USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
In 1862, Mr. Duncan wedded Miss Nancy McConnell, who like her husband was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Of the children born to them three sons and four daughters are still living. They are Ella, now a teacher; E. H., head accountant for the Armour car lines of Chicago, Illinois; Violet, at home; Katie, the wife of Phillip Freytag, of Reynolds, Illinois; J. D., the manager of J. H. C. Petersen's general store in Davenport; Charles, who is in the wholesale grocery business in Davenport, being secretary of the company and also of the Crosset Timber Company ; and Laura, a stenographer for the J. H. C. Petersen Company.
For more than half a century Mr. Duncan has been a resident of Scott county, and while he has taken little active part in the affairs of local government his in- fluence has ever been exerted in behalf of the best interests of his fellow citi- zens. His support has always been given to the republican party. Frater- nally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen and with the Masons. In the latter organization he is particularly active for he has advanced to the thirty-second degree, has been knighted in the commandery and has been ad- mitted to the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He is one of the well known men of Davenport, where he enjoys an enviable reputation as the result of his many
624
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
years of earnest endeavor and devotion to what he believed to be the right. Dur- ing the dark days of the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by enlisting as a private August 15, 1862 in Company G, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was engaged in frontier service through Missouri, Arkansas and Indian Territory. The regiment also took part in the siege of Vicksburg and Fort Morgan and continued in active service until hostilities ceased. Mr. Duncan is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
CHARLES PAUSTIAN.
Charles Paustian is known as a successful farmer of Hickory Grove town- ship, his possessions comprising two hundred and forty acres of land all in one body, this place being called the Home Farm. It is also his birthplace, his natal day being September 6, 1865. His parents, Frederick and Christina (Roehs) Paustian, were natives of Holstein, Germany, the former born January 14, 1820, and the latter born on the 25th of August, 1825. They were reared in the old country and came to the new world in 1851. They were married soon after their arrival here and settled on a farm in Scott county, which the father bought. Prior to coming to America he had followed his trade of a mason but after lo- cating in Scott county gave his time to general farming throughout his busi- ness career. His family numbered twelve children but two of the number died in childhood, the others being: Caroline, the wife of Martin Greenwald, of Cleona township; Fred, who resides in Minnesota; August, of Hickory Grove town- ship; Emma, the wife of Christ Paustian, of Cleona township; Louis, who makes his home in Cedar county, Iowa; Sophia, the wife of William Buhmann, a resident of O'Brien county, Iowa ; James, of Hickory Grove township; Charles, of this review; Minnie, the wife of Herman Meinert, who resides in Cleona township; and Bertha, the wife of Henry Paulsen, a resident of Muscatine county, Iowa. The parents became well-to-do and highly respected pioneers of Scott county but both are now deceased. The father passed away on the 27th of January, 1885, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years, while the mother, surviving for about fifteen years, departed this life July 21, 1900, when she was seventy-five years of age.
Charles Paustian was reared under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work of the fields during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools near his home. He has made farming his life work and is now the owner of the old homestead farm, the tract embracing two hundred and forty acres, eighty acres of which lies on section 29, while the remainder is located on section 30, Hickory Grove town- ship. On the place stands a substantial brick residence, which was erected by the father, while all the outbuildings have been built by Mr. Paustian of this re- view. Each year his labors are rewarded by bounteous harvests, for he is sys- tematic in his methods of farming and knows what plan to follow to bring the best results.
---
FREDERICK PAUSTIAN
627
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Mr. Paustian was married in 1891 to Miss Lizzie Dietz, who was born in Cleona township, this county, September 20, 1868, a daughter of John Dietz, a residence of Cleona township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paustian have been born one son and eight daughters : Christina, Agnes, Horace, Elsie, Malinda, Evelyn, Elvira, Norma and Leona.
In the midst of a busy life on the farm Mr. Paustian finds time to give to other interests of a public nature, acting as a director of the Walcott Savings Bank and of the Farmers Elevator Company of Walcott. In his political views he is a democrat but is not active as an office seeker. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias at Walcott. Mr. Paustian chose rather a significant name for his place-Home Farm-for while its surroundings are characteristic of all that the name implies, it has as well been the place of his abode from the date of his birth to the present time, and the associations of his early boyhood and youth as well as those of later manhood have made it to him a cherished spot.
HENRY SINDT.
With the passing away of Henry Sindt in 1898 Walcott lost one of if not its most public-spirited citizen, who for more than twenty years had been prominently connected with the business interests and public affairs of the city. One of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurred in Davenport on October 9, 1850, his parents being Thies and Abel (Stoltenberg) Sindt, both natives of Holstein, Germany, where the father was born on the 19th of November, 1824. The year 1847 witnessed the arrival of the parents in America, the family home being es- tablished in Davenport, where they were married. The father followed the tin- ner's trade until 1855. He then took up the occupation of farming in which he was engaged for a number of years. He still survives at the age of eighty-five years, and makes his home in Davenport, where he is living retired from active labor, enjoying a well earned rest.
Henry Sindt, whose name initiates this review, was the eldest in a family of eight children, and under the parental roof passed the period of his boyhood and youth. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the public schools of Daven- port, and in Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city received thorough and comprehensive commercial training that well equipped him for the practical and responsible duties of business life. In 1873 he came to Walcott and the suc- ceeding two years were devoted to the occupation of farming, after which, in 1875, he became identified with hotel interests, conducting a hostelry up until 1895, three years prior to his death. His excellent business training and his good judgment and wise discrimination well fitted him for carrying on such an enterprise, and with the passing of the years his establishment proved a most profitable and paying investment. The proprietor believed in providing the very best at all times, recognizing that there could be no better advertisement than satisfied patrons, and the hotel; modern and up-to-date in all of its appointments, became well known throughout the locality for its excellent service and was the favorite stopping place of a large number of persons visiting this community.
628
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
It was on the 22d of February, 1873, that Mr. Sindt was united in marriage to Miss Catharina Horst, a native of Holstein, Germany, and a daughter of Jochim Horst, who also became a citizen of Walcott. Four children came to bless this union, of whom two are still living, namely : August, a resident of Lake Park, Iowa; and Clara, the wife of Robert Bennewitz, of Walcott. Alma passed away on the 29th of May, 1904, at the age of eighteen years, while Laura died. in 1876 when eleven months old.
Fraternally Mr. Sindt belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Walcott, while politically he gave stalwart allegiance to the principles of the democratic party. Public-spirited to an eminent degree, he at all times cooper- ated in every movement which had for its object the advancement and upbuild- ing of the community. His fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, called him to various positions of honor and trust, and for nine years hs served as trustee of Blue Grass township. For six years he filled the office of township clerk and from 1888 until 1894 acted as a member of the county board of super- visors, also serving as township constable for seventeen years. Faithful and efficient at all times in the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him in his public office, he was not only popular with the members of his own party but won the honor and esteem of his political opponents and no citizen of Walcott occupied a higher place nor more richly merited the respect and admiration of his fellowmen than did Mr. Sindt. He was equally well known in the social circles of this city and therefore the news of his death, which occurred on the 9th of June, 1898, caused a feeling of personal loss throughout the entire com- munity, with the affairs of which he had been so closely and thoroughly identified during the period of his residence here. His widow still survives and makes her home in Walcott, where she is highly esteemed by all who know her for her many excellent traits of heart and mind.
JOHN A. LITTIG.
There is perhaps no other man in Davenport who has done as much toward the improvement of the streets and the building of good roads as has John A. Littig, who for the past seven years has given his time to construction work along this line. In the paternal line he comes of French descent and his great- grandfather, Peter Littig served as an officer under Napoleon in the battle of Waterloo. His son John was the progenitor of the family in America. His family included Peter N. Littig, who became the father of our subject. The latter lived on a farm just outside the city limits in Davenport township, and is one of the oldest pioneer settlers of this section of Iowa. After residing on his farm for many years he removed to Davenport, where he now lives practically retired although he assists his son in the management of his business interests merely for pastime. He wedded Miss Erma Fidler, who died in 1902.
John A. Littig was born on the home farm in Davenport township, the date of his birth being June 8, 1872. At the usual age he was sent to the com- mon schools and during the periods of vacation he rendered assistance to his
629
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
father in the work of the fields. After completing his studies in the common schools he pursued a course in Griswold College, after which he engaged in teaching for three years. Subsequently he engaged in the creamery business for a time but eventually returned to the home farm and assisted his father in its management until seven years ago, when he came to Davenport and took up the work of contracting, being the first to institute the building of roads by con- tract in Scott county. He began on a small scale, doing all the work him- self, even driving the team in grading. He has continued in this line of ac- tivity to the present time and has already gained a reputation for high-grade work. He has always been interested in good roads and while advancing his own personal interests, he is at the same time doing an important work for the community at large.
Mr. Littig was married on the 3d of October, 1900, to Miss Josephine An- derson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Anderson, of Moline, Illinois. Three daughters and two sons grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Littig, Marion V., Earl C., Cloyd E., Inez C. and Marie A. Fraternally Mr. Littig is affiliated with the Elks and he and his wife are communicants of the Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. The family home is a modern residence at No. 223 West Thirteenth street and it is noted for its gen- erous and warm-hearted hospitality. In everything, Mr. Littig has been emi- nently practical and this has been manifest not only in his business undertak- ings but also in social and private life.
CHARLES W. PINNEO.
Charles W. Pinneo has completed the three score years and ten allotted by the Psalmist as man's span of life and is now living retired in the village of Princeton, where he owns some valuable property. For a long period he was identified with the agricultural interests of Princeton township and for almost four decades was a factor in the educational work of his section of Scott county. His life covers the period of Iowa's great development, and he is a son of one of the pioneers of this section of the state whose energy, courage and progres- sive spirit made possible the conditions which are now enjoyed by all.
Giles M. Pinneo, the father of Charles W., is especially deserving of men- tion on the honored roll of Scott county's early settlers, and his name fre- quently appears as that of the man who was a leader in various affairs. He was born in Waterbury, Vermont, April 10, 1809, and was a son of Giles Pinneo. The family is of French descent and was established on this side of the At- lantic by Jacques Pinneaux and a brother, who fled to America at the time of the French revolution. Giles M. Pinneo, Sr., the grandfather of Charles W. Pinneo, and his brother Daniel served in the American war of 1812, while two sons of the former, Giles and Haswell Pinneo, enlisted in Lincoln's troops at the time of the Black Hawk war. Haswell Pinneo was in active service through- out the conflict, but the other was taken sick and never did duty upon the field.
630
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Giles M. Pinneo, the father of our subject, lived in the vicinity of Water- bury, Vermont, until of age, receiving his education in the public schools there. In 1832 he came west, settling first near Rock Island, Illinois, where he worked for Judge Spencer. In the fall of 1833 he crossed the river and took up a claim in Pleasant Valley township, Scott county, Iowa, and the wheat he sowed upon that land was the first planted in Scott county. About a year later he came to Princeton township, where he secured at the government price three hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which is still in the possession of his son Charles W. Pinneo. He did not live upon that tract at first, however, but he and his brother Haswell H. built a house upon the river bank, in which they kept bach- elor quarters for a year. Then Giles M. Pinneo married and removed to his own farm in Princeton township, the claim for which is the first recorded in the books of the township, and thereon he built a log cabin, in which he and his wife lived until 1855, when he erected a fine brick house that is still standing. He made other improvements on the place and later went to Sangamon county, Illinois, to purchase two cows and a bull, which were the first cattle brought to Prince- ton township.
Giles M. Pinneo occupied a prominent place in his township and county, be- ing the incumbent of some office through the greater part of his active life. He took the first assessment in Scott county and made his own books of foolscap paper, as it was impossible to get books for the purpose here. He also served as su- pervisor for a number of years. He was one of three commissioners appointed to find a location for the county seat of Polk county and it was largely through his influence that in 1846 Des Moines was determined upon, which later on led to the location of the state capital there. He and a friend, Wilbur Warren, built the first schoolhouse here, bringing all the lumber and doing all the work them- selves, and Mr. Pinneo was instrumental in establishing the first Sabbath school. Later he was a member of the school board and was ever a potent factor in ad- vancing the educational opportunities of his locality. In politics he was a dem- ocrat until 1856, when he became a stalwart republican, while his religious al- legiance was given to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he frequently held office. The cause of temperance always found in him a strong advocate. Indeed, he was a man who was ever at the head of any movement for the public good and was well and favorably known throughout Scott county and this sec- tion of Iowa. He claimed that he had witnessed the greatest miracle ever wrought for the benefit of man, namely, the transformation of the wild, un- broken prairie into the fertile farms and prosperous towns now to be seen in this county, and in his death, which occurred July 5, 1895, the community lost one of the valiant men whose labors had been so effective in bringing about this change.
In November, 1837, Giles M. Pinneo was married to Miss Asenath Stricker, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, in 1818. In their family were three children, namely : Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, the deceased wife of Charles Ritch; and Mary E., who lives upon the old homestead. The wife and mother endured all the hardships of pioneer life bravely and was called to her final rest in 1861.
631
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Charles W. Pinneo was born in Princeton township, December 25, 1839, and has spent his entire life in this locality. After completing the course in the district schools he entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, but was com- pelled to leave school after the second year on account of his mother's death. Thereupon he returned to the farm, which he operated in the summer, while in the winter he taught school. As a teacher he was connected with the schools of Princeton township for thirty-eight years, for twenty-two years of that period having held classes in the same room. In 1882 he removed to Princeton and taught in the village school until 1897, when he laid aside active business. He still retains possession of three hundred and thirty acres of farm land he in- herited from his father and owns the fine town property where he lives. Like his father he has participated in the public life of the township, for he served as trustee for twenty years, was clerk of elections a number of times and was a member of the town council. He has also rendered valuable service to the cause of education as a member of the school board, and his influence has al- ways been exerted in behalf of improvement.
In Chicago, Illinois, December 24, 1868, Mr. Pinneo was married to Miss Josephine E. Bell, a native of Machias Port, Maine. Her father, Dr. George L. Bell, owned considerable land in this county and for a short time practiced medicine here, but his professional labors were for the most part confined to Boston, Massachusetts. He died in Chicago in 1891. His wife, who was Miss Eliza A. Fairbanks in her maidenhood, was born November 9, 1817, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pinneo have one son, George M., who was born June 7, 1874, and is now a railroad man.
Mr. Pinneo holds active membership in Independent Order of Odd Fellows society and has passed all the chairs of the lodge. The circle of his friends, however, is not limited by the number of his fraternal brethren, for he is widely and favorably known in this county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his energies and his activities as to win the respect and good will of those who have known him through a long period. Not only have his labors been productive of financial success, but he has been also afforded many opportunities to do a large measure of good for others, and the mem- ory of his deeds will survive even after he has passed away.
JOHN HAAK.
One of the most enterprising young business men of Davenport is John Haak, manager of the Davenport Leaf Tobacco Company, which is located at 319 Western avenue. A native of this city, he was born August 7, 1872, a son of Ferdinand and Caroline (Kohrdt) Haak. The father was born in Elmshorn, Germany, about four miles from Hungary, in 1845, his parents being Carsten and Lesette (Oldendorf) Haak. Carsten Haak was a man of means, who came to this country in 1857 and began farming in the vicinity of Davenport. He died in 1888. His son, the father of our subject, came here at about the age of twelve years, completing the education he had begun in Germany in the
632
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
schools of Davenport. His early life was spent upon a farm, but when he reached manhood he learned the trade of a cigarmaker, became foremen of a factory, and then, in 1870, engaged in his present business, which has grown to be one of the largest in the west. In it he had the assistance of his son John, the subject of this sketch. He was married in 1867 and became the father of seven children : Minnie, now the wife of Charles Meier; Pauline, the wife of E. Gruenewald and the mother of one child; John, the subject of this sketch; Richard, living in this county, who is married and has two daughters, Ermia and Elsie; Edna and Elsie, who are at home; and Theckla the wife of Frank Hetzel, of Sioux City, Iowa. The father belongs to the Turners and is a direc- tor in the Iowa National Bank.
John Haak received his early education in the common schools of Davenport and then took a commercial course in the business college here, after which he learned the trade of cigarmaker under his father's tutelage. He worked for the latter until 1896, when he branched out for himself, organizing the Globe Cigar Company. This business he conducted profitably until February, 1905, when a severe fire destroyed his father's establishment. Thereupon he sold his plant to the latter and engaged in deaf tobacco buying and selling. He started in a small way but through good management has brought his business up to the present high standard it now enjoys. Indeed, he is the only man in his section of the county who goes into the fields and buys his stock. In consequence he ob- tains the very best and in its freshest condition, so that he is able to dispose of it quickly and profitably, hampered by few competitors. He has evinced strong business qualities, is keen in discovering opportunities and, having made a rep- utation for honesty, his word is as good as his bond.
On the 19th of October, 1899, Mr. Haak wedded Miss Mae Barbour, a daughter of John and Katherine (Mason) Barbour, of Ainsworth, Iowa. Three children have been born to the couple: Minnie, Gertrude and Ferdinand, Jr., all of whom are attending school. Mr. Haak belongs to the Turners Society and to the fraternal lodge of the T. P. A.
MRS. KATHRYN W. BLUEDORN.
Mrs. Kathryn W. Bluedorn, who owns a valuable tract of one hundred and fifty-nine acres in Davenport township, is the widow of Frederick O. Bluedorn and a daughter of August and Kathryn Petersen, who were among the very early German settlers of Scott county. They came from Germany in 1843 and upon their arrival here took up from the government the tract now occupied by their daughter. It was prairie land, and had never known the touch of plow or harrow, so that it was a difficult task that confronted the family when they set out to make their home in the new world. Mr. Petersen broke the land, prepared it for cultivation and instituted some of the improvements which now adorn the property.
On this homestead, Mrs. Bluedorn began her life, April 30, 1850. She was enrolled as a pupil in the district school of the locality, but owing to the death
KATHRYN W. BLUEDORN
635
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
of her father, while she was still a child, she was forced to leave her lessons before well advanced in her studies and assist with the great amount of work there was to be done at home. She was but little more than eighteen years of age when, on the Ioth of November, 1868, she gave her hand in marriage to Frederick Bluedorn, who had been born in Germany in 1840 and had come to this land with his parents, Charles and Louisa Bluedorn, when he was about fifteen years of age. He settled first in Davenport, where he worked at the trade of a cabinetmaker and later engaged in farm labor in the township of Davenport. After his marriage he assisted in the operation of the farm be- longing to his wife but was called to his final rest in 1892.
Mrs. Bluedorn became the mother of eleven children. Emelia married Ver- nard Hencher, of Davenport, and they have two children, Adolph and Florence. Gustave, who is residing in Sheridan township, wedded Miss Anna Kurt, and they have three daughters, Norma, Mildred and Malinda. Rosie became the wife of William Schumacher, of Davenport township, and they have one daugh- ter, Rosie. Rudolph married Miss Rosie Sepke. They live in Walcott, Iowa, and have four sons, Herbert, Rudolph, Edgar and Carl. Theodore, who lives in Sheridan township, wedded Miss Emma Kurt, and they have three daughters and one son, Edna, Ermal, Hilda and Stella. Emanda married Adolph Specie, of Davenport township, and they have one daughter, Ella. Fannie became the wife of John Eggers, of Davenport, Iowa. Frank lives at home and operates his mother's farm. The other three children died in infancy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.