History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 5

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

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

the services in a body. Mrs. Mitchell survived her husband almost forty-two years. She was a woman of strong qualities, possessing a fine, grave nature. After his death she developed an unusual business ability, was a splendid man- ager and, like Judge Mitchell, was very generous. One of the newspapers of recent years said: "Mrs. Rose 'A. Mitchell lived on one of the city's most beau- tiful eminences, where she passed her declining years in works of quiet charity and the profoundest piety." She died March 23, 1907, after a week's illness at the home of her daughter, Mrs. McCullough, and the funeral services were held in St. Mary's church on the 26th of March.

The Schmalhaus portrait of Judge Mitchell, which was taken from a daguer- reotype of an early day, was placed in the courthouse at the request of the members of the Scott county bar. Judge Mitchell was far above the mediocre, the commonplace. Such men as he are rare. In the story of his life can be found nothing discreditable or ignoble. Of wonderful fineness and sensitiveness of nature, remarkably gifted mind and endearing qualities, public- spirited, honorable and high-minded, he stands out vividly as an incentive and an inspiration. So long as the history of Davenport and Scott county is remem- bered will the name of Judge Mitchell be held in honor.

(Note :- This sketch was taken from a biographical article written by M. Elizabeth Mccullough, a granddaughter of Judge Mitchell.)

HENRY ROHLF.

Henry Rohlf, who devoted his time and energies to farming throughout his active business career, has lived in honorable retirement for the past fifteen years, making his home at No. 704 Main street in Davenport. He was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 25th of February, 1840, a son of Henry and Catherine Rohlf. The father, who was a laborer, served as a soldier of the German army. In 1854 he brought his family to the United States and after landing at New York came direct to Davenport, Iowa, arriving in this city on the 3d of June. He secured employment as a farm hand and continued to reside in this county until called to his final rest in 1887, having for fifteen years survived his wife, who passed away in 1872. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, namely: Henry, of this review; Amos, who is a resident of Clay county, Iowa; Fred, of Sheridan township, Scott county; August, living in Davenport; and William, who makes his home in Davenport township, Scott county.

Henry Rohlf attended the schools of the fatherland until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. Af- ter coming to Scott county he continued his studies during two winter terms of school and then devoted his entire attention to farm work. In 1862 he purchased forty acres of land in Pleasant Valley township and was actively engaged in its cultivation for two years, when he sold the property and bought a tract of fifty- five acres on the Jersey Ridge road. As his financial resources increased he ex- tended the boundaries of the farm to include one hundred and seventy and a half

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

acres and made his home thereon for nineteen years, placing many fine improve- ments on the property. On disposing of that farm he purchased a quarter section of land in Muscatine county, where he successfully carried on his agricultural interests for ten years, when he put aside the active work of the fields and has since lived retired in Davenport. He still retains possession of the farm in Muscatine county and also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sheridan township, Scott county, which he purchased subsequent to his retirement.

On the 20th of December, 1864, Mr. Rohlf was united in marriage to Miss Malinda Heath, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1841. They became the parents of four children, the record of whom is as follows. Ida, the eldest, passed away when but two years of age. Ella is the wife of Andrew Krambeck, of Dysart, Tama county, Iowa, and has two children, Ida and Emma. Sadie, who gave her hand in marriage to William Schroeder, of Blue Grass, is now de- ceased. Her children were four in number; one who died in infancy; Freda; Ella; and Hulda. Otto L., who operates his father's farm in Muscatine county, wedded Miss Emma Schroeder, by whom he has four children: Elsie, Arthur, Lester and Bessie. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1886.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Rohlf has given his political allegiance to the republican party. He proved a capable incumbent in the office of assessor of Davenport township and has done much to advance the cause of education during his many years' service as a school director. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers fifty-six years and he is widely recognized as a prosperous and esteemed citizen. The German Pioneers Association numbers him among its worthy members.

JENS LORENZEN.

While Jens Lorenzen came to be recognized as one of the foremost repre- sentatives of commercial and financial interests in Davenport there were also certain other qualities which gained him a firm hold upon the regard of his fel- low townsmen. A genial and sympathetic nature caused him to make friends with all and his life was, therefore, the exposition of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one." So widely and favorably was he known that his history cannot fail to prove of general interest and, moreover, his life work constitutes an important chapter in the business development of Davenport.

Mr. Lorenzen was born in Luegumkloster, Schleswig, Germany, April 6, 1833. His early schooling gave him a splendid business education and, actuated by the spirit of ambition and energy, he sought the opportunities of the new world when twenty-one years of age, crossing the Atlantic with a large party of his fellow countrymen. Landing at New Orleans, he made his way to Chicago, where he engaged in business for a time, but in 1856 arrived in Davenport. He was thenceforth until his death connected with the commercial interests of the city, extending the scope of his interests proportionately with the growth and development of this part of the state. His initial step in business circles here was made in 1857 as proprietor of a little porcelain, glass and stoneware store,

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

his stock of goods being placed upon display in a frame building on Harrison above Second street. From that humble start he developed a mammoth enter- prise which had become a very profitable concern long before he turned it over to his successors in the later years of his life. It passed through the financial crisis of 1857 and, although not all days were equally bright and at times the storm clouds seemed to gather, he nevertheless held to his purpose with a firm and steady hand and his keen business insight, together with his well known honesty and honorable methods, soon won for him the respect and confidence of the entire community. His place of business, therefore, became a popular shop- ping center and each year witnessed an increase in the volume of trade. He was soon obliged to seek larger quarters and removed to the corner of Third and Har- rison streets. Even here the building which he occupied was found to be too small owing to the rapid and substantial growth of the business, and in 1860 he removed to 217 Harrison street. In 1871 Mr. Lorenzen replaced the old build- ing with the present modern block at 223 West Third street, to which he added the corner in 1890. He also owned the property to the south. The business was at length reorganized under the name of the Jens Lorenzen Crockery Company and so continued until 1907, when Mr. Lorenzen retired, disposing of his inter- ests to the present owners. He, however, retained the ownership of the building. As his financial resources increased he extended his efforts to other fields and became one of the organizers and a member of the first board of directors of the German Savings Bank, of which he was president from 1901 to 1906. He was also one of the founders of the Security Fire Insurance Company, of which he was a director and for nine years vice president. He was also a director of the Davenport Water Company and one of the founders and first presi- dent of the Mutual Insurance Company. For over forty years he was a director of the Citizens Bank and vice president from 1900 to 1906. What- ever he undertook seemed to prosper under his careful guidance. His suc- cess, however, was not due to any fortunate combination of circumstances but to the sound judgment which he displayed. He had the ability to combine seemingly diverse interests into a harmonious whole and, watchful of every detail, at the same time he recognized the more salient features of the business and gave to them their due relative importance.

Mr. Lorenzen was the possessor of those qualities that render the individual a favorite with his fellows and was popular in the Davenport Turngemeinde, the Davenport Shooting Association, owners of Schuetzen park. He also be- longed to the German-American Pioneers Association. For thirty years he served as treasurer of the school district. One of the local papers said of him: "Mr. Lorenzen was looked upon by those who knew him best as the ideal American citizen. Broad minded, liberal, sincere, honest, progressive, he at all times stood squarely upon these principles. In his death Davenport loses one who has done much to further its growth and development. He will also be greatly missed in the community at large for all those who have met him either socially or through business channels have learned to regard him as their friend."

Mr. Lorenzen was twice married, his first wife being Laura Priester, by whom he had two children, Mrs. Elise Berger and Theodore. He was married April 15, 1868, to 'Agnes, a stepdaughter of Lieutenant Governor Rusch, and

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

their children were: Mrs. Martha Brandt, Mrs. Elsie Dueser, Marie, Laura, Herle, Hilda and Paul.

To his family the death of Mr. Lorenzen came as an almost insupportable blow. He passed away at the family home at No. 629 West Sixth street, October 10, 1909, when he reached the age of seventy-six years. For more than a half century he had been an honored and respected resident of Davenport and all with whom he came in contact enjoyed his courtesy, his geniality and his kindly spirit, but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fire- side. There he was a devoted husband and father, a courteous host and faithful friend. He is spoken of in terms of highest regard by all who knew him and considering the various attributes of his character no more fitting epitaph for him could be written than this :

"His life was gentle and the elements

So mixed in him that nature might stand up

And say to all the world 'This was a man.' "

CAPTAIN CHARLES FALKNER.

Captain Charles Falkner, a retired river and police captain whose life history has had many unusual and some exciting chapters, constituting a story that is evidence of the old adage that "truth is stranger than fiction," was born in Prussia, Germany, October 18, 1844. His parents, William and Fredrica (Det- man) Falkner, both died in Germany. In the fatherland Captain Falkner attended school to the age of fourteen years, when he entered upon the life of a sailor, his first trip being on a sailing vessel to London, England. He ran away from the ship there, however, and spent three days in London without food. Finally at the back door of a hotel he met a cook who could speak German and after giving Captain Falkner food took him to a sailors' boarding house, where he soon made arrangements to ship on board a vessel bound for Quebec, Canada. He ran away again and shipped under Captain Huston on the Mary Ann, which eventually landed at Boston, Massachusetts. There he reembarked on another vessel which bore him to San Francisco, California, in 1859. His voyages were not over, how- ever, for he sailed through the Golden Gate for China and Japan, also visited Manila and afterward returned to New York. Later he sailed for the West Indies and then to Liverpool, England, and again returned to New York, whence he made his way to Mobile and Key West. Later he was at Philadelphia and afterward sailed for Pensacola, Florida. From that point the vessel proceeded down the coast a little distance and loaded with cotton. This was the ship Eureka under Captain Bellford. While on their return to New York the vessel was struck by lightning during a terrible storm and the cotton was set on fire. Five times the vessel was blown back while attempting to round Cape Hatteras, but they managed to hold the fire in check and finally succeeded in docking at pier No. 8, North river, New York, and the fire department extinguished the blaze, although nearly all of the cotton was burned. This was in 1863. Immediately

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

afterward Captain Falkner enlisted in the United States navy at the Brooklyn navy yards and shipped on the sloop of war Brooklyn as an able seaman. The vessel belonged to Admiral Farragut's fleet and he served for twelve months on that ship and was at the battle of Mobile Bay and also in the engagements at Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. The Brooklyn had four hundred and fifty men aboard but after they had anchored at Fort Morgan there were only one hundred and fifty of the number able for duty under Captain Irving, who was in command. After the battle Captain Falkner was promoted to quartermaster on board the gunboat Owasco, which was stationed near Galveston, Texas, doing blockade duty and looking for the Alabama. They saw that ship once and fired on her with an eleven-inch gun but after the smoke cleared away they could see nothing of her. Captain Falkner landed at New York, July 4, 1866, and on the afternoon of the 6th was honorably discharged.

On the 8th of September, 1865, Captain Falkner was married to Miss Christina Schroeder, who passed away two years later. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Louisa (Richer) Shoel, the widow of Hans Shoel, who died in the army. It was with his first wife that he removed to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, there working in a coal mine. Just before that, however, he made two trips to Brazil and thus gained knowledge of South American countries to add to the knowledge which he had obtained of other lands as he had sailed around the globe. From Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he arrived March 14, 1866. He then became a pilot on the Mississippi river and after serv- ing in that capacity on different boats later purchased the vessel Louisa in 1874. After running on the river for some time he returned to Davenport, sold the boat and obtained an appointment on the police force under Mayor Dow, serving as a patrolman for four years, as city detective two years and as night captain for fifteen years. Since then he has been foreman for different construction com- panies, street inspector of Davenport and private watchman for banks and other business houses. At the present time, however, he is living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His experiences have been of a varied character as he has sailed the high seas in the interests of trade and commerce or in defense of his adopted country. In his young days he was injured while going from England to Odessa on the Black sea and was in a hospital at Constantinople for about six weeks, but recovered in time to sail again to Germany on the same ship, the Rengende Jacob, which had been laid by during that time for repairs.

By his second marriage Captain Falkner had three children: Charles, a resi- dent of Canada, who married Louisa Binger and has three children-Carl, Fred- erick and Elizabeth ; Louisa, the wife of Jacob Stoft, of Moline, Illinois, by whom she has one daughter, Mary Louisa, now the widow of Frank Williams ; and Her- man, of Davenport. By her former marriage the second Mrs. Falkner had two children : Emma, who is now living in San Francisco, California; and William, who is superintendent of the waterworks at Keokuk, Iowa. For his third wife Captain Falkner chose Dora Buck, a daughter of John Buck and the widow of Emil Uthoff. They were married February 22, 1904. By her former marriage Mrs. Falkner had two daughters and a son: Adelia, the wife of William Ort, by whom she has three children-Rolland, Hetta and Chalma; Alma, who married August Jans; and William, living in' Rock Island.

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Captain Falkner is a member of several social and fraternal organizations. He is connected with the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Davenport Boat Club and the Turners and was a member of the old volunteer fire company. He now derives his income largely from town property, having in former years made judicious investment in real estate, so that he is now enabled to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest many of the comforts of life.

JAMES T. LANE.

Among the older members of the Davenport bar who won well merited fame and distinction during the thirty-five years of his practice in the courts of Iowa was James T. Lane. While the practice of law was his real life work, his strong and forceful nature, broad minded and intelligent appreciation of the real values of life brought him prominently before the people in other connections and he became widely known in fraternal, political, social and church circles. He was born March 16, 1830, at Freeport, Pennsylvania. His father was proprietor of a general store and the son assisted him as clerk behind the counter and in other ways through the period of vacation and after school hours until seventeen years of age, the remainder of his time being given to the acquirement of an education. He was ambitious, however, to enjoy better educational privileges than had here been afforded him, and with an elder brother he entered the university at Lewis- burg, at that time a Baptist institution of note. It required six days to make the journey from Freeport to Lewisburg by stage coach and canal, for such was the primitive method of travel at that time. Mr. Lane was a close and apt student, a lover of books, quick and able in debate even in his school days. He eagerly embraced the advantages which were offered him and acquired a knowl- edge that constituted an excellent foundation upon which to build the success of his later life. Following his graduation he returned home and, with the de- sire to make the legal profession his life work, spent two years in Butler, Penn- sylvania, in reading law under the direction of General Purviance afterward at- torney general of the state.

Admitted to the bar, Mr. Lane came to Davenport, February 23, 1854. He was a passenger on the first through train from Chicago to Rock Island, which was then the western terminus of the road. At once he opened an office and for thirty-five years continued in active practice here. In the spring of 1855, he re- turned to Butler, where he married Annie J. Reed, whom he brought as his bride to Davenport. They became the parents of a son and daughter. Joe R. Lane, the former, is a prominent member of the Davenport bar, while the latter was Mrs. Iles. With the added stimulus of having a home to provide for, he bent every energy toward building up a good practice and recognized that this must be done by making his professional labor of value to his clients. He was very careful and earnest in the preparation of cases, was always accurate in the application of a legal principle and in debate was strong, forceful and logical. In 1856 he was appointed city attorney, which position he filled for a year. Later other political honors were conferred upon him. On the 4th of

Sans I Laur

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

September, 1861, he was nominated by the republicans of the county for repre- sentative to the state legislature and was elected. He served during 1867 and 1868 as county attorney and the following year became a member of the school board, his incumbency continuing through 1871. He also took a keen interest in education and was the champion of every measure which he believed beneficial to the interests of the schools. In 1873 the republican state convention nominated him as one of the eleven presidential electors and in the campaign that followed he took an active part, as he always did, for he was ever an active, loyal and stalwart supporter of the principles in which he believed. In the same year President Grant nominated him for the position of United States district at- torney for Iowa, the duties of the position being at that time much more onerous and important than at the present. During his term of office he was called in to the federal courts all over the state and his reputation was heightened by the able service which he rendered and the comprehensive knowledge of law which he displayed. As United States district attorney he gained valuable experience and wide acquaintance that proved of inestimable benefit to him as he continued in the practice of his profession.

The law partnership of Davison & Lane was formed in April, 1873, and con- tinued until November 1, 1889, when it was dissolved by the withdrawal of Mr. Lane on account of impaired health. He died March 19, 1890, in Denver, Colo- rado, and throughout Davenport there swept a feeling of intense regret and sor- row. He had practiced law in this city for more than a generation. He was a man of notable mental and physical strength and utilized his time and his talents not only for the promotion of his individual interests but for the benefit of the general public as well. He was recognized as one of the leading republicans in the state and his opinions always carried weight in the councils of his party. As an orator he displayed an eloquence that never failed to leave its impress upon his hearers, his speech frequently thrilling those who listened to him, his ability in this direction proving a potent force in his addresses to the jury. He was always kind and courteous to his professional brethren, considerate of a witness and deferential to the court, believing that the dignity of the law should ever be sustained.

For over thirty years Mr. Lane was connected with nearly all of the organi- zations which had for their object the improvement or betterment of Daven- port. To mention these in detail would be to give a history of the state. Suffice it to say that all who are familiar with the annals of the state know how impor- tant and valuable a part he took in its upbuilding. He was a prominent and helpful member of the Baptist church and an enthusiastic, exemplary Mason, becoming one of the earliest members of Davenport Lodge, A. F. & A. M. When Fraternal Lodge was organized he became one of its charter members and was elected its first worshipful master. He was also a member of Davenport Chap- ter, No. 16, R. A. M., and a Sir Knight of St. Simon of Cyrene Commandery, K. T., of which he was a past commander. He was also made deputy grand com- mander of the Iowa Commandery and acted as a delegate from this state to the triennial conclave at San Francisco in 1883. All these varied interests brought him a large acquaintance and it is said that he knew personally every prominent man in Iowa. When death claimed him he was mourned as a great lawyer, as a

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

distinguished political leader, as an exemplary brother of the Masonic fraternity and more than all as a good man. He manifested the qualities that have come to be known as those of a practical idealist, for, while he labored to secure the adoption of measures and projects which represented the highest standards, he knew how to use the means at hand for the accomplishment of this purpose. His integrity in no relation of life was ever called into question and the simple weight of his character and ability carried him into most important and prominent relations.

FRANK X. BEH.

Frank X. Beh, for many years an important factor in agricultural circles, is now living retired, enjoying the quietude that comes of labor well performed. He is a native of Scott county, born in Buffalo, September 18, 1861, a son of Francis X. and Caroline (Heckley) Beh, who were prominent pioneer settlers of Scott county. The father was born in the southern part of Germany in the year 1826 and pursued his studies in the schools of his native country. He also learned the stonecutter's trade and about 1850, with his wife and one child, emigrated to the United States. He made his way to Detroit, Michigan, but after a year there spent took up his abode in Buffalo, Iowa, where he worked at stonecutting and lime burning for a number of years. He cut the stone that was used in the erection of the Catholic church in Buffalo and also in a number of other build- ings erected in this village. In 1867 he engaged in farming, having purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Buffalo township, sixty acres of which was im- proved. He served as justice of the peace, road supervisor and school director in Buffalo township and in many other ways his influence was felt in community interests. He was a prominent member of the Catholic church at Buffalo and gave liberally of both time and means in support of the church. He also kept the records of the church for many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1899. His wife, also a communicant of the Catholic church, donated the bell and our subject and his brother were the first to ring the bell after it was placed in the tower. The mother died in 1904, at the age of seventy-two years. The family record is as follows : Henry R., of Muscatine county; Anna, the wife of Morris Barnick, who also lives in Muscatine county; Joseph, who is engaged in mer- chandising in Harlan, Shelby county, Iowa; Frank X., of this review; Katherine, the wife of Adolph Strohbehn, who resides on a part of the old homestead farm in Blue Grass township; Charles C., of Dickinson county; Benjamin, of Buffalo township; and Mary, the wife of Harry Schiele, a resident of Muscatine county, this state.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 5

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