History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 65

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 65


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


party, and by that party he was elected to the office of trustee and served for six years more. He is now acting as a school director and was road supervisor for six years. He is ever interested in measures and projects for the welfare and upbuilding of the community and has cooperated in many movements for the general good. In all of his business affairs he has proven himself reliable, ener- getic and diligent, and as the years have passed by he has won that success which is ever the reward of earnest labor and capable management.


PETER H. HAGEDORN.


When Peter H. Hagedorn came to Iowa Scott county was in the first stages of its development and even after he had reached man's estate and had entered upon his business career as a farmer he had to clear and break the land on which he lived for fifty years. Therefore, not only has he witnessed the transformation of the county and of the various townships in which he owned real estate, but he has participated in the difficult work of development. The success he won con- tributed in no small measure to the sum total of the prosperity of this section of the state. Having retired from active life, he still owns two hundred acres of arable land in Sheridan township, one hundred and forty-five acres in Davenport township, one hundred and twenty in Lincoln township and two pieces of town property in the city of Davenport, which is now his home.


He was born in Holstein, Germany, November 3, 1830, a son of Claus and Margaret (Krausfeldt) Hagedorn. The father was a weaver by trade in his na- tive land and about 1847 decided to come to the United States. The family dis- embarked at New Orleans and ascended the Mississippi river to Davenport, where they landed June 21, 1847. Upon his arrival Mr. Hagedorn, Sr., entered forty acres of land in Davenport township, as it was then known but is now included within the boundaries of Sheridan township. The tract had not at that time known the plow or harrow so that the work of breaking it for cultivation added hardships to the life of a man who would make a home in this locality. Never- theless, undiscouraged by the difficult prospect, he brought his family to the town- ship and built a house upon his little plot of ground, which was destined to re- main his home for eight years. He then removed to Winfield township, now Sheridan township. In the course of years, however, he was able to add consid- erably to his property and finally felt justified in retiring from the active pur- suit of farming. The last twenty years of his life were spent in comparative rest in the city of Davenport. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Peter, the subject of this sketch; Christian, deceased; Kathryn, who married Henry Kardel, of Davenport; and James, who lives in Minnesota.


For several years after his advent here Peter H. Hagedorn worked for va- rious farmers in his vicinity, at the same time rendering his father assistance in the cultivation of the home farm until October 14, 1850, when he and his brother Christian bought one hundred and sixty acres in Winfield township, now Sheri- dan township, which they started to break immediately and in 1853, taking their sister as housekeeper, took up their residence upon it for they had built a house


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


upon the place. There Mr. Hagedorn lived for almost half a century, when he removed to Davenport, leaving some of his children to operate the home place. His son Otto died there and he was compelled to return to assume the manage- ment of the place, so that it was not until 1903 that he was finally able to make Davenport his residence. In the course of years, while he tilled the soil with the skill and industry of the born agriculturist, he accumulated large land holdings, having four hundred and seventy acres. He knew the value of frugality and economy of time and labor, and, being a man quick to see the increasing value of farm property, he invested heavily. He assisted in organizing and was vice president of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Scott county.


On the 3d of April, 1860, Mr. Hagedorn wedded Miss Eliza Schwarten, a na- tive of Germany, where her parents had died. Twelve children were born to them. Henry is deceased. Emma is at home. Laura married Otto Mohr, of Lincoln township, and they have four children, John, Samuel, Ralph and Edna. Otto died at the age of thirty years. Meta married Herman Klint and lives in Lincoln township. They have four children, Harry, Lillian, Sadie and Arthur. Agnes became the wife of Elmer Elmegreen and lives in Davenport. They have two children, Oscar and Hildegarde. The next two died in infancy. Minnie became the wife of William Kirtley but has now passed away, leaving one child, Florence. William and Julia are at home.Ella married William Frick, of Davenport, and they have two children, Elmer and Elvina.


While Mr. Hagedorn was a resident of Sheridan township he was closely iden- tified with public interests. For a number of terms he rendered efficient service as township trustee and as road supervisor and for the greater part of a decade was president of the local school board. His official duties were fulfilled with a devotion and fidelity which ever characterized his performance of trusts im- posed upon him, gaining for him the high esteem of the men who knew him as a farmer and a friend.


EDWARD COLLINS.


In the life of Edward Collins, who was for many years one of the prominent newspaper men of Davenport and is now the auditor of Scott county, we have an exemplification of what is only too infrequently the case, the office seeking the man. 'A' native of this city, he was born November 15, 1864, a son of Jeremiah and Mary (Tobin) Collins, both of Irish birth, who as young people came with their parents to this country at the time of the famine in Ireland. Jeremiah Col- lins located first in Detroit and Chicago, where he worked for years upon the lake steamers as steward. During that time, however, he also learned the trade of an iron molder, and when he came to Davenport, in the early '50s, he followed that calling until he retired from active life. His death occurred in 1907, when he was seventy-seven years of age, his life partner following him to the grave two years later. He and his wife were the parents of five children : one who died in infancy; D. J., passenger engineer upon the Iowa Central Railroad; T. W., who served in the Philippines and is now engaged in river work in the south; Nellie, the widow


EDWARD COLLINS


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


of David Tobin and a resident of Savanna, Illinois; and Edward, the subject of this sketch.


Edward Collins received his fundamental training in the common English branches of education in the public schools of Davenport and then started to learn the printer's trade. He began upon the Northwestern News as printer's devil, ultimately becoming foreman. The Davenport Times was established by the same interests, and on that paper the subject of this sketch filled successively the posi- tions of foreman, reporter, city editor and managing editor. In 1902 he went to the Davenport Republican as night editor, and then removed to New York city to assume charge of the composing room of the McClure's Magazine, which depart- ment was installed by him. He had been there only two years, however, when his health failed and he felt that he must resign his position. His employers were very reluctant to have him do that and rather than see him leave offered to send him upon a European trip to recuperate, provided he would remain with them. Nevertheless he could not be persuaded, but, feeling that he would be better in his native city, he returned to Davenport, where he assumed the duties of editor of the Daily Republican. In 1904, while occupying that position, he was elected city clerk, although he had not sought the office and had been too ill to do any cam- paigning, and two years later was elected county auditor. In 1908 he was the only republican who was elected in county or city, which is indicative of the high value the citizens place upon his services and the esteem in which he is held as a man and public servant.


In April, 1893, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Purcell, also a native of Davenport and a daughter of Patrick Purcell, who was one of the old time locomotive engineers. They have one daughter, Mary Katharine.


Mr. Collins belongs to a number of the social and fraternal societies of the city and is well esteemed among his fellow members. As a newspaper man he en- joyed the confidence of his associates and the public in general, and by the consid- eration shown during the years of service at the desk as also by the disposition to speak kindly rather than harshly of his fellowman he has made many warm friends who loyally come to his support when occasion demands and sincerely rejoice with him in the success that may follow. Despite the success that has rewarded his efforts and the honors that have been conferred upon him by his fellow citizens, Mr. Collins is the same plain, unassuming man he has always been and treasures deeply the friendship of the associates of his boyhood and his more strenuous days as a hustler in the newspaper whirl.


J. H. BENDIXEN.


Davenport has some notable examples of self-made men who have advanced from humble stations to high official positions with firms that command immense capital and control the destinies of many employes. Such a man is J. H. Ben- dixen, vice president and sales manager of the Bettendorf Company. He was born in Germany, June 12, 1870, a son of Henry and Martha (Johanssen) Ben- dixen, also natives of Germany. The same year of our subject's birth the family


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


came to the United States, locating in Davenport, where the father was employed as an engineer for a number of years, but is now living retired in the city.


J. H. Bendixen, after receiving a common-school education, learned the ma- chinist's trade, which he followed in Davenport and Chicago for fourteen years, four of which were spent in the employ of the Illinois Steel Company, in charge of the machine shop. For three years he was in charge of the machine shop of the Standard Elevator Company, now the Otis Elevator Company. In 1894 he returned to Davenport, to take a position with the Bettendorf Axle Company as assistant superintendent. As the business advanced, he progressed with it, becoming superintendent and then manager of the works, and in 1906 he was made vice president and sales manager. The remarkable success of this company has been furthered by Mr. Bendixen, whose intimate knowledge of the work and wide experience with mammoth institutions made him well qualified to advance any concern with which he might have connected himself.


In March, 1894, he was married to Johanna Kramp, a native of Germany. Mr. Bendixen belongs to the Commercial Club and the Travelers Society, as well as to other clubs and societies in various cities in which he has lived. He is a man widely and favorably known as possessing unusual business ability. Although absorbed in the advancement of the company he is connected with, Mr. Bendixen has never neglected his duty as a citizen, and has cheerfully sup- ported whatever he believed would be for the best interests of all parties concerned.


OSCAR C. KOEHLER.


The building of cities begins with the work of a few men who lay the foun- dations, but the superstructure comes as the result of the marked enterprise and business ability of those who recognize in the complexity of interests the oppor- tunity for the establishment and successful control of large undertakings. It was because of his powers in this direction that Oscar C. Koehler became one of the conspicuous figures in the business life of Davenport and in the brewery inter- ests of the middle west. Born in Fort Madison, Iowa, December 25, 1857, his life record covered the intervening years to the 16th of August, 1902-years fraught with large accomplishment and substantial successes. He came to Dav- enport with his parents in 1871.


His father, Henry Koehler, established the Arsenal brewery, which became well known in this and surrounding states, and was interested in many other enterprises that brought him a gratifying measure of success and resulted in the enlargement of the commercial operations of the city. Five of the children born to him still survive, namely: Hugo, who is the secretary of the Independent Breweries Company; Henry, who resides in St. Louis and is president of the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain & Pacific Railroad; Max K., who has various busi- ness interests; and Mrs. Adolph Priester and Mrs. Karl Vollmer, who are living in Davenport.


Oscar C. Koehler received his early education in the public schools of Fort Madison, Iowa, and, after coming to Davenport, spent four years in the schools


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


of this city, wherein his general training was completed. In 1875, with the in- tention of becoming thoroughly familiar with the science of brewing, he went to Germany and for three years studied chemistry at Worms and Leipsic. For the two years subsequent to his return to Davenport he was actively engaged in business with his father, and then, in 1880, went to St. Louis, Missouri, where they opened a brewery. They operated it successfully for a number of years and after selling it our subject and his brother Henry embarked in the wine busi- ness, Oscar becoming secretary of the company. Being joined by their brothers, Hugo and Max K., in 1890 they formed the American Brewing Company and it was due to their efforts that the A. B. C. beer became more widely known west of the Mississippi than any other brand. Henry and Hugo Koehler remained in St. Louis, but in 1894, Oscar Koehler returned to Davenport to manage the large interests of the family during the absence of his father, and from that time until his death he was actively connected with progressive business interests in this city. With the keen sagacity that ever characterized his undertakings he looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and, appreciating the tendencies toward combination, conceived the idea of consoli- dating the brewing interests in this city. Through his efforts this was accom- plished and he was made president of the amalgamated concern, which was known as the Davenport Malting Company, and the success of which, conspicuous in the midst of many prosperous enterprises, was largely due to Mr. Koehler's able management.


On the 15th of August, 1886, Mr. Koehler wedded Miss Matilda Lange, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of St. Louis, Missouri. Her father was one of the organizers of a bank in that city and had other finan- cial interests there. Mr. and Mrs. Koehler became the parents of six children ; Hugo, Elise, Herbert, Ottilie, Ida and Hildegard.


Mr. Koehler was faithful in all his home relations, being a loving husband and a wise and affectionate father, and his loss was keenly felt. He was also missed among his business associates and his fellow members of the Turners and other German societies, for he possessed those qualities that endeared him to others. 'A" most energetic and up-to-date business man, his views of affairs were not cramped or confined, but rather broad and looking to large horizons and including many interests, and his influence was ever effective in promoting progress.


JOHN SNYDER.


John Snyder, one of the progressive farmers of Allens Grove township, came to Scott county before Iowa was admitted to statehood, and, growing up with the country, he participated in its development, contributing no small share to its prosperity as an agricultural locality. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, August 5, 1843, his parents being Simon and Susanna (Jacobs) Snyder. They were both natives of Pennsylvania, he of Mt. Bethel and she of Philadelphia, but they were married in Tompkins county, New York, where Mr. Snyder, who was following the tanner's trade at that time, had built a tannery. Later they


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


removed to Huron county, Ohio, whence he came to Scott county, Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river after dark on the last day of November, 1846. The old horse ferry was then in use in transferring the passengers from one bank to the other but this, like other incidents of those early days, is only a memory now. The family located one mile east of where the village of Dixon now stands, al- though there was little at that time to indicate the future growth of this section of the state. Nevertheless, Mr. Snyder believed he was not making a mistake and the years have proved the wisdom of his choice both in the case of his own achievements as a farmer and those of his sons. Here he spent the remainder of his life, acquiring several hundred acres of property before he divided it among his children. Seven were born to him and his wife. Ephraim is de- ceased. Roswell B. and Richard J. were drowned in the Wapsipinicon river in 1848. Rudolph S. enlisted in August, 1861, in Company C, Second Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil war. He is now residing in Dixon. C. B. has also made his home in Dixon after having pursued farming successfully for a number of years. Daniel enlisted in the Second Iowa Cavalry and served dur- ing the three years of the Civil war. He is now living in Grand Mound, Clinton county, Iowa. John is the subject of this sketch. The father was always strong in his support of the principles of the republican party, while he gave his adher- ence in religious matters to the Methodist church.


John Snyder resided upon the farm which was his home until he retired from three years of age-in fact, since that December morning when his parents chose it as their home. He attended the district schools of Allens Grove township during his youth, obtaining the most meager education which was given to the farmers' boys at that time. He also assisted in breaking the soil for cultivation and in tilling it when he was old enough to handle the plow. When the land- holdings of his father were divided he obtained one hundred and four acres of the old homestead lying upon sections 17 and 8, on the bank of the Wapsipinicon river, and twenty-four and one-half acres across the river in Olive township, Clinton county. Upon this land he has made a number of valuable improve- ments, erecting buildings which adequately fill his needs as a farmer and a stock- man, for he has made a specialty of raising shorthorn Durham cows and Poland China hogs. From this branch of his business he derives an income commen- surate with that he obtains from his cultivation of the soil.


In 1873 Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Mary Bousselot, who was born in France, May 9, 1852. In 1853 her parents, Frederick and Frances (Jesseron) Bousselot, came to this country, locating first in Illinois and later coming to Iowa. In this state they passed the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Bousselot dying in Clinton county, December 1, 1874, and Mr. Bousselot in this county, October 12, 1886. They had eleven children, seven of whom were born in France, where two died, the four others being natives of the United States. Only six are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had seven children : Emma Josephine, the wife of Thomas Kincaid, of Allens Grove township; Ephraim Hayes, who is at home; Simon, who is living upon his grandfather's place ad- joining the farm which belonged to his father; Daniel Le Roy, who resides in Buenavista, Iowa; Sadie Lillian, who is at home ; Nellie Laura, the wife of John Hickson, of Dixon; and Jennie Iva, who is a school teacher and lives at home.


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Mr. Snyder has always given his support to the republican party but has taken little active interest in local affairs, although the success of his life and the integrity upon which it has been based would naturally suggest him as a man worthy to receive honors from the people.


WALTER McMANN.


Walter McMann, foreman of the machine and blacksmith shops of the Bet- tendorf Axle Company of Davenport, is one of the men who has risen to a responsible position through careful attention to his work and inherent ability for directing others. He was born in Moline, Illinois, June 1, 1871, being a son of Robert and Agnes (Hillhouse) McMann. The father was born in Ireland and came to the United States in time to serve four years as a soldier. Following his army experience, the young man went to Moline where he located and for a number of years was superintendent of the mills of Barnard Leas & Company, and a stockholder in that enterprise. At present he is in the real-estate business in British Columbia. His wife was born in Canada.


Walter McMann is a product of the public-school system of Moline. After finishing school he learned the trade of a machinist in his native city, and then wishing to see something of the west he worked at his trade in Tacoma and Se- attle, Washington, remaining away for two years. Returning home, he was in the employ of the Moline Elevator Company until 1892, when the Bettendorf Axle Company was established. At that time he came to Davenport to enter its works, continuing a machinist until 1906, when the management placed him in charge of the machine and blacksmiths shops, realizing that they could secure no better man. In addition, Mr. McMann was one of the organizers of the Betten- dorf Savings Bank and is now on its board of directors.


In 1893 Mr. McMann married Bertha Neuenhaus, a native of the city. They have four children : Arthur, Ruth, Walter and William. Mr. McMann is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen Camp and is very popular in that organization. He is a sound, reliable young man, absorbed in his work, and enjoying the full con- fidence of the company, which he represents.


FELIX HIRSCHL.


Felix Hirschl, a retired farmer and banker, who has taken up his residence in the city of Davenport, was born in Arad, Hungary, October 20, 1846, a son of Samuel and Theresa (Kohn) Hirschl. The father came to the United States in 1848 and after having been eighty-five days upon the ocean disembarked at New Orleans. He ascended the Mississippi river to St. Louis, settling in Belle- ville, near that city, where he opened a dairy. After a short time, in 1850, he came to Davenport, where he found employment in the service of the govern- ment. Later he engaged in the wholesale grocery business and also dealt con- siderably in real estate. Before his death, however, he returned to the land of


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


his birth, where he passed the remainder of his life and Vienna is still the home of several of his children.


Felix Hirschl was the fifth in order of birth in a family of twelve. He at- tended the schools of Davenport, in which he obtained all his education, learning after leaving school the trade of a tinner. He did not work at it, however, for he was put in charge of his father's property in this country when the latter re- turned to Hungary. For about three years he was an assistant to Mayor Mur- phy and then engaged in the street car business, being one of the promoters of the first lines established here. The year of 1880 to 1881 he spent in travel and then engaged in farming in Boone county, Iowa, on land which belonged to his father. About twelve years were spent in tilling the soil there, after which he removed to what was known as the old Dutton farm. Upon forsaking agricul- ture he took up his residence on Fourth street and engaged in banking in this city, an occupation he followed with success until he retired from active life, being one of the promoters of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank.


On the 10th of February, 1880, Mr. Hirschl was married to Miss Mary Willi, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Gold) Willi. They were residents of this county, where Mr. Willi followed farming for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hirschl have become the parents of six children: Ella M., living at home, who was graduated from the St. Catherine's School of Davenport and is now an art student; Samuel W., who completed the high-school course and is now in the employ of the Bell Jones Company ; Jesse and Flora, both deceased. Julius E., who was graduated from the high school and is now a freshman in the University of Illinois; and Theresa, who is still a school girl and lives at home.


The family now occupies a pleasant home at 725 Farmers street, where a generous hospitality is extended to friend and worthy stranger. Mr. Hirschl who was for many years an important factor in the business life of the city, still enjoys the esteem of the men who were his associates.


HANS NISSEN.


In the years of his residence in Davenport, covering the period from 1874 until his death in 1906, Hans Nissen enjoyed the respect and good will of his fellow townsmen and was recognized as a leader among the German-American citizens. He was born in Wohlde, Friedenstadt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, September 24, 1847, and was a son of Hans Nissen, Sr.




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