History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 82

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 82


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The father became a well-to-do man and at one time his possessions em- braced one thousand acres of cultivable land in Scott county but he later divided his property with his children. For many years he was actively interested in the public welfare of this section of Iowa, which he chose as a place of abode upon his arrival in the new world, and at his death, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1903, when he was seventy-five years of age, the county lost one of its influential and substantial citizens. The mother died several years previously, her death occurring March 31, 1894.


Charles Boll was reared under the parental roof to the age of twenty-one years. In connection with his brother Henry he then began farming in Cleona township, their sister Lena acting as their housekeeper in the summer months. He was thus engaged until about 1903, when he located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was formerly owned by his father. This tract lies on section 3, Hickory Grove township, and he likewise owns twenty acres of timberland in Allens Grove township. Mr. Boll has made most of the improvements on his farm and it is now a valuable property, rich in its agricul- tural resources and attractive in appearance. He is largely engaged in general farming but makes a specialty of stock, buying, feeding and shipping cattle.


Mr. Boll was married February 17, 1904, to Miss Dorothea Frauen, who was born in Hickory Grove township, July 8, 1882, a daughter of George and Dor- othea (Duge) Frauen, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Boll have two interesting little children, Elsie D. and Raymond C. The parents are well known in this section of their county, for their entire lives have there been passed and their many good qualities have gained for them warm and lasting friendships.


Henry Boll, who was formerly a partner with his brother Charles in busi- ness, is equally well known in the county. He was likewise born on the home farm in Liberty township, February 5, 1874. He assisted in the work of the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age and, then, as above stated, he and his brother engaged in farming together, their interests being allied for four years. At the end of that time they divided their interests and Henry Boll is now engaged in business alone. He owns two hundred and seventy-five acres, the home farm being a tract of eighty acres on section I, Cleona township, while one hundred and sixty acres lie across the road on section 6, Hickory Grove township, and the remaining thirty-five acres is on section 36, Liberty township. This land is in one body, where the three townships corner. It is a well im-


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proved property and Mr. Boll is meeting with well merited success in his farm- ing operations.


Henry Boll was married November 16, 1899, to Miss Anna Hansen, who was born in Schleswig, Germany, February 8, 1879, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carsten Hansen. The mother is deceased but the father still survives and yet makes his home in Germany. Two others of their six children are in America, William and Louise Hansen, but Mrs. Boll came alone in the spring of 1898. By her marriage she has become the mother of two daughters, Helen and Alice.


MRS. ALWIN KATTENBROOKER, M. D.


One of the most efficient and highly regarded physicians of Le Claire is Dr. Alwin Kattenbrooker. For more than forty years she has ministered to the needs of those who have sought her aid with an ability that makes them rise up and refuse to let her resign, as she would like to do. She owns five acres of land in Le Claire township besides a fine town residence encompassed by spacious lawns along the bank of the Mississippi river. A native of Germany, she was born March 23, 1840, a daughter of Peter and Julia (Hanson) Oel- lerich. Her father had died in his native land when she was but eight years old. He was a stone-mason by trade but was also engaged in farming. In 1854 her mother came to the United States, settling in Long Island, where she remained until her daughter completed the medical course in New York city. Then, about 1867, she came with her to Davenport, removing thence to Le Claire, where her death occurred July 26, 1872. Two children were born to her but the older died in infancy.


Dr. Kattenbrooker had received her literary education before she came to this country, attending Heidelberg University for a time, and after reaching New York she studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Thompson. Two years later she entered Bellevue Hospital of New York city, where she remained three years, at the end of that time receiving her physician's certificate from the state board of health. She was a member of the homeopathic school and her license bears the date of November 17, 1887. She lived in the east for about seven years after coming from Germany and then with her mother came to Iowa. For a time she lived in Davenport and then, May 23, 1867 married and the day following started for Le Claire with her husband and mother. This town has since been her home and the scene of her professional labors. While she has been a most successful practitioner, her personality has endeared her to her patients, who are unanimous in their praise of her skill, her tenderness and her sympathy. Her husband, Charles Kattenbrooker, was a son of Charles and Elizabeth Kat- tenbrooker, both of whom had died in Germany, and he was the only one of his . family to come to America. He crossed the ocean in 1852 and after reaching our shores went to Detroit, Michigan. While in Germany he had received a good ed- ucation in the public schools and in Lemgo College and had learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked in Detroit for about a year and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for a time before coming to Scott county,


CHARLES KATTENBROOKER


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Iowa. After remaining for a few months in Buffalo, he removed to Le Claire, where he and his partner, Adolph Weithe, built a machine shop and established a foundry. They ran out of funds, however, and were compelled to go to some city, where they might earn money. Accordingly, they went to Chicago, Illi- nois, and in a few years had saved sufficient to enable them to start their busi- ness again in 1859. In conjunction they conducted it until the death of Mr. Weithe, when Mr. Kattenbrooker and his sons operated it until the death of the former, August I, 1904. He was born November 16, 1825, and in the long span of years which were allotted him had given proof of his strong character and a capacity to exert himself in noble endeavor. He was prominent in the fraternal order of Masons, while the citizens of Le Claire will long remember him as one of their mayors and a treasurer, in whose integrity they placed the greatest reliance.


The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kattenbrooker was blessed with four children : Charles, who married Miss Lela Wilson and is a machinist in Chicago, Illinois; William, who died at the age of three years; one who died in infancy; and Harry, a physician in New York city, who wedded Miss Marie Bondwell.


For many years past Dr. Kattenbrooker has been anxious to resign from active practice, but those of Le Claire who have become accustomed to calling upon her to minister to their physical needs, refuse to accede to her desires, constantly offering reasons why she should remain at the head of her profes- sion here. Surely this is a tribute to her long years of service, which cannot but be gratifying to Dr. Kattenbrooker herself as well as showing to others the measure of her success.


CHRISTOPH BUTTENOB.


Christoph Buttenob is a prosperous and progressive farmer of Blue Grass township, owning two hundred and forty acres of land, which has been in pos- session of the family for many years. He is a native of Scott county, born on a farm, August 9, 1864, of the marriage of Michael and Louise (Gollinghorst) Buttenob, both of whom were natives of Germany. The former was born in Schleswig-Holstein, in 1822, and in early manhood, in 1848, emigrated to A'mer- ica. He made his way to Scott county, Iowa, and worked for a time on the old government dams, which were under construction at that time. He had, however, worked at the cabinet-maker's trade in his native country but did not follow his trade in the new world. Soon after coming to this county he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Blue Grass township, this being located on sec- tion 13. In 1861, having in the meantime added to his financial resources, he was enabled to purchase an adjoining tract of one hundred and sixty acres, while later he increased his holdings by a tract of similar size in Davenport township and another of eighty acres in the same township. In 1878 he bought two hundred and forty acres near Maysville and in 1887 came into possession of two hundred and forty acres in Blue Grass township, which is now owned by our subject. Mr. Buttenob deserved much credit for what he accomplished,


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for when he landed in the new world he had but limited means and was ignorant of the language, manners and custom of the people, but as time passed he availed himself of every oportunity that was presented and became a very successful man, owing at the time of his demise in 1901, twelve hundred and twenty acres of land, all lying in Scott county. He was married in this county in 1852 to Miss Louise Gollinghorst, who was born in Hanover in 1833, and they reared a family of three sons and one daughter: Anton, a resident of Davenport; Chris- toph, of this review; George; and Maggie, the wife of Christian Volquardsen, also of Davenport.


Christoph Buttenob was reared on the home farm in Blue Grass township and attended the district schools of the neighborhood during the winter months, while in the spring and summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and under the latter's instruction became qualified for carrying on agricultural pursuits on his own account in later life. He now owns a tract of two hundred and forty acres in Blue Grass township, which was formerly the property of his father, and to its cultivation he is now bending his energies. The place is improved with substantial buildings, while a nice country home adds to its attractive appearance. In addition to this farm he also owns a section of land in Spink county, South Dakota, and is financially interested in the Farmers Mutual Elevator Company of Walcott and is a stockholder in the Walcott Savings Bank and the Farmers Savings Bank of Walcott, and he also owns stock in the Blue Grass Savings Bank, of which he is a director.


Mr. Buttenob was married on the 29th of March, 1894, to Miss Rosa C. Schnoor, a daughter of Claus Schnoor, a resident of Davenport. They have three living daughters, Elsie B., Clara R. and Martha L., aged respectively four- teen, twelve, and seven years, while the third in order of birth, Hilda, died at the age of two years.


Mr. Buttenob gives his support to the men and measures of democracy and since 1896 has served as township trustee, while for a similar period he has been a director and president of the school board. He takes a deep interest in the schools and is a firm believer in the employment of competent teachers that his own children and others of the neighborhood may be well fitted in early life for meeting the stern responsibilities that will later come to them. He is well known in the community which has always been his home and his many friends esteem him highly for his personal worth.


LOUIS DAURER.


A deep feeling of sadness spread throughout Buffalo township when it was announced that Louis Daurer had passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain, his memory will be cherished, not so much on account of the splendid success which he achieved in business but because of his life of help- fulness, of good cheer, of broad sympathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellowmen. Louis Daurer was born on a farm in Buffalo township, November 4, 1861, and, as the name indicates, came of German par-


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


entage. His father, John Daurer, was born in the fatherland, May 10, 1824, and when twenty-five years of age came to the United States, where he was married to Miss Johanna Swinster, who was born in Holstein, Germany, their wedding being celebrated December 12, 1857. Immediately thereafter Mr. Daurer took his bride to a farm which he had purchased. This tract was located in Buffalo township and he was thereafter until his death identified with the farming interests of this section of the county.


It was on the farm above mentioned that Louis Daurer was born. He at- tended the public schools of Scott county and after completing his studies as- sumed the management of the home place for his father, at whose death he came into possession of the land. It then consisted of two hundred and forty acres but Mr. Daurer afterward added to it until he owned two hundred and sixty- seven acres. He carried on general farming and also found time to devote to community interests, being deeply interested in the welfare and progress of the locality in which he always made his home.


Mr. Daurer was married April 29, 1885, to Miss Annie M. Brus, a daughter of Jacob Brus, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The children, eight in number, are as follows: John J., who married Alma Kantz and follows farm- ing in Buffalo township; and Rosa, Emma E., Lena E., Harry E., Louis, Lillie M. and Norma M., all at home.


Mr. Daurer was a democrat in his political views and served as school director for a number of years. He was fond of hunting and each year made a trip to indulge his love of the sport. He passed away February 24, 1904, at the com- paratively early age of forty-three years. Of upright conduct and kindly purpose, he is greatly missed in the community where he had spent his entire life, but most. of all is his loss felt in the family circle, where he was known as a devoted husband and father.


AUGUST PLETT.


August Plett, who figured prominently in business circles in Blue Grass as the manager of the Blue Grass Repair & Implement Company, one of the leading industries of the locality, is numbered among Scott county's native sons, his birth occurring in Buffalo township on the 2d of August, 1868. His father, H. F. Plett, was born in Germany in 1812, and at the age of thirty-eight years came to America, locating in Scott county, Iowa. Here he engaged in farming for a number of years, and in 1866 went to Buffalo township, where he operated a farm for about six years in the capacity of renter. At the expiration of that period he moved to Muscatine county, where he remained for five years and then returned to this county. Six years later he settled permanently in Mus- catine county and there followed the occupation of farming until eleven years before his demise, his remaining days being passed in well earned retirement. Aside from the subject of this review, his family consisted of the following children : Lizzie, who resides with her brothers, George and Frank, in Muscatine county ; Henry, the postmaster of Blue Grass; Louis, who follows blacksmith-


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


ing in Blue Grass ; William and John, agriculturists of Blue Grass township; and Herman and Charles, both farmers of Muscatine county.


Reared under the parental roof, August Plett acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home, and when not busily engaged with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil. After completing his education he remained at home for several years, carrying on agricultural pursuits in connection with his father, and later learned and followed the carpenter's trade for about nine years. He arrived in Blue Grass in the spring of 1898, and has continued to make his home here to the present time. In 1907 the Blue Grass Repair & Im- plement Company was organized as a stock company, being incorporated for eight thousand dollars, with a paid-up capital of forty-five hundred dollars. They deal in all kinds of farming implements and carry on a general repair business, their trade, which has already reached ample proportions, continually increasing in extent and importance. From its inception Mr. Plett has been its manager, his excellent business ability, his close application and his wise discrimination beng potent elements in making this one of the important in- dustrial concerns of the county.


Mr. Plett holds membership in Hillside Camp, M. W. A., of Blue Grass, while his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. Although he has never sought nor desired public office, yet he is public-spirited in his citizenship, his influence ever being on the side of progress, advancement and improvement. As a business man he is honored among his fellow citizens, who are familiar with his record from early boyhood days, and the fact that his stanchest friends are numbered among his oldest acquaintances is an indication of the commendable policy and upright course which he has always followed. Throughout his connection with the industrial world he has never incurred obli- gations that he has not met nor made engagements that he has not filled, so that his name has become known in the business circles of Blue Grass as a synonym for business integrity.


HENRY SUHR.


Henry Suhr, deceased, was one of the retired merchants to whom success in life came as the reward of carefully executed business plans and the strictest integrity in commercial dealings. He was born in the village of Suderau, Schles- wig-Holstein, Germany, on the 3Ist of May, 1845, a son of Eric and Anna (Van Tagen) Suhr. His father was engaged in the lumber business in Germany, where he spent his entire life, and the mother is still living there.


Henry Suhr pursued his education in the schools of Germany and there learned the grocery business through service as an employe in a grocery house in his native province. The favorable reports which he heard concerning business conditions in America led him to determine to seek his fortune on this side the Atlantic and after bidding adieu to home and friends he sailed for the new world in 1868, when a young man of twenty-three years. He first settled in Walcott,


HENRY SUHR


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


where he was employed by Bernhard Schwarting for three years. He then came to Davenport in 1871, at which time, in connection with Jacob Brammann he bought the grocery stock and good will of Jens Lorenzen on Harrison street. For eighteen years they conducted business together and then dissolved partner- ship in 1889, after which Mr. Suhr opened a grocery store at No. 2101/2 Harri- son street. There he carried on a prosperous business for ten years, or until 1899, when he retired. He had. erected an elegant home on the west side of Davenport but did not live to enjoy it for any length of time as he soon became ill and passed away.


On the 31st of May, 1879, Mr. Suhr was married to Miss Wilhelmina Frahm, a daughter of Frederick and Kathrina (Schlichting) Frahm, who were early settlers of Scott county. They were married in 1853 and the father died Feb- ruary II, 1883, while his wife died January 4, 1897. Mrs. Suhr was born in Blue Grass township and was reared upon one of the pioneer farms of the locality. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Suhr was born one son, John E., who died in infancy. The death of the husband and father occurred March 17, 1905, and was the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as to his wife. He was a prominent member of the Turners Society of Davenport and was of a friendly, pleasant nature, numbering his friends by the score. His reliability and enter- prise in business, his progressive and public-spirited citizenship and his faith- fulness in friendship all won for him high standing in the community where he made his home.


RICHARD SCHAEFER.


Richard Schaefer for many years has been a prosperous farmer of Davenport township, where he owns and operates one hundred acres of well improved land, on which he has made his home since 1884. He was born on a farm situated just across the township line in Pleasant Valley, December 24, 1862, a son of Wil- liam and Lena (Housemann) Schaefer, who were German pioneer settlers of Scott county. Both were born in the fatherland in 1834, the former on the 30th of March, and the latter on the 4th of May of that year. They were married February 26, 1858. The father clerked in a dry-goods store in his native land. Immediately after their marriage he and his young bride sailed for the United States. Landing at New York, they at once made their way to Scott county, Iowa, where the father rented land for a time and later purchased one hundred and thirty acres in Pleasant Valley township. After a residence of seven years in that township, he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Davenport township, which he improved and operated during the re- mainder of his active career. In the meantime, however, he purchased other lands, owning at the time of his death four hundred and sixty acres. Late in life he retired and took up his abode in Davenport, his death there occurring December 5, 1908, when he was seventy-four years of age. Prominent and influential in the community, Mr. Schaefer served for a long term as road supervisor and was a member of the German Pioneers Association of Scott


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


county. His widow still survives and occupies the family home at 1457 West Fourth street in Davenport. They were the parents of ten children, as fol- lows: William, who follows farming in Pleasant Valley township; Richard, of this review; Alexander, also of Pleasant Valley township; Hugo, who lives in Davenport; Otto, of Pleasant Valley township; 'Albert, who resides in Daven- port township; Meta, the wife of William Carstens, of Davenport; Emil, who died when a youth of fourteen years; and two who died in infancy.


Richard Schaefer at the usual age began his education in the district schools near the homestead farm and completed his studies in the German school at Davenport. When starting out to make his own way in the world he chose the vocation to which he had been reared. He now owns a fine farm of one hun- dred acres, the rich soil of which yields bounteous harvests in due season. Mr. Schaefer also feeds cattle, keeping good grades of stock. Since taking up his abode on the farm in 1884, he has made many improvements, remodeled the house, built a good barn and other outbuildings, and altogether it is a valuable piece of property.


Mr. Schaefer was married December 5, 1884, to Miss Rose John, a daughter of Claus and Katherine (Horst) John, residents of Lincoln township. Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer have two daughters and three sons, all at home, Hilda C., Oscar W., Elsie A., Richard E., Jr., and Raymond W. Mrs. Schaefer was born in Sheridan township, her parents being numbered among the early German set- tlers of this county. The father served in the German army from 1848 until 1850 and two years later emigrated to the new world, his death occurring in Scott county in 1880 when he was fifty-six years of age. His wife also died in 1880 at the age of sixty-one. Mrs. Schaefer is the youngest child and the only daughter of the family, her two brothers being Emil and John, the former a resident of Summit and the latter of Davenport.


Mr. Schaefer is a democrat and on that ticket was elected constable and road supervisor, and he has likewise filled the office of school director. He be- longs to the Modern Brotherhood and the East Davenport Turner Association. Both he and his wife are worthy representatives of pioneer German families, who took an active part in the early development of this region. Mr. Schaefer stands today as a high type of German-American manhood, who has won suc- cess in a useful field of business and gained the respect and honor of his fel- lowmen by his public service and private life.


CARROLL BROTHERS.


The caption of this article is also the name of one of the leading firms of attorneys and abstracters of Davenport. It is composed of three brothers, A. E., W. H. and E. J. Carroll. The first named was born in Princeton town- ship, Scott county, Iowa, January 22, 1866, while W. H. Carroll was born April 16, 1869, and E. J. Carroll on the 19th of June, 1874. Their father, James Car- roll, a native of Ireland, was born April 16, 1833, and in 1842 came to the United States with his father, Alexander Carroll, who settled for a time in


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Springfield, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. His son James Carroll was reared to agricultural life and remained a resident of Ohio until 1858, when he determined to establish his home in the middle west, thinking that better op- portunities might be enjoyed in a district less thickly settled. Therefore, he came to Iowa and took up his abode in Le Claire, where he followed farming for many years. As time passed on he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and came to be recognized as one of the representative agriculturists of the community. He has now retired from active business and makes his home in Clinton, Iowa.




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