USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 40
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JOSEF A. LE CLAIRE.
Josef A. Le Claire, since 1885 a representative of fire insurance in Davenport and also prominent and active in political circles, was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, October 15, 1833. His father, Francis Le Claire was a native of St. Joseph, Michigan. His father was Francois Le Claire, a brother of Antoine Le Claire. When a young man he removed to St. Charles county, Missouri, and became one of the first pilots on the Mississippi river, running between St. Louis
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and Galena. At length, however, he abandoned the water and spent the latter part of his life on a farm. He was born in 1793 and lived to the age of seventy- five years, passing away in 1868. He married Eulalie Manval, a native of Por- tage des Sioux, where her girlhood days were passed. She was his second wife and by the first union was born a daughter and two sons.
Josef A. Le Claire was the youngest child of the family. On the 21st of Oc- tober, 1841, he came with his half brother, Henry, to Davenport to live with Antoine Le Claire and here attended school. He also looked after the business interests of Antoine Le Claire until the latter's death in 1861. The following year Josef Le Claire went to the west, traveling extensively throughout that sec- tion of the country. Since 1885 he has been engaged in the insurance business in Davenport and has one of the leading and most successful agencies of the city, writing a large amount of insurance annually. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs and has filled a number of offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen. In the early '6os he served as alder- man of the fifth ward and in 1871 he was elected marshal and collector for the city and served seven years as county recorder. He was also elected magistrate and filled that position for several terms and has figured prominently in official circles of the city, while his public service has brought him a wide acquaintance. Few men have more intimate knowledge of Davenport and her history through a period of sixty-eight years than Josef A. Le Claire, who arrived here in 1841 and through the intervening years has been an interested witness of all the great changes that have occurred.
HENRY RUNGE.
Henry Runge is conducting a well established undertaking business at No. 824 West Third street in Davenport. The high quality of goods he handles and his moderate prices have built up a good trade and made this concern one of the best known in the city. Mr. Runge is a native of Davenport, born June 7, 1861, of the marriage of Martin L. and Wilhelmina (Schwartz) Runge, in whose family were nine children, but only two sons and one daughter now sur- vive. The father emigrated from his native land, Germany, to the United States at an early day, the trip being made in a sail boat, which required fourteen weeks to cross the Atlantic. Arriving in the new world after his long and wearisome voyage, he spent a short time in Chicago, Illinois, whence he made his way to Davenport, where lived a half-brother of Mrs. Runge. He was first engaged in the packing business in this city but afterward worked in the old Davis mill, where he continued throughout his business career. Both he and his wife have passed away.
Henry Runge was reared under the parental roof and was given the advantage of a common-school education. After completing his studies he took up the task of learning the upholsterer's trade and at the same time attended a night school in order that he might have a better education to meet the responsibilities of a business career. After learning his trade he worked at the same for twenty
HENRY
RUNGE FUNERAL DIRECTOR
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BUILDING OF HENRY RUNGE
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
years. He then went to Des Moines and pursued a course in embalming that he might engage in the undertaking business on his own account. Subsequently he returned to Davenport and in October, 1895, organized the firm of Weiss & Runge. The partnership continued for but a brief period, however, for in the following December Mr. Runge sold his interest to his partner and in February, 1896, engaged in business alone, since which time he has conducted a successful enterprise. He possesses excellent business ability, undertands thoroughly the art of embalming, and this, coupled with a prompt response to all calls made upon him, has gained for him an extensive patronage. The business is now con- ducted in a large, modern, two-story brick structure known as the Runge build- ing, which was erected in 1902, and here Mr. Runge keeps on hand a good line of burial caskets and supplies and can meet all demands made upon him.
Mr. Runge was married in May, 1883, to Miss Emma Tess, who passed away a few years later. There is a daughter and son of this marriage: Augusta, now the wife of John Olsen, a city fireman of Davenport, by whom she has a daughter, Anita; and Louis F., who is his father's assistant in business. Mr. Runge was married a second time on the 9th of October, 1891, Christina M. Juergensen be- coming his wife. There are five children by this union: Edna, who is a high- school graduate; Martin L .; Henry, who has passed away ; Harry H .; and Henri- etta.
The family belong to the Lutheran church, while Mr. Runge's fraternal con- nections are with the Turners, Elks, Eagles, Knights of Pythias, Modern Brother- hood of America, the Germania Society, Claus Groth Gilde, Teutonia and the Odd Fellows, in all of which he is a valued member. In the midst of a busy life he always finds time for courtesy, and an opportunity to give audience to his friends, and all with whom he is brought in contact have for him high regard.
PETER ARP.
Peter Arp, a retired German farmer who has taken up his residence in Daven- port, was born in Holstein, Germany, February 5, 1830, a son of Peter and Wipke Arp, both of whom spent their entire lives in the fatherland, The father was a tailor by trade. Peter Arp was about twenty years of age when he decided to come to America, the fame of whose opportunities had pierced the most remote corners of his native land. He disembarked at New Orleans after crossing the ocean and then took a boat up the Mississippi to Davenport. It was two months, however, before he reached his destination as quantities of ice in the river im- peded their progress.
On the 9th of March, 1850, Mr. Arp landed in Davenport, where a sister was already living, she having come to this country in 1847. After his advent Mr. Arp obtained work in a brickyard and later secured employment upon a farm, by the month. He was industrious and frugal and after the expiration of a few years he was able to buy one hundred and twenty acres of prairie land in Sheri- dan township. In 1853 he married and that he and his wife might have a home he bought an old dwelling which he moved to his land, making it serve as a resi-
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
dence for a couple of years, or until he was able to put up a better structure. The land he had secured was in its pristine state and Mr. Arp had to break the soil before he could plant his grain. Nevertheless, it proved a valuable property for during the five years it was his place of residence it made him gratifying re- turns for his labors. When it was well improved he traded it for one hundred and sixty-five acres in Winfield township, about twelve miles from Davenport on the Dubuque road. It had a small house upon it and had been partly improved, but Mr. Arp brought it up to a higher state of cultivation and sold it after four vears. He then returned to Sheridan township, where he owned a tract of fifty acres and rented some land from Benjamin Barr, on which they lived for a year. At the end of that time he removed to his fifty acre tract, added another fifty, built a house and made it his home for the next twenty-six years, or during the remainder of the time he was engaged in the active pursuit of farming. Dur- ing that period, however, he bought land as he was able and at one time owned more than half a section, and in addition to being successful he was also a con- spicuous figure in the public life of Sheridan township, enjoying the good will of his associates. In October, 1892, he removed to Davenport.
On the 2d of September, 1853, Mr. Arp wedded Miss Minnie Fellener, a daughter of Barnhardt and Fredrica Fellener. She had come to this country from Germany when about nineteen years of age. Seven children were born unto the couple. Charles, now deceased, married Kathryn Roenfeldt and they had two children, Minnie and Charles. Emma became the wife of Henry Jar- chow, of Davenport, and they have two sons, Edward and William. Henry mar- ried Miss Louisa Petersen and lives in Minnesota, where he is rearing his two children, Mary and Paul. William married Miss Elizabeth Soll and lives upon the father's farm. They have two children, Walter and Viola. John married Miss Bertha Wiese and lives on the old homestead in Sheridan township. They have four children, Ella, Alfred, Elmer and Edward. Elizabeth became the wife of Henry Soll, of Davenport, and they have two children, Hugo and Edna. The other died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Arp celebrated their golden wedding on the 2d of September, 1903.
When he became a citizen of this country Mr. Arp decided to give his sup- port to the democratic party and has since been stanch in his allegiance to it, being elected upon its ticket to the office of trustee of Sheridan township. So- cially he is a member of the German Society and with his wife is a member of the Lutheran church, in whose faith he has conscientiously reared his children
JOSEPH C. METZGER.
Joseph C. Metzger is the genial proprietor of a hotel in Buffalo and is one of the most enterprising and wide-awake business men of the village. He was born in Buffalo, July 23, 1875, a son of Christian and Mary Metzger, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Baden on the 10th of August, 1829, while the latter claims Hohenzollern as the place of her nativity, and she was born in 1831. The father was a youth of thirteen years when he emigrated to
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the United States and established his home in Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned and followed the cooper's trade. Later he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was married, and in 1855 he and his wife came west, spending two years in Rock Island, Illinois. Subsequently, in 1857, they crossed the border into Iowa, establishing their home in Buffalo, where the father engaged in the cooperage business for many years.
Joseph C. Metzger is one of a family of eight sons and three daughters, six of whom are deceased. Those having passed away are: Mary, John Christian, Joseph, Adolf, Otilda, and one who died in infancy. Those living are: Fred, a cigar manufacturer, of Quincy, Illinois; Henry, a resident of Denver, Colorado; Theodore, of Blue Grass, Scott county ; and Catherine, the wife of Joseph Mohr, also of Blue Grass. Joseph C. at the usual age entered the public schools of Buffalo and completed his education in the Davenport schools. After putting aside his text-books he went to Chicago, in May, 1893, remaining in the metrop- olis four years. In March, 1897, desirous of visiting the land of his ancestors, he set sail for Germany, spending several months in that country. Returning once more to Buffalo, he engaged in business pursuits here in the latter part of 1897. In 1904 he built a modern brick residence and two years later, in 1906, purchased the hotel adjoining his residence property and has since conducted the same. He conducts his hostelry in the most modern and up-to-date style, is continually look- ing after the comforts and welfare of his guests and is popular with the traveling public.
Mr. Metzger was married in 1900 to Miss Sadie Gold, a daughter of Pres- ton Gold, of Buffalo. They have a daughter, Marguerite, who attends school in Davenport. Mr. Metzger is a director of the Buffalo Savings Bank. He is a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic church, while his fraternal relations are with Banner Lodg, No. 16, K. P., and with lodge No. 235, Fraternal Order of Eagles, at Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Metzger are well known in Buffalo, for they have spent their entire lives here and their social qualities have won them many friends.
W. G. NOTH.
W. G. Noth, who has been the capable incumbent in the office of city treasurer of Davenport since 1906, was born in this city on the 13th of May, 1870, his parents being John and Wilhelmina (Keis) Noth, the former a native of Ger- many and the latter of Quincy, Illinois. It was late in the '4os that John Noth crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Quincy, Illinois, while in 1869 he accompanied his father, George W. Noth, to Davenport, Iowa. The lat- ter here established Noth's Brewery and thus became one of the pioneer repre- sentatives of brewing interests in this part of the state. John Noth, who had been in charge of the brewery, abandoned that line of activity after his father's demise and turned his attention to the grain business, with which he is still successfully identified. He is highly respected as a prosperous business man and substantial citizen and both he and his wife are well known and esteemed throughout Daven- port, having now resided here for a period of forty years.
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W. G. Noth, who was the eldest in a family of six children, supplemented his preliminary education by a course in the Davenport high school. After put- ting aside his text-books he entered the service of the Citizens National Bank and continued with that financial institution for eight years. He was then made deputy county treasurer and capably served in that position for four years, after which he was elected to the office of county clerk, discharging the duties devolving upon him in that connection for two years. In 1906 he was elected city treasurer and still remains in that position, proving by his able administration of the af- fairs of the office that the confidence and trust reposed in him by his constituents was not misplaced. He is a popular and unassuming young man and has won an extensive circle of warm friends in the city where his entire life has been spent.
WILLIAM GARDNER SMITH.
William Gardner Smith during the years of his manhood in Davenport was a familiar figure in those circles where the intelligent and interesting men of the city were wont to gather. He was long closely associated with commercial interests here and sustained an unassailable reputation, owing to the fact that he never made engagements that he did not keep nor incur obligations that he did not meet. He enjoyed to the fullest extent the respect of his contemporaries and associates.
Mr. Smith was born in this city, July 19, 1861, a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Smith, long prominent and honored residents here. After attending the schools of Davnport and acquiring therein a good English education, well fitting him for life's practical and responsible duties, he went to North Dakota, but after a year returned home and accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Smith & Mccullough, furniture dealers, his father being the senior member. This was one of the oldest and best established houses of the city and after the death of Mr. Mccullough William G. Smith entered into partnership relations with his father, the enterprise being then conducted under the firm name of A. J. Smith & Son. Following the father's death in 1898 the business was incor- porated and William G. Smith remained at its head, occupied with the interests of successful management, until 1901, when his health failed and he disposed of the store. He was a man of good business judgment, very accurate, system- atic and methodical, and his enterprise led him to continually broaden the scope of his activities and thereby increase his usefulness. A short time prior to his death he aided in organizing and establishing the E. W. Gates Lumber Company. With keen sagacity he saw and utilized opportunities that others passed by heed- lessly and in his entire business career he exemplified the truth of the old adage that "honesty is the best policy."
On the IIth of November, 1887, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Cora Scott, a daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Thomas Scott, of Davenport. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was blessed with one child, Eugene Gardner, who is at home with his mother.
WILLIAM G. SMITH
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Mr. Smith was an active member of the Business Men's Association of Daven- port and cooperated in all its various projects for the benefit of the city and the extension of its trade relations. He likewise belonged to the Irrawaddy Canoe Club and was always a popular factor in the outings of that organization. His genial manner, unfailing courtesy and ready adaptability won him many friends, while his enterprise in business circles gained him high standing among the prominent representatives of commercial and industrial interests of Davenport.
HENRY L. HOLLAND.
Henry L. Holland was for many years one of the respected and worthy citi- zens of Scott county and, though he has now passed away, he is yet remembered by many who knew him and who prized his friendship. He was born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, November 24, 1840, and was a son of Adolph and Carolina (Schutz) Holland. The family came to the United States in 1851, landing at New York, whence they made their way direct to Scott county, casting in their lot with its early settlers. They remained for two weeks in Davenport and then took up their abode in Winfield township, the father purchasing the farm upon which Mrs. Henry L. Holland now resides. He at first bought one hundred and fifty-five acres of land and energetically began its development and improvement. For a long period he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits but at length retired from active business life. His death occurred in Davenport and his wife died while a patient in Mercy Hospital.
Henry L. Holland spent his entire life from the age of eleven years in this county and was reared to the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He had attended school in Germany and had learned to talk English there, having been provided with liberal educational advantages. After coming to the United States he spent two years as a pupil in the high school in Davenport and a good education thus qualified him for the careful and successful conduct of business interests. He remained upon the home farm all his life and after his father's retirement took charge of the business, continuing to cultivate and manage the farm until his own demise.
Mr. Holland was united in marriage April 30, 1871, to Miss Sophia Meewes, who was born in Ransberg, Schleswig, Germany, September 26, 1852, a daughter of George and Anna ( Krahm) Meewes. Her mother died when Mrs. Holland was but nine months old and she then lived with an aunt until fourteen years of age, when she came to the United States in company with a friend. Her father had previously crossed the Atlantic and had become the owner of a farm in Butler township, this county. Later he sold that property and removed to Liberty town- ship, where he became the owner of three hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. There he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1890.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holland were born three children : Henry F., Walter W. and Hilda, all of whom are at home with their mother. The death of the husband and father occurred October 16, 1903, and it was the occasion of deep and wide-
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spread regret not only to his immediate family but also to many friends. He was an enterprising and progressive citizen, public-spirited in all of his relations to the community at large. He served as a trustee and school director, holding the latter office for sixteen consecutive years. He also served as constable and as road supervisor and in the discharge of his duties was ever prompt and faithful. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a member of the Turners Society of Eldridge. He wisely used the talents with which na- ture endowed him and in the conduct of his business affairs won a reputation as an honorable, upright man and at the same time gained a substantial measure of success.
LOUIS MAACK.
Louis Maack, the present mayor of Walcott and the secretary of the firm of Stockdale & Dietz Company, is one of Scott county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 30th of June, 1873. He is a son of John and Doro- thea (Rump) Maack, both natives of Germany, the father having been born in Mecklenburg, in 1825, while the mother's birth occurred November 23, 1838. They were married in the fatherland and came to America in 1866, locating in Davenport, where the father was engaged principally in the lumber business. He passed away on the 6th of January, 1902, but his wife still survives at the advanced age of seventy-one years.
In the public schools of Davenport Louis Maack acquired his early education and he later pursued a course of study in the Tri-City Business College, from which institution he was graduated in 1893. In September of that year he came to Walcott and accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Stockdale & Dietz Company. He was diligent, capable and faithful in the conduct of his duties and that his efforts were appreciated by his employers is indicated by the fact that in 1901 he was appointed secretary of the firm at Harris, Iowa. There his ability and true worth were soon recognized and in 1901 he was appointed to serve out an unexpired term as mayor of that city. In 1902 he was regularly elected to that office and no better proof of the excellence of his service in that capacity can be offered than his reelection as chief executive in 1904. In that year he returned to Walcott, at which time the Stockdale & Dietz Company, which had been or- ganized in 1857, was incorporated with Mr. Maack as secretary, in which capacity he has since served. This is one of the important enterprises of the town and his well directed efforts and intelligently applied labors in its behalf have been no small force in its continuous and steady growth. He is today one of the pros- perous and influential citizens of Walcott, and his success indicates clearly the business ability which he has displayed and the honest methods which have ever been his.
It was in 1897 that Mr. Maack was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Benne- witz, a daughter of Louis Bennewitz, of whom extended mention is made else- where in this volume. Unto this union has been born one son, Roland, who is at home and is the light and life of the household.
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Fraternally Mr. Maack holds membership with Walcott Lodge, No. 312, K. P., and is likewise connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Lake Park, Iowa. Politically he has given stalwart support to the principles of democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and on that ticket in 1908 was elected to the office of mayor. He at once bent his energies to the performance of his official duties with the same thoroughness that has ever characterized his business career. He has never allowed partisanship to influence him but has given Wal- cott a businesslike, progressive and beneficial administration, in which he has inaugurated various needed reforms and improvements, nor has he failed to check those movements which he deems inimical to the best interests of the city.
W. F. FIDLAR.
That W. F. Fidlar occupies a conspicuous and honorable position in commer- cial circles in Davenport is due entirely to his own efforts. At the outset of his career he realized that energy and determination constitute indispensable factors in success and therefore putting forth strenuous and intelligently directed effort he has reached the prominent place which he now occupies in business circles as senior partner of the firm of Fidlar & Chambers.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Fidlar was born in Hebron, Licking county, on the 30th of August, 1841. His father, Samuel P. Fidlar, was a native of Pennsylvania and at an early day removed to Ohio. In 1859 he came to Davenport and was United States mail agent on the Mississippi in the early '6os, his time being thus occupied until his life's labors were ended in death in 1864. He had married Maria M. Moore, who survived him until 1891.
While spending his youthful days under the parental roof in Ohio, W. F. Fidlar there acquired his education and on coming to Davenport, when in his eighteenth year, he entered the employ of Luse, Lane & Company, bookbinders and printers, under whose direction he learned the trade. He remained with the house when the business was taken over by the firm of Griggs, Watson & Day, remaining with the latter firm as an employe until 1868, when the business was reorganized and he entered into partnership relations as a member of the firm of Day, Egbert & Fidlar. In 1880 a change in partnership led to the adoption of the name of Egbert, Fidlar & Chambers and on the death of Mr. Egbert the firm became Fidlar & Chambers. The success of Mr. Fidlar is due undoubtedly in part to the fact that he has always continued in the same line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, concentrating his energies upon this particular field, so that he soon gained intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the business in every de- partinent and was therefore able to intelligently direct any phase of the enter- prise. Under his capable management the business has become one of Daven- port's most successful industrial enterprises, with a patronage of large and profit- able proportions.
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