History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 28

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

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ALONZO BRYSON.

Alonzo Bryson, who since March, 1903, has served in the office of postmaster at Davenport, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 23d of July, 1840, his parents being Isaac and Jane (Kerr) Bryson, who were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Ohio respectively. When a youth the father removed to Ohio with his parents and spent the remainder of his life in that state and in Kentucky. Throughout his entire business career he was actively engaged as a captain and pilot. His demise occurred in Lawrence county, Ohio, in 1899, when he had attained the age of seventy-five years.

Alonzo Bryson obtained his education in the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky, likewise attended a private institution of learn- ing and later pursued a course of study in a commercial school. In 1856 he

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became identified with river pursuits, and with the exception of a period of two or three years, followed steamboating continuously until 1876. In that year he came to Davenport as agent of the St. Louis & St. Paul Packet Company, acting in that capacity until 1890, when he turned his attention to the coal and grain business. He was thus successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1897, when he was elected county recorder and for a period of six years capably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connection. In March, 1903, he was appointed postmaster and in this office has likewise made a most credit- able record, his efficiency and trustworthiness being widely acknowledged.

In October, 1861, Mr. Bryson was united in marriage to Miss Valeria M. Wright, a native of Ohio. Their children are four in number, as follows: Elmer E., who is a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Robert H., who makes his home in Indianapolis, and is serving as postmaster there; May V., the wife of James J. Duffy, of St. Louis; and Pearl M., at home.

Mr. Bryson is a valued member of the Commercial and other clubs, and in 1903 served as president of the Business Association of Davenport. The period of his residence in Davenport now covers a third of a century and he is a most public-spirited and loyal citizen, giving his cooperation to every movement or measure which tends to promote the general welfare. In manner courteous and genial, he wins good will and kindly regard wherever he goes, and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

L. G. EGGER.

L. G. Egger, a button manufacturer of Buffalo, his native city, is the pro- prietor of the largest manufacturing plant in Buffalo township and occupies an important place in industrial circles of the community. His natal day was the 28th of February, 1884, his parents being M. and Mary (Willi) Egger, both natives of Switzerland, where the latter was born in 1845. The father came to Buffalo in 1877 and here engaged in the cooperage business for some time. In his family were seven sons and four daughters, of whom one brother of our subject is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Minnesota and another is a farmer residing in Colorado. The sisters are: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Frank Moss, of Davenport; Anna, who married C. E. Reed, of Rock Island; Mary, residing in Buffalo; and Bessie, deceased.

Reared to manhood in the city of his nativity, L. G. Egger attended the pub- lic schools in the acquirement of his education, gaining a good knowledge of the various branches of English learning. The period of his boyhood was de- voted to the duties of the school-room, the pleasures of the playground, and the tasks assigned to him by parental authority. Upon the completion of his education in 1903, he entered the button manufacturing business in connection with his father, and in this line of activity has been most successful. With the passing of the years this enterprise has flourished, its business steadily but rapidly increasing in volume and importance until today it is the largest manu- facturing industry in Buffalo. The plant which is owned by Mr. Egger is the

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largest in the township, twenty-two machines being in operation, and it is the only finishing plant in Buffalo. The factory turns out two hundred gross of finished and four hundred gross of unfinished product per day, the latter being taken to Muscatine for the finishing process. Most of the mussel shells from which the buttons are made are secured in the Illinois river, although a large number are found in the Mississippi near Buffalo. A man of keen discrimina- tion and sound judgment, Mr. Egger's excellent business ability and good man- agement have brought to the concern of which he is the head a large degree of success, and he is today recognized as one of the enterprising, progressive and representative business men of the township.

The religious views of. Mr. Egger are indicated in his membership in the Buffalo parish Catholic church, while politically he casts his ballot in behalf of the best candidate of either party at the polls, although he has never desired nor sought to take any active part in politics. Having passed his entire life in Buf- falo, covering a period of twenty-five years, he has become widely known throughout the community, where his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. A young man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west, which has been the dominant factor in producing the wonder- ful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward in the busi- ness world until, having left the ranks of the many, he has already won a place among the successful few.

DAVID N. RICHARDSON.

David N. Richardson was born in Orange, Vermont, March 19, 1832. He was reared on a farm and completed his education by two terms at an academy. He taught school when eighteen years of age and later entered a printing office in Illinois, where he learned the trade. In 1854 he came to Davenport, Iowa, where, in company with James T. Hildreth and George R. West, he purchased the democratic newspaper establishment and began the publication of the Daily Iowa State Democrat. Here for nearly forty years Mr. Richardson was en- gaged in conducting one of the foremost newspapers of Iowa. He was for many years a regent of the State University and was untiring in his efforts to make that the foremost educational institution in the state. He was also one of the original members of the state commission to plan and erect the Iowa Sol- diers' Monument, serving until the work was completed. During the period of eighteen years, in which Mr. Richardson was a regent of the State Univer- sity, he was one of its most intelligent and effective promoters. It was an often expressed desire of his to live to see our State University equal to any in America. That institution never had a more devoted friend or more useful officer.

Mr. Richardson was a graceful and accomplished writer and one of the ablest of Iowa editors. He became an extensive traveler in foreign countries and his letters descriptive of the lands and cities visited were of absorbing interest. His

D. 77. Richardson

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acquaintance with the public men of Iowa was very wide, and although he was a life-long democrat and an active and influential leader in his party for more than forty years, he won and retained the confidence and personal friendship of his political opponents everywhere. He died on the 4th of July, 1898.

CHRISTINA WIESE.

The student of history doesn't carry his investigation far into the records of Scott county without learning that the German element in its citizenship has played a most important part in its upbuilding and progress. One of the repre- sentatives of the Teutonic race, Fritz Wiese long resided in Davenport, where for more than a quarter of a century he was connected with the livery business. He was born in Holstein, Germany, June 17, 1838, a son of Max and Lucy Wiese. At the usual age he entered school in his native country and when fourteen years of age came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Moline, Illinois. From that time forth Fritz Wiese was dependent upon his own resources. He secured employment with the Deere works as a blacksmith, being one of the first engaged for the shop. In time the business was developed into the great enterprise known as the Deere Plow Works. Mr. Wiese con- tinued to live at Moline for about three years, at the end of which time his parents purchased a farm in Rock Island county and he took up his abode there. His parents remained occupants of the old home place until called to their final rest.

On the 2d of January, 1863, Mr. Wiese was married and continued to live on the old farm in Illinois for about five years, after which he made his home in the vicinity of Rock Island until 1868. He then purchased a farm near Mount Joy, where he made his home for seven years, and on the expiration of that period he rented his land and took up his abode in Mount Joy. He turned his attention to the cattle business at Davenport and later engaged in the livery business, which he continued for about thirty years, at the end of which time he retired, turning over the business to his son. His remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death occurring February 17, 1898.

It was on the 2d of January, 1863, that Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Christina Schnack. She was born near Kiel, Germany, June 24, 1840, a daughter of James and Christina Schnack. Mrs. Wiese came to the United States with her brother John and an aunt in 1860, landing in New York, after which she made her way westward to Davenport. Here she was married and became the mother of five children. Lewis, of Davenport, who is now conduct- ing the livery business and is serving as alderman from the fourth ward, mar- ried Bertha Springmier and has three children: Fred and Henry, twins; and Lillie. Laura is the widow of Frank Peto and has two children, Ellis and Cam- ello; with whom she resides in Davenport. Emil, of this city, wedded Bertha Ruge, who died, leaving one child, Thelma. Alvina is the wife of Frank Bey, of Davenport, and has five children: Alvin, Clarence, Frank, Lawrence and Ray-

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mond. Anna is the widow of William Brandt and has three children: Lucile, Lillie and Isabelle.

Mr. Wiese was a member of the Turner Society and the German Shooting Society. He was a man of liberal and generous spirit who gave freely of his means to advance worthy public movements and at the same time rendered aid in many individual cases. His good qualities were numerous and won for him a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

LOUIS GOLLNITZ.

Louis Gollnitz, a well known farmer of Liberty township, was born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, July 16, 1868, a son of Fritz and Sophia (Frunt) Gollnitz. They spent their entire lives in the land of their birth and died when their son Louis was about twelve years of age. Six children were born to them. One died in infancy and the other five came to America about 1882. They were: Ricka, who became the wife of Fritz Benning of Davenport; Fritz, who died in Davenport in February, 1909, at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving two sons and two daughters; Chris, a resident of Davenport; Louis, the subject of this sketch; and Ida, who became the wife of Ernest Loraine, of Davenport.

Louis Gollnitz, who was about twelve years of age when he was left an orphan, remained for two more years in the fatherland, where he received his education. At the age of fourteen he and his brothers and sisters embarked upon their journey to America. They came directly to Scott county, where Louis Gollnitz obtained work upon a farm. After he had worked for others for about nine years, gaining experience in agriculture and familiarity with the customs and language of this country, he married and came to live upon the land where he now resides. It is a tract of one hundred and sixty acres be- longing to his wife and is situated on section 31, Liberty township. Here he pursues general farming, winning a well deserved success from his labors. He has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation and has instituted many sub- stantial improvements.

On the 24th of February, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Goll- nitz and Miss Meta Arp, who was born in Davenport township, Scott county, October 15, 1871, her parents being Claus and Doris (Sienknecht) Arp. Her father was born in Holstein, Germany, August 23, 1827, while her mother was born near the city of Kiel, September 2, 1832. They came to this country about fifty years ago, settling in Davenport, where they were married April 14, 1868. Mr. Arp bought a large amount of land, which was procured at a low price in those days, owning at one time five good farms, which amounted to seven hun- dred and forty acres. This property was the result of his own labors, for he came to America a poor boy, and it indicates with what success he operated his farm in the vicinity of Davenport. About fifteen years ago he felt he was justified in retiring from active life and, accordingly, took up his residence in Davenport, which is still his home. Mr. and Mrs. Arp are the parents of seven children : Theodore, who lives in Colorado; Hannes, who lives near West Lib- erty; Minnie, the wife of Julius Kuelper, of Walcott; Herman, who resides

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in Stockton, Muscatine county, Iowa; Meta, now Mrs. Gollnitz; Otto, who re- sides on the homestead near Davenport; and Delia, who lives with her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gollnitz have been born two children, Ray and Edna.

The early life of Mr. Gollnitz was one of many hardships and privations, but from his struggles he learned the lesson of industry and making the best use of his opportunities. In consequence he has attained a well earned suc- cess in his field of occupation and one of which he may be pardonably proud. Indeed, he deserves to be numbered among the numerous citizens of this land who wear with distinction the title of a self-made man.

ZEBULON HENRY WICKS.

Zebulon Henry Wicks, whose identification with the Davenport Woolen Mills as traveling representative brought him a wide acquaintance, was highly esteemed wherever known for the possession of those sterling traits of charac- ter which constitute the chief forces in honorable manhood. He was born in Bristol, England, September 22, 1828. His father, Dr. Zebulon Wicks, gave his attention to the practice of medicine and after the arrival of his son and namesake in this country, he crossed the Atlantic and established his home at Morristown, Ohio. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Letitia Lashley, was also à native of England.

Reared in a home surrounded by culture and affluence, Zebulon H. Wicks was afforded liberal educational advantages, supplementing his early instruction by study at St. Mellow, France. He took a very active part in politics in his native land and assisted in putting Charles Reed in parliament. He was pre- eminently a man of affairs and one who wielded a wide influence. His interest in America led him to come to the new world on a visit in 1873, and he was so pleased with the country that he decided to remain and established his home in Davenport. He immediately became connected with the Davenport Woolen Mills, first as bookkeeper and later as traveling salesman. In that connection he did valuable service for the enterprise throughout his remaining days. He was not only a business man of keen discernment and undaunted enterprise, but possessed genial, friendly qualities which made him very popular with the many patrons whom he secured.

At St. Catherine's, Hampshire, England, in 1853, Mr. Wicks was married to Miss Theresa Burden, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Hartnell) Burden, of Hampshire. Her father was a landowner and was also a Methodist preacher, proclaiming the gospel in a small chapel, of which he was the owner. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wicks were ten children, of whom five are now living: Mrs. Theresa L. Godwin; Alfred H., a resident of Detroit; Sidney H., who is living in St. Paul, Minnesota; Archibald, a resident of Murphysboro, Illinois; and Clarence H., who is employed on Government Island here.

Mr. Wicks' study of the political issues, situation and conditions of the coun- try led him to give stalwart allegiance to the republican party. He was an active and devoted member of the Baptist church, a public-spirited citizen, and

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a patron of various benevolent institutions which Davenport maintains. Fra- ternally he was connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arch Masons. A man of broad and liberal culture, he placed correct valuation upon life and its opportunities. His career was marked by continuous progress and characterized by the esteem which was uniformly tendered him to the time of his death, which occurred February 17, 1896.

MILTON R. PARKHURST.

Milton R. Parkhurst, in former years a merchant of Davenport, belongs to that class of prominent, enterprising and far-sighted business men to whom the commercial upbuilding of the city is rightly attributed. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with manufacturing and mercantile interests in this county.

He was born at Le Claire, Iowa, a son of Waldo and Liddie Emeline (Rus- sell) Parkhurst, who were among the early settlers of that place. The father was born at Milford, Massachusetts, September 28, 1812, attended the school there but at an early age was compelled to put aside his text-books because of his father's death, whereby there devolved upon him the necessity of aiding in support of the family. He went to New York city when very young and there secured a situation as clerk in a dry-goods store, which constituted his business training. In 1838 he came to the middle west, making his way to the territory of Iowa, and after looking over the field to some extent settled at Le Claire, where he opened a general store. He there conducted a successful mercantile enterprise for over forty years and in early days he did quite a business in killing hogs and shipping the pork down the Mississippi river by steamer to St. Louis. He was, moreover, one of the leading men of the town, active and efficient in promoting the various interests which were of vital significance to the commu- nity. He held a number of offices, serving as justice of the peace for several years, acting as postmaster during the '50s and serving as a member and trustee of the school board for a number of years. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Presbyterian church of Le Claire and thus sought to promote the fraternal and Christian spirit of the community. In 1881 he retired from active business life and removed to Davenport, where he made his home with his two children until his death, on the 21st of March, 1881. His wife was born at Sodus Point, New York, in 1820. Her father, Nehemiah Rus- sell, came west about 1840 and settled on a farm in Clinton county, Iowa, just across the line from Scott county. The parents of Milton R. Parkhurst were married in Clinton county in 1841. Mrs. Parkhurst had been one of the early school teachers of Scott county, having taught first in Pleasant Valley township and later at Le Claire. She was a lady of strong intellectual development and of many attractive characteristics. She died December 14, 1890, and is still sur- vived by her two children, Milton R. and Mary E., both of whom are now resi- dents of Davenport.

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hilton Russell Parkhurst

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Milton R. Parkhurst attended school at Le Claire and later continued his studies in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. He then returned to Le Claire and taught school for a number of years. Later he was employed as bookkeeper by a Le Claire firm but, embracing every opportunity for advance- ment in business lines, he subsequently became a stockholder and secretary of the Le Claire Milling & Manufacturing Company. He was also engaged in the river business for a number of years and then, seeking the broader field of labor offered by the city, he came to Davenport in 1874. In East Davenport he estab- lished a retail grocery business, which he conducted successfully for about thirty years, after which he was in the same line of business on Brady street for two years and then sold out. The passing years had chronicled his success, which increasing as time passed on, had made him one of the men of affluence of the community. He has made several trips to Seattle, Washington, where he has business interests. His judgment is sound, his insight keen, and the success which has attended his efforts has been the logical result of intelligently directed thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Parkhurst aside from commercial connections has been prominent in the community. He was four times elected alderman from the sixth ward on the republican ticket and supported many reforms and progressive measures while a member of the council. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter, commandery and Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Congregational church, in which he has held a number of offices, including that of deacon, trustee and member of the board.

His sister, Mary E. Parkhurst, also a native of Le Claire, attended school there and afterward engaged successfully in teaching for a number of years at school No. 1 in Le Claire township, at Princeton and in the town of Le Claire. She came to Davenport in 1880 and was of great assistance to her brother in his business. She also had charge of the Blue Grass, Downey, Lone Tree and Zion Baptist churches as pastor and was also assistant pastor of the Temple Baptist church of Seattle, Washington, from October, 1908, until April, 1909, Rev. George Robert Cairns being pastor. At present she is assistant pastor of the Calvary Baptist church of Davenport, Iowa. She is also an interesting writer both in prose and poetry and has contributed many articles to the local papers regarding church work and eastern travels, and was also the author of the sketch of Le Claire, which was recently published in the Davenport Democrat for the Half Century Democrat.

FERDINAND HAAK.

If the prosperity of the city be measured by the enterprise of some of its more important manufacturing concerns Davenport owes no little of its reputa- tion as being the home of successful business men to Ferdinand Haak, who is president of one of the largest cigar factories west of the Mississippi. The enviable position he holds has been entirely the work of his own hands and brain, being a patent example of the value of industry, economy and wise fore-

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sight. He was born in 1845 at Elmshorn, about four miles from Hamburg, Germany, a son of Carsten and Lesette (Oldendorf) Haak. The father brought his family to America in 1857 and selected Scott county, Iowa, as a place of residence. He bought considerable land here and farmed with profit until his death, which occurred in 1888.

Ferdinand Haak was about twelve years of age when his family came to the United States. He had attended the schools of his native land and after he came to Scott county was enrolled as a pupil in the public schools of Davenport. For a number of years he worked upon the home farm and then decided to start in life for himself as a cigarmaker. He served an apprenticeship for about four years, in that time becoming a most efficient workman, and then secured a posi- tion as foreman in a factory, but although he enjoyed the confidence of his em- ployers he was not satisfied for he was ambitious to make a name for himself. Accordingly; in 1870, he opened a factory of his own, and although he began business in a small way, through concentration of his powers, business acumen and determination to succeed he has built it up so that now it is one of the largest in the west. He has won from it a most gratifying income.

In 1867 Mr. Haak was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kohrdt, and of their union have been born seven children: Minnie, now the wife of Charles Meyer; Pauline, who became the wife of Gene Gruenewald and has one child; John, who is in business with his father, and is married and has three children, John, Ferdinand and Minna; Richard, who is also in business with his father, and has two daughters, Irma and Elsie; Edna and Elsie, who are living at home; and Theckla, who is the wife of Frank Hetzl, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Haak belongs to the Turners and is one of the directors of the Iowa National Bank. Shortly after his arrival in this country he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Iowa Infantry, but saw only one year's service on the field of battle. It, however, was sufficient to attach him closely to the government, so that he is an interested spectator of all national interests. His home is at 824 West Vine street, where he and his wife extend a gracious hospitality to all guests.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 28

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