History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 76

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 76


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he is a member of the German Methodist church. He has won distinction in the business world through sound and conservative methods, while in social circles he is also popular, for he possesses a genial, kindly nature that always wins warm and admiring friends. His home, a beautiful residence on Kirkwood boulevard, is a most hospitable one and here the family take great delight in entertaining their many friends and acquaintances.


MRS. HARRIET A. SCHAEFFER.


Mrs. Harriet A. Schaeffer, well known in Davenport, where she has many friends, has long been a resident of Scott county and is able to speak with au- thority concerning many events which have left their impress upon the history of this section of the state. She has lived to witness remarkable changes here, for modern progress has wrought a transformation in this section of the country no less marked than in other parts of the Union.


Mrs. Schaeffer is the widow of Francis J. Schaeffer, who was born in Alsace- Lorraine, France, May 12, 1819. He acquired his education there and at the age of seventeen years came to the United States. He had older brothers in Kentucky, and that fact influenced him to first make his way to the Blue Grass state, where he continued until 1849, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. He did not seek his fortune in the mines, however, but engaged in business as proprietor of stores in San Francisco and Marysville. He continued a resident of that state until during the Civil war, when he disposed of his interests there and came to Daven- port. Soon afterward he purchased a farm in Rockingham township, upon which he and his wife took up their abode and which Mrs. Schaeffer still owns, the property embracing forty-five acres. As the years passed by he diligently and persistently carried on the work of the fields until they returned to him rich and bounteous harvests and his farm became one of the well improved properties of that portion of the state. He took active part in politics while a resident of Rockingham township, was a recognized leader in the ranks of the democratic party and held the offices of trustee, assessor and school director. He was instrumental in establishing the Fairmount school and did everything in his power to promote the cause of public education.


It was on the 5th of July, 1862, at Sag Harbor, Long Island, that Mr. Schaeffer was united in marriage to Miss Harriet A. Rogers, who was born at Branford, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Isaac and Sallie (Franklin) Rogers. Her father was a farmer and the Rogers at one time owned nearly all of the land in their native township. Her mother was born at Black Isle, a part of Rhode Island, and is a representative of a very old and prominent eastern family to which Benjamin Franklin also belonged, Mrs. Rogers being his niece. Mr. Rogers served as a soldier through the war of 1812.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer was born one daughter, Harriet Frances, who became the wife of Morris R. Williams, who is a member of one of the old


FRANCIS J. SCHAEFFER


R. D. LEONARD


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


families of Scott county and now lives at Cordova, Illinois. They have three children : Leonard, Rolland and Margaret.


The death of Mr. Schaeffer occurred November 1, 1905. He had removed to Davenport in 1901 and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. His life was ever a busy and useful one, and not only did he win success in business, but also gained that honorable name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.


Mrs. Schaeffer's sister, Mrs. Leonard, lives with her. She is the widow of Rolland D. Leonard, who was born in New York in 1826, but lived for many years in Scott county. He was the first county auditor of Scott county and held the office of county clerk at the time the position of auditor was created. He was then appointed to the latter office and later was elected, serving in all three terms. He also served as assistant treasurer of Scott county and was one of the leaders of the republican party in this section of the state. In December, 1864, he wedded Miss Niobe Rogers and soon afterward they became residents of this county, where Mr. Leonard passed away January 9, 1904, aged seventy- eight years. His uncle and foster father, Rolland Day, was at one time a United States senator from New York state.


WILLIAM F. HAHN.


William F. Hahn, who is now living retired in Davenport, was for a long period profitably engaged in the drug business in Lowden, Iowa, and during the years of his residence in that city was a prominent factor in public affairs. Rare ability, geniality and breadth of sympathy were salient features in his success and united with a wise utilization of opportunities and an unswerving adherence to honorable principles, gained for him the prosperity he now enjoys in the evening of life and the respect of his associates.


William F. Hahn was born in Lensahnerhof, Holstein, Germany, October I, 1835, and received a good education in the public schools of his native land, where he grew to manhood. He heard the call of the new world, however, and as it proved irresistible he crossed the Atlantic and on the 4th of August, 1854, landed in New York. He first went to Baltimore, remaining there a couple of years, and then, in February, 1856, came westward. On reaching Rock Island, Illinois, he crossed the river on the ice to Davenport, and continued his journey to Dewitt, Clinton county, Iowa. There he secured a position as clerk for Judge McNeil, of the county court, and proved a valuable man in that capacity, for he had been well educated in his native land and had not been in the United States very long before he was proficient in the use of English. He remained with Judge McNeil for two years, after which he was elected township asses- sor. He also served as deputy county recorder and treasurer of Clinton county for a number of years. Later he engaged in the mercantile business and then went to Cedar county, Iowa, where he took up the study of pharmacy and later opened a drug store at Lowden, which he conducted with great success for twenty- seven years, becoming one of the prosperous business men of that county. He


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


also occupied a prominent position in local affairs. He was appointed postmaster of Lowden, but after three years he resigned, and at the same time served as county supervisor, in which capacity he served two terms. Later he was chair- man of the county board, was elected mayor of the city, and was a member of the school board eighteen years. He also had the powers of notary public. In every capacity he exercised his prerogatives with discretion and for the welfare of the community, and it was a cause of general regret when he felt that ill health necessitated his resignation and retirement from active life. He has since made his home in Davenport, where he has made a host of friends, who are drawn to him by his genial personality, his broadmindedness and his liberal culture.


On the 5th of April, 1862, Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to Miss Marie Therese Petersen. She was born in Hoptrup, Schleswig, Germany, not far from Mr. Hahn's birthplace, and is a daughter of a minister of the Lutheran church. In 1854 she and her parents came to Iowa and the Petersen family became prominent in those early days. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have had three children: Marie Louise Henriette died at the age of eleven months ; Herman August William wedded Miss Bertha Andresen, and they have three sons, Herbert William, Walter Ludwig and Robert Herman; Emilie Marie Mathilde became the wife of Charles H. Hubbell, and they have two children, Edward Lawrence and Dor- othy Marie. A brother of Mr. Hahn's, Augustus, served in the Civil war under the name of Haun and was killed in battle at Pittsburg Landing.


Mr. Hahn has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey, and as he looks back over the past he has no reason to regret that he hearkened to the insistent voice of the new world. His has been a life of singular activity, which has been directed toward promoting the public welfare as well as his own interests, yet he has derived a large measure of prosperity from his undertak- ings. A man of broad education, he has enlarged the scope of his culture through extensive travel, so that association with him means expansion and elevation, and a large circle of friends are the better for his influence among them.


E. E. COOK.


E. E. Cook needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Scott county and even before the admission of the state into the Union the name has figured con- spicuously in connection with the legal history of this district. Choosing as his life work the profession which had engaged the attention of his father, he has made steady progress as one of its representatives and is today widely recognized as a learned and able lawyer of Davenport.


E. E. Cook was born in Scott county, August 13, 1843. His father, John P. Cook, was a native of Oneida county, New York, born in August, 1817. At the age of nineteen years he came to Scott county with his father and they settled on what was known as the Cook farm, comprising the western portion of the city. In a year or two he prepared for the practice of law by entering


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


the office of his brother Ebenezer Cook, of Davenport, and later he removed to Tipton, Iowa, where he was admitted to the bar in 1842. The same year he married Miss Eliza A. Rowe, of Pleasant Valley, Scott county, and they main- tained their home in Tipton until 1851, when the returned to Davenport, where John P. Cook engaged in the practice of law until his death. During his resi- dence here he was elected to congress and represented his district in the thirty- third session of the national law-making body. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the democratic party, with which he labored earnestly through his remaining days. He was long recognized as one of the eminent members of the Davenport bar, gaining distinction in the days when Iowa was a territory. During the pioneer epoch James Grant, G. C. R. Mitchell and John P. Cook had practically a monopoly of the law business in Scott and adjoining counties. Mr. Cook was very alert, determined, energetic and resourceful, qualities which were manifest in his relation to public interests as well as in his chosen life work. He was a fluent speaker, strong and able in debate and logical in argument and his energy and ability carried his firm to the highest pinnacle of legal fame in this section of the state. A few months prior to his death his brother Hon. Ebenezer Cook passed away. They were very devoted and the loss of the brother came as an almost unsupportable blow to John P. Cook, who survived for only a brief period and died on the 17th of April, 1872.


E. E. Cook pursued his education in the schools of Washington, D. C., Roch- ester, Albany and Geneva, New York, and in Griswold College in Davenport, becoming the first student in the collegiate department of that institution. With the lasting example of his father before him to inspire and encourage him and to serve as a standard for professional labor, E. E. Cook entered upon prepara- tion for the bar and was graduated from the Albany law School in May, 1863. He was then admitted to practice by the supreme court of New York and, re- turning to Davenport, was admitted at the May term of the district court in the same year. He then entered his father's office and on the Ist of January, 1865, became a member of the firm of Cook & Drury. On the Ist of January, 1871, changes in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm name of Cook & Bruning, which connection continued until the death of John P. Cook. In May,


1872, the son E. E. Cook entered into partnership with Judge J. S. Richman as a member of the firm of Cook, Richman & Bruning and following the retirement of Mr. Bruning, in December, 1875, the firm became Cook & Richman and so continued until May 1, 1880, when the firm of Cook & Dodge was formed. On the Ist of June, 1909, William Dodge retired from the firm and removed to Salt Lake City, and the name was changed to Cook & Balluff, the members be- ing E. E. Cook, R. B. Cook and Walter M. Balluff. The zeal with which the firm have devoted their energies to the profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of their cases have brought them a large business and made them very successful in its conduct.


Mr. Cook has always given stalwart support to the democratic party and is a valued advisor in party councils, but has steadily refused to become a can- didate for office although various positions have been proffered him. Aside


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from his profession his interest centers in his home and on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1866, he married Ellen K. Dodge. They have two sons : R. B., now a prac- ticing lawyer; and George C., who for a time was a teacher of English litera- ture in the Leland Standford University of California.


Such is the life record of one who now occupies an enviable position in . professional circles in Davenport. Few lawyers have made a more lasting im- pression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a com- munity. Of a family conspicuous for strong intellects, indomitable courage and energy, he entered upon his career as a lawyer and such has been his natural qualifications that he has overcome all obstacles and written his name upon the keystone of the legal arch.


HERMANN H. STEFFEN.


Hermann H. Steffen needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is one of the best known citizens of Davenport, his connection with hotel interests bringing him a wide acquaintance and also gaining for him the sub- stantial success which enables him to live retired. He was one of the early Ger- man residents here, his birth having occurred in Holstein, Germany, July 21, 1831. His parents, Peter E. and Whipke Steffen, both spent their entire lives in that country. Peter E. Steffen was a goldsmith by trade and to that occupa- tion turned for the success which would enable him to provide a comfortable living for his family. One of the uncles of Hermann H. Steffen was colonel of a regiment under Napoleon and participated in the memorable Prussian cam- paigns.


In the schools of his native country Hermann H. Steffen acquired his educa- tion and soon after his school days were over he sought and secured a position as cabin boy, leaving Hamburg on a vessel that carried a load of merchandise to. the West Indies, landing at St. Thomas. From there he went to the isle of Santo Domingo, where they took on board a cargo of tobacco, mahogany and rare woods, which they carried back to Germany. They made their next trip with a load of tin and merchandise, sailing from Liverpool to St. Thomas, where they were compelled to remain for a long time on account of the war between Holstein and Denmark, from 1848 until 1850. Later they went to Haiti, where the ship was sold. The new owners wished Mr. Steffen to return to Germany as one of the ship's crew, but he did not care to do so. There was a United States ship in port at the time and he obtained a position on her as steward. The vessel was bound for New York with a load of sugar. While crossing the Gulf of Mexico they encountered a terrific tornado and were compelled to throw a part of their cargo overboard but finally managed to reach New York. This was in 1849. Mr. Steffen remained for a time in that city and in 1851 sailed on an American ship out of Baltimore for Valparaiso, Chile. The trip consumed about ninety- four days and a hard storm was encountered while they were rounding Cape Horn, so that they lost a part of their sails. Some of the crew ran away at Val-


HERMANN H. STEFFEN


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


paraiso, but Mr. Steffen went with the ship to Ecuador, where there was a revo- lution in progress. The boat was then purchased by the government for war purposes. Mr. Steffen was paid off there and later he shipped as an able seaman on board another vessel, commanded by a German captain, for California, his wages being one dollar per month. The vessel's cargo was flour. and after sailing for forty-eight days they passed through the Golden Gate in the spring of 1852.


Mr. Steffen had intended to quit the sea and locate in California, but the coun- try was so dry and hot that he concluded that he could not do well there. He met a sailor friend in San Francisco and they decided to return east. They left on the same boat that brought him to California and landed at Valparaiso, whence they shipped on a German bark that took them to Bolivar, Peru. There they took on a load of saltpeter and went around Cape Horn to Hamburg, Germany. From the fatherland Mr. Steffen sailed for New York and then, making his way. into the interior of the country, arrived at Davenport, December 3, 1855. He se- cured work on a steamboat here under Captain Clark and when the war broke out went on the government boat Metropolitan in 1862. They proceeded down the Mississippi river to Cairo and took Pope's division from that place to Fort Pillow. They landed at Shiloh with twenty-one steamboat loads of reenforcements three days after the battle was fought. In 1864 Mr. Steffen was drafted for service and became a member of Company B, Tenth Iowa Infantry. He went with Sher- man on the march to the sea and was honorably discharged at Washington in June, 1865, following the close of the war. Returning to Davenport, he then opened a cafe on Brady street, which he conducted for thirteen years, after which he became proprietor of the St. Louis Hotel on Second street and thus re- mained in business for about four years, or until he retired.


In December, 1855, Mr. Steffen was married to Miss Henrietta Tiedemann, a daughter of Christian and Anna Tiedmann, and they have five children : Emil, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who married Hattie Tracy and had five sons-Harry, Roy, Claud, Ralph and James, the last named being deceased; Harry, of Daven- port, who wedded Mary Denkmann and has three children-Herbert, Florence and Mary; Mary the wife of Frank Meier, of Davenport, by whom she has five sons-Walter, Arno, Robert, Frank and Victor; Theresa, the wife of John Krouse, of Davenport; and Arabelle, who died when seven years of age.


Mr: Steffen is a member of the Old German Pioneers, a society formed among the citizens of German birth who have long been residents of Davenport. He is also connected with the Turners and the German Shooting Society. He lives with his wife in a fine residence which they own on West Third street. They celebrated their golden wedding in December, 1905, on which occasion all of their children and grandchildren were present. Mr. Steffen relates many interesting incidents of his different voyages, in which he gained intimate knowledge of var- ious lands, their people and customs. While on his first trip to America he was told by the captain to climb up the rigging and see if he could see land. He did so but reported that he could not see anything but a black cloud. He was told to come down and look through a spy glass which the captain had and then saw that his cloud was the Isle of San Salvador, which was his first sight of America. It was this same isle on which Columbus landed when the new world was dis-


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covered. His life has been one of varied experiences such as do not come to the man who confines his attention to industrial or commercial pursuits, and his conversation is enriched with many amusing and interesting anecdotes. He now well deserves the rest which he is enjoying and in Davenport he has a large circle of warm friends, not only among the people of his own nationality but among all the different classes of Davenport's citizenship.


JUERGEN SCHMIDT.


Juergen Schmidt, a retired farmer of Sheridan township, is the owner of eighty acres of fine farm land in Scott county, upon which he now resides. It is situated about a mile and a half south of Eldridge and constitutes a good farm, being well developed through the energy and business ability of the owner. The name indicates his German ancestry. He was born in Holstein, January 24, 1833, and is a son of Claus and Anna Schmidt. The father was a farmer in Germany and there died.


Juergen Schmidt remained in his native country until nineteen years of age, when in 1852 he came to the United States, landing at New York, after a voyage of seven weeks. He was accompanied by his mother, his two brothers, Hans and Agert, the latter now deceased, and two sisters, Anna and Kathrina, who have also passed away. The family started westward from New York, making their way by rail to Chicago, and thence by wagon and boat to Davenport. After reaching their destination Mr. Schmidt purchased a farm of eighty acres of partially improved land in Sheridan township in partnership with his two broth- ers, and lived thereon for two years. He then left that place but his brother Hans remained upon the property. It was at that time that Juergen Schmidt took up his abode upon his present farm. He and his brother Agert purchased at that time one hundred and sixty acres, of which each took half. Upon his place Juergen Schmidt has since lived and he has made all of the improvements, adding a modern dwelling, good barns and other necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His fields are well tilled in the production of the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions and everything about the place is in- dicative of the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner.


Mr. Schmidt was married in September, 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Matilda Ronge. Their union was blessed with five children, four daughters and a son, namely : Emma, a resident of Davenport; August, of Pipestone, Min- nesota ; Alvina, also of Davenport; Dorothy, at home; and Elsie, also under the parental roof. The wife and mother departed this life April 8, 1901, at the com- paratively early age of thirty-five years. She is buried at Pine Hill cemetery.


Mr. Schmidt has served as road supervisor for one year but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his time and attention to his business af- fairs. He belongs to the German Pioneer Society of Scott county, having made his home within the borders of the county for fifty-eight years, during which period he has witnessed notable changes as the wild land has been transformed into beautiful and attractive farms, while the work of advancement has been


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861


carried just as steadily forward in the cities. The success that he has won has come as a direct reward of his own labor and effort and indicates what may be accomplished when one is willing to work. He has gained the respect and friendship of many and especially of those who have long been associated with him and have had the opportunity to witness the honorable course that he has pursued during the long years of his residence here.


ANNE MARY SHULER, M. D.


While women are today found in every department of business life, especially where intellect dominates, the field of medicine was among the first profes- sions into which she made her way. For this woman is particularly qualified because of the ready sympathy and almost intuitive perception which are hers. These qualities combined with that knowledge which is gained from text-books and the skill which is won through experience have brought her notable success and prominence. Among the practitioners of Davenport is numbered Dr. Anne M. Shuler, who has offices in the Lane building. She was born in 1880, in Rapids City, Illinois, and is a daugliter of Charles and Jane (Gilchrist) Shuler. Her early education was acquired in the schools of Gilchrist, Illinois, to which place she was brought at the age of three years, and she completed her course in Dav- enport at St. Katharine's Hall, where she was graduated in 1899 with class hon- ors. She afterward pursued a commercial course in Davenport but, attracted toward a professional life, she entered the Woman's Medical College of Penn- sylvania at Philadelphia and was graduated therefrom in 1904. She afterward became an interne in the Women's and Children's Hospital at San Francisco, California, and greatly broadened her knowledge through the varied experience of hospital practice. Returning to Davenport in 1906 she opened her office in the Lane building and is now enjoying a large and growing practice. She is a member of the Scott County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Asso- ciation and the American Medical Association and is medical examiner for the Maccabees and the Tribe of Ben Hur. She makes her home with her father at No. 1516 East River street and is well known professionally in this city.




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