USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 6
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Frank X. Beh, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the home farm and acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Buffalo and Oak Hill, while later he pursued a course in Ambrose College at Davenport. He then returned home and resumed farming with his father, remaining under the parental roof until his marriage, when he began work on his own account. Eventually he became the owner of land and followed farming for many years. He still
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owns an interest in the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Buffalo town- ship and also owns residence property in Davenport, where he now lives retired.
Mr. Beh chose as a companion for the journey of life, Miss Alvina Weise, a daughter of Fritz and Christina (Schnack) Weise, who were early settlers of Scott county. The father conducted a livery stable in Davenport for forty years and died in 1899, at the age of sixty-three. The mother is still living and is a communicant of the Protestant church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beh, which was celebrated June 25, 1896, has been blessed with six children, Alvin F., Clarence M., Frank B., Leon Beh, Raymond and Eddie, but the last named is deceased.
Mr. Beh, inheriting the sterling characteristics of a long line of German an- cestry and endowed by nature with a good constitution, early developed all the attributes which make the successful man. His home at 1419 Marquette street, in Davenport, is a hospitable one and the family take great pleasure in entertaining their many friends.
HENRY WIESE.
Henry Wiese, who has lived retired in his pleasant home at No. 835 Harri- son street in Davenport since 1900, won his prosperity as an agriculturist and is still the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive farming land in Benton county, Iowa. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 16th of October, 1840, his parents being Marx and Lucy Wiese. The father, who was born in 1800, learned the blacksmith's trade and in early manhood served as a soldier of the German army. In 1853, in company with his wife and chil- dren, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York. Thence he made his way direct to Moline, Rock Island county, Illinois, where the family home was maintained for about twenty years. They first took up their abode in a log cabin which stood on a tract of eighty acres of land which the father had purchased, about twenty acres of which were improved. As his financial re- sources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, Marx Wiese added to his landed holdings in Rock Island county and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He passed away in 1886, having for four years survived his wife who was called to her final rest in 1882, when seventy-two years of age. Unto them were born three sons and one daughter, namely : Fred, who is deceased; Henry, of this review; John, who is a resident of Geneseo, Illinois ; and Anna, the wife of Henry Operdicke, of Port Byron, Illinois.
Henry Wiese pursued his education in the schools of his native land until thirteen years of age and then came to the new world with his parents. He continued his studies to some extent in Rock Island county, Illinois, but owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country, schools were few and far between and he did not find much opportunity to attend. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and started out in life on his own account, purchasing and locating upon a tract of one hun-
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dred and sixty acres of prairie land in Coe township, Rock Island county. It was raw land upon which no improvements had been made, but with characteristic energy he began its development and cultivation and soon converted it into a productive farm. He likewise erected a house and put up fences and later bought an additional tract of eighty acres adjoining. In 1874 he disposed of the property and removed to Benton county, Iowa, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land in Cedar township. The place had been improved to some extent and there were several small buildings upon it. There he carried on his agri- cultural interests energetically and successfully until 1900, since which time he has lived retired in Davenport, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. Prospering in his undertakings, he added to his holdings by addi- tional purchase and is still the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Benton county.
On the 4th of January, 1865, Mr. Wiese was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Kahler, a native of Holstein, Germany, where her birth occurred on the 16th of June, 1846. In 1852, when six years of age, she was brought to. the United States by her parents, Mathias and Lena Kahler, who took up their abode in Rock Island county, Illinois. They were farming people and both passed away in Benton county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiese were born eight children, as follows : Anna, Charles and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased; John, who is a resident of Davenport; Louisa and Albert, both at home; Augusta, the wife of Charles Stelk, of Virginia; and Dorothy, who is likewise still under the par- ental roof.
Mr. Wiese is a stanch democrat in his political views and has capably served in a number of township offices, including those of road supervisor and school director. He is a member of the German Pioneers Society of Scott county. In his business career he has displayed excellent ability and unfaltering diligence and as the years have passed his labor has been the measure of a gratifying success. He and his wife are people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them.
RUDOLPH SCHLAPKOHL.
Agricultural interests of Cleona township find a worthy representative in Rudolph Schlapkohl, who has spent his entire life on the farm upon which he now resides, his birth there occurring on the 28th of January, 1871. His parents were Jurgens and Katharine (Kumerfeldt) Schlapkohl, both natives of Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, born on the Ist of May, 1823, and the 24th of November, 1826, respectively. They were reared and married in the old country and came to the United States in the fall of 1853, locating in Rock Island, Illinois. The father farmed for Billy Davenport on Government island for nine or ten years and then came to Cleona township, Scott county, Iowa, where he purchased the present homestead. Although a, poor man when he came to this country, at the time of his death he was the owner of two other farms beside the home farm,
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one consisting of one hundred and eighty acres adjoining the latter, and the other comprising one hundred and sixty acres in Muscatine county-a fact which clearly indicates the success that came to him as the result of perseverance, industry and diligence. Both parents are now deceased, the father passing away on the 28th of April, 1895, and the mother on the 22d of October, 1903. Their family consisted of four children, namely: Betsy, the wife of Henry Schumann, of Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Herman, a farmer of Cedar county, whose home is near Durant; George, a resident of Muscatine county; and Rudolph, of this review.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Rudolph Schlapkohl during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was passed upon his father's farm, and at the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the district schools for the acquirement of an education. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil, and continued to give his father the benefit of his assistance until the latter's death, when he took charge of the home farm and has since directed his efforts towards its further development. It consists of two hundred acres located on sections 8 and 17, and had been well improved by his father. Under his care, however, it has been put under still higher cultivation and is numbered among the valuable and desirable properties of the township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and his interests, which are conducted along strictly up-to-date and progressive lines, are a source of gratifying remuneration to him.
It was on December 20, 1899, that Mr. Schlapkohl was united in marriage to Olga Ladehoff, a native of Cleona township, her birth occurring on the 25th of Angust, 1877. She is a daughter of Henry and Ida (Lamp) Ladehoff, residents of Cleona township, who were both born in Germany, the mother coming to the new world in early childhood, while the father arrived when about twenty years of age. In his political views Mr. Schlapkohl has always been a republican, believing that the principles of this party are most conductive to good govern- ment. He has not, however, been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, carefully managed, are bringing to him a large measure of success. Having passed his entire life in this state, he is a typical Iowan, alert and enterprising, who recognizes the fact that upon individual effort depends success and is therefore laboring earnestly to advance to the goal of prosperity.
HANS F. MUHS.
Hans F. Muhs, who is now living retired in Davenport, was in former years actively and successfully identified with the commercial interests of the city, con- ducting a merchant tailoring establishment on Second street for more than a third of a century. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 6th of June, 1835, his parents being Jochim and Anna Muhs. The father died when our subject was but six weeks old. H. F. Muhs obtained his education in the schools of his native land and there learned the tailor's trade. In 1856, when a young
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man of twenty-one years, he set sail for the new world in company with his mother, landing at New Orleans after an ocean voyage of eight weeks. He then started up the Mississippi river for Davenport, reaching his destination at the end of three weeks. For about a year after his arrival he worked as a farm hand in Sheridan township for his brother Peter, who had come to this county in 1853. He then took up his abode in Davenport and secured employment at his trade, remaining in the service of John Bartimeier for ten years. On the expira- tion of that period he embarked in business as a merchant tailor on his own account, opening a shop on Second street which he conducted successfully for about thirty-five years, when he sold out to his sons, who still carry on the busi- ness in a commendable manner. Since disposing of his tailoring establishment Mr. Muhs has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease.
On the 9th of April, 1857, Mr. Muhs was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mahl, who was born in Holstein, Germany, on the 9th of April, 1831, her parents being Max and Esther Mahl, of Germany. Miss Mahl was a passenger on the same boat on which her future husband sailed for the United States. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Muhs were born eight children, four of whom still survive. Edward, who is a resident of Davenport, wedded Miss Mary Storm, by whom he has seven children, namely : Mabel, Edna, Hattie, Roy, Laurence, Maxine and Veneta. Lewis, the next in order of birth, likewise makes his home in Davenport. Ben- jamin, living in Davenport, married Miss Mamie Wendt and has two children, Martha and Arthur. Hugo, who is a resident of Missouri, married Miss Mamie Murphy. On the 9th of April, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Muhs celebrated their golden wedding and the presence of their children and grandchildren helped to make the occasion a most joyful one.
Fraternally Mr. Muhs is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias and he is also a well known member of the German Pioneers Society. He is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age and in the evening of life can look back over an active, useful and honorable career. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he availed himself of the oppor- tunities here offered and soon won a place among the substantial and respected citizens of his community.
WILLIAM LARNED ALLEN, M. D.
Equipped by thorough training at home and abroad, Dr. William Larned Allen in the practice of his profession has demonstrated his ability to cope with the intricate problems which are continually confronting the physician and sur- geon. His broad study and research, his correct application of scientific knowl- edge and his wide experience have given him eminence in his chosen calling and he is moreover entitled to public recognition as the promoter of the electric street car system in this city. Born in Davenport on the 7th of June, 1858, Dr. Allen is a son of William and Augusta Dorrance Allen, nee Seabury. The father, who was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1824, served as chief paymaster of the district of Cumberland from 1861 until 1865. Coming to this city at an early
161 allen
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day, he was active in its substantial development and progress and from 1870 until 1874 was a partner in the firm of Mandeville & Allen, railroad contractors. His death occurred the following year and he was long survived by his wife. She was born in Portland, Maine, in 1830, and died in Davenport in 1899. Among the early American ancestors of Dr. Allen are Governor Bradford, of Massachu- setts, and the Rev. Thomas Allen, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the great-grand- father, who was called "the fighting parson" because of his action in 1777 at the battle of Bennington.
Dr. Allen supplemented his early education, acquired in the common schools, by study in Griswold College of Davenport, and in preparation for a professional career entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1881. He afterward spent two years in Vienna, Austria, in special work in surgery and gynecology. He has always remained a close student of the profession, keeping in touch with the advanced thought that marks the onward march of the medical fraternity, and the ability which comes through wide study, careful analysis and broad experience is his, making him one of the prominent and successful physicians of Davenport. His experiences in other lines have also been of a somewhat varied nature. In early manhood he spent one year on a farm in Iowa and one year in managing a plantation in Arkansas, being called to this task on account of the death of his father and his father's partner. Having inherited some stock in a street railway company in Davenport and having seen the successful trial of an electric car in Richmond, Virginia, he bought up all the stock owned by parties who would not consent to adopt elec- tricity as a motive power and equipped the Davenport Central Railway with elec- tric cars in August, 1888. This was the second road to be thus fully equipped in the United States. The undertaking required nearly all of Dr. Allen's capital. The attempt to operate lines in Stillwater, Minnesota, and another in Dubuque, Iowa, which he had equipped, together with the necessity of purchasing new motors which had soon to be replaced with more powerful ones, required more capital than he could command and the electric supply companies and his banker forced him to give up his property, which was then carrying only a small bonded debt, and which a few years later was sold to an eastern syndicate for several million dollars. The early change to electricty gave Davenport a widespread reputation, but few of the citizens were willing to put any money into the electric venture, believing that it would be impossible to thus run cars up the heavy grades. Resuming the practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. Allen has since confined his attention almost exclusively to his professional duties and in 1895 founded St. Luke's Hospital and was elected president of its medical board and chairman of the executive committee, which position he still retains. He has done notable work along surgical lines, prominent among his operations being the removal in 1895 by gastrotomy of a hairball from a girl's stomach, it being the largest foreign body ever successfully removed from the human stomach. Other operations which he has performed have been almost equally notable and have brought him wide reputation as a skilled surgeon. For twenty years he has been surgeon of the State Orphans Home and for a similar period of the Tri City Railway Com- pany. For two decades he has been a member of the state, district and county medical associations and for fifteen years of the American Medical Association.
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He was the president of the Davenport Academy of Natural Science for three years, from 1893 until 1895 inclusively, and in the latter year was chosen president of the Scott County Medical Association. In 1900 he was elected to the presi- dency of the Iowa & Illinois District Medical Society and in 1908 became the chief executive of the Second District Medical Association.
In his political views Dr. Allen is a stalwart supporter of the republican party and, though not an office seeker, has been concerned in various public movements of widespread benefit, acting as president of the Davenport Business Men's Association in 1889 and cooperating in various projects for general progress.
On the Ist of October, 1885, Dr. Allen was married to Miss Alice Van Patten, a daughter of John P. Van Patten. Their children are : Larned V. P., Elizabeth M. and William Seabury. The family are Episcopalian in religious faith and Dr. Allen is prominent in the various departments of the church work, serving as a member of the vestry and also as president of the Men's Club of the cathe- dral. He joined Trinity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in 1888 and has ever been an exemplary representative of the craft, utilizing the opportunities which his prac- tice affords for the exemplification of its basic principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
F. E. PETO.
F. E. Peto, who in former years was an active factor in commercial circles of Davenport, conducting an extensive and profitable business as a shoe merchant, is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his real-estate interests. His birth occurred in the town of Koenigsberg, Prussia, Germany, on the Ist of May, 1838, his parents being Frederick and Henrietta Peto, both of whom passed away in that country. The father, who was engaged in business as a shoe merchant, served as a soldier in the war of 1830 between Poland and Prussia.
F. E. Peto attended the schools of his native land in the acquirement of an education and afterward worked for his father, under whose direction he gained a thorough knowledge of the shoe business. He likewise served in the German army, participating in the war with Denmark in 1863-4 and in the war of 1866 against Austria. The many favorable reports which reached him concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world led him to the determination to establish his home on this side of the Atlantic and in 1870 he set sail for American shores. After landing at New York he came direct to Davenport, arriving in this city on the 30th of June. He first spent about two years in the employ of John Jamison, who was engaged in the shoe business, and then started out on his own account, conducting a leather business on Second street for three years. Subsequently he was engaged in the same business in the Hahnemann building for about three years and then purchased a building at No. 415 West Second street, where he successfully carried on business until the time of his retirement in 1904. He purchased two more buildings on either side of the one which first came into his possession and likewise bought considerable
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other property and, though living largely retired for the past six years, still gives his supervision to his extensive real-estate interests.
In January, 1858, Mr. Peto was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Dahms, a daughter of Peter and Helena Dahms. Unto them were born seven children, four of whom passed away in early life. Edward, who is a resident of Chicago, wedded Miss Minnie Miller and has a daughter, Edith. Frank, who died at the age of thirty-seven years, had married Miss Laura Wiese, by whom he had two children, Alice E. and Camilla. Henry, living in Davenport, wedded Miss Anna Klode and has two sons, Harry and Orr.
Since becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Peto has given his politi- cal allegiance to the repubilcan party, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. For four decades he has made his home in Scott county, where he has acquired a competence and where he is an honored and respected citizen. In business his course has been characterized by the strictest fidelity to principle and in social relations he displays an unfailing courtesy and a genial cordiality that have won for him many friends.
THEODOR HARTZ.
Theodor Hartz, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Otto Albrecht Com- pany, manufacturers of fine cigars, was born in Altona, Holstein, Germany, April 24, 1857, a son of Theodor and Emilie (Gottschau) Hartz, who came to America, settling in Rock Island, Illinois, on the 27th of July, 1872. The father was a carpenter and joiner and both he and his wife spent their remaining days in Rock Island, their graves being made in Chipawanie cemetery of that city.
Theodor Hartz was reared in his native land, attending the city schools and also taking up the study of English under private instruction ere he left Germany for the new world. He had therefore learned to speak the language of this country fairly well when he accompanied his parents on the trip across the Atlantic. They reached Rock Island on Saturday, and on the following Mondav he secured a position in the dry-goods store of Louis Kiesow, with whom he remained for seven years-a trusted and valued employe whose fidelity and ability was indicated by the fact of his long retention in the house. He was originally given his board and clothing as compensation for his services, and the proprietor also bestowed upon him a dollar somewhat as an honorarium. On Christmas he was given two dollars and at the end of the year he had eighty-five cents left out of his cash capital of three dollars. During the second year he was paid twelve and a half dollars a month and board, while the third year he was given fifteen dollars per month and board. Later he received an increase to fifteen dollars per week and boarded himself. The appreciation of his services on the part of his employer is indicated in his continued promotion and increase in salary.
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In July, 1879, Mr. Hartz came to Davenport, where he secured a position as draft clerk in the Citizens National Bank, there remaining until August, 1880, when he became connected with his present line of business in association with Otto Albrecht, who established the enterprise in 1854. Mr. Hartz represented the business upon the road as a traveling salesman for two and a half years, selling cigars, and later was employed in the house. In 1897 the firm was in- corporated and Mr. Hartz, being admitted to a partnership, was chosen secretary and treasurer. In the meantime, on the 10th of November, 1881, he married Miss Emma, a daughter of Otto Albrecht. The father became president of the new company, with Mrs. Hartz as vice president. On the 26th of February, 1904, Mr. Albrecht passed away. He had willed his interest in the business to Theodor Hartz personally, and the latter has since managed the enterprise, mak- ing his wife president and his daughter, Paula Dunker, vice president, while he retains his old official connection with the business as secretary and treasurer. The company owns a well equipped factory and employs about thirty people in the manufacture of various kinds of cigars, which find a ready market in Iowa, Illinois and part of Minnesota and South Dakota. Great care and attention are paid to the excellence of the product and the systematic business methods of the house and the well known reliability of the company have constituted strong ele- ments in its success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartz have been born eleven children of whom ten are yet living : Paula, the wife of William Dunker; Joa; Hans W .; Gertrude; Nellie; Emilie; Gesa; Ina; Hildegard; and Emma. One child, Otto Albrecht, died in December, 1897. The family are members of the Ethical Society of Davenport. Mr. Hartz has been a member of the school board for nine years and the cause of education finds in him a warm champion, his labors being effective in advanc- ing the school interests of this city. He is also a member of the Davenport Com- mercial Club and of the Turngemeinde. He exemplifies in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry, having the persistent purpose and indefatigable energy which have ever marked the Teutonic race. His diligence has brought him the success which is now his, while his keen discernment in business affairs enables him to capably control and develop the interests which are under his charge.
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