History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 55

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


USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 55


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JULIUS SANDER.


The great business prosperity which has come to Davenport in the course of years is reflected in the success of Julius Sander, a dealer in general hardware, farm implements, seeds, buggies, wagons and automobiles. Having come to this country when a mere boy, with nothing but his own abilities and his determination to get ahead, the position he holds today is the result of his unaided efforts, and ready discernment of potential needs and the quality of being a good man- ager.


He was born in Neumünster, Holstein, Germany, July 31, 1857, and was reared and educated in the place of his birth. In 1871, although but fourteen years of age, he emigrated to America, coming direct to Davenport immediately after landing upon our shores. Upon his arrival here he secured employment as a clerk in the hardware store of the old firm of E. H. Mack & Company, which was located on Second Street where the Davenport Savings Bank now stands. He remained with that concern, until 1876, when it went out of business, and for five years he worked for Sickles Preston. At the end of that period, in 1871, he had saved enough money and acquired a sufficient familiarity with busi- ness methods here to warrant his embarking in business for himself. Accord- ingly at 325 West Second street, he opened a hardware store, which was well supplied with all the articles generally to be found in such an establishment.


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With fourteen years of success behind him, in 1895 he opened another store at 420 West Fourth street, where a large and varied line of farm implements were put on sale. In 1902 he combined the two stores, securing his present location at 218, 220 and 222 Ripley street, and here, keeping abreast of the times, he has added automobiles of reputable make, besides carrying a good line of buggies and wagons. Indeed, he has left no opportunity pass by unheeded, without try- ing to wrest from it some measure of advancement for himself. In consequence his is one of the busiest stores in the city, and the record of its sales will stand comparison with even larger concerns. In addition to hardware interests, Mr. Sander has been active in the financial circles here, for in 1893 he was one of the organizers of the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, of which he is still a director, and later he was one of the organizers and directors of the Guarantee Mutual Life Insurance Company of Davenport. He holds the position of vice president of the Fairmount Cemetery Association and has made his influence felt in all walks of life.


In 188I was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sander and Miss Lina Ranzow, a daughter of Charles F. Ranzow, now deceased. They have a son, Harry, who assists his father in business, and a daughter, Paula, who is attending high school.


Mr. Sander has always given his support unfailingly to the democratic party, by which organization he was elected in 1908 to the board of county commission- ers of Scott county. He holds the position of president of this body and will continue to exercise the duties of that office through the three years of his term. He belongs to several organizations, some of a fraternal nature, others social and still others of a beneficent character, for he is a member of the local Ma- sonic lodge, the Turners, the Sharp Shooters Society, the Columbia Relief So- ciety and the Davenport Cremation Society.


CHARLES H. ALT.


Charles H. Alt, a successful farmer of Buffalo township, was born in the province of Schleswig, Germany, September 25, 1870, his parents being Karl and Catherine (Hansen) Alt, both native of the same section of the fatherland, where the former was born in 1833 and the latter in 1842. In 1885 the father came to America, and although he settled first in Rock Island county, Illinois, after one year's experience there he came to Scott county, Iowa.


Charles H. Alt, being about fifteen years of age when he left his native land, had already received a thorough training in the rudiments of education as taught in Germany. However, after he reached Illinois he again entered school that he might obtain a knowledge of the English language and customs more systematic than could be obtained through intercourse with the men and women he should meet. He assisted in the work that was carried on upon his father's farm, assum- ing many of the heavier responsibilities of its operation as the years proved he was a man of power and ability. Later when he married he made it his permanent home. Although yet a young man with the most productive years of his life still before him, he has already made a record of which he has no reason to be ashamed.


£


MIR. AND MRS. C. H. ALT


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


The condition of his buildings, the cultivation of his fields, tell their own story, that their owner is a man of industry and good management. While he is never sparing of hard work, he is careful that neither time nor substance is wasted, and consequently should enjoy a pronounced success as the years pass on. In 1908, he purchased his present farm consisting of ninety-two acres in Buffalo township.


In early manhood Mr. Alt was united in marriage to Miss Louise Danz, a daughter of Chris Danz, of Muscatine, Iowa. A son and a daughter have been born to them-Herbert and Catherine. The family are members of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Alt has always given his allegiance in political matters to the democratic party. While he is not an aspirant for office, he has won the confi- dence of his fellow citizens who elected him to the position of director of the Blue Grass schools. He belongs to Blue Grass Lodge, No. 26, of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and to the Grange, and he has made friends who loyally accord him respect and good will.


JOHN LANGSETH.


John Langseth, who is the president of the Dixon Savings Bank and for more than a quarter of a century has been connected with the stock business in Iowa, was born in Christiania, Norway, September 29, 1846, a son of Hans and Chris- tina (Soleberg) Langseth, who were natives of the same place as their son. The father followed farming somewhat in the old country but was also weigh master in the city scales of Christiania. Nevertheless he determined to try the opportunities said to be found in this country and accordingly in 1854 came to 'America. He settled first in Rock Island, Illinois, where he secured work as a laborer, a few years later he resumed farming, to which he devoted himself with good success. In 1864 he moved his family to Scott county, Iowa, and in Allens Grove township secured a tract of land, which remained his home throughout the remaining years of his life. Two children were born to him and his wife: John, the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Mary Tarbet, of Calamus, Clinton county, Iowa.


John Langseth accompanied his parents when they came to the United States and on their removal to Scott county, living with them in Allens Grove town- ship, until 1871, when he married and set out to make his own way in the world. For five years he worked on a farm in this county and then engaged in mercantile business in Buena Vista, Clinton county, which he conducted for about twenty years. At the end of that period, in 1896, he sold his store and went to Wright county, spending five years there, although he did not relinquish his connection with business during that time but was actively engaged in buying and selling stock. He returned to Dixon in 1904. In September of the following year Mr. Langseth became instrumental in the organization of the Dixon Savings Bank, of which he was elected president, and in this capacity he has continued to guide the policy of the institution. It is a flourishing concern, supplying a long felt want in the community, but while it has given a field for the exercise of the pronounced business ability which is one of Mr. Langseth's predominant chat-


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acteristics, it has not wholly absorbed his time, for he is still interested in the buying and selling of stock, in which he has engaged, in connection with his other enterprises, for more than twenty-five years. It has been one avenue through which success has come to him, although in this as in the other walks of life, his good fortune has been dependent upon those sterling qualities of manhood which came to him as a heritage from his father. The latter was one of the substantial citizens of his community, although he had come to this country a poor man, and, profiting by his example, the son has risen to a position of honor, respect and prosperity among those with whom he has come in contact.


It was in 1871 that Mr. Langseth was united in marriage to Miss Ellen E. Rothstein, who was born in Mexico, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1850. In her in- fancy she was adopted by F. E. Rothstein, and at the age of two years was taken by him to California, where she lived for about seven years. At the end of that time she came to Scott county and was living in Allens Grove township at the time of her marriage. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langseth, namely : Elizabeth, now the wife of James A. Innes, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of J. F. Young, of Oklahoma; Ruth Irene, a senior at the State College at Ames, Iowa; John F., who died in 1885 at the age of seven; and Ervin S., who also passed away in that year when he was three years old.


Mr. Langseth is a member of Dixon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Masonic lodge at Wheatland. In both of these societies he is very active and plays a prominent part in their work and social affairs. Indeed he is a man who makes his way to the fore in whatever he undertakes, and the community feels the effect of his energetic personality and his power to accomplish the things upon which he sets his determination.


THIES NAGEL.


Labor is the law of life and the world has little respect for the idler. Not until old age is reached does it seem fitting that man should put aside the cares and responsibilities of business, thus relegating to others the burdens that he should bear. A very busy and useful life has been that of Thies Nagel and now, at the age of ninety-one years, he is enjoying a well earned and well merited rest. He was for many years associated with industrial interests in Davenport as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He was born in Dithmarschen, Holstein, Germany, January 16, 1819, a son of Henry and Margaret Nagel, who spent their entire lives in Germany, where the father was employed as a farm hand.


Thies Nagel had but limited opportunities in his youth but learned well the lessons of industry and frugality. After attending the schools of the neighbor- hood to some extent he took up the trade of carpentering and cabinetmaking. When he was asked by an educated man why he was coming to America he answered that in a new country they would need houses and there would be chances for the builder. He therefore boxed up his tools and work bench and started for the new world in 1852, accompanied by his wife and four children. After nine weeks spent upon the briny deep they landed at New Orleans and


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thence made their way up the Mississippi river by steamboat to St. Louis, where they arrived after a trip of eleven days. By that time there was so much ice in the river that they could not get a boat to Davenport, which was their des- tination. They, therefore, spent the winter in St. Louis and the following spring came to this city. After arriving in Davenport Mr. Nagel was first em- ployed by Mr. Kingsley, an English carpenter boss. His shop was on the alley between Fifth and Sixth streets and Brady and Main. He not only worked at his trade but also began to learn the English language under the direction of his employer. He was very eager to master the language and to this end had studied all the way over from Germany. Among his fellow workers in that early day was George Mcclellan, who later became one of the most prominent men of Davenport.


Mr. Nagel was in the employ of Mr. Kingsley for two years, his first labor being in connection with the construction of a building for Mr. Sergent at the head of Brady street. Mr. Sergent was the first banker of Davenport and Mr. Nagel made the doors and window frames of his house by hand, as there was no machinery for such purposes at that time. He afterward worked on the North Putnam building, which was known then as the Le Claire row. For a long time he was engaged on the construction of that row, which when completed was the finest in the town. He was also employed on the building of a resi- dence for Antoine Le. Claire, which later became the home of Bishop Cosgrove. About 1853 he also worked on the St. Joseph's Catholic church at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, this being the oldest Catholic church in Davenport, and it was the first building on that block, the entire block being given by Antoine Le Claire for the purpose for which it was used. Carpenters in those times re- ceived a wage of a dollar per day. Mr. Nagel's employer had three prices-a dollar, a dollar and a bit and a dollar and two bits-according to the efficiency of the workman and the importance of the class of work which he did. Mr. Nagel was recognized as a fine mechanic but, as he was a new man, was placed in the middle class, as his labor was somewhat hampered by the fact that he could not be sent out alone on a job, as he did not then sufficiently understand the English language.


In 1857 the country became involved in a financial panic and work became very scarce. Mr. Nagel was then compelled to go to Rock Island, where he worked for a year and his services were paid for only in merchandise. Times improving, however, he returned to Davenport and obtained employment in the furniture factory of Collins & Skeel, there continuing until the time of the war, when he turned his attention to bee culture and has since devoted his energies largely to the management of an apiary. During the war he purchased a small tract of land in the suburbs of Davenport, erected thereon a comfort- able residence and lived there until 1893, when he went to live with his son, J. J., at his present home at No. 906 West Locust street.


Mr. Nagel was married in 1843 to Ingeborg Jensen, who died in 1857, leaving four children : Margaret, the wife of Hartwig Wessel, of California; Jens J .; Christina, the wife of Hans Jepsen, of Davenport; and Catherine, the wife of Ferdinand Junge, of Nebraska.


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Of this family Jens J. Nagel was born in Germany, June 26, 1846, and was brought to America by his parents when six years old. The first school he attended was at the corner of Fifth and Scott streets in Davenport and he passed through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school and also from the training school. Following his graduation he became a teacher in the country school in Liberty township, eighteen miles from Davenport, there remaining for a year. This was during the period of the Civil war. He after- ward returned to Davenport and entered the training school. Subsequently he spent two years as general delivery clerk under Edward Russell in the Daven- port postoffice and then resumed teaching, since which time he has devoted his attention to the profession. He taught in Davenport until 1866 and then went to Minneapolis, where he became principal of a school, so continuing until 1869, when he returned to this city and was continuously numbered among its public-school instructors until 1909. He taught in the Madison school for thirty-nine years and at present is connected with Duncan's Business College. He is one of the best known representatives of educational interests in this part of the state and his labors have been a most forceful and beneficial factor in promoting the interests of public education.


Professor Nagel was married July 2, 1872, to Miss Sadie Gilmore, a daughter of George and Maria Gilmore, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have become parents of six children. Walter, who enlisted for service in Company B, Fiftieth Iowa Regiment, in the Spanish-American war, contracted fever from which he died while in camp at Jacksonville, Florida, when twenty-six years of age. He was a graduate of Stanford University. Laura is a teacher of the high school in California. Alice is the wife of John E. McDowell, who is assistant registrar of Stanford University, and they have two sons, Edgar and John. Carl, who is in the employ of the state government at St. Paul, Minnesota, married Ruby Pringle. Helen is now a member of the junior class in Stanford University. Margaret is a pupil in the grammar school of Davenport.


Thies Nagel was a prominent member of the Lutheran church and in poli- tics is a stalwart republican, having continuously supported the party since Fremont was its first presidential candidate. Professor Nagel and his family are members of the Congregational church and he is an advocate of prohibi- tion principles, casting his ballot in support of the men and measures that promote the temperance cause. Both father and son have led honorable, up- right lives and their history is closely interwoven with the industrial and educa- tional records of this city.


FRANK H. MAASS.


Frank H. Maass, who from early manhood made his home in Scott county, passing away in Davenport July, 19, 1900, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the Ist of August, 1852. He remained a resident of his native land until his four- teenth year, when he came to 'America and for a short time resided in Cincin- nati. He then came to Scott county and for a year was employed at farm labor,


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after which he took up his abode in Davenport and established a livery business which he conducted until his death. He first drove a hack for Judge Parsell and inanaged his livery barn, but later formed a partnership and purchased a livery barn on Commercial alley, which he conducted until the fall of 1884. The fol- lowing spring he sold out there and bought the livery business of Bob Porter on Fourth street. There he remained until his death and his barn was liberally patronized, so that his business proved a profitable enterprise. He also con- ducted an undertaking business for a time and bought and sold horses by the carload, making shipments to Chicago. He was an excellent judge of horses, being seldom if ever mistaken in the value of an animal, so that his investments were directed by sound judgment and resulted in substantial success. At the husband's death Mrs. Maass became the owner of the livery barn and since that time has sold an interest in the business to Mr. Atkinson, who has charge thereof.


Mr. Maass was a member of Unity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he filled nearly all of the chairs and at one time served as master. He also belonged to Tecumseh Tribe, No. 32, I. O. R. M. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and was ever an interested exponent of the principles of the craft. In politics he was independent, but was a public-spirited citizen and a charitable, kindly man, ever ready to lend a helping hand where assistance was needed.


THEODORE PETERSEN.


The history of Theodore Petersen constitutes an interesting and important chapter in the commercial records of Davenport for through forty years he was classed with the leading merchants of the city. His devotion to his business interests, his close application and his thorough reliability were features in his life that won for him the respect of his colleagues and associates and con- stituted an example that is well worthy of emulation.


He was born November 6, 1836, on the island of Fehmarn, Germany, and spent the period of his minority in his native country. But the opportunities of the new world constituted for him an irresistible call and in 1858 he severed the ties which bound him to Germany and crossed the Atlantic. For a year he remained a resident of New York and then came to Davenport, entering busi- ness circles in this city as a salesman in the employ of Otto Klug, with whom he continued for two years. He afterward went to Chicago where he remained for two years, being employed there by Sehn Brothers, the firm of Herzberg & Goodman and Kehoe & Company. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Davenport and in 1872 formed a partnership with Fred Kruse at 310 West Second street. There they conducted business for many years and in that period developed an enterprise of large proportions, carrying an extensive stock and meeting the demands of the public in a liberal business policy and with progressive methods. Systematic and methodical in the conduct of the business, careful in management and reliable in all commercial transactions and rela- tions, he won an enviable reputation and was accorded a volume of business


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that made the undertaking one of substantial profit. After the death of Mr. Kruse in 1902 Mr. Petersen retired, turning over his interests to his son, Jul- ius N.


It was in Davenport that Mr. Petersen was married to Miss Katherine Weis, and unto them were born five children: Theodore, who died in 1897 at the age of twenty-seven years; George P .; Julius N., junior partner in the firm of Petersen & Petersen; Olga, the wife of Louis E. Roddewig; and Elsa, the wife of Philip A. Sonntag.


Mr. Petersen passed away on the 18th of April, 1904. He was prominent among the German-American residents of Davenport and was one of the or- ganizers of the Turngemeinde, of which he was a member for over a quarter of a century. He preferred to do his duty as a private citizen yet was never neglectful of his obligations to the public welfare but gave of his time and means to further municipal interests. As the architect of his own fortune he builded wisely and well. No vain hope allured him to the new world. He had no untried standards but at all times recognized the fact that indefatigable labor is the basis of success and that commercial integrity constitutes an indis- pensable feature therein. He therefore labored earnestly to win his advance- ment and for a considerable period occupied a conspicuous and creditable place among the successful business men of this city.


GEORGE FRAUEN.


A highly cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Hickory Grove township, is the home of George Frauen. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, February 22, 1852, and on the Ist of April following was brought to Scott county by his parents, Christian and Mary (Golinghorst) Frauen. The father was born in Holstein, Germany, July 25, 1819, and came as a youth to America. For four- teen years thereafter he followed the sea, touching the ports of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and New Orleans. He then abandoned a seafaring life and, locating in the Crescent city, there worked on cotton presses. It was while still a resident of that city, in 1849, that he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Golinghorst, who was born in Hanover, Germany, January 1, 1828, and came to America a year or two prior to her marriage. They began their domestic life in the Crescent city but there remained for only one year, removing to St. Louis in 1850. It was while residing in that city that their two sons, John and George, were born, the former on the 4th of April, 1850. After a residence of but two years in St. Louis, the father sought a home in Iowa, making a permanent location on eighty acres of land in Hickory Grove township, Scott county. He then took up the work of general farming, which he continued to follow throughout his remaining years, but in the meantime he added to his possessions, owning at the time of his death a half section of land. The wife and mother departed this life on the 10th of May, 1889, and the father, surviving for a long period, was called to the home beyond on the 7th of February, 1907, having reached the age of eighty-eight years. Both are buried on the home farm. This place is now owned by the son John, it comprising one hun-


CHRISTIAN FRAUEN


GEORGE FRAUEN


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dred and sixty acres on section 19, Hickory Grove township. He is engaged in farming and is numbered among the substantial residents of this section of Iowa.


George Frauen, the immediate subject of this review, was but a few weeks old when brought by his parents to Scott county. He was reared to farm life, spend- ing his time in the usual manner of farm lads of that period. When starting out upon an independent career, he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, first renting land of his father and cultivating it for about fifteen years. In the meantime he prospered and in 1891 was able to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 20, Hickory Grove township. Since taking possession he has made substantial improvements and now has a valuable property, the soil yielding rich harvests in their season. He gives his time to farm- ing and stock-raising and is meeting with merited success.




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