USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 88
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
the place to them, and upon his death it came into their possession. They have cultivated its fields with a success that places them among the more prosperous of the farmers of Buffalo township, while the record of their days spent in hon- est toil has gained for them the respect of their neighbors and friends.
The home of the brothers is presided over by their sister, Amelia, who is a good housekeeper and a gracious hostess. They are members of the Catholic church, while since their young manhood they have given their support in po- litical matters to the democratic party. The greater part of their lives having been spent upon the farm on which they now live, they are well and favorably known in this community.
J. A. SMITH.
J. A. Smith is a market gardener, owning twenty-eight acres of land in Le Claire township, which is devoted to the raising of vegetables, his specialty being onions. He is a native of Blair county, Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1847, of the marriage of George and Frances (Bosweir) Smith, in whose family were two sons and a daughter, the younger brother of our subject being Sidney C., a resident of Blair county, while the sister, Mary Jane, died in 1865. The father worked in the woolen mills of the east and died in early life, leaving the children to be reared by the mother, who survived until 1899.
J. A. Smith lived at home to the age of nineteen years and during this period acquired his education in the district schools of Blair county. He also worked for a time at farm labor in the east but, believing that the west offered better oppor- tunities to the ambitious young man, in the spring of 1866 he journeyed to Scott county and for two years worked by the month for different farmers of this sec- tion. He then rented land, which he operated on his own account and in 1900 purchased the place where he now lives. This tract comprises twenty-eight acres and is pleasantly located in Le Claire township on the banks of the Mississippi river. He has made many improvements on the place in the way of substantial outbuildings and a comfortable residence, and he gives his time to raising garden products, making a specialty of onions. He disposes of his vegetables in the city market, where he finds a ready sale.
Mr. Smith was married March 2, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Kath- erine Ann Bealer, a daughter of Christopher and Susan (Akerman) Bealer, of Scott county. Five children have been born of this union. Lettie is the wife of J. L. Brown and the mother of three children : Paul R., Claud C. and Hazel D. Frank H., a resident of Le Claire, wedded Miss Mary Morrie, by whom he has four children : Mildred, Verna M., George and Erma. Calvin, the third member of the family, wedded Miss Mary Graham and lives in Le Claire township. They have five children : Bertha M., Ralph R., Earl A., Delma and Howard Taft. Bert G. and Flossie M., the other members of the Smith family, are at home.
Mr. Smith endorses by his vote the principles and policy of the republican party and has served as school director and road supervisor of Le Claire town- ship. His fraternal relations connect him with the Court of Honor. Having
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come to Scott county during its early development, he has seen many changes as this district has assumed its present appearance of advanced civilization and feels that he made no mistake in coming here in early days to cast in his lot with the settlers of Le Claire township.
HENRY T. HAHN.
Holstein, Germany, has surrendered numerous of her sons and daughters to Scott county, Iowa, and among them were the parents of Henry T. Hahn, one of Hickory Grove township's prominent agriculturists. They were Wulff and Mar- garetha (Stoltenberg) Hahn, the father born in Wiesch, Holstein, January 14, 1813, and the mother in Vebargen in the same duchy, July 31, 1820. While yet residents of the fatherland they were married and in 1847 they came to America, arriving in New Orleans and making the rest of the journey by water. They had one child at that time. The father took up farming and spent his active years in this vocation. Beside the home place in Davenport township he also possessed one hundred and sixty acres of land in Tama county, Iowa, together with some property in the state of Washington and in Hickory Grove township, Scott county, owning two hundred acres. He also owned milling stock in Davenport. After a useful and prosperous career, he and his wife removed to the city, where they were permitted to enjoy a well earned rest. After a devoted married life of many years it was indeed fitting that they should be united in death, the mother passing away August 3, 1894, and the father surviving only until the 14th of the same month.
They were the parents of the following eight children : Ida Kruse, deceased; Katherine, the wife of Charles Kahler, of Davenport; Minnie, wife of T. F. Blunck, of Davenport; Henry T., the subject of this sketch; Emma, the widow of C. L. Suksdorf, of Davenport; Augusta, the wife of Paul Seberine, of Davenport; Johannes, who died at the age of ten years; and Julia, the wife of George Klindt, of Davenport. The father enjoyed the respect of his associates and among the trusts imposed upon him was that of township trustee.
The birth of Henry T. Hahn occurred July 17, 1853, while his parents were residing on their farm in Davenport township, and there he resided up to 1882, when he removed to Hickory Grove township, where he still makes his home. His farm, a well improved property of two hundred and forty acres, is located on sec- tion 36 and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. As additional prop- erty interests Mr. Hahn owns a farm of two hundred and seventy-one acres in Washington county, Iowa.
On April 5, 1881, Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Lage, also a native of Holstein, born in Schonberg, November 6, 1858, her parents being C. H. and Dorothea (Sitan) Lage. Her father died in Germany, but her mother came to America in 1880, two years after her daughter had taken up her home in this country. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hahn has been blessed by the birth of seven children as follows: Hertha, who died in infancy; Wilma; Grover; Zoe; Hilda, the wife of Wilbert Frye, living near Independence, Iowa; Bruno; and Vera.
MRS. WULF HAHN
WULF HAHN
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Mr. Halın places his political confidence in the democratic party and in evi- dence of his good citizenship are the several public trusts which have been im- posed upon him. He served twelve years as school director and nine years of that time as president of the school board; four years as township trustee, in which capacity he is at present serving; one term as justice of the peace; and he has also served on the grand and petit juries. As to his affiliations, he holds membership in the Maysville branch of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and the Walcott Lodge of Knights of Pythias. His desire to do all in his power to advance every cause contributing to the public welfare is generally recognized and admired.
JULIUS T. HALLER, M. D.
Dr. Julius T. Haller, a native of Davenport, was born October 20, 1878. His father, William Haller, was of German birth and came to Davenport in the '50s, while his mother, who was Miss Anna Rohlf, before her marriage, was born in Scott county.
Reared in the city of his birth, Dr. Julius T. Haller attended the public schools from which he passed to the high school, where his preparation for col- lege was completed. After his graduation from the secondary school he was enrolled as a pupil of the University of Chicago, from which he received his B. S. degree in the spring of 1901. The following fall he entered the medical department of Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, Maryland. The subse- quent four years were spent in diligent study and finally in 1905 the degree of doctor of medicine was conferred upon him. That same year he came to Dav- enport, and engaged in active practice. In the years that have elapsed, few as they have been, Dr. Haller has proved that he is a young man of ability, of ambition, and entitled to success. He has won the confidence of those who have come in contact with him and his patients have found him skillful, painstaking, and sympathetic. He belongs to the Scott County, the Iowa State, and the "American Medical Associations, while he obtains his social relaxation in com- pany with his brother Elks.
JAMES MADISON BOWLING.
No history of Davenport would be complete without detailed and specific ref- erence to James Madison Bowling, long connected with its business interests in mercantile lines. He came to the city when it was a small and unimportant town and took active part in shaping its commercial development and at the same time cooperated in many movements for its upbuilding along other lines. He was born in Virginia and was a son of Jeremiah Bowling, a representative of one of the first families of that state-first not only by reason of priority of residence but
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
also owing to that prominence which arises from fidelity and helpfulness in citi- zenship.
James Madison Bowling continued his residence in the Old Dominion through the period of his boyhood and youth and during that time acquired his education. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to merchandising and in young manhood he came to Davenport to follow his early business training here. He first became connected with George L. Davenport and they were numbered among the pioneer merchants of the city, whose labors were an effective force in advancing the early commercial progress of Davenport. On his arrival here Mr. Bowling also took up government land in Blue Grass township, after which he returned to the Old Dominion and was there married. With his bride he then came again to Iowa and here they reared their family of nine children, namely: George Davenport ; Margaret V .; Sarah C .; Henry, who was killed in the Civil war; Cornelia M .; Jane Alberta, who has also departed this life; Laura E .; John C .; and Emery, who died in infancy.
As stated, James Madison Bowling, following his removal to the middle west, became connected with George L. Davenport in a mercantile enterprise. The Bowlings were also connected with the Davenports through marriage ties, for Colonel Davenport wedded a sister of Jeremiah Bowling. With many events of early prominence that left their impress upon the history of the city, James Madi- son Bowling was connected. His intelligence and wise judgment made him a leader in matters of public thought and action and at all times he manifested an unselfish devotion to the public good and cooperated in matters of general benefit from an unselfish desire to promote the progress of the community and thus aid in the upbuilding of the state. His upright life was in harmony with his profes- sions as a member of the Presbyterian church. He was president of the Old Set- tlers Society and no citizen of the community was held in higher or more heart- felt esteem and regard than James M. Bowling.
RUDOLPH ARP.
That the rich soil of Iowa offers to the agriculturist possibilities unexcelled by any and unequaled by many another state in the Union, is proven in the fact that so many of her native sons who have been reared to farm life have, upon starting out to make their own way in the world, remained within her borders. This is true of Rudolph Arp, who was born on the place which is now his home, July 15, 1874, a son of Hans and Abel (Vieths) Arp, in whose family were the following named: Alvena, the wife of Henry Untiedt, a resident of Jackson county, Minnesota ; Cecelia, the wife of Henry Stender, who is mentioned else- where in this work ; Henry, a resident of New Liberty, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of George Dietz, of Manning, Carroll county, this state; Emma, the wife of Edward Puck, a resident of Cleona township; Minnie, the wife of Conrad Dietz, also of Manning; and Rudolph, of this review.
The last named, the youngest in the family, was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools. He is today the owner of three
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
hundred and twenty acres of land, forty acres of which constituted the old home- stead farm upon which he was reared. On the farm are found two sets of build- ings, some of which were erected by the father, while the others have been built by Mr. Arp of this review. He is extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising, making a close study of his work, so that he obtains the best results. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Walcott and in the Security Bank of Davenport.
Mr. Arp chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Louisa Schlichting, whom he wedded February 15, 1899. Mrs. Arp was born in Blue Grass township, Scott county, August 21, 1880, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Holst) Schlichting, who were both natives of Schleswig, Germany, the former born January 23, 1836, while the latter's birth occurred on the 28th of November, 1834. The father was a little lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to the new world, and the mother accompanied her parents to America in 1858, and two years later, in 1860, she was married to Thomas Schlichting. He became a well-to-do farmer, owning at the time of his death a section of land in Blue Grass township, this being divided into several farms. Unto him and his wife were born three daughters and three sons but the sons all died in infancy. The daughters are: Clara, the wife of Willie Soenke, a resident of Blue Grass township; Bertha, the wife of Louis Otto, of Davenport; and Louisa, the wife of Rudolph Arp. Both the parents are now deceased, the mother passing away December 11, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years, while the father, surviving for only about five years, departed this life November 14, 1904, when sixty-eight years old.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arp have been born three sons and two daughters: Ray- mond, Hilda, Leona, Arthur and Rudolph. Both Mr. and Mrs. Arp have spent their entire lives in Scott county and are therefore well known in the section where they make their home. In his business dealings Mr. Arp is always found honorable and upright and he commands the respect and high regard of his fel- low citizens.
GEORGE H. BLANCHARD.
There are found in the business world men who seem equal to every emer- gency and who are fitted to keep pace with the world's progress. Such a man is George H. Blanchard, president of Blanchard Brothers, Incorporated, manufac- turers of and dealers in advertising novelties. He was born in St. Louis, May 23, 1873, and is a son of John H. and Emma (Barker) Blanchard. The son at the usual age entered the public schools of his native city and was there reared to years of maturity. After putting aside his text-books he became connected with a lithographing company, wherein he learned the business in principle and detail. He then came to Davenport in 1900 and organized the Tri City Lithographing Company, which was the beginning of his business connection here. He was connected with that firm for about seven years but in the meantime had organized the firm of Blanchard Brothers, Incorporated, managing both interests for some
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
time. However, about three years ago he severed his connection with the former and is now giving his entire time to the latter, acting as its efficient president. They are engaged in the manufacture of advertising novelties, such as pencils, pen holders and various other devices, which are sold throughout the entire coun- try. Mr. Blanchard's powers of management and executive control have led him to an important position in the business circles of Davenport. Studying the question of advertising from every possible standpoint, he has sought to give to the public a means of advertisement that is not only attractive but is of practical use as well His brother, John H. Blanchard, who formerly traveled in the inter- ests of the house, is likewise proving himself capable of handling the interests to which he is now bending his energies, while he is also acting as secretary and treasurer of the firm. He located permanently in Davenport five years ago and the two sisters, E. Josephine and Della M., also make their home here.
Mr. Blanchard was married on the 23d of May, 1908, to Miss Margaret Brown, a daughter of Mark and Luella (Muckle) Brown. They have an inter- esting little son, Robert O., who is the light and life of the household.
Mr. Blanchard is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of that or. der. Choosing a particular line in life, he has sought to advance along that lint until he has found place among the substantial business men of Davenport. He has a wide acquaintance here, and those who see him in daily associations find him a most pleasant and agreeable gentleman.
FREDERICK DICKINSON LETTS.
It is a recognized fact that the lawyer is more prominent in public affairs than any other class of citizen. This is due to causes which are evident and need no explanation, for the qualities which fit one to appear before the bar in sup- port of litigated interests also qualify the individual to discuss intelligently, logi- cally and conclusively the questions of vital political importance. Frederick Dick- inson Letts is numbered among the members of the Davenport bar who, in ad- dition to professional activity, are taking a prominent part in promoting the public interests of the city. He was born in Ainsworth, Iowa, April 26, 1875, and is a son of David G. and Hannah (Gale) Letts. The father was also a native of this state. The grandfather, Nehemiah Madison Letts, one of Iowa's pioneers, came from Ohio to this section of the country before the state was admitted to the Union and settled at and founded the town of Letts, which was so named in his honor. He was a farmer by occupation and was closely associated with the pioneer development of the community in which he made his home. His son, David G. Letts, became an extensive farmer and stockman but died in 1884, at the age of forty years. His widow, a native of Virginia, still survives. They were married in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1873, but afterward became residents of Ainsworth.
In the public and preparatory schools of his native town and Fairfield, Iowa, F. Dickinson Letts pursued his education and was graduated from Parsons College, in the latter city, with the class of 1897. He afterward spent one year
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
as a law student in Columbia University, of New York city, and completed his law course in the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1899. Soon afterward he opened an office in Davenport and entered upon active prac- tice, in which he has made rapid strides. He is thorough, patient and persever- ing and his understanding of legal principles is being continually augmented by his reading and research. He understands that the greatest work of the lawyer is done in his office, as he prepares his cases for the court, closely investigating every point of evidence and law applicable thereto.
The name of F. D. Letts is well known in political circles and he is in demand as a campaign speaker of the republican party. His activities thus far have brought him no official reward and it is doubtful if he has any ambition in that direction, for he regards the practice of law as his first interest and is devoted thereto. Fraternally, however, he is well known and is an exemplary represen- tative of the Masonic lodge, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He, moreover, belongs to two college fraternities, the Beta Theta Phi and the Phi Delta Phi. He is also connected with the Business Men's Association and the Commercial Club and is an agreeable and popular gentleman, esteemed by the representatives of the bar as well as by the general public.
HENRY BECKER.
Henry Becker was well known as a representative business man of Scott county. He had the ability to discern opportunities that others passed by heed- lessly and his enterprise and laudable ambition prompted him to take advantage of these with the result that as the years passed he won substantial and gratifying success. A native of Prussia, he was born in Solingen about the year 1820 and his youthful days were passed in his native country, where he was an interested witness of that spirit of political uprise that was manifested throughout Europe and had its culmination in Germany in the revolution of 1848.
It was in that year that Mr. Becker came to America to enjoy the liberty of- fered in this land. For four years thereafter he was a resident of St. Louis and then came to Scott county, settling in Le Claire, where he remained until his death. In 1858 he returned to Germany and after a short visit at his old home and among the friends of his boyhood and youth he embarked on the steamer Austria for America. When ten days out this steamer took fire and burned to the water's edge. Mr. Becker with over three hundred others jumped overboard. He lost all of his possessions save his money, which was fastened around him in a belt. When he came to the surface he caught hold of a window frame that would help him keep afloat. Later, with two other men, he took hold of a plank, eight feet long, a foot wide and an inch and a half thick. To this the men clung for three and a half hours, at the end of which time they were picked up by the French bark Maurice. On that vessel all of the rescued were taken to the island of Fayal, one of the group of Azores. After remaining there for nine days they
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
were taken aboard the British ship Valorous and brought to the United States. It was an experience which Mr. Becker never forgot.
Following the establishment of his home in Le Claire he was here married, and at his death left a wife and four children. A few years before his demise he retired from active business and was succeeded by his two sons. He was pre- eminently a business man, loyal, energetic and determined. At the time of the war he foresaw the rise in values and, taking advantage of the same, won wealth by dealing in whiskey and cotton goods. In all of his business undertakings he manifested the keenest discernment, a quality which is too often lacking and leads to failure. In matters of business judgment, however, he was always sound and reliable and won substantial success, enabling him to leave his family in very com- fortable financial circumstances. Following his demise Mrs. Becker retained her residence in Le Claire but the daughter, Miss Hilda Becker, has now made her home in Davenport for some time and has a wide circle of acquaintances here.
EMMETT M. SHARON.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the per- petual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Davenport Emmett M. Sharon is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been varied in its activity, honor- able in its purpose and far-reaching and beneficial in its effects, and in the prac- tice of his profession and in his relations with municipal projects he has left an impress upon the annals of the city. In no sense a man in public life, he has nevertheless exerted an immeasurable influence upon Davenport's welfare and progress.
A native son of New York, Emmett M. Sharon was born near Watertown in Jefferson county, a son of Thomas S. and Mary (Keon) Sharon, who were natives of New York and Ireland respectively. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Watertown, Emmett M. Sharon became a student in Hamilton College at Clinton, New York, and as an extra course pur- sued the study of law until the date of his graduation in 1875. He afterward continued his law reading under the direction of Judge Bishop, and in the year 1878 was admitted to the bar at Waterloo, Iowa. During the years of his pro- fessional practice he has been continuously connected with the Iowa bar. Open- ing his office in Black Hawk county, he there remained until 1887, during which time he made steady progress in his chosen vocation and also won popularity among his fellow citizens, who, recognizing his worth and devotion to the public good, called him to the office of mayor of Laporte City. His administration was businesslike and progressive and added to the already high reputation which he enjoyed.
Mr. Sharon's identification with the Davenport bar dates from 1887, in which year he opened an office in this city, and his conduct of litigated interests soon attracted wide attention, evidencing his knowledge of the law, his close examina-
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
tion of witnesses and his thorough understanding of the facts in relation to the case. Wit, humor, elocution and indisputable logic have all constituted elements in his presentation of his cases before the courts and, while he has ever been loyal to his clients' interests, he has never forgotten for a moment that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. Called by popular suffrage to the office of city attorney, he served in that capacity for seven years and was also for several years on the law committee of the State Bar Association.
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