USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 27
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In 1863 Mr. Carl returned to Davenport, erected a warehouse at 224 West Front street and entered the grain business. In 1868 he accepted the position of teller in the Davenport National Bank, where he demonstrated his true talent for banking. In 1870 he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank, and finally. in 1875, at the age of thirty-three, he was appointed cashier of the Citizens National Bank. It was in this last position, which he held till failing health compelled him to retire in 1899, that Mr. Carl became known not only as one of the ablest bankers in the state but as a helpful public servant, whose kindly aid was bestowed without reserve upon all who sought. His adminis- trative qualities won the bank fame for its sound and rapid progress, and his
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broad human qualities brought a varied and enthusiastic patronage. He inau- gurated the system of currency distribution by which Davenport has become a financial center for the smaller country banks that formerly looked to Chicago; and, during his term of office, the Citizens National Bank became the leading banking institution in Iowa.
In 1861 Mr. Carl married Miss Sarah Marckley, who had removed in 1851 with her parents, William H. and Harriet (Allison) Marckley, from their home in Alexandria, Virginia, to Davenport. Mr. Marckley was a contractor and builder, whose work became a substantial improvement to the city in the early days. Mrs. Carl, like her husband, was a person of generous instincts and an agreeable, social nature. Her incessant charities, quietly performed, made her known to rich and poor alike; and her unbounded hospitality, together with Mr. Carl's, in the beautiful residence at Sixth and Perry streets, has left happy memories throughout the city.
After a year spent in Colorado seeking health, Mr. Carl returned to Daven- port for a short visit, and on October 15, 1900, was stricken dead in the very bank where he had spent the best years of his life. Five months later, on the 24th of March, 1901, Mrs. Carl answered the same call. There are left only the daughter, Mrs. Rosa Oberholtzer, and her son, Ernest Carl Oberholtzer.
Mr. Carl's activities were by no means confined to banking. He was a pub- lic-spirited citizen, believing in Davenport and its people and supporting all measures for its best progress. He was one of the founders of the Phoenix Milling Company and of many other successful enterprises, an ardent and effec- tive promoter of the Hennepin canal, a friend of the Davenport Academy of Sciences, a director of the Oakdale cemetery, and though a member of no church yet a supporter of many. He was a Turner, an Odd Fellow, a Mason and a member of several intimately social clubs. Next to his home and friends, which were his chief delight throughout life, his greatest pleasure was music, of which he was always a lover and patron. Mr. Carl, in brief, was not only one of the most trusted but one of the most beloved men in Davenport.
J. P. OBERLEITNER.
In the years, amounting to almost a quarter of a century, that J. P. Ober- leitner has been connected with the life of Liberty township, he has proved him- self a public-spirited and valuable citizen. As manager of the H. O. Seiffert Lumber Company's branch here, he has been instrumental in advancing the business activity of the recently established village of New Liberty in whose welfare he has taken an active interest. This man of industry, energy and enterprise was born in Kaltenkirchen, Holstein, Germany, August 17, 1869, and is a son of Christian H. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Oberleitner, both natives of the same province as their son. In 1876 they came to the United States, coming directly to Davenport which remained their home until they moved to New Liberty. Here the mother passed away, in January, 1902, when she was seventy-five years old, and here the father still lives, pursuing the carpenter's trade, to which his whole life has been devoted. A daughter, Catherine, was born to him and his wife, and she has passed away.
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J. P. Oberleitner, the only son, was about seven years of age when his parents settled in Davenport, where he attended the public schools, in which he received a good education, and in that city also learned the carpenter's trade. About twenty-three years ago he came to Liberty township, which has since been his home and the scene of his labors. He was accounted a good workman, and a good man of business, who had developed the power to guide others during the years in which he had worked here. These were the very qualities for which the H. O. Seiffert Company sought when they opened a branch of their Davenport house here. The company are extensive dealers in lumber, coal, builders' hardware, bricks, tile and sun-proof paints, so that a wide field of operations demanded a manager of pronounced ability. Such a one they believed they had discovered in Mr. Oberleitner, and in the last seven years, during which he has filled that position, there has never been any indication that their judgment was at fault. Mr. Oberleitner has proved that he was the man for the place, and has conducted the interests of his employers here with profit. At the same time he has advanced the welfare of the little community in which he lives, for when the establishment of a bank here was agitated he be- came one of the organizers and is still one of the directors of the German Savings Bank of New Liberty.
On the 8th of July, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Oberleitner and Miss Lizzie Arp, who was born in Davenport, July 23, 1870. Her parents, Heinrich and Trina (Bock) Arp, were natives of Probstei, but after coming to this country settled in Davenport, whence they moved to New Liberty, which is now their home. Mr. Oberleitner is a democrat in his political affiliations, and upon that party's ticket was elected to the position of township clerk, in which capacity he is now serving his second term. When the village of New Liberty was organized in August, 1909, he was also elected its clerk, as the record of his work in the township warranted the placing of additional respon- sibilities upon his shoulders.
JOHN T. NOEL.
John T. Noel possesses the distinction of being the oldest living man born in Scott county, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 27th of November, 1837. His father, Adam Noel, was a native of Pennsylvania, who, upon coming to the west, lived for a short time in Rock Island, and then in 1835 removed to Davenport. The mother, who before her marriage was Susanna Lindsey, was also a native of Pennsylvania and is still living at the advanced age of ninety- four years. Upon coming to Davenport Adam Noel bought the property upon which Mercy Hospital now stands and also entered a tract of land where Central park is now located, which is known as Noel's addition to the city. He was a progressive, public-spirited man, prominent in the life of the budding city, and first in every movement which had to do with its advancement. This good citizen passed on to his reward in 1872.
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John T. Noel was educated in the subscription schools, which were an in- stitution of the early days. He did not remain in Davenport but desiring to engage in agricultural pursuits took possession of a tract of land in Winfield township in 1856, which his father had purchased in 1855. Ninety acres of this was broken ground and the remainder Mr. Noel proceeded to put under culti- vation by means of ox-teams. From that day to this he has continually im- proved his farm and has added to it from time to time until he now possesses five hundred and seventeen acres of most desirable property. He engaged throughout his active years in general farming but a few years ago retired for the enjoyment of a well earned leisure. It is a comment on the progress of the county that until 1861 Mr. Noel conveyed all his crops to the Davenport market by team.
In 1860 in Winfield township, Mr. Noel was united in marriage to Miss Mary McGuire, a native of the state of New York. To this marriage eleven children were born, nine of whom are living. They are Joseph, of Winfield township; Celia, now Mrs. Navin, of Seattle, Washington; Stella, the wife of Mickel Wright; John T., of Butler township; William, of Winfield township; Rosalie, now Mrs. Doyle, of Davenport; Naomi and Elmer, both of whom are located in Seattle; and Edward, on the home farm. Mr. Noel has twenty-three grandchildren.
The household are devoted members of St. Ann's Catholic church, whose edifice Mr. Noel assisted in building. He is a stanch adherent of the democratic party, to which he has given a long and unfaltering loyalty. He has filled several public trusts among them that of township trustee. Noel's Station, the junction of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul was named in compliment to him. Like his father he is a man designed by nature to play a prominent part among his fellowmen, and he enjoys the respect of the community to whose prosperity he has materially contributed.
IRA BURCH.
Though more than two decades have passed since Ira Burch was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of Scott county's older residents as a prominent agriculturist and extensive landowner as well as a man of genu- ine personal worth. His birth occurred in Rensselaer county, New York, on the 28th of January, 1819, his parents being James and Aurelia Burch, who were farming people of that county. He obtained his education in the district schools of his home locality and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. About the year 1855 he journeyed west- ward in company with his wife, locating in Hickory Grove township, Scott county, Iowa, where he purchased some partly improved land. The work of farming claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and as he prospered in his undertakings he added to his landholdings by additional
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purchase from time to time until he had accumulated considerable property in Scott and other counties. His demise occurred on the 10th of February, 1889, and thus the community lost one of its most substantial, enterprising and re- spected citizens.
Mr. Burch was married twice. By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Katherine Deyoe, he had five children, as follows: Esther, the deceased wife of John E. Dempster, by whom she had three children-Emma, Mary and John; LeRoy, who is likewise deceased and who wedded Miss Julia Roberts, by whom he had three children-Nellie, Leslie and Essie; Daniel D., who is a resident of California; and Abbie and Mary, both of whom have passed away. On the 19th of February, 1873, Mr. Burch was again married, his second union being with Miss Cynthia C. Curtis, a native of Rensselaer county, New York. Unto them were born four children, two of whom died in infancy, Robert and Irene. Ira C., who makes his home in Davenport, wedded Miss Laura Klein and has two children, Ira W. and Beatrice C. Hettie May gave her hand in marriage to Edward U. Meyer, of Davenport and is now the mother of three children, namely : Irene C., Robert B. and Shelton E.
Mrs. Burch has won a host of warm friends during the long period of her residence in this county and now resides at No. 744 East Thirteenth street in Davenport.
JOSEPH FRANKLIN PORTER.
Few of the citizens of Davenport represent larger business interests nor have devoted a greater number of years to developing resources of communities, than Joseph Franklin Porter, who is the president of several of the public service companies in this city. He was born in Harrison county, Iowa, June 27, 1863, and is a son of F. J. and Lucy (Francis) Porter, the former a native of New York, the later of Ohio. F. J. Porter came to Iowa in 1857, devoting himself assiduously to agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He has now retired from active farm life, however, and, with his wife, lives in the enjoyment of many comforts in the village of Woodbine. He has identified himself closely with the interests of his community and is president of the Peoples Savings Bank of that town. Eleven children were born to him and his wife. Ten of these grew to maturity and nine are still living.
J. F. Porter was reared on a farm and received his first introduction into the world of letters while a pupil at the district school at Biggler's Grove, Har- rison county, Iowa. Later he attended the high school at Logan, going from there to the State College at Ames, from which institution he was graduated as a civil engineer in the class of 1884. For some time after the completion of his college course, Mr. Porter engaged as cashier of a bank at Woodbine. In 1885 he decided to engage in engineering pursuits and went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he became interested in electricity and its application to the needs of man, and where he acquired some practical experience in electric lighting.
Jeyhte Porter
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During his stay in Des Moines he held the position of oiler and general utility man, starting with a salary of twenty dollars per month. After six months experience in the Des Moines station, he went to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he worked on the installation of an electric lighting plant. In the spring of 1886 he went to Chicago in the employ of the representatives of the Edison interests, and from there went to Abeline, Kansas, where he spent the winter of 1886-7. In the spring of 1887 he removed to St. Louis as foreman for a contractor for the Edison Company, which remained in business until the fall of 1887, when it moved its headquarters to Kansas City. When the company for which he was employed moved to Kansas City, Mr. Porter decided to engage in the elec- tric construction business for himself, in which business he continued until the fall of 1889, when he sold his construction company to the Edison Company and went to New York to enter the employ of the Edison Company as depart- ment manager.
In the summer of 1890 Mr. Porter was sent to Salem, Mississippi, as su- perintendent of construction of the Naumnkeag Street Railway, the construction of which was one of the largest contracts which the Edison Company had at that time. On the completion of his contract with the Edison Company, Mr. Porter returned to New York to enter in the street railway supply business in partnership with J. G. White. After operating the New York office for some time it was decided to move to the manufacturing plant at Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, where the business is now conducted as a Westinghouse interest. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Porter, together with Mr. White, secured a contract for the equipment of the Kansas City Elevated Railroad, which road at that time was independent of the other railways of Kansas City and operated between the business district of Kansas City and the smaller cities on the Kansas side. After completing the contract on the Kansas City elevated, Mr. Porter moved to Alton, Illinois, for the purpose of developing the street railway, gas, electric light and power business of that locality, which property, in 1893, consisted of a small horse and dummy line and an inefficient gas and electric plant. The work of developing these properties occupied Mr. Porter's attention for thir- teen years, at the end of which time he had a street railway of sixty-three miles reaching from Alton to Edwardsville, Granite City, Madison, Venice, East St. Louis and intermediate points and an efficient gas and electric plant. As evi- dence of the fact, it was taken over by the East St. Louis & Suburban system at five million dollars.
On the Ist of May, 1906, Mr. Porter removed to Davenport as president of the Tri-City Railway & Light Company and its subsidiary companies, which are the Peoples Light Company, Davenport Gas & Electric Company, Tri-City Railway Company, Peoples Power Company of Rock Island and Moline, and the Moline, East Moline & Watertown Railway Company. Since the spring of 1906 the above mentioned properties have been extensively developed, because of the confidence which the bankers have in the community, as proven by the increase of earnings under the existing management. His has been the kind of enterprise which has been the making of the west and which is still active in obtaining illimitable resources from the fields, the mountains and the air. He has never hesitated before obstacles but has regarded disappointment and
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discouragements as merely stepping-stones to larger opportunity to exert his talents.
. In 1888 Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Jennie R. Henderson, a daughter of Robert and Polly Henderson, of Monticello, Iowa. Of the six children born to the couple, five are living, namely : Clyde H., Dugald G., Mar- gory, Joseph F. and Ralph E. The family are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Porter gives his support to the republican party. He has had little time to devote to public concerns but is a member of several organizations of a fra- ternal and social nature and others which are calculated to advance his interests in a business way. He is a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 221, A. F. & 'A'. M., and is a thirty-second degree Mason and member of Kaaba Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Davenport Lodge, No. 293, B. P. O. E., and local camp of Modern Woodmen. Of the semi-professional asso- ciations he belongs to the Engineering Club of St. Louis and American In- stitute of Electrical Engineers. He is also a member of the Rock Island Ar- senal Golf Club, Davenport Commercial Club, Rock Island Club, Moline Club, Automobile Club of America and the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences. The number and varied character of these organizations exhibit the extent of his interests and the manner in which he keeps abreast of the times and the questions that occupy the minds and attention of his fellow citizens.
JOHN F. ROTH.
John F. Roth is one of Scott county's native sons and has always been loyal to her interests and her welfare. He is a prominent farmer of Rockingham town- ship, where he owns one hundred acres of rich and well cultivated land. His birth occurred in Buffalo township, September 14, 1862, his parents being Peter and Julia (Fischer) Roth, who were early settlers of this part of the state. The father came to Scott county when a boy of fourteen years and he and his wife lived here until called to their final rest, Mr. Roth passing away when about seventy-three years of age. In their family were seven children: Frank, of Muscatine county ; Anna, the wife of Charles Winn, of Muscatine county ; Mary, the widow of Mr. Comstock, of Cambridge, Illinois; John F., the subject of this sketch; Ferdinand, a resident of Rock Island; Edward, living in Buffalo town- ship; and Minnie, who lives in Illinois.
John F. Roth, who has been a lifelong resident of Scott county, acquired his education in the district schools and afterward learned the trade of a stationary engineer. Later he removed to Davenport, where he lived for several years, following that line of business. In 1897, however, he resolved to make a change and bought his present homestead, upon which he has made numerous im- provements. Here he carries on general agricultural pursuits with good results. His fields bring forth rich harvests as the reward of his energy and labor and the place presents a neat and attractive appearance, which is the result of the earnest efforts and unfaltering diligence of the owner.
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On the 21st of February, 1888, Mr. Roth was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Garner, a daughter of Phillip and Susan Garner, who previously lived upon the farm now occupied by Mr. Roth. Her father was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829, and was there reared. On coming to Scott county in 1865 he settled in Lincoln township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. His time and energies were devoted to the further improvement of that place during the eight years in which he resided thereon. Later he removed to Rockingham township, where he bought an im- proved tract of land of two hundred acres, making his home there until his death, which occurred on the IIth of November, 1897. In early life he had learned and followed the carpenter's trade, but after coming to Scott county devoted his attention to general farming and was very careful in the manage- ment of his place and won substantial results as the reward of his industry. In Blair county, Pennsylvania, he married Miss Susan Acker, who was born in that county, April 5, 1832, and died on the Ist of August, 1895. In his political views Mr. Garner was an earnest republican but never held or desired public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. Both he and his wife held membership in the Reformed church while in Pennsylvania and after coming to Scott county joined the Lutheran church. In their family were six children, of whom four are yet living: Annetta, the wife of John Jacobs, a resident of Rockingham township; Belle, who is the widow of R. S. Garner and lives in Rockingham township; Mrs. Roth; and Harry, who makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Roth. The two children of the family now de- ceased are Frank, who died at the age of twelve years, and Arilla, who passed away at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Roth have no children of their own but have reared an adopted daughter, May. Their home is a most hospit- able one, ever open for the reception of their many friends. Both have long been residents of the county, for Mrs. Roth arrived here in her girlhood days and Mr. Roth has always resided within the borders of the county. In business he is reliable and is developing his place along lines of modern scientific farming and practicing the rotation of crops and other methods which have produced substantial results in the agricultural development of the county.
AUGUST H. LAMP.
August H. Lamp, a prominent agriculturist and leading citizen of Sheridan township, there owns and resides upon a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which has remained his place of abode from his birth to the present time. He was born on the 28th of June, 1863, and is a representative of one of the old and prominent German-American families of Scott county, his parents being Asmus H. and Whipke (Kindt) Lamp. A sketch of the father, who is now living retired in Davenport, appears on another page of this volume.
In his youthful days August H. Lamp attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and subsequently pursued a course at Duncan's Business College of Davenport. He early became familiar with the duties and
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labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and has devoted his time and ener- gies to the work of farming throughout his entire business career, now owning a tract of two hundred and forty acres of well improved and productive land in Sheridan township. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged in feeding stock and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual income. A man of enterprise and excellent executive ability, he has likewise put forth his energies in other directions and is now one of the directors of the Eldridge Savings Bank and the president of the Farmers Elevator Company. The latter concern has ninety-seven local stockholders and was organized about a year ago with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. Its officers are as follows: August H. Lamp, president; Gus Schneckloth, vice president; Julius Weise, secretary; and Joseph McDowell, treasurer. Mr. Lamp also acts as appraiser for the German Insurance Company of Scott county and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, progressive and influential citizens of his community.
On the 22d of February, 1888, Mr. Lamp was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Fellener, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Gertz) Fellener, who were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lamp now have four children, namely : Henry, Hilda, Frank and Francis, all of whom are still under the parental roof. They have been provided with liberal educational advantages.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Lamp has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conductive to good government. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust and he is now serving as a trustee of Sheridan township and likewise as president of the school board. He has also acted as the efficient incumbent in the office of road supervisor. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to lodge No. 118 at Eldridge, Iowa. His entire life has been passed here and he is widely recognized as a straightforward and reliable business man and an enterprising, progressive citizen, who well merits the esteem that is universally accorded him.
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