History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 7

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 7

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WILLIAM COOKE WADSWORTH.

William Cooke Wadsworth, deceased, was the organizer of the Citizens Nat- ional Bank and a prominent figure in financial circles in Davenport, but was per- haps even more widely known in the development of extensive mercantile in- terests which constituted an important feature in commercial circles here. He was born June 27, 1826, in Litchfield, Connecticut, and at the usual age entered the public schools there, continuing his studies to the age of eighteen. He then went to New Haven and made his initial step in the business world by becoming connected with a dry-goods enterprise, with which he was associated until 1848. Macon, Georgia, was his next place of residence and he remained there in a

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

similar line of business until 1855, when he came to Davenport. This city was. then comparatively small and of little commercial and industrial importance. Mr. Wadsworth became an active factor in its substantial advancement and in its natural and healthy expansion in the lines of commercial activity. He opened a retail dry-goods store at No. 127 West Second street and such was the success of the original undertaking that he soon afterward established a second store in Rock Island, Illinois. Both enterprises proved profitable from the beginning and in 1861 he opened a wholesale house, conducting the three stores in a suc- cessful manner until 1868. He then disposed of the retail stores and thereafter devoted his entire attention to the large wholesale business at Nos. 109, III and 113 East Second street. Untiring and of persistent purpose, full of ambition and of progressive, modern ideas, he carefully formulated his plans and carried them forward to successful completion, building up his enterprise upon sound business principles until it was second to none in the city in the extent and char- acter of the trade enjoyed by the house. At the outset of his career he adopted certain business policies, the value of which were demonstrated in his success. He never made engagements which he did not keep nor incurred obligations which he did not meet; he regarded no detail as too unimportant to receive his attention and he demanded on the part of his representatives a uniform courtesy and con- sideration for all patrons. He won the allegiance of his employes by his fair and just treatment of them and his recognition of their worth by promotion as op- portunity offered. In the conduct of his business he held to high standards in the personnel of the house, in the line of goods carried and in the relations to the public. Mr. Wadsworth was also interested in various other business enter- prises, many of which profited by the stimulus of his cooperation and the adop- tion of his sound business principles. He became one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank, was a director for nearly forty years and for two years acted as its president.

On the 26th of October, 1859, Mr. Wadsworth was married to Miss Anna Mitchell, of Rock Island, and they became parents of four children: William M., Henry T .; Mary Hall and Walter C., who died in early life. Mr. Wads- worth was preeminently a man of domestic tastes, devoted to his family, and he also held friendship inviolable. He attended the services of the Congregational church. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and to him would have been accorded high political honors had he not continually refused to be- come an active participant in politics as an office holder. Several times he re- fused the candidacy for mayor, although his fellow townsmen urgently requested him to accept the office, knowing that he would give to the city a businesslike and progressive administration, free from misrule and the domination of sel- fish interests. He was very firm and positive in his beliefs and unequivocal in the expression of his sentiments, yet he accorded to others the privilege which he reserved to himself of forming and supporting unbiased opinions. He worked harder than any other man to raise money for the new bridge across the river and it was mainly owing to his efforts that this enterprise was carried to a suc- cessful termination. He was a great reader, finding delight in literature and scientific research, and thus his intellectual forces were being continually aug- mented. He educated many young men in his employ to be expert business men

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

and when the occasion was timely frequently gave to them friendly and valuable advice. He died at Indianapolis, Indiana, February 12, 1907, when on his way to the south, and Davenport's loss was a great one because of his marked busi- ness enterprise, his public-spirited devotion to the general good and his worth as a man. His record was an honor to the city which honored him and it would be difficult to find a resident of Davenport who was more uniformly beloved.

JOHN B. FIDLAR.

The consensus of public opinion accords to John B. Fidlar a prominent posi- tion in the ranks of Davenport's progressive, enterprising and successful business men. While perhaps best known as cashier of the First National Bank, a position which he occupied for seventeen years, he was also associated with various other corporate interests and his colleagues and contemporaries came to know him as a man notable, prompt, energetic and honorable. He was born May 16, 1839, in Hebron, Licking county, Ohio, where he spent the first fifteen years of his life. In 1854 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Delaware, Ohio, where he remained for five years and in the meantime supplemented his public school edu- cation by a two years' course in the Ohio Wesleyan University. On the 7th of April, 1859, he came to Davenport with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. Fidlar, entering the business circles of this city as a young man of twenty years. He was first employed as patrol guard on the old bridge here and afterward went to Burlington, where for a year or more he occupied the position of clerk in the old Barrett House, which was then the leading hotel in that section of the state.

After the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Fidlar, constrained by the spirit of patriotism, offered his services to the government, enlisting on the 14th of August, 1862, as a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. For gallant military service he was advanced through successive grades of promotion until he became captain of his company. His war record was one of unflinching bravery and on one occasion he was wounded by a musket ball in his arm, which troubled him to the day of his death. Iowa never sent a more loyal, valiant soldier into the field. He performed an act of gallantry before Vicksburg which alone would entitle him to the military honors which were conferred upon him in his promotion to the captaincy. When the Union troops had been disorganized by a fierce fire in front of them and some flanking movements of the enemy and were falling back in a retreat that promised to become a rout he hurled his com- pany against the retreating masses in a fierce bayonet charge, stopped them, held them firm a few minutes and maintained the position so taken until there was time to reform the columns and get into action again, thus saving the day. This incident was characteristic of his record as a soldier and also of the qualities which he displayed in the business world, for he attacked every business problem with vigor and with keen insight recognized the advantages and possibilities of the situation.

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

After the war Mr. Fidlar located in Burlington and for a time acted as cash- ier for the American Express Company, while later he was upon the road as ex- press messenger between Burlington and Council Bluffs. On the 4th of January, 1871, he returned to Davenport, where he accepted the position of discount clerk in the First National Bank, filling the position acceptably and faithfully for seven years, when he was promoted to cashier. He remained in that position for seven- teen years and then tendered his resignation. His life record was an untarnished. one and there was never a thought of anything but straightforward business in ali of his connection with the bank. Early in his identification with the institu- tion he made it his purpose to thoroughly master every department of banking and for a long period he was regarded as one of the foremost representatives of financial interests in the city.

As the years passed Mr. Fidlar extended his efforts into other fields, for he was a man of resourceful business ability, capable of controlling varied interests and at all times proving his worth in his sound opinions relative to commercial and financial affairs. After he retired from the bank he was identified with the insurance interests and was treasurer of the Davenport Safety Deposit Com- pany, of the Register Life and Annuity Company, of the Merchants and Mechanics Building, Loan and Savings Association and a director in all three.

On the 16th of September, 1868, Mr. Fidlar was married in Burlington to Miss Lovenia Harper, a daughter of William Harper of that place. Unto this marriage was born a son, William Harper Fidlar, who married Bessie Sloan Alt- man, and died in 1900, leaving a son, John Brainard, who makes his home in Davenport. Mr. Fidlar was a member of Trinity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the various Masonic bodies in this city, being an exemplary representative of the craft. In politics he was a stalwart republican from the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise, believing firmly in the principles of the party which stood by the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion. In matters of citizenship he was public-spirited in an eminent degree. His labors were prompted not only by civic pride but by that stronger element of citizenship-the constant, steady determination to bring about the very best conditions of city life for all the people. When the country was engaged in the Civil war he feared not to face the enemy on the field of battle. In the days of peace his influence was as a quiet, steady, moving force, accomplish- ing results. He was honored wherever known and most of all where best known.

CHRISTIAN MUELLER.

There is no man among Davenport's honored dead who deserves more promi- nent mention than Christian Mueller, who for many years figured as one of the leading lumber merchants of the city and while conducting an extensive business enterprise found opportunity for active and effective cooperation in many move- ments which have left their impress upon the city's growth and substantial develop- ment. Moreover, the salient qualities of his character were such as made him

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

respected and beloved by all who knew him. Born in Holstein, Germany, on the Ist of March, 1823, he was sixteen years of age when he was apprenticed to a mercantile concern and thus laid the foundation for his business career in the thorough commercial training which he there received. Wisely utilizing his opportunities and husbanding his resources, in 1844 he was enabled to engage in merchandising on his own account, opening a store in Kiel. While there he also took active interest in athletics and was the instructor in a turners' society. Moreover, he was keenly interested in the vital questions and issues of the day relative to the government policy and, holding decided views concerning many public affairs, during the winter of 1847-8 he organized a company of volunteers to aid the forces operating to secure greater freedom from the oppression of the Danish monarchy. In the latter year he joined some Schleswig-Holstein soldiers and other volunteers and this heroic band attacked a fortified post at Rendsburg, Holstein, which they captured. In the rebellion which followed he was wounded three times and in July, 1850, was taken prisoner, after which he laid for nine months in a hospital in Denmark. After peace had been declared he spent some time recuperating his health and in 1852 he sailed for the United States, deter- mined to enjoy in the new world the liberty which was denied him in his native Iand.

Mr. Mueller reached Davenport in July of that year and soon after his arrival established a vinegar factory on the present site of the Kohrs Packing Company. This was destroyed by fire in 1854 and he lost all he had, but he did not become discouraged and with resolute spirit set to work to retrieve his losses. A few months later he married Elfrieda Claussen, a daughter of Hans Reimer Claussen, and with the added stimulus of having a home of his own to provide for he started again in the business world.

It was at this time that Mr. Mueller obtained his first experience in connection with the lumber trade, securing a position in a sawmill and thus gaining a knowl- edge of the business which stood him in good stead in later years. He worked for a time in a sawmill in Davenport and afterward operated a flour mill in Lyons, Iowa. On his return to this city, in 1857, he accepted a position as fore- man and salesman with the lumber firm of French & Davis and when that failed in 1858 he was given charge of the disposition of their stock. In 1860 he became salesman for several lumber firms and from 1863 until 1868 engaged in the grain business on his own account. He had found the lumber trade congenial, how- ever, and in March of the latter year he purchased the Dessaint interest in the lumber firm of Dessaint & Schricker, while in July, 1883, on the death of Mr. Schricker, he became sole proprietor. On the Ist of January, 1895, he associated his three sons, Frank W., Edward C., and William L., with him in the business, which was then continued under the name of Chris Mueller & Sons. He ranked as one of the leading lumber merchants of the west, the firm enjoying a reputa- tion from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The straightforward, honorable business policy which he instituted at the commencement of his career was ever main- tained, and the reliability of the house constituted one of the most potent forces in its continued and growing success.

The death of Mr. Mueller occurred on the 10th of September, 1901, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was one of the most prominent

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

and most beloved citizens of Davenport, his personal traits of character gaining him a firm hold on the affections of those with whom he was associated. His name was regarded as synonymous with business integrity and enterprise, and in social circles he was ever a welcome guest. He enjoyed association with his old friends but home was never forgotten and his happiest hours were spent at his own fireside. He was one of the founders and the first president of the Davenport Turngemeinde and was looked upon as the father of the organiza- tion. He was also one of the oldest members of the Davenport Schuetzen Gesellschaft. In public affairs relative to the city's growth and improvement he was deeply interested, as was manifest by his tangible support of many movements for the public good.

FRANK W. MUELLER.

Frank W. Mueller, the eldest son of Christian and Elfrieda Mueller, was born in Davenport, October 18, 1863. His boyhood days were spent in his father's home, during which time he attended the public schools of the city, while later he enjoyed the advantage of instruction in the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated. His education complete, he became associated with his father in the lumber business and in order to gain comprehensive knowledge thereof passed through every department, thus fitting himself for his present important position. Since his father's death he has been called to the presidency of the Mueller Lumber Company and is thus in control of one of the most ex- tensive and important lumber concerns not only of Davenport but of the middle west. He is likewise the vice president of the Mueller Land & Timber Company and in business affairs his judgment is regarded as most sound. He is a member of the Turners and the Schuetzen societies and is also well known in Masonic circles.

ED C. MUELLER.

Ed C. Mueller, associated with his brothers in the Mueller Lumber Company, was born January 8, 1865, in this city, and pursued his education through suc- cessive grades in the public schools until he undertook the mastery of the branches taught in the high school. He afterward attended the Duncan Business College and when his course was completed, like his brothers, became connected with the father's business. All were thoroughly trained in the various departments of the business and the result is that the enterprise has continued to grow under their management since the father's death. From 1886 until 1907 Ed C. Mueller had charge of the manufacturing interests in the summer and was superintendent of the logging in the winter. He thus gained intimate and comprehensive knowl- edge of the business in its operative department and since 1907 has looked after the buying for the Mueller Lumber Company, of which he is now the secretary and treasurer. He also has considerable supervision over the interests of the

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Mueller Land & Timber Company, of which he is the president. The latter company has very large interests in Oregon and the scope of both business en- terprises is being gradually extended, while the firm has become widely known throughout the middle portion of the country and even far into the west.

In 1889 Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Clara Bruhn, a native of Daven- port and a daughter of John Bruhn, one of the old residents of the city. They have two children : Walter, born July 5, 1896; and Elinore, born August 19, 1902.

W. L. MUELLER.

W. L. Mueller was born February 21, 1867, and is a son of Christian Mueller, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The public schools afforded him his early educational privileges and he afterward attended Gris- wold College. He then became connected with the lumber business which was founded and conducted by his father, spending the first year on the river and in keeping books. Like his brothers, he passed through every department of the business in order that he might thoroughly acquaint himself with the trade, not only in the management of the financial interests but also in the value of lumber. It was in 1895 that he was admitted to a partnership and since the death of the father the business has been carried on by the sons, W. L. Mueller being now the vice president of the Mueller Lumber Company. He gives his undivided time and attention to the management and development of the buisness and his efforts have constituted an important factor in its expansion and substantial growth.

In 1893 Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Bernhardine Lennhuis, a native of Davenport and a daughter of Bernhard Lennhuis, one of the old settlers of Scott county. They now have two children, Ben and Annie. Mr. Mueller belongs to the Turners and other societies, in which his social qualities and generous spirit have rendered him popular.

ALEXANDER FRASER WILLIAMS.

Alexander Fraser Williams, deceased, who stood as a splendid example of the enterprising, thrifty and loyal citizen and a faithful follower of the church, whose life did much to inspire and encourage others and whose memory is cherished in the hearts of all who knew him, was born in Westfield, New Jersey, on the 15th of June, 1826. His life record covered sixty-one years, his death occurring in Atlantic, Iowa, December 15, 1887. His parents were Charles Clark Wil- laims and Eliza High Miller, who were married in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1818. They became the parents of seven daughters and three sons but only two are now living: William Belden, a resident of Nebraska; and Mrs. Margaret Dougherty, of Iowa. Most of the ancestors of the family were farming people and all bear honorable records as honest, hard-working men and women, living in a quiet, humble way. The Williams branch of the family were Welsh. Nathaniel

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Williams, the grandfather of A. F. Williams, had three children : a son who died in early manhood ; a daughter Ann, who became the wife of Willard Barrows, one of Iowa's prominent pioneer residents; and Charles Clark. For a number of years Nathaniel Williams lived in Davenport with his daughter, Mrs. Barrows, and there passed away in 1864, when more than eighty years of age. His mother was of American birth, a daughter of Charles Clark, who served throughout the Revolutionary war. That he must have held rank as an officer is indicated by the fact that he wore a sword, the silver handle of which was afterward melted into six tablespoons, two of which were given to each of his three grandchildren- Samuel Clark, Charles Clark Williams and Betsy Smith. This was about eighty years ago and the spoons are still highly prized by the present generation.

In the maternal line A. F. Williams comes of English ancestry through his grandfather, Ezra Miller, while his grandmother, Mrs. Mary (High) Miller, was of German descent, her father, John High, having left Germany when a little boy.

Charles Clark Williams, the father of Alexander Fraser Williams, was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him because of his upright life and fidelity to manly principles. An earnest Christian, he was for many years an elder in the Presbyterian church in Westfield and in Newark, New Jersey, and for several years was also one of the elders of the First Presbyterian church in Davenport, Iowa, where he died of cholera in 1852. All who knew him felt that he was a martyr to the unselfish care which he bestowed upon the laboring men who were victims of that terrible scourge. He had a most faithful and loving wife, who to her family was a devoted mother, her salient characteristics being such as en- deared her to all who knew her. She made her home in Davenport and its vicin- ity for over thirty years and spent the last few years of her life in the liome of her daughter in Nebraska, there passing away in 1878.

Alexander Fraser Williams spent his youthful days on his father's farm near Westfield, New Jersey, and was eleven years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Newark. There he spent several years attending the private schools and academy, and for one year was a student in a good school in Caldwell, New Jersey, so that he obtained a fair education. He was seventeen years of age when in 1843 the family removed to Davenport, Iowa, which was then regarded as the far west. He remained there for four years, assisting his father upon the farm, and also spent several months in making surveying tours through Iowa with his uncle, Willard Barrows. He did not find agricultural pursuits con- genial and, believing that he would obtain more pleasure and profit from com- mercial life, in 1847 he entered the dry-goods store of his uncle, Moses Miller, at Racine, Wisconsin. After two years there passed his longing for the east decided him to return to New York city, where he secured a situation in the wholesale hardware store of John C. Tucker, in whose service he remained for three years, acquiring a good knowledge of the business during that period and thus becoming well equipped for the line of work to which he devoted the greater part of his' life. In 1852, receiving a more advantageous business offer, he en- tered the employ of Ely, Bowen & McConnell, wholesale dry-goods merchants, conducting business on Broadway, New York. For six years he continued with that firm and during half the time had charge of the white goods department, making purchases for the same In the financial crash of 1858, following the

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

widespread panic of the previous year, the New York firm failed and about the same time Mr. Williams received an offer to go into business in Davenport, where his widowed mother and family lived. This influenced him to return to the west.

On the 17th of February, 1858, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Frances Mary Robinson, of Chicago, and after spending some two months in the east, purchasing his stock of dry goods, thus combining pleasure with business, he returned with his bride to Davenport and in May, 1858, became the junior partner of the firm of Eldridge & Williams, at No. 123 Brady street. During the succeeding three years the business increased rapidly, necessitating trips to New York and Boston, which Mr. Williams made three or four times each year in or- der to purchase goods in eastern markets. They were enjoying substantial success at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Within a few months nearly all business was paralyzed and failures were the order of the day. Eldridge & Wil- liams were among the unfortunate ones and were obliged to succumb to the pres- sure.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 7

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

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