History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 30

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

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

It was on the 26th of January, 1861, that August F. Martzahn was born. He attended the common schools of Davenport and also received a good busi- ness training. After his school days were over he learned the butcher's trade, to which he has since devoted his energies for the last thirty-three years. He was but eighteen years of age when he opened his first shop at 1701 West Third street. It was very small and Mr. Martzahn himself waited upon his custo- mers. Later as he attained success and saw opportunity, he organized the pres- ent company, being the sole owner at the beginning, but later he made it a stock concern, himself holding the position of president and general manager. It is the only firm of its kind in the city of Davenport and is one of the large houses in this section of the state. The plant has a capacity of twenty-five head of cattle, thirty hogs and ten calves, the company makes a specialty of rendering and dealing in hides. In the ten years of its existence it has become one of the substantial and profitable business houses here for it has been operated upon sound principles and the quality of their goods has secured the trade of a large percentage of the population.

On the 16th of October, 1884, Mr. Martzahn was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Schmidt, a daughter of Carl and Sophia (Moeller) Schmidt. One son, Carl, has been born to them. He completed the course of study in the grammar schools, was graduated from the high school and then attended Brown College. He is now a bookkeeper in the employ of the government, working at the Arsenal. Mr. Martzahn belongs to several of the Masonic bodies here and is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He occupies a comfortable home at 1620 West Third street, where he is most hospitable in entertaining his many friends.

JOHN SCHLICHTING.

John Schlichting, who with good results has tilled his farm in Liberty town- ship, was born thereon December 1, 1874, a son of John and Anna (Stark) Schlichting, who were born in Holstein, Germany, the former February 14, 1830, and the latter August 1, 1833. They came to the United States in June, 1865 and made their way to Scott county and were married in Davenport. For the first year after his arrival Mr. Schlichting worked as a laborer in the city, but the following spring engaged in farming for himself near Plainview. Later he came to Liberty township, where he bought the place on which his son John is now residing. It remained his home until the spring of 1894, when, having reaped large harvests and secured a generous income, he retired from active life and moved to New Liberty. There his death occurred December 30, 1901. His wife survived him several years, or until February 20, 1907, when she also passed away. Mr. Schlichting had come here a poor man, but through indus- try and frugality had secured not only the farm previously mentioned but an- other tract of one hundred and sixty acres, just north of the village of New Liberty, and a third farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cedar county. Three children were born to him and his wife: Mrs. Ida Hensen, who is a

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widow living in Walcott; Dora, who is the wife of Gus Lamp, of New Liberty; and John, who is the subject of this sketch.

John Schlichting was reared upon the farm he now occupies, and here has always made his home. He attended the district schools of Liberty township, in which he derived a fair training in the rudimentary branches of English edu- cation. From his childhood days he did his full share of the chores and work upon the farm and as soon as he was able assisted in the tilling of the fields. When his father desired to retire from active life he was entrusted with the operation of the home place, which is a tract of two hundred and forty acres lying upon section 30. Mr. Schlichting, Sr., had already put in the greater number of improvements, but these have been increased in the years of his son's occupation, and the cultivation of the soil has also been improved, so that the place is one of the valuable farm properties in Liberty township.

It was November 20, 1901, that Mr. Schlichting was married to Miss Ma- tilda Misfeldt, who was born in Butler township, Scott county, May 12, 1882, and is a daughter of Fred and Catherine (Koch) Misfeldt, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. They came to America in 1865, taking up their residence in this county, where Mr. Misfeldt engaged in farming. He won a well deserved success and passed away September 19, 1908, at sixty-eight years of age, for he was born January 22, 1840. His widow now resides in New Lib- erty. Three children have been born to Mr. Schlichting and his wife, Ella Anna Catherine, Elmer Fredrich, Johann and Lawrence John Henry. Mr. Schlich- ting is one of the substantial farmers of his locality, winning a large return in his cultivation of the fields and enjoying the respect of his fellow citizens.

CHRIS TOERRING.

Chris Toerring, now deceased, well deserves mention among those whose labors have constituted a source of the city's pride and improvement, for as one of the park commissioners he did for Davenport a work the value of which can- not be overestimated. He stood at all times for that which is best in civic af- fairs and was one of the most efficient officers that Davenport has ever had. As the name indicates, he was a representative of the Danish race, which has furnished to Iowa a proportion of its worthy residents. He was a native of Denmark and when he had acquired a good practical education in the schools of his native country he obtained business experience along mercantile lines there. In the year 1861 he came to America, attracted by the broader opportunities offered on this side the Atlantic. The tales which he heard proved so enticing that he resolved that he would benefit by the advantages here offered and yet he was not deceived by any false hope of gaining wealth without labor. He accepted a position with the Jens Lorenzen Crockery Company, with which he remained for four years, and then became connected with the dry-goods busi- ness as a salesman in the employ of the firm of Herzberg & Company. In 1867 he purchased the store of Otto Klug, Sr., an establishment that stood on the present site of the store occupied by Silberstein Brothers.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

In the same year Mr. Toerring was united in marriage to Miss Dorothea Burmeister, of this city, who still survives him. They never had any children of their own but adopted two nephews, sons of his brother, and to these two boys, Frederick, of St. Louis, and Chris, of Philadelphia, they gave all the care, love and attention that would have been bestowed upon children of their own.

Mr. Toerring was a prominent Mason, his membership being in Fraternal Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he was honored with all of the offices, includ- ing that of master. He likewise belonged to the Davenport Turngemeinde and for a number of years held the office of first speaker of that society. He was also a member of the Schuetzen Society of Davenport. It was in his connection with municipal affairs, however, that he was most prominently known and his course was characterized by such loyalty and practical service that it won for him the honor and respect of all. From 1871 until 1875 he held the office of city treasurer. On the organization of the park commission he became one of its members and it was in this connection that he did his greatest work for Davenport, devoting much of his time to the establishment and beautifying of the public parks. He saw what might be accomplished along those lines and with high ideals labored to improve the park system in such a manner that it would remain for years to come as the most attractive feature of the municipal life. The death of Mr. Toerring occurred in 1898. He had never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he had not only found improved and good business opportunities but had also gained a large circle of warm friends that made his residence here of a most pleasant character.

JOHN GRANT ROBERTSON.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Scott county without learning that the Robertsons have long been a well known and honored family here. In 1844 a colony of Scotchmen, headed by Mrs. Robertson, a grandmother of him whose name introduces this review, left their old homes on the banks of the Clyde and started for America. In the party were four families, the Robertsons, John Pollock and his family, John Grieve and his family, and H. M. Thomson and his family. Mrs. Robertson was ac- companied by her son John, the father of our subject, and four daughters, who were respectively the wives of the three gentlemen mentioned above. It was the custom then in Scotland to bind the younger members of the family out as ap- prentices, and in order to keep her children all together Mrs. Robertson planned the emigration to the new world. They sailed for New Orleans, thence made their way up the Mississippi river and landed at Long Grove, Scott county, Iowa, where each family took up forty acres of prairie land that up to that time had always been in possession of the government. This was two years before the admission of the state into the Union.

John Robertson, the father of John Grant Robertson, lived with Mr. Pol- lock until he was married, on the 22d of December, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann Neal. He and his bride then took up their abode in the house which he had

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built and he added to his original forty acres, buying other land as his financial resources afforded until he became the owner of a good farm, well improved. Within the boundaries of the place were comprised one hundred and forty acres, to the further cultivation of which he earnestly devoted his efforts so that rich crops were annually gathered. The farm is still the property of his widow and is now being operated by his son and namesake. John Robertson was a member of the Presbyterian church in Scotland. On coming to this county they found that there was no congregation of the denomination in their neighborhood and he was one of those who organized a little church which held its services in the schoolhouse or in different private homes. He always remained loyal to his belief, and it was characteristic of Mr. Robertson that he was ever a firm de- fender of the right as he understood it. He served as school director and in other local offices, but his time and energies were mostly given to general farm- ing. His wife was born about seven miles from Edinburgh, Scotland, April 4, 1824, and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Neal. Her father was a stone-mason by trade and followed that pursuit in Scotland until 1832, when with his family he sailed for the new world, landing at Montreal, Canada. They lived in several places in that country but the father died soon after coming to the new world. Her brother, who was also a stone-mason by trade, then took charge of the family and in 1847 they came to Long Grove, Iowa, where Mrs. Robertson has since made her home. She is now living with her son William M., a prosperous farmer and stockman of Winfield township. She is the mother of eight children: Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Johnson, of Long Grove, by whom she has two children, Anna and Grant; Jennie, who is the wife of Andrew Thompson, of Nebraska, and has three children, Mary, Myrtle and John; John, who died at the age of two years; James, of Davenport, who married Eliza- beth Gilmore and has five children, Bertha, Ollie, Mary, Harry and Daisy; Anna, who lives with her mother and is the wife of Frank O'Conner, their children being four in number, Frank, John, Charles and Roderic; William M., a farmer and stockman, of Winfield township, who owns and cultivates one hundred and ten acres of fine farm land and makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs; John Grant, of this review; and one who died in infancy.

The birth of John Grant Robertson occurred January 19, 1870, on the old homestead farm on which he yet makes his home. He is indebted to the public- school system of the county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and to a business college of Davenport, so that he was thus well qualified for the practical and responsible duties which have devolved upon him since starting in business. Since putting aside his text-books he has continuously engaged in farming and, following the father's retirement, he and his brother William took charge of the old homestead, which they continued to cultivate together until 1902, when his brother William purchased his present farm, and John G. Rob- ertson has since managed the home place alone: He carries on general agri- cultural pursuits and makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is diligent and persevering in business, allowing no obstacle to bar his path if it can be overcome by earnest and persistent effort.

On the 2d of April, 1896, Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Alma Klop- penburg, a daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Kloppenburg, who were early

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settlers of Butler township and are now living at Long Grove. Upon their former farm in Butler township Mrs. Robertson was born and reared. She has become the mother of three children: Winnie, Earl and Lucille, all at home.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Robertson are consistent members of the Christian church of Long Grove and take an active and helpful part in its work. Mr. Rob- ertson has served as deacon and was also church treasurer. He filled the office of school director for a number of years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, his membership being in the lodge at Long Grove, of which he has served as secretary and in other offices. He also belongs to Grove Camp, No. 6197, M. W. A., and both he and his wife are members of the Court of Honor of Long Grove. They are highly esteemed in these different organizations and have an extensive circle of friends throughout the county winning the regard which is ever accorded in recognition of sterling worth and upright principles.

JOHN LENSCH.

It seems to have been the fate of Holstein, Germany to have lost more than her share of good citizens to the United States and among this number is Jolin Lensch, one of Scott county's pioneers. He was born January 29, 1835, his parents being Claus and Magdalina Lensch, both of whom lived and died in the fatherland. His school days were passed in Germany and even before he severed home ties he had some practical training as a farmer.

In 1857 when a very little past his majority Mr. Lensch became imbued with the prevalent idea that greater opportunity awaited him across the water and he took passage for America, landing in New York and coming from that city to Davenport. His first employment was in a brickyard, but country life, which he had previously enjoyed, appealing to him, he secured work on a farm and subsequently rented land in Lincoln township which he managed on his own account. In 1862 he became one of Scott county's property holders through the purchase of eighty acres of improved land. After about two years he sold that place and bought another eighty acres in Lincoln township, upon which he made his home for ten years. Again Mr. Lensch disposed of his land and be- came the proprietor of a larger tract of two hundred acres in Sheridan town- ship, near the town of Eldridge. There he and his family made their home for the twenty years between 1876 and 1896, but at the end of this time he decided to give up active life and retire to enjoy a greater leisure than the preceding years had permitted him. He was then among Scott county's considerable prop- erty holders, owning four hundred acres of splendid land.

The joyous Christmas-tide has an unusual significance for Mr. and Mrs. Lensch for it was upon that day in 1865 that they united their hands and for- tunes in marriage. Mrs. Lensch was before her marriage Miss Dora Schnor, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Schnor, German citizens who lived through- out life in their native country. Mrs. Lensch who was born September 20, 1832, came to America alone in 1865-the year of her marriage. The following

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six children were born of this union: Mollie, Laura, Matie and Hattie, all de- ceased; Gustav, of Sheridan township, who married Meta Misfeldt and is the father of four children, Nora, Lettie, Anna, and John; and John, a resident of Sheridan township, who married Clara Brockmann and has five children, Mar- tha, Amiel, Leona, Raymond and Edna. It is thus apparent that Mr. and Mrs. Lensch are abundantly entitled to the pleasant roles of grandfather and grand- mother.

The fact that Mr. Lensch has abandoned the strenuous life of an active agri- culturist is by no means indicative that he is no longer a real factor in the life of his community. Taking a keen and intelligent interest in public affairs and a student of those questions which pertain to the acquisition of the greatest good for the greatest number, he constitutes in himself an admirable citizen, as well as one to whom consideration is due for his past progressive agricultural achieve- ments.

LORENZO SCHRICKER.

In a review of Davenport's history it becomes evident that Lorenzo Schricker deserves mention among those who were her builders and promoters. Taking advantage of the natural resources offered by the country, he planned and pro- moted business enterprises of far-reaching effect and benefit. With keen in- sight he foresaw the possibilities of trade, utilized the opportunities which were afforded by existing conditions and as the years passed on developed and ex- panded his commercial and manufacturing interests until he occupied a conspic- uous place among the leading lumbermen of the middle west and also in finan- cial and other business circles into which he directed his energies. Many impor- fant public and private concerns were stimulated by his activities and he stood as a high type of the business man whose record is conclusive proof of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

From the days of his early manhood the life of Lorenzo Schricker was one of hard work, of close application and of intense energy. He was born Novem- ber 12, 1825, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Christian and Eva Schricker. He attended school at Weisdorf, later the polytechnic school of Nuremberg and completed his education in the School of Agriculture and Industry at Hof. He afterward served a four years' apprenticeship in a dry-goods store and later was engaged as bookkeeper by a railroad company at a salary of twelve dollars per month. When he was but nineteen years of age he took a contract to build a railroad and thus in early manhood he gave proof of the elemental strength of his character, which was to carry him into important relations in later years.

America-the land of promise-attracted him. Hearing and heeding the call of the western world, he sailed for the United States in the spring of 1848 and, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, there engaged in the confectionery business until the succeeding fall, when he removed to St. Louis, where he was engaged in the dry-goods trade until the fall of 1849. He then returned to Germany and upon again coming to America was accompanied by his mother, three sisters and a brother, his father having previously joined him in St. Louis. The year 1850

Lorna Ychnicker

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witnessed the arrival of Lorenzo Schricker in Davenport. He became con- nected with the commercial interests of the city as the senior partner of the firm of Schricker & Uibeleisen, proprietors of a general store. The following year he entered into partnership in the same line of business with his brother-in-law, John Schmidt, and when that association was dissolved he established a store of his own and also entered the field of banking. Every undertaking was crowned with success, for he applied himself with untiring energy to the management and control of his business interests and won public confidence and patronage through the most honorable business methods. His fellow townsmen in 1858 elected him city treasurer-the only public office he ever held-and after two years' service he retired from the position. In 1864 he formed a partnership with L. C. Dessaint in the business of lumber manufacturing, the firm purchas- ing the mill at the foot of Scott street. In 1868 Mr. Dessaint was succeeded by Christian Mueller and the firm of Schricker & Mueller was in existence until the death of the senior partner. Mr. Schricker became widely known as a rep- resentative of the lumber industry of the middle west. Noting and utilizing opportunities which others passed by heedlessly, his trade interests expanded to mammoth proportions and he came to be recognized as an authority upon ques- tions of moment to lumbermen. He was the originator of the lumber manufac- turers' combinations in the logging business on the Mississippi river. Previous to 1870 the manufacturers bought their log supplies as best they could-every man for himself-at the mouths of the Black, Wisconsin, Chippewa and St. Croix rivers. Mr. Schricker, in company with Mr. Weyerhauser, of Rock Is- land, spent two years in conjointly purchasing extensive supplies and found their cooperation so profitable that they easily induced other sawmill proprietors in the three cities to unite with them. The result was the organization of the Upper Mississippi Logging Company in 1871, at a meeting of the manufacturers held at the old Burtis House in Davenport, with Mr. Schricker as president of the company. The great logging works at Beef Slough were built by this asso- ciation. Lumber interests received added stimulus and impetus from this organ- ization, with which Mr. Schricker continued until 1874, when he withdrew in order to devote his undivided time and attention to the extensive tracts of pine lands in Wisconsin, which he had purchased, and to his manufacturing and finan- cial interests in Davenport. In 1864 he had become an active factor in banking circles in this city, being a stockholder and director in several banks and also vice president of the First National Bank for years. The most of his time for six years previous to his death was spent in the pineries of Wisconsin and there was one period of two years in which he did not pass a fortnight altogether in his home at Davenport. His business methods were in some respects unique and peculiar. He kept no books but carried notes, agreements, data and every- thing pertaining to his private affairs in a large wallet in his coat pocket and thus at any time he could make immediate reference to a paper for information or if any business matter was under discussion. One day, in the heart of the Chippewa pineries, a prominent lumberman met him and as they were traveling through the woods the man said: "Mr. Schricker, that note of mine is a little overdue, but I will attend to it as soon as I get home. Just send me the whole amount of interest due when you are back in Davenport and I will pay the

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interest and principal." Mr. Schricker replied: "O, I can fix that right here," and, seating himself on a log, he took out his wallet, selected the note, calculated the interest to the very day and then and there received the check for the amount, which the next day was presented to and paid at the bank of Eau Claire.

Mr. Schricker was three times married. He first wedded Mary Hansen. Their children were: August, deceased; William E., a banker at La Conner, Washington; Ottilie, whose first husband was Major Steffen, later Steffen Pascha, adjutant general to the sultan. He died in Constantinople and his widow became the wife of Admiral Von Pietruski, who died in Pola, Austria. For his second wife Mr. Schricker chose Sophia Kahl, and their children were: Richard, now in Davenport; Laelius, deceased; and Harriet, whose husband was a naval officer, Korvettenkapitän Frank Dvorak, who until recently resided in Pola, Austria, but is at present living at Hietzing, Vienna, Austria. For his third wife Mr. Schricker chose Johanna Matthes. There was only one child, Selma, by that marriage. The mother, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1841, died April 2, 1898. For many years Mr. Schricker resided with his family at No. 714 Farnam street, but for two years previous to his death he occupied a palatial home on the Heights, just west of the junction of De Soto and Mar- quette streets. He passed away on the 12th of July, 1883, leaving a handsome estate, consisting of bank stock, notes, mortgages, Wisconsin pine lands and coal lands in Clearfield and Cambria counties, Pennsylvania. Resolutions of respect and sympathy were passed by various companies with which he was connected, all expressive of the deep regret felt at the passing of Mr. Schricker. For a third of a century he had been a resident of Davenport. Coming to the city during its formative period, he introduced into its business circles a progressive element that bore fruit not only in the attainment of personal success but also in the stimulus given to business interests throughout the city. Strong in his ability to plan and perform, strong in his honor and good name, his worth was widely acknowledged. In the contests which are invariably a feature of business life men often bear the marks and scars of the battle, but Mr. Schricker stood in his later years, as he did in his early manhood, for all that was loyal in citizen- ship, progressive and honorable in business and straightforward in every trans- action. He was a man of marked individuality and notable force of character, his strongly marked traits being such as awakened for him the respect and admir- ation of all and gained for him the friendship of many.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 30

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