History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II, Part 87

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 87


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92


977


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Infantry ; Norman, who served for almost four years in the heavy artillery and died in Salem, Ohio; Ellen Minerva, the wife of Daniel. Richey, who resides near Salem, Ohio; Wilson, who died at the age of four years; and Catherine, who died in infancy.


H. J. Flick removed with his parents to Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1853, and there was employed in the mail service for two years. Later he engaged in farm work under the direction of his parents and then became in- terested in the oil wells in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He remained there, however, but one year, coming April 19, 1867, to Davenport and the following day to Dixon, where he joined a brother-in-law, Thomas Graham. After work- ing upon his farm for several years he became the agent for the railroad which was then known as the Davenport & St. Paul but which has now been incorporated into the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul systems. It was upon the 26th of January, 1872, that he assumed his duties, which he has discharged with such satisfaction that, though he desired to resign his position, the railroad would not permit it. Accordingly, as his own health necessitated his relinquishing the heavier duties, he engaged another to perform the work which was entrusted to him. In the years that he has been agent he has also done considerable work upon the construction of the railroad, in more than one way contributing to the ad- vancement of Dixon. He has always been particularly interested in the welfare of this community and when it was incorporated into a village in the spring of 1909 he became one of the aldermen.


In 1861 Mr. Flick was united in marriage to Miss Anna Jackson, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 28, 1829. Her parents were John and Roxanna Jackson, natives of England and Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, respectively. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flick: Carrie A., the wife of Marion Fitzgibbon, of Mount Vernon, New York; Joseph H., who is living in Chicago and is a railroad constructor; and Charles E., who is engaged in the same business in Illinois. The sons were started in life with .one dollar in their pockets but they have proved successful business men and are now well advanced along the road to success, having followed in their father's footsteps both as to occupation and as to the means for getting ahead. These in the case of the older man have proved most efficacious for he has so ordered his life that his employers, who have had perhaps the best opportunity of dis- covering his character, are determined to keep him upon their payroll.


ERNST ZOLLER.


Ernst Zoller, president of the Independent Brewing & Malting Company, of Davenport was born in California, May 10, 1859, a son of Ernst and Amelia (Guisler) Zoller. The father was born in Germany, and came to Davenport in 1848, but after a short stay, became infected with the gold fever of 1849, and went to California, which remained his home until 1859. Having attained suc- cess in his mining ventures, he returned to Davenport, where he embarked in a


978


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


brewing enterprise at Black Hawk, in a small way, thus continuing until his death in 1874. His widow survived him until 1906.


Ernst Zoller, Jr., was educated in the public schools and about 1885 engaged in the malt production business in conjunction with his brothers August and Charles. In 1890 they resumed the operation of their father's brewery at Black Hawk. In 1895, they felt justified in establishing themselves in Daven- port, where they organized the Independent Brewing & Malting Company, with Ernst Zoller as president and Herman Zoller as vice president. The business has been remarkably profitable. Many additions and improvements have been made to the plant and offices, which are fully equipped in the most modern manner. Recently a new building has been added, three hundred and eighty by one hun- dred and fifty feet. The business is extensive and covers a wide territory, Mr. Zoller himself traveling considerably to look after the orders of their most im- portant customers. Mr. Zoller is a director of the Union Savings Bank and in- terested in other concerns here.


In 1880 Mr. Zoller was married to Amelia Green, and they have three chil- dren: Fred, who is secretary and treasurer of the company; Etta; and Lillie. Mrs. Zoller died in 1895, and later Mr. Zoller married her sister Lina. Mr. Zoller belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is popular in his lodge. He is a good citizen, honorable in business methods, and possesses a number of warm, personal friends.


WILLIAM POHLMANN, JR.


Although William Pohlmann, Jr., has been proprietor of the Iowa Steam Laun- dry for only about a year he has, in this brief period, built up the trade until his is one of the important concerns of this character in Davenport. He comes of German parentage, his birth having occurred in Davenport, December 30, 1871, a son of William and Margaret (Ehlers) Pohlmann, the former born in Holstein, Germany, and the latter near that place. The father was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the tailor's trade. He came to America in the hope that he might better earn a livelihood for himself and family in the new world than he could in his own country. After spending some time in New York, he con- tinued his journey westward and became a pioneer settler of Davenport. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and his wife also survives at the age of seventy-six years.


William Pohlmann, Jr., was reared under the parental roof and acquired his elementary education in the common schools, while later he fitted himself for a business career by pursuing a course in a commercial college. His first business undertaking was with the Citizens National Bank of Davenport and after a service of many years this bank was consolidated with the German Savings Bank and Mr. Pohlmann continued with the new enterprise, serving in all about twenty-two years with the two concerns. He was one of the bank's most trusted employes and no doubt could have remained indefinitely but at the end of that time, be- coming imbued with a desire to engage in an independent venture he purchased


WILLIAM POHLMANN, JR.


981


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


the Iowa Steam Laundry and continued business at the old stand. The business soon developed into a growing and profitable enterprise, so that it became neces- sary to seek more spacious and commodious quarters and Mr. Pohlmann now oc- cupies the upper floor of the building, both floors being utilized in the conduct of the laundry. It is fitted with the best machines of modern type, while thirty em- ployes are required for carrying on the work. The business has already increased fifty per cent since it has been under the management of Mr. Pohlmann, which is a strong indication of his capabilities and powers and if this increase has been possible in one year's time, no doubt the years to come will bring added success.


Mr. Pohlmann was married on the 14th of May, 1902, to Miss Anna Price, who is a representative of one of the oldest families of Davenport, being a daughter of James and Mary Price, both of whom were born in this city. Her paternal grand- parents settled there in 1841. The grandfather was a native of Wales, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Dyke, was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Pohlmann have two interesting little sons: William, the third bearing that name; and Richard.


Mr. Pohlmann is a Mason and also belongs to the Turner society and to the Davenport Schuetzen Association. Always having the one aim in view-that of becoming established in business for himself-he carefully saved his earnings until the opportunity was presented that he might carry out his plans and although he has been numbered among the independent business men of Davenport for only a brief period he has already gained a prominent place in this rank.


J. T. GASSELING.


J. T. Gasseling, one of the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Hickory Grove township, was born on the place where he now lives February 10, 1862, a son of John Herman and Hannah Marie (Kemper) Gasseling. The former was born in Holland, November 23, 1823, and when about thirty-one years of age came to the United States. For about six months he worked in a lumber yard in New York and then in the spring of 1855 came to Iowa, finding employ- ment in a sawmill in Davenport. He remained at that occupation only two months, however, when he hired out as a farm hand for one hundred and twenty dollars a year and board. The next year he worked by the month, receiving twenty dollars during the summer and thirteen dollars during the winter. In this way he continued to live for some time, until he had saved enough to warrant his engaging in farming for himself. Accordingly in partnership with Will Goering he rented a tract of one hundred and twenty acres for one year, pay- ing three dollars an acre for it, and at the expiration of that period leased it for five years. In 1863 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Gasseling bought the farm, continuing its operation. The following year he bought eighty acres more, so that he held a tract of two hundred acres in Hickory Grove township. It remained his home until May 21, 1900, when he passed away.


In Davenport, in 1861, John Herman Gasseling wedded Miss Hannah Marie Kemper, a native of Germany and unto them were born nine children: J. T.,


982


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


the subject of this sketch; Johanna, the widow of Theodore Mollenbeck, of Davenport; Maggie, the wife of John Mollenbeck, of Hickory Grove township; Mary, the wife of William Goering of Hickory Grove township; Elizabeth, the wife of Harry Goering, of Davenport township; Barney, a resident of Hickory Grove township; Adelaide, the wife of Antone Mollenbeck, of the same town- ship; Herman, who died July 9, 1906; and Henry, who passed away at the age of sixteen years. Mrs. Gasseling died June 21, 1908.


Having been reared in Hickory Grove township, J. T. Gasseling has passed all of his life here and has devoted his energies to farming. Until he was twenty- six years of age he worked for his parents and after he attained his majority received a share of the result of his labor. In 1888 he married and began farm- ing for himself. He continued to operate his father's place, a part of which he now owns, although as the years brought him success he added to his heritage until now he is in possession of two hundred and ten acres on section 32, Hickory Grove township. In connection with his purely agricultural interests he con- ducts a stock farm, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle, of which he has a herd of about seventy head, and he also gives particular attention to the breeding of Belgian, Percheron and Hackney horses, owning a registered stallion. He has won a well deserved success and has the good will of his associates.


In 1888 Mr. Gasseling was married to Miss Jennie Goering, who was born in Blue Grass township, this county, in September, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Robinson) Goering. Four daughters have been born of this union: Mary, Lillian, Blanche and Bernice.


Mr. Gasseling has always been a life-long democrat and has been active in political and local affairs. For a number of years he has been a member of the central committee, for the past twelve years he has been school director and for ten years has been clerk of the township. He also fulfilled the duties of road supervisor for a long period, served as justice of the peace for three years, and is at present county supervisor, having been reelected after his first term of three years to serve an equal period. In short he is a man of influence in Hickory Grove township. Successful in his private concerns, he has also exhibited a commendable amount of public spirit, and the citizens who have placed reliance upon his integrity and ability have had no occasion to regret their choice.


J. C. TEUFEL, M. D:


Although Dr. J. C. Teufel, of Buffalo, is one of the younger representatives of the medical fraternity, he has already built up a good patronage and is demon- strating his ability in the line which he has chosen as his life work. Born in Muscatine county, Iowa, October 21, 1880, he is a son of John and Otilda (Wiese) Teufel, both of whom are natives of Germany, the former born in Tuttlingen, Wurtemberg, December 27, 1849, and the latter in Arnsfeld, West Prussia, Sep- tember 23, 1844. The father came as a young man to America, arriving in the new world in 'April, 1868, and shortly afterward he located in Muscatine county and engaged in the hotel business at Moscow. He was married December 17,


983


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


1870, to Mrs. Otilda (Wiese) Barewald, who had come here in 1865 when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Teufel still reside in Muscatine county, the father now living retired.


Dr. Teufel of this review has two brothers: William, of Blue Grass; and Herman, of Durant. He also has two half brothers: C. L. Barewald, a prac- ticing physician of Davenport; and Albert Barewald, of Tipton, this state. The only sister, Regina, is the wife of George Marolf, of Moscow, Iowa.


Dr. Teufel at the usual age entered the public schools of Muscatine county and completed his course by graduation from the Wilton high school with the class of 1900. In the meantime, after due consideration, he had decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work and to this end entered the Iowa State University College of Medicine, graduating from that institution of learning with the class of June, 1904. Immediately thereafter he went to Davenport, where for one year he acted as assistant county physician, and in June, 1905, came to Buffalo, where he has since been engaged in general practice. Of a studious na- ture, he is not content to sit idle but during his leisure moments peruses his books that he may learn more of the principles and methods of medical science. He has already built up a good practice, which, if the present is any criterion to go by, will increase materially as the years pass. He has served as both city and township health officer.


Dr. Teufel was reared and baptized in the faith of the Lutheran church but attends the Methodist church at the present time. He is a Mason, belonging to Fraternal Lodge, No. 221, at Davenport, and he likewise belongs to Banner Lodge, No. 16, K. P., at Buffalo. He is medical examiner of the latter organization as well as of the Woodmen of the World at Buffalo, the Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors, New York Mutual Life, Pennsylvania Mutual, Guaranty Mu- tual of Davenport, and was elected supreme medical director of Industrial Work- ers Benefit Association. In the line of his profession he holds membership with the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society and the Scott County Medical Society.


REV. N. J. PEIFFER.


Rev. N. J. Peiffer, priest in charge of St. Peter's church at Buffalo, is num- bered among the younger members of the clergy in Scott county, his birth hav- ing occurred on the 20th of June, 1881, at Keokuk, Iowa. As the name indi- cates, he is of German descent, his parents being Nicholas and Anna R. Peiffer, both natives of Prussia, where the former was born on the 25th of January, 1837, and the latter on the 26th of January of the same year. The father came to America in 1851, locating in Iowa, where he later purchased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years. It was in this state that he was united in marriage on the 17th of December, 1859, and here his family was reared. The subject of this review has eight brothers, all living, six of whom follow the occupation of farming, while the other two are engaged in the


984


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


hardware business at Harper, Iowa. He also has three sisters, one of whom, Mary Theresa, makes her home with him.


Father Peiffer received his early education in St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later, having decided upon the ministry as his chosen life work, completed his studies in St. Paul's Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota. He was graduated from that institution with the class of 1905 and was ordained to the priesthood on the Ioth of June of the same year. Returning to his native state, he held several temporary charges in Iowa, and then went to Davenport as the assistant of Monseigneur Nierman, with whom he remained until 1908. In July of that year he came to Buffalo as pastor of St. Peter's church, being the first resident priest appointed to take charge of that parish. This church had been built by Monseigneur Nierman in the year 1878 and previous to the arrival of Father Peiffer services had been held by visiting priests and fathers. Although he has been at this place for only a short time, he has nevertheless built up a very good congregation and under his supervision the work of the church has been well organized in various departments. It was through his efforts that the new and handsome parsonage was built, the structure being com- pleted on the Ist of August, 1909, and he has been a source of stimulation along other lines of endeavor as well. In connection with the church at Buffalo he also has charge of the parish at Keota, Keokuk county, Iowa, holding services there on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. He is a man of literary taste and scholarly habits, and his studies and labors are continually promoting his efficiency. He has become very popular in this community and is much be- loved by his flock, who, although he is still young in years, come to him with matters of temporal as well as spiritual guidance and find in him a helper and friend.


JOHN STOLTENBERG.


John Stoltenberg, chief of the fire department of Davenport and a man of unusual strength of character and purposeful methods, was born here, January 7, 1863, a son of Henry and Mary (Jehring) Stoltenberg, both natives of Ger- many. The father came to Davenport in the '50s, establishing himself in a butchering business, in which he prospered. However, when his adopted country had need of his services, he enlisted in the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served until honorably discharged. Returning home, he resumed his business and continued to follow the butcher's trade until his death in 1889.


John Stoltenberg was educated in the public schools of the city, after which he was engaged in various lines of business. At one time he worked on a river steamer and again was in the employ of a railroad. On May 22, 1884, he joined the Davenport fire department and rose successively on merit through the various grades of promotion until he was made chief August 15, 1906, to the en- tire satisfaction of the department and the people of the city generally. Since he joined the department it has been revolutionized. He was one of the sixteen men employed when he entered it, now he has forty-six men under him, and the


985


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


appliances of today bear but little resemblance to those with which he and his companions were expected to fight fires in those early days. The present equip- ment of men and appliances is so complete as to make the department the best in this part of the state.


In March, 1890, Mr. Stoltenberg married Meta Ramm, who was born in Davenport, a daughter of John Ramm. They have two daughters: Mary and Hattie. Mr. Stoltenberg belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Frater- nal Order of Eagles. He is a man who understands his work thoroughly, having passed through all of the positions, and, being brave and resourceful, he is the best man that could be found to head the department which conserves the safety of the people of so large a city as Davenport.


GEORGE T. BAKER.


Prompted by laudable ambition at the outset of his career George T. Baker has advanced steadily until he is now one of the most prominent men of Daven- port and few men of this city are deserving of higher regard. He was born in Iowa county, Iowa, July 9, 1857. His father, A. W. Baker, who was a native of Connecticut, born in 1820, came to Davenport in 1853 and the following year went to Iowa county. He was an architect and builder by profession, but as his health had failed he bought a large tract of land and engaged extensively in farming and stock raising. He was a successful man at the time of his death, which occurred in Iowa county, 1869, when he was less than fifty years of age. His wife, who was Miss Freelove M. Kenyon in her maidenhood, was also a native of Connecticut and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-nine.


George T. Baker received his education at a private school and later attended the Iowa State University, whence he entered Cornell University. There he specialized in civil engineering and after completing a special course entered the employ of the Rock Island Railroad, with whom he remained for five years. From 1885 to 1888 he was engaged by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany to locate land and assist in the construction of the road from Kansas City to Chicago. The following year he was chief engineer of the Soo & Southwestern. Later he became chief engineer of high bridges at Muscatine, Clinton and Winona until 1892, when with others he organized the Edwards & Walsh Con- struction Company of Davenport, which has now passed out of existence. Since 1898 Mr. Baker has been vice president and general manager of the Tri City Construction Company, which is one of the most important and prosperous of the many similar firms engaged in business in this city, its success being in no small measure due to Mr. Baker's ability, wide experience and business acumen. He is also president of the West Davenport Improvement Company and vice president of the Davenport Wagon Company, while he is interested in the street car lines of Clinton, Iowa, in the lumber regions of the south and farm lands of Oklahoma.


Although so many years have been devoted to interests akin to the profes- sion of civil engineering Mr. Baker has not been loathe to engage in wider fields


986


HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


of activity, and with a large and commendable public spirit has identified him- self closely with the public affairs of Davenport and Scott county. In recognition of his ability and sterling character the people of Scott county elected him their representative in the Iowa state legislature from 1895 to 1897 and at the ex- piration of his term there he was chosen as mayor of Davenport. Two years of his administration, those of 1898 to 1900, were marked by a government of a character which may not soon be duplicated here or elsewhere. Many improve- ments were inaugurated and malpractices abandoned. In 1900 he was the dele- gate at large to the democratic convention at Kansas City, Missouri, and is now a member of the state board of education.


When he was just embarking upon his career, which has been so singularly successful in 1879, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Clare I. Poole, a native of New York. Three daughters have been born to them : Ethel M., Georgia E. and Sue A. The eldest is the wife of L. H. Brandt and Sue A. is now Mrs. R. C. Williamson. Mr. Baker belongs to the college fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, to several of the Masonic bodies and to the Elks. One of the most progres- sive and public spirited of men by education and experience, he is fitted to do big things and through the years of his life has proved that few opportunities have escaped him which he did not make steppingstones to a larger future. As Davenport has profited most widely from his abilities she regards him proudly as one of her finest citizens.


JOHN AND AUGUST KRESS.


One of the spacious and well tilled farms of Buffalo township is that which is operated by the brothers, John and August Kress, both natives of Scott county. The former was born December 25, 1867, the latter August 15, 1857. The father, who was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1830, came to Buffalo in 1860 and there he began the mining of coal. For about two decades he continued in this business, although in the meantime he had purchased farming property, later giving his attention to its cultivation throughout the remainder of his active life. He met with well merited success so that in 1904, when his death occurred, he was possessed of two hundred and forty acres of some of the richest land in Iowa. Mr. Kress had married Miss Theresa Weber, who was also a native of Germany, her birth having occurred in 1837. Of the children born to them three sons and two daughters still survive. Two are the subjects of this re- view; one daughter, Amelia, makes her home with them, another, Margaret, is the wife of William Kolway, of Buffalo township; and the other son is Severin Kress, a farmer of Buffalo township.


John and August Kress were pupils in the district schools of Scott county, in which they obtained a training in the fundamental branches of English educa- tion that prepared them for the practical responsibilities of life. They also worked upon the home farm from early boyhood days, learning well the secrets of tilling the soil, and the invaluable lessons of industry and frugality. When their father decided to lay aside the more onerous of his cares, he consigned the operation of




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.