History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 63

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 63


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EMIL PRIESTER.


A large percentage of the citizens of substantial worth in Scott county have come from or trace their lineage to the fatherland. Among this number is Emil Priester, who now follows farming on one hundred and sixty acres of land lying partly in Butler and partly in Lincoln townships. This property is owned by his father, Fritz Priester, who is mentioned on another page of this volume.


It was upon the old home farm that Emil Priester was born on the 15th of July, 1877, his parents being Fritz and Wilhelmina Priester, whose names indicate their German ancestry. He has lived on this farm all his life and in his youthful days divided his time between the pleasures of the playground, the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields on the old homestead. He gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and car- ing for the crops, and in the year 1901 he took charge of the farm, which he has conducted continuously since. He raises good crops and at the same time makes a specialty of raising Duroc Jersey hogs, light Brahma chickens and Bourbon red turkeys. He utilizes the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields and the place is equipped with all the modern improvements and accessories that constitute features of a model farm of the twentieth cen- tury. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Eldridge.


On the 17th of October, 1900, Mr. Priester was married to Miss Louisa Leptien, a daughter of William and Minnie Leptien, of Cleona township. Mrs. Priester was born in Davenport on the 20th day of September, 1881, in which city her parents settled on coming from Germany to the new world, the father


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there entering the employ of the Mueller Lumber Company. Later he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and is now engaged in farming in Sheridan township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Priester have been born three children, Wilma, Athol and Elna, but the second child died September 8, 1908, at the age of five years and eight days.


Mr. and Mrs. Priester have many friends in the community and their own home is a hospitable one. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Eldridge and his life is in harmony with its beneficent principles.


HUGO HOFFBAUER.


One of the prominent business men of the town of Buffalo, who despite the fact that his many years would entitle him to a well deserved rest has not ceased to give his best efforts to the mercantile business in which he is engaged is Hugo Hoffbauer. He was born in Auleben, Germany, March 3, 1836, and is a son of Frederic and Mathilda T. (Schneidewind) Hoffbauer. The former was a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, where his birth occurred November 10, 1821, while the latter was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year 1827. The couple were married in the old country which remained their home until 1848, when Mr. Hoffbauer, Sr., decided to try the opportunities said to abound in America. Accordingly they crossed the Atlantic, landed in New York, August 3, 1848, and then made their way west to Watertown, Wisconsin. There for two years the father followed farming, at the end of that period going to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he built a house-boat, on which the family floated down the Rock river to Rock Island, which they reached November 4, 1852. For the next two years, while living in this waterhouse, Hugo Hoffbauer found employment upon the steamboat Lamertine. About that time, however, an incident occurred which changed the mode of life of the family, for a storm arising in the river, the house-boat was carried across to the Iowa shore. As the country appeared inviting they determined to remain here, forthwith procuring a tract of land in Scott county which they cultivated profitably for a number of years.


Hugo Hoffbauer was twelve years of age when his parents came to America and had consequently received his education in the land of his birth. He ac- companied them from Watertown to Janesville, Wisconsin, and then assisted in the construction of the house-boat. Finally, when they took up their residence in Scott county, he did his full share in the cultivation of the farm. His life was interrupted by the inauguration of the Civil war, for like many young men of ambition Mr. Hoffbauer' was very anxious to offer his services in the support of the Union and at the same time win distinction on the field of battle. There- fore he enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, August 17, 1862, holding the commission of lieutenant. After a little more than two years' ser- vice he was appointed to a captaincy, November 17, 1864, in charge of a bat- talion. The following spring, when an assassin's hand had deprived the nation of its president, he and his men were appointed to guard Lincoln's remains as they lay in state in the capitol at Springfield, Illinois. The memories of those


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days are perhaps the most vivid of any in Mr. Hoffbauer's life; surely they have a distinction which can never be shared by any others. The solemnity of the occasion, the dignity of the man who virtually sacrificed himself for what he believed to be right and then the soldier's associations, the reminiscences of the field of struggle, all these things combined to leave an impression in- delible and unequaled by any other.


When the war was brought to a close and Mr. Hoffbauer received his hon- orable discharge from the army, he returned to Scott county to continue in the occupation which had been so rudely interrupted. In 1885 he relinquished ac- tive farming and removed to Buffalo, where he engaged in the brewing business. In a few years, however, he decided to make another change so bought the mer- cantile establishment which he now conducts.


It was in 1859 that Mr. Hoffbauer wedded Miss Virginia Meyers, a daugh- ter of Jacob Meyers, of Buffalo township. Ten children were born of this union, but only three are now living: Max, who married Miss Bessie Moorhead and is now residing in Buffalo; Lewis, who wedded Miss Ella Mayhaus and is carry- ing on a bottling works and ice business in Buffalo; and Lula, the wife of Lewis Reinbrecht of Scott county.'


In his early manhood Mr. Hoffbauer gave his political support to the re- publican party but in 1872 decided the principles of the democracy were in more accord with his own views. Since that time he has steadfastly supported its can- didates. While he was a resident of the country, he held all of the township offices within the gift of the people. Since he has lived in Buffalo he has been equally conspicuous in public affairs, for during a period of twenty years he was mayor of the village, is at present a justice of the peace, and while Grover Cleve- land was president he served as postmaster. His discharge of the trusts imposed upon him has always been marked with devotion to duty, carefulness and efficiency, so that there has been little occasion for dissatisfaction with his administration, while approbation is the general feeling. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith but at present is not affiliated with any church but is associated with several fra- ternal and social organizations, being a member of Banner Lodge, No. 16, K. P., of the local G. A. R. post, of the Turners and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The friends he has made among his brothers in these societies are unanimous in according him the respect and good will which he deserves.


HENRY FEUERBACH.


Henry Feuerbach has always resided on the farm in Cleona township which he now occupies. Here he was born July 5, 1870. He is the son of Johannas and Marie Elizabeth (Deitz) Feuerbach, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who were married in the old country and came to 'A'merica about the year 1856. They located in Scott county and were sufficiently pleased with the neighborhood to remain here the rest of their lives, the father taking up farming as his voca- tion. He died February 9, 1884, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother sur- vives and she and her son are among the largest property owners hereabout.


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Her holdings consist of some five hundred and sixty acres, three hundred of which are operated by Henry Feuerbach. Mrs. Feuerbach, who now resides in Walcott, was born December 18, 1832. She has two children, Carolina, wife of Henry Moeller of Walcott, and the subject of the sketch. Her husband had three children by a former marriage, these being John, deceased; Philip of Key- stone; and Bertha Dittmer, deceased.


The property of Henry Feuerbach consists of the home place on section 36, one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 17, and sixty acres on section 25, on the Hickory Grove township line, this amounting to five hundred and forty acres of land, all in Cleona township. All the improvements on this very desirable property were made by Mr. Feuerbach and his father. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising and as an additional interest holds a directorship in the Walcott Savings Bank.


On Christmas day, of 1893, Mr. Feuerbach and Miss Wilhelmina Soenke were united in marriage. Mrs. Feuerbach was born October 10, 1872, in Blue Grass township, her parents being Hans and Anna (Broeders) Soenke, natives of Germany, but now residing in Davenport. Five children add interest and cheer to their home. These are by name Ferdinand, Mary Anna, Elmer, Ida and Lloyd.


Politically Mr. Feuerbach pays fealty to the democratic party. He takes a live interest in public affairs and several trusts have been put into his hands as a result of the confidence of his associates. He is now serving his third term as township trustee, is a member of the township schoolboard and for many years has been a trustee of the Walcott Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is iden- tified with the Walcott Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in these fraternal relations enjoys the same high regard that he wins from the public in general.


LOUIS E. RODDEWIG.


It would be difficult to find in the later generation a young man held more securely in the affections and confidence of his fellow townsmen than Louis E. Roddewig. He was born in Davenport, March 4, 1880, and his career has already been of greater promise than that of the usual young man of his years. He is of Teutonic stock, his father, Frederick William Roddewig, having been born in the German Empire. He was a seventh son and in accordance with the custom of the country was named for Emperor Frederick William. Early in life he transferred his citizenship from Germany to America and in 1854 located in Davenport, where he engaged in the cigar business. In 1902 he retired and now finds leisure to enjoy the associations of a home which has been his for over half a century. He was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Lehnhardt, also a native of Germany, who when a young girl accompanied her parents on their removal to the United States. Her father, Ernst Lehnhardt, located near Buffalo, Iowa, and became a successful agriculturist.


LOUIS E. RODDEWIG


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Louis E. Roddewig attended Davenport's educational institutions when a boy and made good use of their advantages. When he left school it was by no means with the idea that his education was completed. With his ambitions fixed upon becoming an attorney, he entered the office of W. M. Chamberlin and there read law for several years. Meanwhile coming into connection with pub- lic men an interest in public affairs was developed in him as well as an under- standing of them, and although remarkably young to fill such an office he was elected justice of the peace for two years. Having served his term, he entered the law department of the State University of Iowa and in 1906 was admitted to the bar. While still a student at the university Mr. Roddewig had the unique distinction to be elected police magistrate of Davenport, assuredly an unusual compliment to a young man not yet out of college and an unmistakable com- ment on his popularity. He was reelected in 1908 and efficiently fills that office, at the same time engaging in the practice of law.


On May 19, 1908, Mr. Roddewig was united in marriage to Miss Olga Pe- tersen, a daughter of Theodore Petersen, of the firm of Kruse & Petersen, dry- goods merchants. Mr. Petersen, now deceased, was for many years identified with the commercial life of Davenport.


Since attaining his majority Mr. Roddewig has given his heart and his hand to the principles of the democratic party, and his political activities have been such that they have crowned him with esteem. He has numerous affiliations, being a worthy exponent of Masonry, with membership in Fraternal Lodge, No. 221, and having the Scottish Rite and Shriner degrees. He is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Red Men, and is also connected with the Commercial Club and other Davenport organizations.


OTTO HELBIG.


Otto Helbig, who passed away at his residence, 331 East Fourth street, Daven- port, October 4, 1900, had been for thirty-three years one of the more im- portant business men of this city. He was born in Neumark, Germany, March 22, 1835. His parents, Christian and Mary Helbig, spent all their lives in that province of the fatherland, where the former pursued the trade of a miller.


Otto Helbig obtained a good education in the schools of his native town, which remained his home until he was approaching young manhood. Then he decided to come to America, hoping to prove to himself the richness of the opportunities said to lie here. On coming to Davenport he learned the trade of a butcher, at which he worked as an employe for a number of years. Later he established a shop of his own first at Fourth and Rock Island streets but sub- sequently he removed to Iowa and Fourth streets, where he had a small place of business upon the rear of a lot. As he gained a substantial return from his business venture he was able to buy a lot and erect a large and modern brick building upon it. In this, his new quarters, he conducted operations for the next twenty-three years. Making every effort to satisfy his customers, he soon


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gained a large patronage, his shop being generally known as the place where the best meats and vegetables in season could be procured at moderate prices.


Mr. Helbig was twice married. His first wife was Miss Sophia Gearhart, of Clinton county, and their union was blessed with three children: Mrs. John Bronlee, Mrs. August Sebelieu, and Otto W. After her death Mr. Helbig mar- ried again, his second wife having been Miss Caroline Schweizer, to whom he was united March 22, 1881. She was a daughter of Herman and Clara (Koeh- ler) Schweizer. Two daughters have been born of this union: Louise, who be- came the wife of James H. Creighton; and Birdie, who, having graduated from the Davenport schools, is now living at home with her mother.


Mr. Helbig belonged to the United Workmen of America and with the mem- bers of his family was a consistent adherent of the Lutheran church, very active in its work and generous in its support. Mrs. Helbig is now residing at 1516 Le Claire street.


WILLIAM MURRISON.


For more than fifty years William Murrison has been a resident of Sheridan township and annually derives rich harvests from his eighty-two acres, which are a part of the tract of one hundred and sixty acres which constituted his father's estate. Successful in his own affairs he has also won the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens and at their behest has rendered valuable service in different capacities to his township for a long period of years. He was born in Canada, thirty miles from Toronto, August 22, 1846, his parents being Alex- ander and Mary Ann (Macklem) Murrison. The father was a native of Scot- land, his birth having there occurred September 2, 1808. He attended school in the old country and learned the trade of a shoemaker, but at the age of seventeen crossed the Atlantic alone and took up his residence in Canada, where he worked at his calling, was married and lived until 1852, when he came to the United States. For five years he resided in Michigan, during which time he was engaged in shoemaking, farming and teaming, and then in 1857 removed to Scott county. He had come here some years previously, however, and bought one hundred and sixty acres, for which he had paid the government price of one dollar and a quar- ter an acre, but the tract was unbroken prairie and after he brought his family to the county they lived for a year upon a rented farm, until the ground could be plowed and some improvements made upon it. He built thereon a small house and in 1858 the family made it their home, he himself residing there throughout the remainder of his life, or until August 5, 1899, when his demise occurred. During the long span of his years he had witnessed the great development of the country. When he came here first wolves roamed over the prairies, and Indians were frequently seen. The first year he lost all his crops, because of the quan- tity of the rain fall, and for many years after was obliged to work at his trade in order to supplement the income he derived from his farming, but later, through diligence and perseverance, he was able to win a large return for his labors. He also occupied an important position in the public life of his township, for he


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rendered efficient service as school director and road supervisor. His religious support was given to the Baptist church of Le Claire township, of which he was an eider. In his death Sheridan township lost one of her esteemed citizens.


While still residing in Canada, Mr. Murrison had wedded Miss Mary Ann Macklem, who was born in that country March 16, 1817, and after the death of her husband she lived at Wilton until her death, December 2, 1909, at the age of ninety-two. She was a daughter of James and Anna (Lundy) Macklem and her maternal grandfather, Mr. Lundy, owned the farm on which the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought, it having been so called from the fact that the British and American forces met upon her ancestor's property. Through her marriage Mrs. Murrison became the mother of nine children, as follows: George, who is deceased; Susie, who is the wife of Martin Krouse, of Davenport; James, of Wil- ton, Iowa; William, who is the subject of this sketch; Mary J., who became the wife of John Krouse, of Wilton, Iowa; Ellen, who is the wife of Emanuel Long, of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Thomas and Andrew, were twins and have passed away ; and Nancy, who is residing in Davenport township, this county.


William Murrison, whose name introduces this review, attended school for a short period in Michigan and after his parents established their home in Scott county, he was a pupil in the district schools here. It was but a meager educa- tion he received, however, for at best the training was but crude and the many duties attendant upon pioneer life prevented him from giving much time to the preparation of lessons, so that he had to look to practical experience for sub- stantial training for the responsibilities of life. He was twelve years of age when in 1858 he came to live upon the farm which is now his home, and in the half century that has passed he has devoted himself diligently to the cultivation of its fields. Knowing the nature of the soil he has made a study of the crops best adapted to it and to the climate, and every year reaps a harvest whose size is indicative of his skill as a husbandman. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he has also engaged in raising hogs, deriving from both branches of his business an ample income. He has exhibited keen sagacity in his operations, thereby being able to conserve his resources and derive the greatest good from them.


On the 28th of February, 1872, Mr. Murrison married Miss Christina Marti, a native of Winfield township, Scott county, and a daughter of Bartholomew and Anna Barbara (Schlegel) Marti. The parents were born in Switzerland, but came to Scott county among the early settlers, having established their home here in 1852. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murrison. Mar- garet, the elder, is the wife of Edwin Balch, of Chicago, Illinois, and Nookie lives at home. 4


Mr. Murrison has been called by his fellow citizens to fill several offices of trust and responsibility. He was elected to the secretaryship of the schoolboard, a position he held for twenty-one years, while he is still a member of that body. Twelve years ago he was made justice of the peace and has been the incumbent of that office continuously since, the fairness and ability he has shown in apply- ing the law winning for him the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World at Long Grove. There has been no esoteric phase in his career; in his private affairs as in his


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public life, he has held to high standards of honorable manhood so that he well deserves the success which has attended his labors and the good will which is universally accorded him. Mr. Murrison has just bought a fine modern home in the village of Eldridge where he expects to move with his family this year (1910), but will still retain the management of his present farm.


CHARLES THODT.


No better testimony of the industry and thrift which was characteristic of the life work of Charles Thodt can be given than one of the well improved farms of one hundred and sixty acres which he left to his heirs when he passed to his reward on the 26th of October, 1908. For a half century he had been associated with the people of Scott county, for it was in Long Grove that his birth occurred, March 4, 1858. Through the period of his youth, and early manhood he remained in the home of his parents, Jochim and Catherine (Hinrichsen) Thodt, the for- mer a native of Holstein, Germany. When a young man he emigrated to the new world and the year 1851 witnessed his arrival in Scott county, Iowa. He assisted in building the Rock Island Railroad through this county and became a well known citizen of this section of the state. He was married here, his wife being a widow with five children. By her marriage to Mr. Thodt she became the mother of a daughter and son but the daughter, Emma, passed away at the age of two years, leaving our subject as the only child of that union. The mother was called to her final rest September 25, 1881, and following her demise the father made his home with his son for thirteen years, when he met death in Davenport by drowning in April, 1895.


Charles Thodt remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 3d of January, 1882, to Miss Jette Rohwer, who was born in Allens Grove township, January 10, 1857. Her parents, Claus and Magreatha (Koehler) Rohwer, were both natives of Germany, the father emigrating to the new world in 1848, while the lady whom he afterward made his wife arrived three or four years later, their mar- riage being celebrated in Scott county. Both still survive and they now make their home in Donahue, this county.


Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thodt began their domestic life on the present home farm, which Mrs. Thodt had previously received from her father. This place comprises one hundred and sixty acres located on sections 29 and 32, Hickory Grove township. All the buildings which are here seen were erected by Mr. Thodt and for many years he devoted his time and energies to its cultivation, and also raised stock. He was a stockholder in the Walcott Savings Bank and in the Farmers Elevator of Walcott. Besides their property in Scott county, the family own a section of land in Osceola county, Iowa.


A democrat in his political views, Mr. Thodt served as road supervisor for ten years, while for sixteen years he was trustee of Hickory Grove township. For twenty-three years he likewise acted as secretary of the independent school district, which included three schools. Fond of hunting, he belonged to the


MRS. CHARLES THODT


CHARLES THODT


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Schuetzen Verein, a German shooting organization, at Marysville. Although he performed many acts of kindness and did much public service of an important character, he never spoke of this in social intercourse but such acts are kept in remembrance and the importance of those services acknowledged. His example is an object lesson to those who come after him and long after all recollection of his personality shall have faded from the minds of men the less perishable record may tell the story of his life and commend his example for imitation.


With the widow, five children survive the father's death. These are: Kath- arine Mary, the wife of August Adrian, of Osceola county, Iowa; Robert J., of the state of Washington; and Henrietta Amanda, Carl Christian and Alfred Henry, all at home. The fifth in order of birth, Martha Margaretha, died at the age of sixteen years. The family is a prominent and highly respected one in the community and the hospitality of their pleasant home is extended to many friends.




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