History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 73

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 73

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).

Hubert E. Clarenbach, grocer, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, and sole agent for the North German L. Loyd S. S. Company, and agent for the Walcott Iowa Creamery, . northeast corner 6th and Harrison streets, was born in the city of Hneck- eswagen. Prussia, Germany, Feb. 22, 1827. His parents were Raphael and Catharina ( Ringel) Clarenbach, of German nativity. He was a merchant and died at Sheboygan, Wis., in 1573; she died in Germany, Nov. 21. 1553. Hubert E. remained with his father in the mercantile business until he was 20 years old, then elerked in manufacturing establishments, and in wholesale dry-goods stores in various parts of Germany until 25 years old, when he came to the United States. He left Germany Dec. 29,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

1853, and lan led in New York City. May 14. 1854. They had three terrible storms during the journey. From New York he went to St. Louis, Mo .. and was salesman in a wholesale grocery store until January, 1857. then went to Jefferson City. Mo .. and established a retail grocery store there. His marriage to Maria D. Meyer occurred Feb. 12. 1857. She was born in Oldenburg, Germany. Her father. John F. Meyer, came to America in 1948; he made three trips to Germany where he died in Bevensen, Hanover. in November, 1851 ; his wife died in 1568, in St. Louis; Mo. In September, 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Clarenbach removed to Le Claire, Ia., where he opened a grocery store and resided there until March, 1863, when he came to Davenport. He was engaged successively in the grain business, as partner in the firm of Richter, Henseler and Co., Davenport Plow Mannfactory, in the insurance business, assessor of the city of Davenport, and located in his present business Nov. 1. 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Clarenbach cele- brated their silver wedding on the 12th of February. 1582. They have one child, Hedwig. born Nov. 12. 1857. Mr. C. owns a nice residence on Main street. No. 714, where he resides.

F. G. Clausen, architect. 207 W. 3d street. is a native of Schleswig. Germany, born Feb. 7. 1848. He learned the art of architecture in his native country. In 1869 he came to Scott Co., Ia., and located in Davenport. embarking in business for himself in 1870. He does all kinds of work of the finest description. Hle made the draft plan for the Kimball House, also for many of the finest business bloeks and dwellings in this city. He does a very extensive and profitable business. His marriage with Miss J. Lischer occurred in November, 1873. They have three children- Etta, Olga and Rudolph. Mr. Clausen is alderman of the 2d Ward.

John Cleland, dentist, dental rooms, 127 East 3d street, was born in Perry Co., Pa .. Nov. 26. 1827. He was a son of James and Jane (Suteh) Cleland, who had 11 children. John was the eldest. He attended school until 20. then studied medicine with Dr. A. Valershong at New Columbia. Pa .. three years; then attended the Dental College of S. S. White, at Philadelphia, Pa. He prac- ticed medicine and dentistry first at New Bloomfield, Pa .. then at Monmouth, III., and Keithsburg. Ill., where he remained until 1868, then located at Andalusia, Ill., where he followed the practice of medicine and dentistry until Ang. 1, 1881, when he located in Davenport. Dr. Cleland married Miss Eliza J. Brown. of Peun- sylvania ; she was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Cleland have four children, viz. : Anna, who married Aaron Eby ; they reside on their farm in Andubon Co., Iowa. Cora married Joseph Tof, and they reside at Exira, Iowa. Kate married Polo Richards: they reside in Andalusia, Ill., and Will- iam married Emma Richards, and they also reside at Andalusia, Ill. Dr. Cleland is one of the leading dentists and representative itizens of Davenport, and in polities a Republican.

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CITY OF DAVENPORT.

Elisha E. Coatswas born in Northampton Co., N. C., Oct. 15, 1S14. He was left an orphan in his infancy and was reared by a Mrs. Wiman until 12 years old. She was a distant relative of Daniel Boone. Mr. Coats never attended school in his life, but was educated thoroughly in the school of hard work. In 1839 he came to Scott County and located in Rockingham, then the county seat. Ile entered SO aeres in Buffalo township, now owns 160 acres there. He removed to the city of Davenport in March, 1881. IIe was married Jan. 5. 1837, to Mary Sexton. They have had eight children-James M., Charlotte A .. John L., Emily J., Mary, Rich- ard W .. Elisha and Eliza L. All have now left the shelter of the home roof and are settled in homes of their own. Mr. Coats is now enjoying the substantial results of a successful life, after a long period of patient toil and untiring energy, these conjoined with prudence and good management have produced the usual result- success.

George Conklin, owner of the Atlantic Hotel, 420, 422, and 424 Perry street, was born in Prague, Austria, Aug. 10. 1845. Ile came to America with his parents, Jacob and Kate (Yoek) Conklin. when he was nine years old. They settled at Corona, on Long Is]- and, N. Y. George received an education at that place, end worked in a china factory at Hunter's Point, until July, 1867. when he came to Davenport. He worked in the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific shops six years, then opened a restaurant at the corner of Fifth and Perry streets, which he conducted five years, then sold it, and built the Atlantic Hotel. Hle operated this hotel until Octo- ber 1581, when he rented it and retired from active life. He was married Aug. 4, 1869, to Mary. danghter ot Frank and Mary Ploner, natives of Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin had one child, George, who died in 1878. They are members of St. Anthony's Parish Catholic Church. Ile is a Democrat.

Tauble Cornets, tailor at the dye-works. 223 Perry street, was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, Sept. 24, 1932. llis pa- rents were Peter and Eliza Cornels nee Claussen. Jacob attended school until he was 16 years old, when he learned the tailor's trade, and in 1853 he emigrated to the United States, landing at New Orleans, where he remained until the spring of 1554, when he came to Davenport. Six months later he went to Moline, Ill., and worked at his trade there until February, 1864, when he enlisted in Company G, 17th Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He then returned to Moline, and in the spring of 1873 came to Davenport. where he has followed his trade since. Ile was married to Miss Eliza Buck. in April. 1872. She was born in Schleswig, Germany, and was a daughter of Charles Buck, of that place. Three children have been born of this union- Willie, Emil aud Angenian. Mr. Cornets is a member of K. P., Davenport Lodge, No. 30, and United Brotherhood of Iowa, Lodge No. 2.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Theodore Cramer, pianist, was born of Valentine and Elizabeth Cramer, at Christiania, the capital of Norway, in the year 1848. He left the gymnasium and was abont to enter the university with a view of studying philology. He suddenly abandoned the literary career for which his parents had destined him and devoted himself to the study of musie. He took lessons of Newport and Ursin, two well-known graduates of the conservatory at Berlin, at the age of 16. He did not put into practice his knowledge of music until his arrival in this country in his 18th year. He made a short stay in Chicago, Ill., where he associated himself with Henry Le Clure, the celebrated violinist. As Chicago contained an abundance of pianists of the highest standing he resolved to go farther west- ward. Having heard Davenport highly spoken of as a musical city he came here, and his success as a teacher of music has ex- ceeded his most sanguine expectations. He is thoroughly educated in the art and is an excellent teacher. His mother and sister reside with him at No. 726 Main street.

Robert S. Davis, grocer, 330 Locust street, was born in Golden Grove, Kings Co, Ireland, Dee. 26, 1824, and was a son of Thomas and Sarah E. ( Mitten ) Davis, of Irish nationality. Robert S. left school when he was 12 years old, and elerked in a dry goods and grocery store until 1850, when he immigrated to the United States. He went to Philadelphia, where he was superintendent of one of the piers belonging to the P. & R. R. R. Co .. shipping coal to nearly all parts of the world. In 1856 he left there and went to Elizabethport, N. J., and engaged in the same business there two years, then returned to Ireland and engaged in the grocery busi- ness at Bray and at Dalkey. lIe remained there until 1866, when he came again to America, and was engaged with the Central R. R. Co. of Elizabethport. N. J., as ear-record elerk five years, then traveled for a wholesale grocery house in Philadelphia four years, and at the expiration of that time he came to Davenport, where he has engaged in the grocery business since. He was married to Mary A. Owens, in Bray, Ireland, Sept. S, 1862. She was born in County Carleybridge, Wexford, Ireland. Five children have been born by this union-Thomas J., Frederic G., Anna L. and William H. Sarah E. died Nov. 29, 1879. Mr. Davis is a Mason and a member of Richmond Lodge, Pa., No. 230, and was Master of this lodge. He has traveled quite extensively, and has visited all the principal cities of England, Ireland, Wales and the United States.

Claus Delfs, a native of Holstein, Germany, was born Dec. 23, 1828. His father, Claus Delfs, was born at that place and died there in 1876; his mother, Katharine (Gripp) Delfs, died in Hol- stein in 1880. Claus Delfs, Jr., left his German home for America April 1, 1854. arriving in New York Apr. 18 of that year. He immediately located in Davenport, where he has since been en- gaged in plastering. He was married to Henrietta Eggers Oet. 18, 1854, in this eity. To them have been born seven children,

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two surviving -- M.nnie and Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Delf's are mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and he votes with the Republican party. Mr. Delfs served in the German army two and one-half years.

Elwird W. Diron, of the firm of Paige, Dixon & Co., among the most extensive lumber dealers in this city. was born Sept. 11, 1833, in Cornwall, Ontario, and is a son of James E. and Margaret Dixon, nee Poapst, of Cornwall, Ontario. Edward was educated in the common schools of his native place. He worked in his father's dry-goods store and saw and grist mill until he was 16 years old. when his father sold out. He then worked on the river during the summer seasons and worked in a dry-goods store in the winter, until he was 21 years of age, when he formed a partnership with his father in the grain and produce business, in London, Ontario. At the expiration of a year, his father disposed of his stoek to him and he conducted the business alone for seven years. He spent two years in the mercantile business in Bar- aboo, Wis. Ile engaged in the wholesale and retail dry-goods business here under the firm name of J. Dixon & Sons, which emtinned five years. He then entered into the employ of U. N. Roberts & Co., and remained with them one year. Then embarked in the lumber business with J. L. Davies & Son, remaining with them until the close of their business. Hle again entered the employ of U. N. Roberts & Co., and while with them the present firm of Paige, Dixon & Co. was contem- plated and organized on the purchase of the mill property of the estate of John L. Davies. They have an immense trade and are one of the most enterprising and energetic business firms of Davenport. Mr. Dixon was married July 15, 1856, to Miss Eliz- abeth MeDongall, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. They have six children -- Emma, Charles, Lillie, Maggie, Ida and Harry. Mr. Dixon was educated in the Republican school of politics and still adheres to that party. In religious profession he is a Presbyte- rian.

Alonso P. Doe, of the firm of Bryant & Doe, Nos. 207 and 209 Brady street, was born March 25, 1837 in Cumberland Co., Maine. llis father, Charles Dove, died in September, 1873, in Maine. Mother Charlotte ( Bennett) Doe resides with her son Alonso in this city. The subject of this sketch came to Davenport in 1866 and began business in the store he now occupies, and with his present partner, Mr. Bryant. He was married to Julia M. Bryant in June, 1864, in Windsor, Maine. To them have been born two children- Elith B. and Alice M. In polities Mr. Due is independent, voting always for the best man.

Michael Donahue, manufacturer of steam engines, mill gearing. corn mills, ete .. and president of the Davenport Water-Works, Front and Scott streets, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 9, 1817, and was a son of Peter and Mary Donahue. natives of Ireland. Michael came to this country in 1830, and worked in foundries in various

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

cities of the East some time, then went South and worked on steamboats. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war, in Co. A, First Reg., Ohio Vols., and remained in the service one year; then built a foundry for the Government at the mouth of the Rio Grande, and stayed there doing Government work and repairing steamboats until the close of the war. IIe then started overland with a party to California: was nearly two years making the journey; had to fight their way through, arriving at their destination in 1849. He built the first foundry and melted the first iron in that part of the country. In 1854 he came to Davenport. Ia., and bought the foun- dry he now owns. In 1872 or '73 Mr. Donahue and his brother Peter built the Davenport Water-Works, of which Michael is now president. Peter Donahue resides in San Francisco, Cal .; owns the San Francisco & Pacific R. R., also a line of boats. Our subject married Miss Ester A. Alexander. They have two children- Mamie and James, attendants of the Georgetown College. Mr. Donahue has been mayor of Davenport two years. He was mus- ered into the service of the Mexican war at Camp Washington, Cincinnati, and was the first volunteer to enlist. Everything he possesses has been accumulated by his own untiring energy, andhe is justly entitled to the appellation of a self-made man.

John Donahue, son of John Donahne, Sr., was born in Alleghany Co., Pa., Apr. 26, 1836. He was reared and educated in Pittsburg, Pa. He went to Burlington, Ia., in 1855 and there learned the marble cutter's trade. In 1858 he returned to Pittsburg and worked at his trade there until 1860, when he came to Davenport and established the present partnership with Mr. McCosh. Mr. Dona- hue was married in November, 1863, to Lizzie Sprague, of Ohio. They have one son, Milton. Mr. Donahue is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Northwestern Masonic Aid Asso- ciation of Chicago.

F. W. Downs, Superintendent of the Davenport School Fur- niture Co .. 113 East Front street, was born in , New Haven, Conn. Dec. 31, 1845. His parents were Willis and Martha (Sperry) Downs, natives of Connecticut. The former was born in October, 1$19. in Mt. Carmel, that State, and is a machinist by trade. In 1849 he went to California and remained two years, then returned to New Haven. In 1866 he became a resident of the city of Dav- enport, where he engaged in the undertaker's business until the fall of 1868, when he helped to remodel the steamer " Iowa City," and afterward bought her, and the day after purchasing her she sank. She was raised and used as a raft-boat on the river after- ward. In 1876 Mr. Downs bought the Forrest Block, between Third and Fourth streets, on Perry, which he still owns. In May, 1880, lie bought the Davenport School Furniture Factory in com- pany with S. A. Jennings, which is still under their management. They occupy a building four stories high. 150 x 20 feet, and manu- facture all the latest improved school and church furniture, employ- ing from 16 to 20 skilled workmen. F. W. Downs. the subject of

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this sketeh, learned the machinist's trade, and worked at that until June, 1868, when he worked as pilot and engineer on his father's boat. "Iowa City." From 1>71 to May, Isso, he worked at the fur- niture trade, then received his present situation as superintendent of the furniture factory. Ile was married to Mary L. Shannon May 20, 1870. She was born in Philadelphia. Pa., and is a daugh- ter of Joseph Shannon, a farmer in Muscatine Co., Iowa.

John L. Drar. land commissioner C. R. I. & P. R'v., Daven- port. Iowa, was born in London, England, Dee. 6. 1840. He was a son of John C. and Anna (Black) Drew. He was a native of Wales and she of England. They were members of the Congre- rational and Episcopal churches and had a family of 13 children, three sons and three daughters living. The family came to the U. S. in 1850. landed in New Orleans, La., and then eame to Rock- ingham. Scott Co .. Iowa. where they remained one year, then came to Davenport. The father returned to England in 1858, and the mother and children, except John L., returned to England in 1859. lohn L. attended the Iowa College until 15, when he became teller in the Cook & Sargent Bank, where he remained four years. Ile then studied law with Cook & Drury two years when he was ad- mitted to the bar. He then became partner with Cook & Drury for two years, and in 1865 he became chief clerk of the C., R. I. & P. Ry. Land Dept. for three years, when he was appointed to his present position as chief land commissioner of this company. le was married to Miss Sarah Barnett, of St. Louis, Mo., April 24. 1873. She was a daughter of George I. Barnett, an architect of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Drew have had five children, viz. : George J .. Anna L., Alexander C., Dorotha B. and Katherine 11. Mrs. Drew is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Drew is a 32d Deg. Mason, a member of Trinity Lodge R. A. M., K. T. Commandery and Roval Arch Chapter. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat and a strong supporter of that party. He is one of Daven- port's enterprising representative men and has been identified with Scott County since May, 1850.

James C. Duncan was born near Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 4. 1840. His parents were James and Jane Duncan, nee Wilson. Ile early developed a taste for mathematies, and at the early age of seven years had mastered the " Western Caleulator." a primary arithmetic. He then took np " Davies Elementary Algebra," which he finished at nine years of age. A portion of the time he had a teacher, but most of the time had to study ont the problems for himself. When he was 15 year- old his father moved to Le Claire, township, and set- tled upon a farm. James here took up the studies of geometry and surveying under W. G. Scott. He also bought and shipped stoek on his own account, and was soon able to purchase a farm in But- ler. township. On May, 25, 1862, he was married to Naney J .. daughter of James and Mary J. MeConnell. Eight children have been born of this union-Ella, Evander HI., Violet J., Katie .J., Dickey, Charles and Mabel. Mr. Duncan enlisted Aug. 15. 1862,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

in Company G., 20th Iowa Infantry. Participated in the battle of Newtonia, Prairie Grove, siege of Vieksburg-present at the surrender, July 4, 1863. He was taken with the measles at New tonia, and was siek for about 20 months. He was in the last charge of Fort Blakely, and was discharged at Clinton, Iowa, July 25, 1865. He at once returned to his farm in Butler, township, where he remained eight years, then moved into the city of Davenport. He dealt in stock here nntil 1876, when he entered the Business College as a student, remaining until April, 1877. He then en- gaged as bookkeeper for MeCosh & Donahne six months, and at the close of this engagement, entered the Business College as a teacher of mathematics, a position he still retains. He is a man of the highest mental endowments and superior intellectual culture.

Theo. D. Eagul was born Sept. 26, 1823, in Pittsburg. Pa., and was the youngest of five children of John and Eleanor (Pope) Eagal, natives also of Pennsylvania; the former died in 1856, the latter in 1874, in Davenport. Theo. D. Eagal received his primary education at home, and a few month's attendance at a select school, but is mostly self-educated. In 1833, at the age of 10 years, he went to work in the office of the Pittsburg Gazette, one of the oldest papers in Pennsylvania. His first experience at night work was on the annual message of President Jackson. In 1837 he quit the printing business, and learned the watch-maker's trade. In 1839 he moved to Wheeling, W. Va., and was there married. March 23, 1843, to Eliza Ann Stont, a native of that city. They have had eight children, six living-Joseph Pope, Melzar Jefferson, Rachel Lindsay (now Mrs. Watson), Ada Vernon (now Mrs. Graham), Theo- dore D., Jr., Nellie Morley. In the spring of 1845, the family removed to St. Louis, Mo., where they resided one year, then went to Alton, Ill., where Mr. Eagal, purchased the Democrat Banner, and continued to publish it under that name until February, 1847, when, owing to his family having been afflicted with agne since their residence in Alton, they removed to Davenport, Iowa, where they have since resided.

Monroe Ebi, of the firm of Ebi & Newman, commission mer- chants, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1842. His parents were Levi and Susan Ebi. natives of Ohio, where they both died in the year 1850. Monroe enlisted in the 19th Ohio Regiment, from Canton, O., as a private; was promoted to the rank of 1st lienten - ant. Ile was wounded at Lovejoy station in 1862; was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., having served three years. IIe engaged in the sewing-machine business in Eddieville, Iowa, two years, then

went to Cedar Rapids, and remained there until 1869, when he located in Davenport. Ile traveled for Roff, Cock & Co., dealers in agricultural implements, until 1873, when he went into the commission business with Henry Tilden. Six months later he formed a partnership with Rowe & Newman, in the same business, under the firm name of Ebi, Rowe & Newman. Mr. Rowe, left the firm in 1875, and since that time Ebi & Newman have conducted

Varken

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CITY OF DAVENPORT.

the business. Mr. Ebi was married in Davenport, Dec. 25. 1866, to Franees M. Roff, a native of Canton, Ohio. Her father is dead, and her mother resides in Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Ebi have two children-Albert R. and Iladen. Mrs. Ebi and children are mem- bers of the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican.

Dedrich W. S. Eckhardt is a native of Holstein, Germany, born Sept. 18, 1835. He was a son of Dedrich and Anna Eckhardt, nee Fett, of German birth. The subject of this biography sailed from Hamburg on May 2, 1854, and landed in New York on June 10 of that year. He went to Davenport and went to work at his trade of butchering. In the fall of 1554 he commenced business for himself. He was united in marriage with Frances Schmelzle on the 16th of Angust. 1858, in Davenport. Of their six children the following are living: Anna, Augusta, Charles, and Otto. Mr. Eckhardt is Republiean in politics, and one of the substantial men of the city.

Charles Eckhardt, salesman for Schrieker & Mueller, Iumber dealers and owners of the saw-mill, corner 2d and Scott streets, was born in Holstein, Germany, July 31, 1821, and was a son of D. and Anna (Vett) Eekhardt, natives of Germany, where they died. Charles emigrated to the United States in June, 1849, and went to Wisconsin, where he remained 6 months, then spent 1} years in St. Louis, Mo., coming to Davenport, at the expiration of that time. Ile worked at the carpenter's trade until 1856, then farmed until 1859, when he again commeneed working at his trade. In 1562 he accepted a situation as salesman in the store of French & Davis and remained in their employ until 1868. From 1568 to 1878, he engaged in the grocery business, on West 2d street. Since that time has held his present situation. He was married in this city, March 14, 1853. to Christina Greve, of Holstein, Ger- many. They have had nine children, five living-Gustav, Charles. George, Louis and Anna. In politics Mr. E. is a Republican.

Timm Eckmann, a son of Claus and Abel (Johnson) Eekmann, natives of Holstein, Germany, where our subject was also born Jan. 30, 1829. Ile emigrated to the United States in April, 1852, and landed in New York after a journey of 49 days. In July of that vear he came to Davenport, remained here a short time, then went to Clinton, Iowa. where he engaged as a farm laborer a short time. Ile returned to this eity and worked in a briek-yard for Harvey Leonard and Louis Holbert a number of years. Ile has been en- gaged in the grocery and hardware business in the store which he now occupies, No. 901 West 3d street, for the past 13 years, and does a thriving business. He was married July 6. 1857. in Daven- port, to Wiebke Kuehl. They have had two children, one living, George. Mr. Eckmann is a Republican.

Col. Henry Egbert, of the firm of Egbert. Fidlar & Chambers, printers, binders, and blank-book manufacturers, 317 and 319 Brady street, was born in Newcastle, Delaware. Dec. 22, 1826. Ilis parents were Christian and Elizabeth (Austin) Egbert. He was a

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 73

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280