USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 81
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Mr. Peacock is a republican in his political views and has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill various township offices, having served as assessor and trustee, and he has also filled other minor positions, in all of which he has dis- charged his duties faithfully and conscientiously. He belongs to Banner Lodge, No. 16, K. P., at Buffalo. Starting out in life for himself, with but a limited education and with no capital he has steadily worked his way upward and today commands the esteem and respect of the entire community. Over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong, for he has ever been most loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship, and his history well deserves a place in the annals of his adopted state.
FRED THORNBLOOM.
A well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, situated in Buffalo township, is the home of Fred Thornbloom, a worthy representative of the Swedish race. He was born in Sweden in 1861 and made his home there until he was thirty-two years of age. Having learned of the opportunities afforded in America, he decided to try his fortune in the new world, and accordingly, in 1893, crossed the Atlantic. He settled in Moline, Illinois, where for a few years he was employed in the shops of the Deere Plow Company. In 1895, believing that he could better provide for his family on a farm, he rented a tract of land near Moline and for several years gave his attention to its cultivation. In 1897 he rented a two hundred acre farm near Hillsdale, Illinois, where he lived five years.
In 1903 Mr. Thornbloom came to Scott county and since then has been en- gaged in farming one one hundred and twenty acres in Buffalo township. He does general farming, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and each year he gathers good crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. He finds in the cultivation of the rich soil of Iowa ample scope for his energy- his dominant quality-and as the years pass he is adding to his financial resources
Mr. Thornbloom was married ere he emigrated to the new world, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Anderson. They have eight children: Henry, Anna, Carrie, Swan, Iver, Casper, Thera and Sadie. All are at home with the exception of Annie, who is now the wife of Claus Hagberg, a resident of Mo- line, Illinois.
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Loyal to the best interests of his adopted county. Mr. Thornbloom is not slow in advocating every movement or measure for the improvement and prog- ress of this section of the state and all who know him have for him high esteem.
EDWARD R. SCHNECKLOTH.
Edward R. Schneckloth is numbered among the younger farmers of Scott county who have won success by well directed effort and energy. He is now living on a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres owned by his mother on section 5, Lincoln township, and pleasantly and conveniently situated about three and a half miles east of Eldridge.
It was upon this farm that his birth occurred April 7, 1882, his parents being Thomas and Silkie (Fink) Schneckloth, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. The father, who was born in that country December 2, 1842, came to the United States at the age of nine years with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schneckloth. They landed at New Orleans and thence made their way up the river to Davenport. Soon afterward they went to Moline, Illinois, where they remained for two months, after which Mr. Schneckloth purchased eighty acres of partially improved land in Scott county and took up his abode thereon. For a long period he continued to engage in tilling the soil and became recognized as one of the representative farmers of the community, but about 1891 retired from active life and removed to Davenport, where both he and his wife passed away.
Thomas Schneckloth began his education in the schools of Holstein, Ger- many, and continued his studies after he came to this county with his parents. In the summer months he worked in the fields and throughout his life carried on general farming. He remained upon the old homestead until his death, which occurred June 9, 1901. In the meantime he had added to the boundaries of the original farm by the purchase of an adjoining tract of land of forty acres. He made all of the improvements upon the place, added substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, fenced his fields, brought his land under a high state of cultivation and utilized modern machinery in planting, caring for and harvesting the crops. He carried on general farming and was also a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Eldridge. His study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to give earnest support to the republican party and his interest in the cause of education prompted his efficient service as school director for many years.
His wife was born in Holstein, Germany, March 29, 1845. She pursued her education in the fatherland and also in America, coming to the United States when eight years of age with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fink. They landed at Galveston, Texas, and after a few days went to New Orleans and thence proceeded up the river to Scott county, taking three weeks to make the trip, and then settling on a tract of land adjoining the Schneckloth place. There Mr. Fink purchased eighty acres, but after farming for twenty years in Scott county he sold his property here and went west, where he purchased one hun-
£
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS SCHNECKLOTH
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
dred and sixty acres and later two hundred and sixty acres, living there until he was eighty-two years of age. Both he and his wife died in Tama county, Iowa. Their daughter Mrs. Thomas Schneckloth is still living, her home being now in Davenport. By her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children: Theresa, the wife of John Horst, of Lincoln township; Anna, the deceased wife of Christ Evers, of Garwin, Iowa; Henry, who is living in Chicago, Illinois ; Gus- tave and Herman, both deceased; Minnie, the wife of Dr. J. W. Benadom, of Den- ver, Colorado; Laura, the wife of Adolph P. Arp, of Lincoln township; Adolph, who is living in Davenport, Iowa; Edward, of this review; Adelheit who is living with her mother in Davenport; Arthur, who resides in Eldridge, Iowa; Julius, deceased; and one who died in infancy.
Throughout his entire life Edward R. Schneckloth has resided upon the farm which is yet his home. He attended district school No. 7 and after ac- quiring a good practical English education, began devoting his entire time and attention to the work of the fields and in 1907 took charge of the farm. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and the place, with its one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, responds readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it.
Mr. Schneckloth was married on the 19th of December, 1906, to Miss Laura Hill, who was born in Butler township, this county, and is a daughter of Ernest and Emma (Stoltenberg) Hill, who were early settlers of this county and, like many of the county's worthy citizens, the father was of German birth. He was born in Holstein, April 20, 1847, and remained in his native land until twenty years of age, when the favorable reports which he heard concerning the new world and its opportunities constituted for him an irresistible attraction, and he crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Scott county, Iowa, where he continued to engage in farming for some time. His wife was born in this county and they are now living in Clinton county, Iowa, being numbered among the repre- sentative farming people of that community. They own three hundred acres of land in Orange township.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schneckloth has been blessed with one child, Lloyd Ernest Thomas, who was born March 8, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Schneck- loth are well known in their community and the hospitality of its best homes is freely accorded them. His stanchest friends are those who have been acquainted with him from his boyhood days, a fact which indicates that his life has been well and honorably spent.
STEWART GILLMOR.
The name of Gillmor is an old and familiar one in Scott county, the family having been associated with the agricultural life of eastern Iowa from pioneer times down to the present, and he whose name introduces this review was one of the influential and substantial farmers of Allens Grove township, where he spent much of his life after coming to the new world, and it was on his home farm here that he died December 16, 1902.
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Mr. Gillmor was a native of County Sligo, Ireland, born July 27, 1832, a son of Stewart and Rebecca (Hart) Gillmor. The latter had previously been mar- ried to a Mr. Baker and had one son, Nicholas, who was drowned in the Wapsi- pinicon river. Mr. and Mrs. Gillmor emigrated to America, arriving in Daven- port on the 12th of 'April, 1847. The father first purchased forty acres of land, which he planted to wheat, this tract being located where the Orphans Home now stands. After residing in that section of Scott county for a period of four or five years, the father preempted eighty acres of land north of Long Grove, which became his permanent place of abode, and where the parents reared their family of four sons and two daughters, as follows: Eliza, who married Samuel Ramsey but she has since passed away; Stewart, of this review; Isaac, who de- parted this life in 1909; his home being in Denison, this state; John, who died in youth ; Margaret Jane, the deceased wife of Alexander Boyle; and Hugh, who is also deceased.
Stewart Gillmor, the eldest son and second in order of birth, shared with the other members of the family in the trials and privations they had to bear in es- tablishing a home in a new and unsettled country. He remained under the parental roof until he reached mature years and then, in connection with his brother Isaac, secured from the government three hundred and twenty acres of land in Winfield township, this tract lying north of Donahue. Stewart Gillmor at once began the cultivation and improvement of the land and made his home thereon until about the close of the Civil war, when he disposed of that property and invested his money in three hundred and twenty-three acres located on sec- tions 26, 27, 34 and 45, Allens Grove township, and since his demise the family have added twenty-seven acres to it on section 27. Mr. Gillmor gave his time and attention to the improvement and further development of this farm and it is now a valuable property. Although he was modest and retiring by nature, little inclined to conversation, he was a man of much influence in the community and it was due to his efforts and largely to his financial aid that the house of worship, known as the Church of God, was erected on his farm. Aside from his many other acts of kindness, which will long be remembered, this will stand as a lasting monument to his religious zeal.
Mr. Gillmor, also in a quiet way, exerted his influence in the political circles of Scott county. He was stanch in his advocacy of the republican party and its principles and cast his first presidential vote for Fremont, while his last ballot supported William Mckinley. Mr. Gillmor had passed his seventieth year, when on the 16th of December, 1902, he was called from this life. His ideals, his per- sonality, the history of his life and his profound sense of integrity and honesty could be made the text of a lesson from which the younger generation could study success.
Mr. Gillmor had spent forty-four years of wedded bliss with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Connor, their marriage being celebrated in 1858. She was born in Perth, Ontario, Canada, June 26, 1839, a daughter of John and Ellen (Bryan) Connor, who were natives of Ireland but spent some years in Canada and came to Scott county in 1846. With the widow seven children sur- vive the death of Mr. Gillmor, these being: John Stewart, who conducts a hotel in Los Angeles, California; Margaret J., who is with her mother ; R. Ellen, who
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
is engaged in teaching in Durango, Colorado; William L., a practicing physician in Kansas City, Missouri; Hugh H., who resides on a part of the homestead farm; Frank A. E., who is with his mother and manages the remainder of the farm; and I. Fenton, who is a student in the Iowa State University. Mrs. Gill- mor is a lady of many estimable qualities and enjoys the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
H. H. GILLMOR.
H. H. Gillmor was born on his present home place, November 19, 1870. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools, after which he pursued a course in Drake University. Subsequently he took a business course in the Iowa Business College, at Des Moines, from which he graduated in 1880. Dur- ing the periods of vacation he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and after completing his business course he acted as salesman for the Smith Premier Typewriter Company at Des Moines, remaining in their employ for three and a half years. He then returned home and resumed farming on a por- tion of the old homestead place, operating one hundred and twenty acres on his own account. He is still giving his time and attention to this tract and is meet- ing with well merited success.
Mr. Gillmor was married in 1904 to Miss Julia Zindel, who was born in Lib- erty township, Scott county, in July, 1875. She is a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Schaser) Zindel. The father, who is now deceased, was a native of Switzerland. The mother was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, but is of Swiss parentage. She still survives and makes her home in Davenport. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillmor are popular young people with a wide circle of friends.
HERMAN C. LAGE.
Herman C. Lage, who is the last of his branch of the family in Davenport, where for a number of years he has occupied a notable and honorable position in business circles, is now well known as a leading shoe merchant of this city, controlling a trade of large proportions, his success coming to him as the merited reward of his close application, business enterprise and diligence.
He was born in Germany in 1862 and is the son of C. H. and Dorothy (Ziethan) Lage. The father was a mechanic who spent his entire life in his native land, where he died when fifty years of age. The elder son of the family having come to this country, the other members of the household also crossed the Atlantic and the mother spent her last days with her son Otto in Hickory Grove town- ship. She was buried in Moline in September, 1884. The family includes Mrs. Anna Wiechert, who is living in Moline, Illinois; Henry J., who died in Colorado in 1900; Doris, the wife of Johannes Hagen, a retired farmer living at No. 130I Brown street in Davenport; Otto J .; Emma, the wife of Henry Hahn, a farmer
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of Scott county; and Minnie M. C., the wife of Richard J. Waters, who is in the store as a partner of the subject of this review.
In the schools of his native country Herman C. Lage began his education and with his mother he came to the new world, remaining here until the winter of 1888-9, which he spent at his old home in Germany. He then came again to this country and pursued a commercial course in Duncan's school. Thus well equipped for the practical duties of business life he accepted a position in Mo- line, Illinois, where he remained for twelve years save for a period of a year, which he spent on the Pacific coast, during which time he was employed as bookkeeper on the Rancho Del Capitan. Subsequently he returned to his old position in the grocery business in Moline. He continued there until he be- came connected with the shoe trade in Rock Island in 1903. For about three years he was engaged in business in that city, but on the 29th of May, 1906, sold out and crossed the river to Davenport. Here he purchased the business of the 'Arnold-Lettie Shoe Company, which he has since removed to his present quar- ters at No. 308 West Second street. He has a well equipped store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of shoes and the tasteful arrangement of his place as well as his reasonable prices and honorable dealings, constitutes a fea- ture of his success.
On the 30th of June, 1904, Mr. Lage was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Frye and they have many friends in Davenport, while their own home is a most hospi- table one. Mr. Lage became a member of the Masonic fraternity of Rock Is- land and he belongs to the Boat Club of Davenport. A friendly disposition and social qualities render him popular with those with whom he comes in contact, while his business integrity and diligence make him a representative merchant before whom are opening out constantly broadening opportunities.
LUDOLPH GRABBE.
On the roll of Davenport's respected dead is inscribed the name of Ludolph Grabbe, one of the more prosperous German residents of the city, who was the proprietor of a barber shop at 305 Second street. A native of the fatherland, he was born October 13, 1829, in Meldorf, where he grew to manhood, learned his trade and was married. In 1853, in the hope of bettering his fortune he took ship at Hamburg for America. He resided in New York, the port of landing, for a time, but later came to Davenport and opened a barber shop on Second street over a market. He made several removals as his business grew and cir- cumstances warranted larger quarters, and finally bought property at 305 Sec- ond street, where he was engaged in business until about ten years ago when he retired from active life. His was one of the well known places of its kind in the city and was especially popular among the Germans, for Mr. Grabbe made every effort to accommodate his patrons and was endowed with a personality that attracted and rarely repelled others. A man of keen business sagacity, he was very successful financially as is indicated by the fact that he held considerable bank stock and real estate in this city. Nor were his commercial operations con-
LUDOLPH GRABBE
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
fined to one field, for he was secretary of the Plate Glass Insurance Company and was interested in several other concerns which were developing the re- sources of Davenport. In 1868, accompanied by his first wife, he made a trip to Germany and in the '90s, accompanied by Mrs. Augusta Grabbe, he made another journey to the fatherland, but he was always loyal to the country of his adop- tion, which had afforded him the opportunities for advancement he sought.
Mr. Grabbe's first wife died in 1894 and two years later he wedded Miss Augusta Bierlenberg, who survives him, as does their adopted son, Lee. Mr. Grabbe belonged to the Schuetzen Verein and to the Turners Society of Daven- port and was prominent among his compatriots of this city. He was also a mem- ber of the Thursday Bowling Club, and his favorite recreation was hunting. He had no reason to regret having come to America, for not only did he gain a substantial success from his undertakings but he made a large circle of friends, who coming to know him intimately respected and loved him as a man of genial personality and honorable life. By them and by his family, to whom he was ever faithful and affectionate, he was deeply mourned when, on the 7th of No- vember, 1907, his long and useful life was brought to a close.
JOHN T. HANSEN.
Practical and progressive in his work, John T. Hansen is engaged in farm- ing in Sheridan township, where he operates a tract of one hundred and forty- seven acres, which he rents, and on which he makes his home, this being known as the Vogt place. He is a native of Davenport, born November 28, 1858, of the marriage of Henry and Margaret Hansen, who were born in Holstein, Germany, the former on the 26th of January, 1814, and the latter on the 12th of April, 1815. The father learned and followed the blacksmith's trade in his native coun- try and also served for five years in the Danish army. In the fall of 1851 he came with his wife to the United States. Landing at New Orleans, they made their way up the Mississippi river, reaching St. Louis on Christmas day. The river was frozen and they could get no farther, so that they were compelled to remain in the latter city until navigation opened in the spring, and they then continued their journey to Davenport, arriving here on the Ist of April, 1852. Soon afterward the father opened a blacksmith shop and continued to follow his trade until 1859, when he made a trip to Pike's Peak. He returned to Iowa in the fall of 1860 and opened a shop in Calamus, Clinton county, conduct- ing the same during the winter of 1860-61, but in the spring following he pur- chased a tract of land in Sheridan township, Scott county, this being located near the Five Mile House. Here he resumed work at the blacksmith's trade, con- ducting a shop until 1894, when he went to Nevada to visit his son and his death occurred there two years later, the date being June 12, 1896. He had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years and had the respect of all with whom he was so long associated in Scott county. He was a member of the German Shoot- ing Society at Davenport. The mother of our subject departed this life on the 29th of August, 1893, when she was seventy-eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Hansen had but two sons, the brother of our subject being Carl, who makes his home in Nevada.
John T. Hansen, the younger of the two sons, was a little lad of three years when in 1861 the family removed to Sheridan township. At the usual age he entered the country schools, acquiring his education in district No. 7. After putting aside his text-books he learned the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his father and worked at the same until he attained his majority. He then purchased a threshing machine and for eleven years engaged in its operation during the harvest season, at the same time engaging in farming. On the ex- piration of that period he disposed of his thresher and gave his entire attention to farming, which he has followed to the present time. He lives on one hundred and forty-seven acres, which he rents and cultivates, and he owns a quarter sec- tion of land in Garfield county, Oklahoma.
On the 12th of March, 1887, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Horst, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Horst. Mrs. Hansen was born in Sheridan township, her parents being numbered among the pioneer German families of this section of the state. Both were natives of Holstein, Germany, and in his native land the father served in the war of 1848-50. It was in the year 1851 that they emigrated to the new world and made a permanent settlement in Scott county, where the father still survives, making his home in Hickory Grove township. The mother, however, has departed this life, her death occur- ring in 1881. Mrs. Hansen is also deceased, her death occurring October 6, 1897, at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years, for her birth occurred on the 13th of April, 1862. She was buried in Pine Hill cemetery. Mr. Hansen has with him his four children, Carrie, Carl, John and Florence.
Mr. Hansen gives his political support to the republican party. For two terms he served as justice of the peace, his decisions ever being marked by strict hon- esty, while for ten years he acted as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World at Long Grove. He ever adheres to honorable business methods and is counted among the substantial farmers of the community.
CHARLES BOLL.
Farming has furnished such a profitable means of occupation to Charles Boll that he has never found occasion to abandon this business for other pursuits. He now owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 3, Hickory Grove township, and twenty acres of timberland in Allens Grove township, located on section 20.
Mr. Boll was born on a farm in Liberty township, Scott county, February 21, 1878, a son of Diedrich and Margaret (Hansen) Boll, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Holstein, August 23, 1828, while the latter claimed Schleswig as the place of her birth, her natal day being August II, 1839. The father came to America in 1857 and located in Scott county. For a time he worked as a laborer on different farms of the neighborhood and later, in partnership with Hans Ewaldt, rented a farm in Hickory Grove town-
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
ship. As soon as opportunity presented, he purchased farm land and estab- lished a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Hansen, who had come to the new world during the Civil war, or a few years later than her husband's ar- rival. They made their home in Liberty township throughout their remaining years and there reared a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, the record being as follows: John, who makes his home in Dixon, Iowa; Mary, the wife of William Meyer, a resident of Hickory Grove township; Anna, the wife of Henry Koester, who resides in Liberty township; Emma, the wife of Thomas Hansen, of Luverne, Minnesota; Henry, a resident of Cleona township; Tena, the wife of Theodore Weick, also of Luverne, Minnesota; Charles, of this review; and Lena, the wife of William Rock, of Adrian, Texas.
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