USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume II > Part 91
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Fred B. Sharon was educated in the public schools of Jefferson county, New York, until 1880, when he came to Iowa and continued his studies in the public schools at Cedar Falls until the close of 1882. In December of that year he came to Davenport with his brother, Thomas L. Sharon, who a few months before had established the Iowa Catholic Messenger. Since that time Fred B. Sharon has
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been connected with the paper, assuming the business management upon the death of his brother in 1888. He has been publisher of the paper since that date and his management has been attended with great success, for the Catholic Mes- senger circulates over a large territory and is considered one of the best Catholic papers in the western country.
Since coming to Davenport Mr. Sharon has been connected very closely with the business interests of this city. He was one of the incorporators of the Union Savings Bank in 1891 and for eleven years was its vice president. He was also one of the incorporators of the Citizens Trust & Savings Bank in 1906, and is now one of its directors. He also became one of the incorporators of the Home Building Loan and Savings Association in 1890 and is still one of its directors. In 1889 he was one of the incorporators of the Hibernian Hall Association and is now secretary and manager of the Hibernian Hall Building. He was one of the charter members of the Davenport Commercial Club and is now one of its active members.
' In politics Mr. Sharon is a democrat and while he has never held public office has always been active in the councils of his party and a willing worker in its ranks for the success of the party principles. He is a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish and is connected with the different parish organizations in which he is an active worker. In 1884 he became a charter member of the Davenport division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and has held many local and county offices, while for, four years he was Iowa's state president. He has also represented the state and local association at several national conventions. In 1900 he became a charter member of Loras Council, Knights of Columbus, was its treasurer for several years and has been prominent and influential in local and state conventions since that time. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society of Iowa and has been its state vice president for the past fifteen years. He is also one of the charter members of Pelemorgues Court, Catholic Order of Foresters of Davenport and from the organization in 1903 served for five years as its first chief ranger. He has been a delegate to all national conventions held since his admission to this society. His membership relations extend to the Western Catholic Union and to the Good Samaritan Society. The foregoing indicates that Mr. Sharon has been called to the leadership in all of the different walks of life into which he directs his steps. Executive ability and keen insight well qualify him for management of important affairs and his cooperation has therefore been sought in the guidance of many important fraternal and political as well as business interests.
ALPHONSE A. ARNOULD.
Alphonse A. Arnould, who is successfully and prominently identified with the industrial interests of Davenport as a contractor, enjoys a liberal patronage in this connection and now maintains his offices in the McManus building. His birth occurred on Rock Island street of this city, his parents being Lewis and Cotilde (Hout) Arnould. The father, a native of France, obtained his educa-
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tion in the schools of that country and there also became familiar with the car- penter's trade. In 1847 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and after residing for a time at Indianapolis, Indiana, he came to Davenport, Iowa, and began work at his trade.
Alphonse A. Arnould obtained his education in the Davenport schools and when about fourteen years of age began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. This line of activity has claimed his attention through- out his entire business career, with the exception of one year, during which period he followed bridge building. When eighteen years of age he took up contracting in association with his father and the partnership was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until 1884. Subsequently Mr. Arnould of this re- view turned his attention to stair building, which is a trade in itself, and after- ward he spent about two years in the shops of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa- cific Railway Company. Twenty years ago he embarked in business as a con- tractor on his own account, becoming a member of the firm known as the Tri City Construction Company, the interests of which he capably directed in the capacity of vice president. About a year ago he severed his connection with that concern and spent some two months in travel for educational purposes. On returning to this city he opened an office in the McManus building and has here since carried on his interests as a contractor with excellent success.
On the 27th of September, 1881, Mr. Arnould was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Downes, a representative of an old and prominent family of this city. Unto them were born eight children, namely: Marie and Lewis, who are deceased; Edmond, Albert, Theresa and Aledo, all of whom have completed their education and are at home; and Elizabeth and Marie, who are attending school. Fraternally Mr. 'Arnould is identified with the Knights of Columbus. His close application and unwearied industry have brought him a goodly measure of prosperity, while his recognized skill and ability have gained him recognition as one prominent in building circles.
EDWARD KAUFMANN.
The life record of Edward Kaufmann is not only an illustration of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously but is also an indication of what may be accomplished through the utilization of the opportuni- ties which America affords to her young men. In this land where labor is un- hampered by caste or class success follows earnest, persistent and intelligently directed labor and it has been along this line that Edward Kaufmann has reached his present important position as cashier of the German Savings Bank of Daven- port.
Born in this city on the 18th of August, 1864, he is a son of John and Mary Anna (Schissler) Kaufmann, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The father came to the United States in the early '50s and after spend- ing a number of years in the east removed to Iowa during the latter part of that decade, settling in Davenport township, Scott county, where he turned his atten-
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tion to farming. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and in 1861 enlisted in the Twelfth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry, taking an active part in the war. He was severely wounded at Vicksburg in 1863 and because of the injury he there sustained was honorably discharged. Returning to Davenport he continued his residence in this city to the time of his death, which occurred in 1902.
In the public schools Edward Kaufmann pursued his early education and afterward had the benefit of instruction in a business college. He then accepted a position in the office of a flour mill and in 1886 entered the German Savings Bank, with which he has since been connected. His initial position was a very humble one, but gradually he has worked his way upward, his ability and energy winning him recognition in various promotions until he became assistant cashier. He acted in that capacity for a number of years and in 1906 became cashier of this important institution.
In 1898 Mr. Kaufmann was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Schmidt, who was born in Davenport and is a daughter of Hugo Schmidt, one of the prominent and respected pioneer residents of this city. Mr. Kaufmann was a member of the library board and has served as its chairman. He is interested in everything pertaining to the promotion of education and the welfare of the community and his labors have constituted a cooperant factor in many measures and projects which have had direct bearing upon the city's growth and advancement. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods which have won the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
P. H. LEBUHN.
A life of earnest and unfaltering labor has brought P. H. Lebuhn a goodly measure of success. He is living in Le Claire township where he and his brother William own two hundred and seven acres of land. They have long been asso- ciated in business and display a spirit of industry and enterprise in all that they undertake.
P. H. Lebuhn was born in Le Claire, Iowa, April 22, 1859, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lebuhn, who were both natives of Germany. The father was a lock and gunsmith and conducted a shop at Le Claire for a number of years. He died November 28, 1890, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1909. She was the mother of six children : William and Peter H., who are associated in business; Henry, who lives in Canada ; Louis and Laura, both deceased; and Carl, whose home is in Daven- port. William and Peter H. Lebuhn have always been associated in their busi- ness interests. They were both pupils in the schools of Le Claire and at an early age were sent out to work, since which time they have provided for their own support. They were employed by different farmers and by hard work managed to save about nine hundred dollars. Peter H. Lebuhn began working when he was twelve years of age and when about twenty-three years of age he and his
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brother William invested in farm land upon which they now live, borrowing two hundred dollars from their father to make the first payment on the place. Later when the father's house burned at Le Claire they paid him back the borrowed money. From E. Penry they purchased one hundred and one and a quarter acres of land and P. H. Lebuhn afterward bought forty acres from John McCaffrey and afterward secured about forty-five acres from Mr. McCarthy. Then from Frank Morry they purchased two and a half acres and from Mina Werner a tract of eighteen acres. Later they were influenced by Sam Kylor to enter into a deal in cattle, grain and one hundred and fifty-six acres of land. For about eighteen years they rented from two to three hundred acres which they cultivated in addition to their own farm. In the cultivation of the rented land they made most of their money, securing land from two to seven miles from their home. In order to cultivate this they camped out. The life was pretty hard for they did not always have just what they needed and were often caught in hard storms, but it was their purpose to work with untiring diligence and perseverance when they were young and had their health, so that they might enjoy their earnings as they giew older.
There is much that is of interest in the life history of the Lebuhn brothers. They were very prosperous about nine years ago and were recognized as among the leading farmers, but a friend aproached P. H. Lebuhn one evening, telling him that he and his brother were going to be put out of business by some people who were jealous of them. Mr. Lebuhn said he did not see how it could be done, for they were practically out of debt, and could sell the following day enough stock to entirely discharge all indebtedness. The brothers, however, are perse-' vering in their course which they and many of their friends and neighbors be- lieve to be right, and it is hoped that they will in time realize the full benefit and fruits of their labors and enjoy the prosperity to which their earnest toil justly entitles them. They are worthy and enterprising business men who have worked hard to attain success and have at all times sought to deal justly with their fel- lows. They are still the owners of a good farm of two hundred and seven acres and in addition to its cultivation are engaged in raising hogs.
SAMUEL W. PIERCE.
Samuel W. Pierce, who was long prominently identified with the educational and business interests of Davenport, is now living retired at his present home on Brady street. He comes from the east, being born in Westboro, Worcester county, Massachusetts, on the 19th of July, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Vorrell) Pierce, the former a native of Boston and the latter of Wells, Maine. The father, who was engaged in the shoe business, never left his native state.
Like most of the boys of his native state, Samuel W. Pierce received a good practical education and for eight years he successfully engaged in teaching school in Massachusetts. He was graduated from one of the best schools of Massa- chusetts and also took a course at Worcester. On coming to Iowa he first located
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in Fairfield, where he continued his educational labors and organized the great school system now in operation there. In 1867 he was asked to take charge of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Davenport, of which he became superintendent and his wife matron. For about twenty years he was connected with that institution and his labors won the unqualified approval of the public and also of those espe- cially interested in the school. After leaving there he was called back to put the organization in perfect shape again. Having retired from teaching, Mr. Pierce then turned his attention to the wholesale boot and shoe trade, to which he de- voted his time and energies until he retired.
On the 30th of September, 1858, in Massachusetts, Mr. Pierce married Miss Fannie Lord, a daughter of David and Lydia (Meserve) Lord, of the state of Maine. Five children have been born of this union, namely : Charles, who wed- ded Mary Smith and has two children, Mary and Franklin; May, the wife of E. L. Hayward and the mother of one child, Lou; Carrie, the wife of John K. Hall, of Denver, Colorado, by whom she has a daughter, Edith; Nellie A., at home; and Joseph, who married Frank Hawes and has two children, James and Phillip.
In his social relations Mr. Pierce is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Throughout his long residence in Davenport he has won the respect and confi- dence of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life and has never had occasion to regret establishing his home in this city.
CAPTAIN JOHN McCAFFREY.
It was not until advancing years made active work almost impossible that Captain John McCaffrey was able to resist the call of the river and take up his residence permanently in Davenport. From the age of thirteen the Mississippi, its rafts, boats, and steamers had been his home, and that despite of the fact that several times in the course of years he felt inclined to seek another occupa- tion. He was born in County Pronaren, Ireland, in 1842, a son of James and Mary (Murray) McCaffrey. The parents came to this country when their chil- dren were young and in Scott county, in Davenport and later in St. Louis, Mis- souri, the father became a man of wealth and prominence. He died in the latter city, but his wife survived him many years, for she reached the remarkable age of one hundred and three years before death called her.
John McCaffrey received his early education in the schools of St. Louis and of LeClaire, Iowa, but he has always been a student during all his life, so that his days of learning did not end with the period of his youth, when he started in life for himself. He was only thirteen when he secured employment as a raft hand on the Mississippi, working out of St. Louis. As he grew to manhood he decided to engage in other pursuits, but the spell of the water had already been exerted upon him, and he was almost compelled to follow the old life. For a few years he was clerk upon a boat, but he was at the same time making the best use of his opportunities and learning the science of navigation, so that it was not long before he was able to assume the responsibilities of a pilot. The
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first year that steam power was put into use on the river Captain McCaffrey ran his first boat. It was one of two owned by another river captain, was named the Alvira, and was the beginning of forty years' devotion to that field of occu- pation. During that time, however, Captain McCaffrey opened the coal fields which had been discovered upon his property in this county, and as he had about four hundred acres he made a good income while he operated them and later when he disposed of the land made a handsome profit upon his investment. At that time he had two steamboats and four barges, which loaded with coal sold it at various places along the river. His became a name well known at all the ports, while the story of his life and success was repeated again and again.
It was on the 24th of March, 1868, that Captain McCaffrey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Davenport, a daughter of A. J. Davenport, who was well known as being one of the earlier settlers of this county. Four sons were born to the couple: Frank D., Henry S., Jack and Duke. Captain McCaffrey has always been deeply interested in the welfare of Davenport, and takes a certain pride in its growth, for he may rightly feel that his labors as a navigator contributed no small share to the advancement which has been so conspicuous during the last half century. As a river man he was able to know most certainly the increase of its commercial importance for the Mississippi has always been one of the prime factors of its life, as it still is. 'Although his career really began with steam navigation he can well remember the less adequate means of caring for passengers and freight. His has been a life devoted conscientiously to the hardest toil, which, having brought rich returns to him, is a gratifying record of years well spent.
PETER JOENS.
Among the representative citizens of Blue Grass who claim Germany as the place of their nativity is numbered Peter Joens, who first opened his eyes to the light of day in Schleswig, September 26, 1847. He is a son of Henry and Christina (Gibsen) Joens, also natives of that province, the former born on the 16th of July, 1816, and the latter on the Ist of July, 1818. The parents came to America in 1865, making their way direct to Scott county, Iowa, where the father worked on a farm until his demise, which occurred in 1872.
Peter Joens acquired his education in the schools of Germany and was a young man of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this country. Since his arrival here he has devoted himself continuously to the occupation of farming, first in connection with his father and later on his own account. In 1885 he went to Muscatine county, Iowa, remaining there until 1894, when he located in Blue Grass, Scott county, where he has continued to reside to the present time. He owns a little farm near the corporation limits of Blue Grass, in Buffalo township, where he is successfully carrying on general farming, and is also known in financial circles as a stockholder in the Blue Grass Savings Bank, his connection therewith being an additional source of revenue to him.
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Mr. Joens has been twice married. In 1874 he wedded Emma Kroeger, a daughter of Jacob Kroeger, of Scott county, and unto this union were born three children, namely: William, a farmer of Tama county, Iowa; Ardelia, the wife of Frank Peterson, of Rock county, Minnesota; and Henry, also carrying on agricultural pursuits in Tama county, Iowa. The wife and mother passed away in 1884, and in 1886 Mr. Joens was united in marriage to Gertrude Luetke, a native of Germany. They are well known throughout the community in which they reside and are prominent in social circles, where their many excellent traits have made them popular with a large number of friends.
Mr. Joens holds membership with Blue Grass Lodge, No. 26, Modern Broth- erhood of America, and also with the Columbia Sick Relief Society. Politically he votes with the democracy on all national issues but in local matters he reserves the right to cast his ballot in behalf of the men and measures which in his opin- ion are best adapted to conserve the public welfare. He has never been active in politics as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time upon his private business interests which, successfully and carefully managed, claim his entire attention. He is a worthy and highly esteemed citizen of Buffalo township and is known among his business associates as a man of upright principles and honest dealing.
NICK DENKLAU.
Nick Denklau, a prominent citizen of Eldridge, Iowa, now living retired, was born in Germany on the Ioth of May, 1852, and is a son of Jacob Denklau, who was a brick mason by trade and spent his entire life in the fatherland. Our sub- ject was reared and educated in the land of his birth and in 1871 came to the United States, landing at New York. His destination, however, was Scott county, Iowa, and he came at once to Davenport. He was first employed here as a farm laborer, being thus engaged for several years.
In December, 1877, Mr. Denklau was united in marriage to Mrs. Amelia (Diedrick) Klindt, a native of Germany and the widow of Peter Klindt. She was the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, this county, and upon this property they began their domestic life, continuing to reside there for twenty-five years, when Mr. Denklau retired from active farming and removed to Eldridge, where he now makes his home. Having prospered in his undertakings he was able to add forty acres to the home farm, making a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln township, and in 1894 he purchased a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres in Sheridan township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until he retired from active life. Besides his farm land he also owns town property in Eldridge.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denklau were born six children, namely: Gust, a farmer of Sheridan township, who married Amanda Stoltenberg; Emma, who is now the wife of Herman Miller, living on the old homestead in Lincoln township; Meta, the wife of Rudolph Amhof, of Lincoln township; and Tillie, Laura and Adolph, at home. By her former marriage Mrs. Denklau had three children :
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Louis; Minnie, now Mrs. Stoltenberg; and Wilhelm. All are residents of this county. The family is widely and favorably known and Mr. and Mrs. Denklau have a host of warm friends.
CHRISTIAN G. DUESER.
Christian G. Dueser, deceased, was for some years a prominent merchant of Davenport. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Germany and was there reared and attended school. He received an excellent education in his native land and also continued his studies after com- ing to this country. On reaching America he came direct to Iowa and estab- lished his home in Davenport, becoming identified with the business interests of the city as a merchant.
In early manhood Mr. Dueser married Miss Matilda Ficke, a daughter of Senator C. A. Ficke, who was one of the leading lawyers and prominent citizens of Davenport. Two children were born of this union, namely : Dr. F. H. Dueser, who married Eliza Lorenzen; and Elizabeth, who is now the wife of F. J. Lane and has one child, Frederick S.
In his social affiliations Mr. Dueser was an Odd Fellow. Starting out in life with no capital, his success was due entirely to his own unaided efforts and he may well be classed among the self-made men who did much for the promotion of Davenport's interests.
C. RAY KINDT.
One of Davenport's younger business men is C. Ray Kindt, manager of the princess theatre. He was born in Milwaukee, January 10, 1888, and is the son of Charles T. and Nellie (Stoddard) Kindt. His father is a very prominent the- atre manager, who has charge of fifty-one houses in Iowa and Illinois. His principal Davenport interest is the management of the Burtis theatre. He came originally from Sandusky, Ohio, and he and his family have made this city their home for nearly twenty years. The grandfather, Louis Kindt, was born in Germany of French parentage and came to America when about fourteen years of age.
It was during a brief residence of his parents in Milwaukee that the subject of the sketch was born, and while he was still an infant they came to Davenport where they have ever since resided. Mr. Kindt attended the common schools and in due time was enrolled among the students of the high school. He then entered the University of Chicago and took a course in electrical engineering. He subsequently returned to Davenport and his father assisted him in securing a foothold in the world of affairs, a thing he was well able to do for he is one of the principal theatre managers of the west. Mr. Kindt inaugurated the Princess theatre a few months ago and it is already taking its place among
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