History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 83

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

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The three sons who constitute the firm of Carroll Brothers acquired their early education in the public schools of Princeton township, afterward attended the Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, and the State University of Iowa, in which they were all law students. A. E. Carroll was graduated in the class of 1893 and practiced in Clinton for three years, after which he removed to Detroit. In 1894 W. H. Carroll joined him in organizing the firm of Carroll Brothers, having just graduated from the State University. E. J. Carroll completed his course there in 1897 and was then taken into the partnership. Not only have they en- gaged in the practice of law but also conduct an abstract office, which they opened in 1900. They are all young men of excellent business ability and, more- over, have that comprehensive knowledge of the law which is the fundamental of all success of the bar. Their devotion to their clients' interests is proverbial and their preparation of cases is thorough and exhaustive so that when they enter the courts they are well prepared to clearly define the legal position of their clients and prove the justice of their cause. They have never been office seekers, although active in every good work for the community. W. H. Carroll has served, however, as deputy county attorney in Clinton county for three terms.

A. E. Carroll was married in 1899 to Miss Emma J. Menaugh, a native of St. Louis. W. H. Carroll was married in the same year to Miss Elizabeth Streib, a native of Clinton, Iowa, while in 1904 E. J. Carroll was married to Miss Lydia J. Keller, also a native of Clinton county.

The three brothers are active members of the Knights of Columbus and W. H. Carroll has served as grand knight of Clinton county. They are most highly respected citizens, loyal to the best interests of the community, their cooperation and aid being always counted upon to further any movement for the public good. In law practice and in the abstract business they have secured a liberal clien- tele and are most devoted to the interests of thoss whom they represent.

AMBROSE C. FULTON.

Ambrose C. Fulton was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and worked on his father's farm until 1827, when he went to Philadelphia and be- gan a career of adventure. He went to sea, landed in New Orleans and engaged in trade with the West India islands, accumulating money to build several busi-

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ness houses in New Orleans. He raised a company and aided Texas in its re- volt against Mexico.

In 1842 Mr. Fulton located in Davenport, Iowa, where he built the first flatboat that made the trip to New Orleans from that city. In company with others he selected a mill site on the Wapsipinicon river in Buchanan county and built a dam and flouring mill. In 1848 he built a large flouring mill in Davenport and was one of the first to project the railroad which was built west from this place.

In 1854 Mr. Fulton was elected by a union of the whigs and anti-slavery voters to represent Scott county in the state senate and helped elect James Har- lan to the United States senate to take he place of George W. Jones. For more than forty years Mr. Fulton was engaged in nearly all public enterprises for the development of Davenport and during that time erected thirty-seven build- ings. He was always one of the leaders and promoters of public enterprises to advance the development of the city and state. He was an intelligent writer for the leading newspapers and did much in that way to bring settlers into the city and men of capital into the state.

CLAUS SCHNECKLOTH.

Among the pioneers of whom Scott county is justifiably proud is Claus Schneck- loth, who possesses a fund of interesting reminiscences of the old days. 'Although now living in Davenport, he resided for many years in the neighboring country district and pursued the vocation of an agriculturist. He was one of the nu- merous colony from Holstein, Germany, his birth having occurred there August 6, 1831, his parents being Hans and Celia (Miller) Schneckloth, with whom he came to America. The family arrived in 1847 and located in Scott county, Iowa, where they bought forty acres of partially improved land in Davenport township, now Sheridan township. The Indians had not yet entirely retreated before the onward march of civilization and Mr. Schneckloth on one occasion met no less than five hundred of them. He was naturally terrified, but they did not molest him. The father built what he expected would be a temporary shanty in which to live until a better house could be finished in the following autumn; and in this latter abode he and his wife resided until their deaths. At the time of their demise they owned eighty acres of land. The father had served in the German army and was a shoemaker by trade. He had two children: Claus, the subject of the sketch; and Bertha, who married M. F. Rohlff and resides in Davenport.

Claus Schneckloth received his education in the German schools. For the first five years of his residence in this country he assisted his father upon the home farm. About 1852 the latter purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln township and entrusted his son with the task of breaking the land and otherwise improving it, which consumed the greater part of 1854 and 1855. He built a house and began the cultivation of the land and in 1857 married and went to live there, making it his home for nearly forty years. He retired in 1894

MR. AND MRS. CLAUS SCHNECKLOTII

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

and removed to Davenport. Beside the homestead he possesses one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township and one hundred and seventy-three in Hickory Grove township.

On April 12, 1857, Mr. Schneckloth was united in marriage to Miss Kathryn Weise, a daughter of Peter and Bertha (Plambeck) Weise, both natives of Germany. Mrs. Schneckloth is likewise by birth a subject of the kaiser, as she was born in the old country, April 27, 1839. They have become the parents of five children. Celia, the eldest, married Charles Schneckloth and lives in Lin- coln township. She is the mother of eight children, Kathryn, Malinda, Ella, Harry, Hugo, deceased, Rudolph, Albert and Grace. Peter, the second child, now a resident of Lincoln township, married Johanna Holst and has two children, Rona and Herbert. Gustave, who lives on the old home place in the original house built by his father, married Anna Willodt and has two children, Irma and Camilla. Bettie is at home with her parents in Davenport. Charles resides in Medford, Oregon. Mrs. Schneckloth's parents came to this country in 1856 and settled in Lincoln township, this county, where they ultimately came to possess one hundred and sixty acres. On the 12th of April, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Schneck- loth celebrated their golden wedding.

Mr. Schneckloth is a public-spirited man and for some time served as school director of Sheridan township. After a long life of thrift and industry, it is now his fortunate lot to be able to spend his declining years among the comforts secured by his former labor, to exchange reminiscences with the old neighbors who have watched with him the amazing progress of the county since pioneer days, and to enjoy the society of those new friends whom he and his wife have won in their new home.

AUGUST STEFFEN.

August Steffen, who to the time of his death was numbered among Daven- port's most substantial citizens, his business activity contributing in large meas- ure to commercial progress and development, testified in his life record the force and value of persistent effort and indefatigable energy. It was those qual- ities which gained him distinction as one of the leading wholesale merchants of the city. He was truly a self-made man and as the architect of his own fortunes lie builded wisely and well.

Mr. Steffen was born in Herford, Westphalia, Germany, October 24, 1824, and continued to reside in his native land to the age of twenty-four years, when the opportunities of the new world constituted a call which he heard and heeded, landing in New York, in September, 1848. He had previously learned the to- bacco manufacturing business and was connected therewith throughout the period of his residence in Germany. Severing the ties, however, that bound him to his native land, he embarked for the new world, and after a long voyage of thirteen weeks reached his destination in September, 1848. He did not tarry on the eastern coast but at once made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment at his trade. His financial condition rendered it imperative

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

that he immediately obtain a position and for two months he worked there, after which he shipped on a river boat for New Orleans, where he engaged in the bakery business for a time, and then went to Natchez, Mississippi. He stayed in both places but a short period and in 1850 started overland for California. 'Al- though San Francisco was his destination, he spent a short time in Sacramento. He then went into the gold fields and met with fair success in his search for the precious metal, but in so doing endured all the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the miner in that region far remote from civilization.

After four years spent on the Pacific coast, Mr. Steffen returned to St. Louis, Missouri, by way of the isthmus of Panama, and utilized his recently acquired earnings in the establshiment of a partnership with Ferdinand Rodde- wig. Removing to Davenport they opened a grocery store at No. 224 West Sec- ond street, but soon afterward Mr. Steffen purchased the interest of his partner and carried on the business alone. Five years later he became connected with the grain trade and was very successful in that venture, which constituted the nucleus of his more recently acquired fortune. On the 7th of September, 1879, he purchased the dry-goods business of M. Weidemann and placed it upon a profitable footing, so that at the end of three years he extended the scope of his activities by adding to the retail a wholesale department. In 1876 he erected the August Steffen building, which at that time was the largest business block in Davenport. He continued the management of the business along new lines until about three years prior to his death, when he closed out the retail depart- ment and retired from active life, while his son, August, who had been asso- ciated with him since 1883, took over the complete management of the whole- sale business. The stock of the company is now all owned by the heirs of our subject. Mr. Steffen developed his trade along lines of natural and healthy expansion and the business from the outset proved profitable. Not only as a merchant but in other ways was he connected with Davenport's most success- ful enterprises, being financially interested in a number of important concerns. For years he was president of the Davenport Plow Company and was also a director of the First National Bank from its organization and likewise of the Davenport Savings Bank. The soundness of his judgment made his cooperation in these concerns a valuable factor.

In 1856 Mr. Steffen was married to Miss Margarethe Gehrlicher, a native of Coburg, Germany, and a sister of E. S. Carl, now deceased, who was cashier of the Citizens National Bank. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Meta, the wife of Dr. Carl Matthey; Adele, the wife of B. F. Aufderheide, and August, all of Davenport ; and Alfred, who is engaged in the brewing and malting business. The pleasures of Mr. Steffen's life were his home and his business. In his home he was kind, indulgent and generous, finding his greatest joy in the companionship of his wife and children. Rel- atives and friends were also many times recipients of his kindness and gener- osity and to public charities he never gave grudgingly, but with hearty spirit to render efficient aid where it was most greatly felt. In his business he was the soul of integrity. In fact he was frank and outspoken in all of his transactions and conscientiously honest, he despised tricks and subterfuges of any character. He gave liberally to the support of many enterprises which he thought worthy,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

being ever ready to open his purse for public improvements, and his judg- ment in such matters was largely depended upon. He died October 8, 1899, after close identification with the interests of Davenport for more than forty years. With effort unhampered by the drawbacks of caste or class, which he would have known in his native land, he resolutely put forth effort that brought him to a prominent position in commercial circles and at the same time made his activity of benefit to the city.

JAMES H. GREER.

James H. Greer is a representative farmer of Sheridan township, owning and operating eighty acres of land, conveniently located three miles west of Eldridge. He is a native of the state of Indiana, born in Dearborn county, June 29, 1847. His parents Nathan and Rebecca Greer, were both born in Pennsylvania. In early life the father learned the brick mason's trade and during the pioneer set- tlement of Scott county made his way to this section and followed his trade here. In 1857 he brought his family to Scott county and purchased a quarter section of prairie land in Sheridan township. He at once set to work to improve the place and erected substantial buildings thereon. After getting his family comfortably located he left the farm in charge of his sons, while he resumed work at his trade, which he followed until the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. The mother survived for a long period and was called to her final rest in 1902, when she had reached an advanced age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Greer six children were born: Simon, who died during his service in the Civil war; George, who has also passed away; James H. of this review; Ford, who died at the age of about seventeen years; Agnes, the wife of James Clark, a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and John, who graduated from Grin- hell College and is now principal of a high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

James H. Greer was a little lad of about nine years at the time of the removal of the family to Scott county from Indiana. He began his education in the schools of that state and after coming to Scott county resumed his studies in the public schools, while later he entered Grinnell College but shortly afterward his father became ill and died. It was then imperative that the son return home and his plans were necessarily changed. He then resumed work on the farm and this has been his occupation to the present time.

It was on the 7th of December, 1875, that Mr. Greer was married to Miss Mary Madden, a daughter of John and Helen (Spencer) Madden. They were both natives of England, whence in 1849 they emigrated to the new world, es- tablishing their home in Winfield township, Scott county, and it was here that their daughter Mary was born on the 28th of September, 1854. Their family numbered eleven children, namely : Daniel, deceased; Margaret, who became the wife of John R. Thompson but has also passed away; Nellie, the deceased wife of Christ Marti; William S. and John H., who have also departed this life; Mary, now Mrs. Greer; Isabelle, also deceased; James G., who makes his home in Winfield, township; Robert, deceased; George, a resident of Kansas;

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

and one who died in infancy. The parents have likewise departed this life, the mother passing away in 1881, when fifty-five years of age, while the father, surviving for only a few short years, passed away in 1884, when sixty-five years old.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Greer has been blessed with two daughters. Nel- lie Estella is the wife of John J. Dempster and the mother of two sons, John G. and Keith G. Gertrude is the wife of Frank M. Sherman and they make their home in Grinnell, Iowa. The family is one of high standing and respecta- bility in Sheridan township and, having long been identified with its interests, Mr. Greer takes a helpful part in the work of improvement along agricultural lines, while his own farm is indicative of his enterprising spirit.

HARRY J. McFARLAND.

On the roster of county officials in Scott county appears the name of Harry J. McFarland, who has served as clerk of the district court since January 7, 1907, and has proven a faithful, prompt and efficient incumbent in that position. Moreover, he is numbered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 30th of May, 1871. His parents were Daniel and Anna (Toher) McFarland. His father was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and left his native land at the age of six years accompanied by his father, James McFarland, and arrived in the United States in 1854. After a short stay in the city of Philadelphia, he came west and settled at Dav- enport, Iowa. Entering the service of the Rock Island Railroad Company, he was employed in the capacity of car inspector at the Perry street passenger depot for twenty-five years, while for the past eleven years he has been in the service of the Rock Island arsenal. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Toher, was a native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and came of Irish par- entage. She came west with her parents at an early age and received her educa- tion in this city. They reared a family of seven children, six of whom still survive.

Harry J. McFarland, who is the eldest child in his father's family, obtained his preliminary education in St. Marguerite's parochial school at Davenport and subsequently attended St. Ambrose College, graduating from the latter institu- tion. He likewise attended the Iowa Commercial College of Davenport and received the benefit of a business course. After putting aside his text-books, he secured a position in the freight department of the Rock Island Railroad Company, being thus employed for five years. Subsequently, he entered the services of the Western Railway Association in the capacity of freight inspector and thus acted for a period of eight years. Since attaining his majority, he has taken a deep and helpful interest in politics and in all matters of public concern and is one of the most universally popular young men in Scott county. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to var- ious positions of trust and responsibility, and he has ever proven himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him. In 1902, he severed his connection with the

that

H. J. McFARLAND

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Western Railway Association and accepted the position of deputy clerk of the district court and held the same for two years. A change in administration produced a like change in the clerk's office, and he became identified with the Guaranty Mutual Life Insurance Company and the American Security Com- pany. In 1907, he was elected clerk of the district court and is still the incum- bent in that position, discharging the duties devolving upon him in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. When the federal court was established in this city he was appointed the first deputy clerk of the United States circuit and district courts and also United States jury commissioner for the southern district of Iowa and still holds said offices. His political allegiance is unfalter- ingly given to the cause of democracy. When the Bank of Dixon, of Dixon, Iowa, failed, he was appointed receiver by the Hon. Smith McPherson, judge of the United States courts. After the crash, when there was not a dollar in sight and it looked as if the depositors would lose all their savings, he by skill- ful management succeeded in collecting sufficient assets of the bank to pay fifty cents on the dollar to the depositors. He also acted as receiver for the Schicks Express, Transfer & Storage Company, likewise for the Benadom Sanitarium Company, both of which cases he settled with satisfaction to all concerned.

Fraternally, Mr. McFarland is prominently identified with . the Elks, the Woodmen of the World, Knights of Columbus, Western Catholic Union, Dav- enport Turner Society and the Ancient Order of Hiberians. He served four terms as counsel commander of Carnival Camp, No. I, Woodmen of the World, and three terms as grand knight of Loras Council, No. 532, Knights of Colum- bus. In August, 1909, he was honored by being selected as delegate to the national convention by the Knights of Columbus, at Mobile, Alabama. Through- out the county in which his entire life has been spent he is most widely and favor- ably known, having ever displayed a genial cordiality and an unfailing courtesy that have won for him many friends.

DAVIS THOMAS.

Davis Thomas, a retired farmer now living in McCausland and one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1833. His parents were William and Jane Thomas. The former was a teamster by occupation and as there were no railroads in the early days he engaged in teaming between Philadelphia and Pittsburg and at length met with an accidental death, being killed by his team.

Davis Thomas is indebted to the public-school system of his native county for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. After leaving school he learned the stone-mason's trade but never followed it to any great extent. The opportunities of the growing western country attracted him and in 1855 he came to Scott county in company with Ed Robinson, being at that time twenty-two years of age. He entered the employ of Mr. Robinson and worked for him as a farm hand until 1861.

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Mr. Thomas responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company C, Second Iowa Cavalry, at Davenport, on the 14th of August, 1861. The regiment was fully organized about September Ist at Davenport and was mustered in two weeks later. The troops were in training at Camp Mc- Clellan and Camp Jo Holt at Davenport until December 10, 1861, when the regi- ment removed to Benton Barracks, proceeding thence to Birds Point, February 17, 1863. They participated in the expedition against Thompson's forces from the 25th to the 29th of February, moved to New Madrid, Missouri, March 4th, and took part in the action there on the 13th and 14th of that month and also in the operations at Island No. 10 from the 16th of March to the 18th of April. Then came the expedition to Fort Pillow, Tennessee, and from the 18th until the 22d of April they were at Hamburg Landing, Tennessee. With the regiment Mr. Thomas took part in the action at Birmingham, April 24; at Monterey, April 28-9; the advance on and siege of Corinth from the 29th of April to the 30th of May. They were at Glendale May 8th and Farmington the following day and in the expedition to Boonville covering the 28th and 30th of May. Then came the occupation of Corinth; later the battle of Tuscumbia Creek, and of Blackland, near Baldwin, on the 6th of June; the reconnaissance to Gun- town, Baldwin, etc. June 9-10; Boonville, July 1; Brown Springs, July 21; Rienzi, August 26; Peytons Mills, September 19; Iuka, September 19-20; the battle of Corinth, October 2-4; pursuit to Ripley, November 2; Grant's cen- tral Mississippi campaign from November, 1862, until January, 1863, includ- ing Warshaw creek, November 6, 1862; the reconnaissance from La Grange, November 8 and 9; Coldwater, November 8; Hudsonville, November 9; the reconnaissance to Holly Springs, November 12 and 14; the expedition to Rip- ley, November 19 and 20; the engagement at Ripley, November 20; Waterford, November 29-30; Tallahatchie river, November 30; about Oxford, December I-8; Yocona river and Springdale bridge, December 3; Water Valley, December 4; Coffeeville, December 5; the expedition against Mobile and Ohio Railroad, December 14-19; Ripley, December 23-25; Prairie Station, February 21, 1863; expedition to Mount Pleasant, April 5-7; Pontotoc, April 19; Palo Alto and Okolona, April 21-22; Birmingham, April 24; scout from La Grange into northern Mississippi, April 29 to May 5; expedition to Panola, May 11-15; Walnut Hill and Pigeon Roost, May 14; Tullahoma, May 15; ex- pedition to Senatobia, May 21-28; Senatobia, May 23; Hernando, May 28; operations in west Mississippi, June 15-22; near Holly Springs, June 16-17; Coldwater bridge, June 18; Matthews ferry, Coldwater river, June 20; Jackson, July 13; La Grange, July 16; expedition from Memphis to Grenada, August 14- 23; Grenada, August 17; expedition to Hernando, October 10-II; operations on Memphis and Charleston Railroad, November 3-5; Collierville, and Cold- water, November 3; Moscow, November 5; operations against Lee's attack on Memphis and Charleston Railroad, November 28 to December 10; Salisbury, December 5; Wolf Bridge, near Moscow, December 3-4; pursuit of Forest, December 22-30; Collierville, December 17-28; at Memphis until February 5, 1864; Smith's raid from Collierville to Okolona, February 11-26; Wall Hill, February 12; West Point, February 20-21 ; Ellis Bridge and Okolona, February 21; Ivy Hill, near Okolona, February 21; Smith's expedition to Tupelo, July

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 83

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