History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 56

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

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Mr. Frauen has been married twice. He first wedded, in 1875, Miss Doris Duge, who was born in Davenport and passed away in Hickory Grove township in 1891, at the comparatively early age of thirty-three years. She was a daughter of Louis Duge, a native of Germany. At her death she left eight children : Edward, a resident of the state of Washington; Mary, the wife of Louis Runge, of 'Allens Grove township, Scott county ; Christ, who makes his home in Minnesota ; George, who is located in Davenport ; Dora, the wife of Charles Boll, a resident of Hickory Grove township ; Henry ; Louis ; and Annie. Mr. Frauen was married on the 12th of April, 1896, to Hattie Heilmann, who was born in Baarn, Germany, on Christ- mas day of 1872 and came to the new world in 1893. After a time spent in Chi- cago, she came to Scott county, where she has since made her home. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of seven children: Annie, John, Hugo, William, Helbert, Rosa and Leonard.

Mr. Frauen belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Davenport and to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Walcott. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer, as is indicated by a glance at his well kept farm. He has added to its attractiveness by well kept buildings, while an interesting feature is a pond, which he dug about six- teen years ago and which covers an area of about two acres. This is well supplied with fish. His farm is one of the nice country homes of Hickory Grove township and its hospitality is one of its most pleasing features.

JOHN BENEDICT.

John Benedict, who is one of the prominent and successful business men of Davenport, was born in Rock Island, Illinois, September 2, 1864. His father, John Benedict, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, where he grew to maturity and was married, but with the hope of bettering his fortunes he brought his family west. He chose Rock Island as his destination, but at Geneseo, Illinois, was stricken with typhoid fever and there died. His widow, continuing to the end of the journey, took up her residence in Rock Island where she made her home throughout the rest of her life.

John Benedict, reared in the city of his birth, is indebted to its public schools for the education he acquired. He was not long permitted, however, to devote

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his time to his studies, for at any early age he had to begin work. Then, as now, he believed that a man could do his best work when conducting his own business, and through pluck and industry, he was soon able to open an estab- lishment of which he was the head, being engaged in the manufacture of reed chairs and children's carriages. He notably prospered while in Rock Island, but feeling that larger opportunities lay in Davenport, he removed to this city. Shortly after his arrivel here he sold his business and became a traveling rep- resentative and later manager of the Morgan Match Box Company, continu- ing in the latter capacity until 1904, when he again established a business of his own. In the subsequent years he has dealt in building material, his trade cover- ing a radius of two hundred miles from Davenport. While Mr. Benedict pos- sesses in high degree those faculties which are so potent in winning trade, he is also endowed with the ability to so conduct his affairs that they will gain for him a well deserved success financially and the good will of those who have deal- ings with him.

In December, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Benedict and Miss Minnie May Keys, a native of Rock Island. Two daughters, Almira May and Minnie Esther, have been born to them. Mr. Benedict is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also belongs to other organizations of a social and fraternal nature. He is a republican in his political preferences but is not an aspirant for office. Nevertheless he has strong feelings upon the matter of government, and high ideals as regard citi- zenship in general but in particular in regard to the freedom of office, from graft and all illicit practices. He has always taken a keen interest in matters of public concern, and, being a man of strong convictions and endowed with a power of expressing his views convincingly, his influence, ever asserted in worthy cause, is not without its effect.

ISAAC H. SEARS.

Isaac H. Sears, long one of the most prominent representatives of the busi- ness men of Davenport, has been a resident of the city for more than a half century and, although he has now passed the eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey, he may still be seen each day at the Scott County Savings Bank, of which he has been the only president, called to this office in 1883. Although. the snow of many winters has whitened his hair, in spirit and in interest he seems yet in his prime. Old age need not suggest as a matter of course helplessness or want of occupation. On the contrary, there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years advance and continually gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Isaac H. Sears, a man honored wherever known and most of all where he is best known.

Mr. Sears was born near Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, October 9, 1821, his parents being Alexander and Mary (Howe) Sears, who were also natives of that locality, although the Howes were of an old Connecticut family,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

while the Sears came from Massachusetts. The father was a blacksmith by trade and died about 1845. The mother lived to be more than ninety years of age. Both the grandfathers of Isaac H. Sears were soldiers of the Revolutionary war. In the father's family were nine children, of whom three died in infancy. One of the sons, Epeneus Sears, was an early settler of Fremont county, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of law and served as judge of the district court.

Isaac H. Sears attended the common schools until eighteen years of age, when he left home in order to have better opportunities of earning a livelihood. The first year he was employed in a clerical capacity in connection with the Croton Water Works. He afterward went to Berlin, Connecticut, where he spent a year as a clerk for a brother who was a contractor for the New Haven & Hartford Railroad. He afterward occupied a clerical position in connection with the Erie canal which was being widened and deepened. He spent about a year in that way and also a similar period in the service of the Albany & West Stockbridge Railroad. Returning home, he entered the employ of a wall-paper manufactory which was organized about that time. Gradually he worked his way upward in that service until he became superintendent of the business, his connection therewith covering five years. In April, 1855, he came to Iowa and made his way at once to Davenport, which at that time contained a popula- tion of about seven thousand but had no railroad. In company with W. K. Haight he established the first wholesale and retail saddlery hardware business in Davenport, his store being located at the corner of Perry and Second streets. The business is still carried on under the name of the Sears, Frizzell Company. Mr. Sears began operations on a small scale but continued the business for over thirty years, during which time he gradually increased his stock to meet the growing demands of the trade until the enterprise assumed extensive and prof- itable proportions. After a time he purchased his partner's interest and a little later turned over the business to his sons, giving into their charge what had become one of the large and important mercantile interests of the city.

In the meantime Mr. Sears had become one of the organizers of the Scott County Savings Bank, which was established in 1883. He was chosen a trustee and director and at the organization was also elected president, in which capa- city he has continued to serve to the present time. The record of the bank is synonymous with his own honorable name and no name is more truly a syno- nym for business integrity and enterprise in Davenport. Mr. Sears also became a director of the Davenport Woolen Mills, was long vice president of the com- pany and for four years has been president, succeeding Samuel A. Jennings. He has ever been recognized as a man of sound business judgment, carefully co- ordinating forces and utilizing methods which lead to legitimate success. He has been quick to recognize the essential, to do away with all that is unneces- sary and to economize time, material and labor but never at the expense of high class production or capable service.

In 1843 Mr. Sears was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jennings, a sister of Samuel A. Jennings and a native of Saratoga county, New York. They became parents of seven children: Samuel, a member of the Sears, Frizzell Company ; Alexander, who is located at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Minnie, the wife of George W. Knostman, of Davenport; Jennie, who died at the age of twenty-

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two years; Nancy, the wife of John F. Dow, of Davenport; Bertha, the wife of George W. Murphy, a civil engineer of Seattle; and Isaac L., manager of the leather saddlery business of the Sears, Frizzell Company. The wife and mother died July 1, 1900, after a happy married life of about fifty-seven years.

In all the period of his residence in Davenport Mr. Sears has stood as the champion of those measures which tend to benefit the city along the lines of ma- terial, intellectual, political and moral progress. He is an old-school democrat, loyal to his belief, and for several years he served as a member of the city coun- cil and also as a member of the board of supervisors, being chairman of the board for some time, including that period in which the courthouse, the poor house and other public buildings were erected. He saw the courthouse built and paid for and then retired from the board. While living in the east he was a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has long been identified with the Episcopal church and his life has ever been actuated by high and honor- able principles, in harmony with his professions. There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is uniformly accorded to Isaac H. Sears, but through more than a half century's connection with Daven- port's history his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable between his fellowmen and himself. He has never swerved from the path of duty and now, after a long and eventful career-in which his usefulness still continues-he can look back over the past with pride and enjoy the remaining days of his earthly pilgrimage with the consciousness of having gained for himself by his honorable, straightforward life the confidence and re- spect of the entire community in which he lives.

CLAUS STOLTENBERG.

Investigation into the history of Davenport shows that the native sons of the fatherland have been prominent and conspicuous factors in the business activity and development of the city. The industry and resolute purpose char- acteristic of the representatives of the Teutonic race have constituted salient features in the commercial progress of the city and prominent as a representa- tive of this class is Claus Stoltenberg, now president of the Farmers & Mechan- ics Savings Bank.

He was born April 1, 1831, in Germany, and when sixteen years of age ac- companied his father, Hans Stoltenberg, to the United States, the year of emi- gration being 1847. The mother had previously died in her native land. On reaching American shores the father made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Davenport township, Scott county, Iowa, where he entered land from the government and developed a homestead, on which he reared his family.

Claus Stoltenberg had acquired a good education in his native country and after coming to the United States bent his energies to the development of the

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

home farm. Scott county at that time was largely an unimproved district, in which were many evidences of frontier life. There were no schools in Daven- port township at that time and the homes were widely scattered, while much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, but the state was rich in its natural resources and the opportunities afforded made for success when am- bition and energy prompted their immediate utilization. Claus Stoltenberg was one of the younger children of his father's family and, like the others, was reared to farm life amid the scenes of a pioneer existence. He and his brothers, Hans and Joachim, turned their attention to farming, each receiving eighty acres. The subject of this review remained upon his father's farm for forty-six years, prospering as time passed and accumulating, as the result of his well directed industry, considerable land and money. He was diligent and persistent and his careful management brought him substantial success. In 1893 he retired from farm work and came to Davenport, where he has since figured in the finan- cial circles of the city. In connection with Fred Heinz and others he organized the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, of which Mr. Heinz became president, while Mr. Stoltenberg accepted the vice presidency and later succeeded Mr. Heinz as president. B. J. Meyer became cashier and the business was instituted upon a safe and paying basis, its conservative methods commending it to the patronage and support of the general public. Mr. Stoltenberg was also con- nected with the Davenport Malting Company for a number of years.

In 1853 Mr. Stoltenberg was married to Miss Anna Sindt, a native of Germany, who came to Davenport in 1851 with her father, Hans Sindt. Mr. Stoltenberg is very prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his life being a splendid exemplification of the basic principles of the order. His political allegiance has been given to the democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he served as county supervisor from 1892 until 1895. While he is interested in the political situ- ation of the country, he has concentrated his efforts more largely upon business affairs and has won commendable success. He stands as a splendid type of the German pioneer of worth in citizenship, progressive in thought and action-a man of high character, honored wherever known and most of all where best known. 1

JOSEPH H. SKELLY.

The death of Joseph H. Skelly occurred in Davenport, November 25, 1900, after a residence of seven years in this city. He was born in La Salle, Illinois, December 16, 1854. His father was a pioneer of that locality and engaged in teaming in La Salle. In his youthful days the son attended the Brothers schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic church at La Salle. When fourteen years of age he began providing for his own support, taking up. railroad work, in which position he was advanced from office boy to clerk, opera- tor and train dispatcher. He thoroughly learned the railroad business and be- came a warm personal friend of William C. Brown, they starting in together as. telegraph operators. Mr. Skelly spent many years in the service of the Rock

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Island, Northern Pacific and the Burlington Companies, and while at Creston, Iowa, became affected with telegrapher's paralysis in his right arm. In 1893 he came to Davenport from Kansas City and opened a cigar store, handling all kinds of smokers' supplies and winning for himself a large and profitable trade. He was popular with the people here and built up a good business, which enabled him at the time of his death to leave his family a comfortable competence.

Mr. Skelly was married in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1888, to Miss Ernestine P. Paulson, a daughter of P. A. Paulson, who came to Davenport in the '50s and was for many years one of the leading business men of the city, carrying on a jewelry store here. He was lost at sea in the wreck of the Schiller, May 9, 1875. His wife had previously passed away. He left five children, all of whom sur- vive him: Mrs. H. T. Jassoy and Mrs. L. L. Mauwaring, both of Stillwater, Minnesota; Mrs. Theodore Oelkers, of this city; G. A., also of Davenport; and Mrs. Skelly. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Julia Sieboldt, was a native of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Skelly was born but one child, E. J., who is at home with his mother.

The death of the husband and father occurred November 25, 1900. He was a member of the first Business Men's Club of Davenport, also held member- ship in the Masonic fraternity and gave his political allegiance to the republican party. Although confirmed in the Catholic church, he attended Grace cathedral, now Trinity cathedral, of the Episcopal faith, after his marriage. His marked qualities were those which won him kindly regard and warm friendship as well as the abiding love of his family. His success in business was attributable en- tirely to his own efforts, for at the early age of fourteen he started out empty- handed and labored for those advantages which others sometimes receive through inheritance or through the offices of influential friends. His own dili- gence constituted the key which unlocked for him the portals of success.

FRITZ RANN.

A valuable farm of two hundred and ten acres in Cleona township still pays tribute to Fritz Rann, although he has put aside the active work of the fields and is now living retired in Davenport. He was for many years busily engaged in tilling the soil and his labors brought him the success which enables him now to rest from further effort. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, September 6, 1844, and is a son of Frederick and Louisa Rann. The father was a laborer there and remained in his native country until 1872, when he and his wife came to America, joining their son Fritz, who had some time before crossed the 'Atlantic. They both died in Davenport, the father when eighty-seven years of age, the mother when about fifty-five years of age. In their family were three children : Fritz; Peter, who is a retired farmer living in Muscatine, Iowa; and Henry, whose home is in Omaha.

Fritz Rann attended school in Germany and afterward learned the cooper's trade, but followed farming in Germany until he came to the United States. In 1870 he landed at New York and made his way direct to Davenport. Soon he

MR. AND MRS. FRITZ RANN

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secured employment as a farm hand in Scott county and worked in that way for about five years, after which he went to Nebraska, where he rented a farm. Two years later, however, he lost all of his money and returned to Scott county. Here he again worked as a farm hand for two years, at the end of which time he was married. His wife owned a small farm in Cleona township and they lived thereon for about two years, after which they removed to Davenport, where Mr. Rann has since made his home.

Mr. Rann has been married twice. In 1880 he wedded Miss Minnie Rusch, who died in 1895. In the fall of the same year he wedded Louisa Stearhmann and unto them was born one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Rann now rents his farm and from it derives a good income, so that he does not have to resort to active labor for a livelihood. He is a member of the Claus Groth Gilde and is well known among the German-American citizens of the county. All entertain for him confidence and good will.

FRED WERNENTIN, JR.

Fred Wernentin, Jr., whose life record has been characterized by an orderly progression, is now the secretary and treasurer of the Midland Plumbing Sup- ply Company, conducting a wholesale plumbing and supply business that is hardly exceeded in the extent of trade in the state. Correctly judging of his own capacities and powers, he has utilized each passing moment to the best ad- vantage and at all times based his business principles and conduct upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving commercial integrity. Davenport is proud of his record, inasmuch as he is one of her native sons, his birth having oc- curred here in 1870.

His parents were Fred and Mary (Doering) Wernentin. The former came from Germany when a young man. He had previously acquired a good edu- cation in that country, and, attracted by the reports of opportunities here offered, he crossed the Atlantic, hoping to benefit his financial condition in the new world. He came direct to Davenport, where he followed the stone-mason's trade, which he had previously learned in the land of his birth. He worked on Government Island for a time and later was appointed mail carrier, which position he filled for a number of years. He then entered the employ of John Berwald but all through this period was actuated by the laudable ambition and determination of one day engaging in business for himself. When his industry and careful expenditure made this course possible, he established a stationery and book business, in which he met with growing success, building up a good trade. Later, however, he disposed of his store and became connected with the Corry & Wer- nentin Company, with which he was associated until about three years ago, and up to the time that this company sold their interests to the Midland Plumb- ing Supply Company, when he retired from active life to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He has never had occasion to re- gret his determination to come to America, for he has here found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their utilization, as the years have gone by, has

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gained a substantial competence. Moreover, his social environment has been a pleasing one, for he has gained many friends during the period of his resi- dence in the city.

Fred Wernentin, Jr., is the second eldest of four children, the others being, Oscar, Edward and Clara Wernentin. At the usual age he entered the public schools but when still quite young took up the plumbing trade, to which he ap- plied himself diligently until he had mastered the business and became an ex- pert workman. He remained in the service of others for some time but de- siring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he embraced what he believed to be a favorable opportunity for starting out upon an independent venture. He joined John Corry in organizing what was then called the Corry & Wernentin Company. From the beginning the new enterprise prospered and its progressive policy has led to the continual expansion of the business, which more recently has been organized and incorporated under the name of the Mid- land Plumbing Supply Company, controlling one of the largest concerns of the kind in the state. They do a wholesale plumbing and supply business and the extent of their trade makes this one of the foremost business enterprises in Davenport.

In 1898 Mr. Wernentin was married to Miss Annie Lembke, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lembke, and unto them have been born two children, but the elder, Elwin, is now deceased, having been unfortunately killed in June, 1909. The younger son Leon, is still in school.

Mr. Wernentin is a very prominent Mason, the "Degree of Knight Com- mander of the Court of Honor" having been conferred upon him, an honor to which few attain. Diligent and determined, he brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort, and his unfaltering industry has carried him into important business relations.

J. C. DUNCAN.

One of the prominent citizens of Davenport, whose name at least is known throughout the state, is J. C. Duncan, of the Duncan Davenport Business Col- lege. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1840, of Scotch ancestors, for his grandfather, James Duncan, came from the land of hills and heather in the latter part of the eighteenth century. His son, James Duncan, was born in Virginia, but was reared by a farmer in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he made his home until 1855, when he came to Iowa, lo- cating near Le Claire, Scott county. There he lived throughout the remainder of his life and there died at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who had been Miss Jane Wilson, before her marriage, was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and lived to the ripe age of sixty-eight years. Eleven children were born to them, all of whom grew to maturity and eight are still living.

The second in this family and the eldest son, J. C. Duncan, grew to man- hood with many of the responsibilities that fall to the share of the eldest among a number of children. He was about fourteen when his parents came to Iowa

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and can well remember the tedious trip by water in those days, when con- veniences for traveling were few. He had received his early education in the state of his birth, but after his advent here attended the public schools of this county while giving the best of his labor to the cultivation of the farm under the guidance of his father. When he was nineteen he started out to make his own way in the world. He went first to Kansas with the intention of remain- ing for one month, but he discovered opportunities in that state and it was two years before he returned to Scott county to take up farming. For the next fifteen years he toiled assiduously in the cultivation of the soil, except three years dur- ing the Civil war, but although he was successful in a measure, he was con- fident that larger opportunities and a more congenial occupation awaited him elsewhere. Accordingly he entered, as a student, the Bryant and Stratton Bus- iness College of Davenport and, having completed the course of study, ac- cepted a position as teacher in that institution, which he held until 1883, when he became part owner of the concern. Three years later, in 1886, he bought the interests of his partners, changed the name of the school to the Duncan Daven- port Business College and as such has conducted it to the present time. Its students and graduates are found throughout the country, but in the state of Iowa alone fifty-six cashiers and thirty-five assistant cashiers of banks were initiated into the intricacies of business in his school. This is surely a grati- fying percentage, but it does not include the many other graduates who are proving a credit to the institution and its head in positions of equal responsi- bility, for Mr. Duncan has made a name for himself as a thorough instructor, a man of fine business ability and high principles, so that the college is recog- nized as an institution in which thorough instruction is given and the nobler ideals of life inculcated. The students as they issue from his doors are well fitted to fill responsible positions and by their achievements spread the fair reputation of the Duncan Davenport Business College more effectively than paid advertising.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 56

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