History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 86

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

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

On the 2d of April, 1865, General Sanders was discharged from the service for disability, having been brevetted brigadier general for gallant conduct on many battlefields. Upon his return home he was appointed postmaster of Dav- enport. In 1870 he was appointed by President Grant secretary of Montana territory and became acting governor. In 1872 he was appointed registrar of the United States land office for Montana. He returned to his old home at Davenport, where for many years he was engaged in editorial work on several of the daily papers. As a writer General Sanders for a third of a century ranked among the ablest in the state. He is now enjoying the reminiscent twilight of a long and active life in his latest home in sunny Georgia.

SEVERIN SCHINDLER.

Severin Schindler, deceased, who for many years was identified with min- ing and agricultural interests in Scott county, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 2d of September, 1835. There he was reared and educated and in 1854 came to America, thinking in this country to find better opportunities for busi- ness advancement than were offered in the old world. He located first in Penn- sylvania, where he was engaged in farming and coal mining for about twenty- two months, and then removed to Pomeroy, Ohio, where he worked in the roll- ing mills, stone quarries and salt mines until the spring of 1858. He then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and soon after settled in Minersville, Illinois, where he was employed in the mines for some time. Subsequently he came to Scott county, locating in Buffalo, where he mined for Captain W. L. Clark, a Mr. Langley and Captain LeRoy Dodge. Later he opened up a mine of his own, which he operated for two years, and then, in 1870, settled upon a farm in Buf- falo township, where he continued to make his home until the time of his death. The property consisted of ninety acres of land, upon which he carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits, and in this line of activity he was very successful, as he had ever been in his various other business enterprises, industry, energy and perseverance being his salient characteristics.

On the Ist of March, 1859, Mr. Schindler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Weaver, a native of Hessen, Germany, and a daughter of Otto and Ka- trina Weaver, also born in the fatherland. Unto this union were born three children, two daughters and one son, namely: Rosa, the wife of Charles Brus, of Blue Grass township; and Anna and John, still under the parental roof. Mr. Schindler was called to his final rest on the 8th of June, 1903, and his death was the occasion of deep regret not only in the home where he had been a loving father and husband, but also in the community where he had gained many friends who held him in the highest respect and esteem because of his many ex- cellent traits of character.

John Schindler, the son, who was born on the 29th of December, 1871, at- tended the country schools near his father's home in the acquirement of an education, and has always remained upon the home farm, wisely choosing as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He has had entire

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

charge of the homestead since the death of his father and has never married, devoting his time to the care of his widowed mother and one sister who still resides at home. The family are all members of the Catholic church and oc- cupy a high place in the social circles of the community, while in politics John Schindler is a stalwart republican. The honors and emoluments of office, how- ever, have had no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business affairs, which, capably managed, are proving a source of substantial profit. He is a young man who, having passed his entire life within the borders of Buffalo township, has gained a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances and is numbered among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of the locality.

GEORGE W. BAWDEN.

The history of the Davenport bar contains no more illustrious name than that of George W. Bawden, whose professional integrity and honor were unquestioned, while his skill and power in the conduct of litigated interests are evidenced by the court records, which chronicle many cases that he won through his elocu- tion, logic and correct application of the law. He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in 1859, and when but two years of age was brought to Daven- port by his parents. Theodore Roosevelt has said that "the best type of Ameri- can citizens are those of eastern birth and western training," and such was the life of Mr. Bawden, who in the environment of a growing western city spent his youthful days, acquiring his education in its public schools, his studies being continued until he completed the high school course. He determined upon the practice of law as his life work and to this end entered the Iowa State University, in which he completed the law course and was graduated. Following his ad- mission to the bar he returned to Davenport and entered the office of C. A. Ficke, with whom he remained for a short time, in 1880. He had but just at- tained his majority when he entered upon the practice of law and, with the energy and determination of young manhood, he sought to prove his strength in the legal field in competition with lawyers of broad experience and twice his years. He went to Muscatine and took advantage of a legal opening, and con- tinued as a representative of the bar in that city until October, 1895, when he returned to Davenport and entered upon practice here in connection with the late Julius Lischer, under the firm name of Lischer & Bawden. In 1901 the admission of a third partner led to the adoption of the firm name of Lischer, Bawden & Neal, which was retained until the death of the senior partner in 1902, after which the firm of Bawden & Thueman was organized. Mr. Bawden be- came recognized as a conscientious and able lawyer, devoting himself to the interests of his clients yet never forgetting for a moment that there were certain things which he owed to his own self-respect and to the righteous administration of the law.

He rendered capable service to his city through two terms' connection with the council as representative from the fifth ward. He declined to serve longer,

GEORGE W. BAWDEN

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although his constituents wished to retain him in office, and he also declined to accept the candidacy for mayor. For one year he was a citizen member of the board of health. His political support was always given to the republican party, of which he was one of the local leaders, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. He eagerly embraced every opportunity to aid in the city's develop- men and progress and he gave not only valuable legal counsel but also the en- thusiasm of a patriotic man toward securing the building of the Iowa Ill- inois Interurban line from Davenport to Clinton. As counsel for the Iowa & Illinois Railroad he piloted that company through the legal entanglements that beset the securing of a franchise and again and again appeared before the city council to argue contested points.

Mr. Bawden was married in 1885 to Miss Jennie Eldridge, a daughter of J. M. Eldridge, one of the best known and most honored residents of Daven- port to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Bawden had three sons : Albert R., George Ray and Harry. The death of Mr. Bawden occurred on the 23d of March, 1905. He was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian church, be- longed to the Davenport Turner Society and was one of the most esteemed members of the Scott County Bar Association. His ability and integrity as a lawyer were recognized by all, his honesty being one of his strongest characteris- tics. He would never urge a client into a suit for the sake of the fees, but on the contrary hesitated in taking any case unless he was assured of the justice of the case-a course from which there are too many professional lapses. No rep- resentative of the bench and bar has been more honored by the legal fraternity of Davenport, not only because of his professional honor and ability but also on account of his personal worth in all life's relations.

C. B. SNYDER.

The great development which has marked the passage of years in this county and state has been witnessed and participated in by C. B. Snyder, who came with his parents to Allens Grove township twenty-six days before Iowa was admitted to statehood. On the last day of November, 1846, after dark, the family crossed the Mississippi river, on the old horse ferry that was then in use, and located one mile east of where the town of Dixon now stands. There was little at that time, however, to indicate the future growth of this section of the state, but the father believed that he was not making a mistake in locating here. Years have proved the correctness of his choice, both in the case of his own achievements and those of his son, C. B. Snyder.

The latter was born in Huron county, Ohio, near Chicago Junction, May 18, 1838, a son of Simon and Susannah (Jacobs) Snyder. The parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Mount Bethel, and the mother of Phila- delphia. They were married in Tompkins county, New York, however, for there Mr. Snyder, who was following the tanners' trade at that time, had built a tannery. Later they removed to Huron county, Ohio, and thence to Scott county, Iowa, where the remaining years of their lives were spent. Here Mr.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Snyder followed farming with. such profit that before he divided his property among his children he was possessed of several hundred acres. Seven children had been granted to him and his wife. Ephraim is deceased. Roswell B. and Richard J. were drowned in the Wapsie river in 1848. Rudolph S. enlisted, 'August, 1861, in Company C, Second Iowa Cavalry, serving until the close of the Civil war. He is now a resident of Dixon. C. B. is the subject of this sketch. Daniel enlisted in the Second Iowa Cavalry and served during three years of the Civil war. He is now living in Grand Mound, Clinton county, Iowa. John is a resident of Allens Grove township. He was strong in supporting the principles of the republican party in the early days and was a Methodist in religious be- lief.

C. B. Snyder was about eight years of age when his parents came to Scott county, where he has since resided, living upon the homestead in Allens Grove township until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he engaged in agriculture for himself. He then bought the three hundred and thirty acres in Liberty township adjoining the corporate limits of the town of Dixon, which has since been his home. Now it is highly cultivated but the improvements and even the cultivation of the greater part of it are the result of Mr. Snyder's own ef- forts, for much of the land he had had to be broken when it came into his pos- session. Many large and handsome buildings adorn the ground, including a commodious dwelling house and ample accommodation for the shelter of his stock, to which he has given much of his attention. Indeed, Mr. Snyder chal- lenges any man in the state to exhibit a finer herd of cattle than the ninety head which are his at present. They are full blooded polled Angus stock, started from imported animals, and as he has been making a specialty of breeding this strain for the past twenty years, he has as excellent cattle of that kind as may be procured. Until the past year, Mr. Snyder also made a specialty of raising sheep, but he has now forsaken that industry. He has made a fine reputation for himself as a stockman and farmer and has won a large and substantial rev- enue in compensation for his labors.

While of necessity so much of his time has been given to his private con- cerns, Mr. Snyder has not failed to devote many years to the service of his fel- low citizens, by whom he has been several times honored with evidences of their confidence in him and his ability. During the administration of Abraham Lin- coln he was postmaster of Dixon. He also served as township trustee for two terms, acted as justice of the peace for a number of years, was a member of the township school board and its president for a long period and was also a mem- ber of the board of education of Dixon. Under Governor Stone he held a com- mission as second lieutenant, which has never been recalled, and for a short time he also held a commission under Adjutant General Baker.

On the Ist of February, 1863, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Irene Haile, who was born in Liberty township, this county, February IO, 1843, three years before Iowa became a state. Her parents were James and Elizabeth (Heller) Haile, who were natives of Brookline, Massachusetts, and Ohio respectively. In 1835 they came to Iowa, where they were married and passed the remainder of their lives. For a number of years Mr. Haile ran the old Wilson ferry at Davenport, when it was operated by horse power. Three

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

children were born to him and his wife, namely: Mrs. Snyder; Charles of Os- kaloosa, Iowa ; and Cornelius, who died young.

Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had thirteen children: Charles D. a resident of Parma, Idaho; James Smith, who went to Alaska during the excitement at- tendant upon the discovery of gold there and has not been heard from since; John F., of Alfalfa, Washington; Ella, the wife of S. M. Skelton, of Caldwell, Idaho; Elizabeth, the wife of E. T. Fox, of Parma, Idaho; Mary, the wife of M. E. Bowling, of Davenport; Henry, of Dixon; Lee H., an engineer upon the Rock Island Railroad, who makes his home in Rock Island, Illinois; Rudolph, the United States inspector of stock at Lemoore, California; Edith and Edna, twins, the former the wife of J. H. Smith, of Washta, Iowa, the latter at home; Raymond, who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is in the employ of the Great Northern Railroad; Maude H., a bookkeeper in Davenport; and Nancy, who was an orphan reared by Mr. and Mrs. Snyder and is now the wife of B. U. Shaw, of Big Hole Valley, Montana.

Mr. Snyder has always been a republican and is a member of the Christian church of Dixon, in which he is a trustee and elder. Among his other com- mercial interests he is connected with the M. V. Boies Company, of Davenport, the first undertaking firm established in the city, which for more than thirty years has been conducted under the same name. Mr. Snyder is now its president, proving himself as able a man of business as a successful farmer. The long years of his life have been attended with prosperity and he enjoys the unbounded respect and esteem of his associates and friends.

LOUIS BROCKMANN.

Louis Brockmann has retired from active farming and now in his declining years is able to look back over a well spent life. His present residence is in El- dridge. His birthplace was Mecklenburg, Germany, his natal day being April 13, 1839, and his parents Frederick and Doris Brockmann. The father was in the Napoleonic wars, his service including the year 1813. He was one of the town officials and a prominent member and officer in the Lutheran church. He did not leave his native land and departed this life in 1858.

Mr. Brockmann secured his education in the schools of Germany and in course of time married. In 1866, some years after the death of his father, he came to America with his wife and mother. They landed upon the eastern coast and then after some consideration came to Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Brockmann looked about him for some means of livelihood and secured work as a farm laborer, A's soon as opportunity presented he rented land in Butler township and pros- pered steadily, in 1880 finding himself in a position to buy a farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres near Long Grove. It was while living upon this property that his mother died. In 1895 Mr. Brockmann and his family removed to a farm in another part of Scott county. He added to his property by purchasing eighty acres in Princeton township but subsequently sold all his farming land

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and bought property in Eldridge, to which he removed upon his retirement in 1901.

Previous to his coming to the United States, Mr. Brockmann married Miss Eliza Hagen, November 1, 1865. Three children were born to this union : Hugo, of Princeton township, who married Emma Koch and has three children, Ma- mie, Hilda and Viola; Carl, a resident of Hickory Grove township, who married Laura Meyer and has three children, Lona, Mildred and Arnold; and Meta, who is now Mrs. Herman Holtz and has a daughter, Wilma.

Mr. Brockmann's success has come entirely through his own efforts and it has been considerable in view of the fact that he came to America with no capital. Nothing is more intimately associated with the prosperity of a nation than its agricultural interests and as a progressive and representative agriculturist he has added to the sum total of American well being.

JULIUS C. VOGT.

Julius C. Vogt is now living retired in the village of Mount Joy, but he was for a number of years actively identified with the agricultural interests of Sheridan township, where he owns one hundred and seventy acres of land. A native of Scott county, he has passed his entire life in this section of Iowa, and as he looks at the success which has attended his labors on the farm, he has no reason to regret that he remained in a locality whose soil is so fertile.

He was born in Sheridan township, May 2, 1862, and is a son of Christian and Cathrina Vogt, both natives of Holstein, Germany. The father was born May 22, 1822, and the mother March 5, 1823. In the land of his birth Christian Vogt received a fair common-school education and gained some experience as a farmer. When about twenty-five years of age he married and shortly afterward, accom- panied by his wife, embarked upon the ocean voyage to America, reaching New York, July 4, 1847. He came immediately to Scott county, and as he had a little money he bought three hundred and forty acres of prairie land in Sheridan town- ship, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter an acre. He broke the soil, built a house, made other improvements and engaged in general farming with such success that about 1870 he was able to add one hundred and forty-six acres to the original purchase. He had experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life but had derived from his diligent cultivation of his fields a large income and consequently in 1885 felt he was justified in removing to Davenport to spend the rest of his life in retirement. There his death occurred March 31, 1905. When admitted to citizenship, he espoused the cause of the republican party and ever gave stanch allegiance to it. He was not an office seeker, however, although as road supervisor and in other capacities he rendered the community efficient service, his record ever being one which commanded universal respect. His wife had died about two years before him, her death having occurred April 11, 1903. They were the parents of seven children, namely : William, of Grinnell, Iowa; Louisa, the deceased wife of Hugo Stange; Adolph, who has also passed away;

MR. AND MRS. JULIUS C VOGT

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Emily, the wife of J. B. Frahm, of Davenport; Henry, deceased; Alvena, who resides in Davenport ; and Julius C., the subject of this sketch.

Julius C. Vogt has spent his entire life in Sheridan township and has been identified with its agricultural pursuits from the time he was able to assist in plowing, cultivating or harvesting. When of suitable age he became a pupil in the district school near his home, therein deriving that fundamental training that fitted him for later responsibilities. After he put aside his text-books he operated the home farm in conjunction with his father until 1885, when he mar- ried and assumed the full burden of its care, for Mr. Vogt, Sr., retired then and removed to Davenport. For almost a quarter of a century after that date Julius Vogt devoted all his time and thought to cultivating the one hundred and seventy acres which are his and with each year saw a substantial increase in the value of the harvests he reaped, for he spared no labor and made a thorough study of the soil so that he obtained the best results possible. At the same time he managed his affairs with sound business judgment that conserved his resources and made possible his retirement to Mount Joy, in November, 1909. Although so sig- nally successful as a farmer, he was not blind to advantages to be gained through connection with the financial world and accordingly secured stock in the Farm- ers & Mechanics Bank, of Davenport.

On the 26th of March, 1885, Mr. Vogt was married to Miss Amelia Kuehl, like her husband a native of Sheridan township and a daughter of Claus and Elizabeth (Thomson) Kuehl. Her father was born December 3, 1830, and died May 5, 1892, while her mother was born October 5, 1837, and died March 24, 1908. They came to Scott county in the early years of its settlement, and both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogt have been born five children, as follows: Christ, who is at home; Emil, who married Miss Blanch Muhs and lives on the old homestead; Henry and Carl, who are twins and live at home; and Hilda, also at home.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Vogt has stanchly supported the democratic party, on whose ticket he was elected to the office of township trustee. For nine years he discharged the duties devolving upon him while serving in that capacity. At present he is residing in Mount Joy, in a pleasant home he built in 1909, where a generous hospitality is extended by both Mr. and Mrs. Vogt to their large circle of friends. He belongs to the Turner Society in Eldridge.

JOHN B. MICLOT.

John B. Miclot, assistant street commissioner, is as his name indicates, of French origin, although a native of Davenport, where he was born August 12, 1863. His parents were Joseph M. and Julie (Nathan) Miclot, the father's birthplace being in France, where he enjoyed the advantages of a good educa- tion and a thorough musical training. Upon coming to the land of the stars and stripes and settling in Davenport he secured employment upon what is now a part of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Later he engaged in the

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grocery business on Brady street and proved sufficiently successful to continue in it for eighteen years. He enjoyed a short retirement from business prior to his death, which occurred November 18, 1901. The mother of our subject was born on Brady street where Trinity church now stands. Her father, Bryan Na- than, was one of Davenport's oldest settlers, arriving here in 1838 when the town was in a decidedly primitive condition. Mr. Miclot, Sr., was survived by his wife less than a year, her death occurrring May 18, 1902.

John B. Miclot was educated in St. Anthony's school and crossed the thres- hold of his business career as a printer. Later he took up the trade of molder, continuing in it for several years, and finally accepting a position with the Bet- tendorf Manufacturing Company. Here for six years he climbed steadily up- ward and was successively foreman, assistant and superintendent. He then en- tered the employ of the Bettendorf Axle Company, where he gave his services for nine years. He severed this association to make an entire change of busi- ness and commenced dealing in real estate and insurance, in which his fair methods and keenness of perception have enabled him to acquire a fine clientage.

On October 11, 1893, Mr. Miclot was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Gallagher, of Long Grove, Iowa, a daughter of James and Bridget (McDonald) Gallagher, the father a prominent farmer. They reside at 329 East Thirteenth street, which property they own.

Mr. Miclot is a man of force and one who stands high in the esteem of his fellowmen. He has numerous social affiliations. Of the Catholic faith, he holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Sacred Heart Society and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen, the Eagles and the Red Men.

H. J. FLICK.

One of the well known citizens of Dixon is H. J. Flick, who for more than a quarter of a century has been the agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at this point. On his arrival in Scott county there was little to indicate the presence of a village at the place where Dixon is now located nor that it would become so prosperous a community. Not only has Mr. Flick witnessed its growth and development but has the satisfaction of knowing that his ef- forts have contributed no small share toward producing this state of affairs.

He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1838, a son of George and Eliza (Shultz) Flick, both natives of the same county. The father was of Hungarian parentage, while the maternal grandparents were of Pennsyl- vanian nativity. In 1853 George Flick moved his family to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. A well deserved success attended his efforts and the last years of his life were spent in Ohio in the en- joyment of a substantial income. Eight children were born to him and his wife: Mary, now the widow of John Brough, of Cleveland; Sarah, who became the wife of Lewis Bleum, both now deceased; H. J., the subject of this sketch; Chauncey William, who died in Columbiana county, Ohio, and served valiantly in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 86

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