natives of the father- land, whose entire lives were spent in that country. The father was a distiller by trade, being engaged in that line of activity for twenty-one years. John Bangert, of this review, was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, he and a sister Mary being the only ones of that number to come to this country.

In the common schools of Germany John Bangert acquired a good educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, when he came alone to America. Here he joined an uncle, John Wanda, who resided in Muscatine county, Iowa, near Blue Grass, with whom he continued to make his home until twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account and for four years operated a farm belonging to his aunt in Muscatine county. At the expiration of that period he

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came to Scott county, where he rented a farm in Buffalo township for two years. He then returned to Muscatine county and there engaged in farming in the capacity of renter until about eleven years ago, when he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on the northwest quar- ter of section 34, Cleona township. He has since directed his efforts toward the further development of this farm, which under his wise and careful man- agement has been brought to a high state of cultivation, it being one of the well improved properties of the township. He practices rotation of crops, has made a thorough study of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and the proper cultivation of the same, and is systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, so that with the passing of the years he has won a most gratifying measure of success in agricultural lines.

Mr. Bangert laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage, Oc- tober 23, 1879, to Miss Katharine Shulte, who was born in Buffalo township, Scott county, Iowa, on the Ist of May, 1858, and is a daughter of Henry and Marie (Gaass) Shulte, both natives of Germany. The parents came to New York in 1850 and were there married, after which they removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence to Davenport. The father died at the age of sixty-eight years, his death occurring on the ocean while on a trip back to the fatherland, while the mother survived for several years, passing away when eighty-three years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bangert were born six children, namely: August, of Cleona township; Marie, the wife of Henry Bierkamp of Cedar county; Anna, who married Henry Lehms of Muscatine county; Clara, the wife of Hugo Schneckloth, a resident of Muscatine county; and Henry and Lena, both at home.

Politically Mr. Bangert has given stalwart support to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but he has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the con- duct of his business affairs. He is public-spirited in his citizenship, however, and although born across the waters is thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country and is numbered among her loyal, representative and sub- stantial citizens.

PETER N. JACOBSEN.

Few among the older German settlers of Davenport enjoy a larger number of friends and a more universal respect than does Peter N. Jacobsen, who, after a life of diligence and well repaid toil, is living in retirement at 1823 Division street. He was born in Eckernfoerder, Germany, March 24, 1833, a son of Claus and Dorothy (Miller) Jacobsen. His paternal grandfather, Peter Jacob- sen, was one of the very wealthy and prominent men in his section of Germany and served in the war with Russia. He married Miss Anna Maria Jochensen from Kollebig, Germany. Claus Jacobsen, a miller by trade, never left the land of his birth. He was the father of thirteen children, of whom Peter N. is the eldest and the only one who came to this country besides his youngest sister.

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There is but one other survivor of this large family, a daughter, living in Ger- many.

Peter N. Jacobsen received all of his education in the land of his birth, for he attended a private school near his home. In early life he learned the mil- ler's trade, later becoming an overseer who traveled through the country super- intending factories for different concerns. He went to Schube, Germany, where he remained for a time; from there to Pretsch; thence to Oldenburg, and then to Wohedurst. He removed finally to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he re- mained until he returned home to enter the German army. After his period of service, in 1857, he sailed for America, making his way immediately to Daven- port after landing upon our shores. First he worked as a farm hand and then rented land in this county, finally buying eighty acres in Princeton township. His life having been for so long devoted to milling, he shortly afterward took charge of the Rush mill, which he operated and then rented. In 1860 he sold his property and came to Davenport, where he secured a mill, which he conducted for several years. This he also sold and embarked in the saloon business, to which he devoted his attention until his son was old enough to assume its re- sponsibilities. He then retired from active life and has since devoted himself entirely to matters which were calculated to advance the interests of his com- patriots in this county.

Mr. Jacobsen has been twice married. In 1857 he wedded Miss Anna Goetz and to them were born seven children : Charley F .; Dora L .; Peter N., deceased; Anna; Peter N., Jr .; Claus; and Henry. Mrs. Jacobsen died in 1885, and sub- sequently Mr. Jacobsen wedded Mrs. Paulina Heunger. She had a daughter, Anna, who became the wife of one of Mr. Jacobsen's sons.

Mr. Jacobsen has always been very active in the public affairs and has been prominent in the numerous organizations which have been formed by his com- patriots for social or beneficent reasons. He belongs to the Northwest Daven- port Relief Society, Noto Themp Society and its relief corps, the Davenport Singing Society (Liedertael), the German Relief, the German Pioneer Society, of which he is vice president, the German School Society, and the German and American Alliance.

A. P. DOE.

It has been urged, and with some reason, that the spirit of commercialism is rife in America to the exclusion of the humanitarian recognition of the ob- ligations which the individual owes to his fellowmen. To this general rule there are, however, many notable exceptions and such a one is found in the life record of A. P. Doe, no less esteemed for his success and prominence than for his hearty and helpful cooperation in lines of public work that have constituted a bene- ficial factor in the city's development and for his earnest and efficient work for the Orphans Home. His life history had its beginning at Windham, Maine, March 31, 1837. His father, Charles Doe, was born in the same house and comes of a family of English origin, connected, however, with American in-

A. G. Do

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terests since 1636, when the first representative of the family came to the United States, arriving at Gloucester, Massachusetts. Through succeeding generations the family was represented in New England and A. P. Doe spent his youthful days in the Pine Tree state, there acquired his education and afterward learned the machinist's trade, becoming a skilled mechanic. Subsequently he removed to Meriden, Connecticut, where he was engaged in the manufacture of rifles during the period of the Civil war.

The opportunities of the west, however, attracted him and in 1866 he arrived in Davenport, where he became identified with the business interests of the city as a wholesale shoe merchant. For thirty-five years he continued in that line of trade, enjoying not only a successful patronage but also an unassailable rep- utation for business enterprise and commercial integrity. His careful manage- ment resulted in continual development of the business along substantial lines until the trade of the house was represented by a large figure annually. Mr. Doe continued in that field of activity until 1901, when he retired. In the mean- time he had become closely associated with financial interests as one of the or- ganizers of the Iowa National Bank, of which he served as vice president until 1901, when he was elected to the presidency and so continues. He was also one of the organizers of the Scott County Savings Bank and a member of its direc- torate for a quarter of a century. His business judgment has always been re- garded as sound, his keen insight enabling him to correctly solve the intricate problems of commerce and finance. .

In 1864 Mr. Doe was married to Miss Julia M. Bryant, a native of Windsor, Maine, and unto them was born a daughter, Alice M., now the wife of George B. Butterfield, a banker of Norfolk, Nebraska. The death of Mrs. Doe occurred in March, 1905, and was the occasion of deep regret to many friends, for her estimable qualities had endeared her to those with whom she was associated.

Mr. Doe is well known in Masonic circles, having joined the local lodge at Bethlehem, Maine, in 1858, since which time he has been an exemplary rep- resentative of the fraternity. He has filled the chairs in the blue lodge and chap- ter at Davenport and has taken the degrees of the Knight Templar commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. While his business interests have been of considerable extent and importance, he has always found time and opportunity for coopera- tion in public measures, has done effective service for the city as a progressive member of the council, has several times served as a member of the school board and was president of the board of trustees of the Orphans Home for ten years. If one were to attempt to characterize the life of A. P. Doe outside of his bus- iness connection it might perhaps be best done in saying that he is a lover of children and the practical manifestation of this has been found in many specific instances, but none of greater magnitude than his work with the Orphans Home, which he was instrumental in establishing. He was a member of the legislature at the time the matter was brought up before the general assembly and from the inception of the home to the present he has been one of the most active factors in its upbuilding. At the beginning a single room constituted the home and at times light and heat were scarce, but through the unflagging energy of Mr. Doe and his associates the immense establishment known as the Orphans Home has been developed to what it now is. He is particularly interested in the manual training department, which is being developed along lines that point to

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perfection. His great love for the child and his recognition of its possibilities have permitted him to do service that is of inestimable value to the state, as well as to the city, in surrounding the young with such environment as shall develop honorable manhood and womanhood and thus reclaim them from lives of wrongdoing, into which want or idleness and lack of education might have driven them.

Mr. Doe was elected to the legislature, in which he served with the same spirit of loyalty that has ever characterized his performance of the duties devolving upon him. He does not court notoriety but manifests a justifiable pride in Davenport and its stability, feeling that no city can boast of more solid financial conditions and, although he disclaims special credit therefor, it is but just to say that this condition is due in no small measure to his efforts. Such in brief is the history of Mr. Doe. While he has made a success in business, there has come to him no greater satisfaction than that which has arrived out of the work that he has done for the Orphans Home.

ERNEST S. CARL.

From a long line of German architects and builders there came to Daven- port a man, who was to be a builder of sound institutions and of enduring busi- ness confidence. For more than forty years and particularly during the quarter century that he acted as cashier of the Citizens National Bank, E. S. Carl was acknowledged one of the leading representatives of that fine integrity which was preparing the city for a permanent greatness.

Ernest S. Carl was born January 4, 1842, in Coburg, Germany, where he received a thorough, practical education. At the age of sixteen, in 1858, after the death of his mother, he sailed for New York, remaining there only a few months before he came straight to Davenport. In 1860, after some months' employment in the general store of his brother-in-law, August Steffen, he started for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, but on the steamer met John E. Lovejoy, United States consul to Callao, Peru, with whom he engaged as assistant secretary. A few months later he became assistant to Dr. Charles F. Winslow, of Boston, the American consul to Paita, Peru, where he remained two years till Dr. Winslow's resignation. These years in South America, during which Mr. Carl not only learned Spanish, but completely mas- tered the English language so that ever after he seemed as much an American as any of his fellow citizens, were a broadening influence in his whole life.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 26

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