History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 77

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 77

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Frank S. Hastings was born in Mendon, Mass., June 23, 1844. His father, Seth Hastings, was a native also of that place. Frank S. was educated at Milford, Mass., where his parents moved when he was quite small. He began to learn the art of photography when 16 years old. Hle served in the late war one year in Com- pany 19. Mass. undetached company, was on garrison duty all the time. In 1871 he eame to Scott County and located in Davenport. He worked at his trade for different parties two years, when the present firm of Hastings, White & Fisher was formed. They have met with good success and do a first-class business. Mr. Hastings was married Dee. 15, 1872, to Miss Nellie Olmstead. They have two children-Frederiek and Harry. Mr. Hastings is a member of the A .. F. & A. M., and also taken up to 32d degree. In 1871 was raised to the degree of Knight Templar at Fall River, Mass., and in 1880 passed to the Scottish Rite in Davenport.

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Claus Hill was born in Holstein, Germany, June 17, 1837. He is the son of John and Anna (Able) Hill. His father died in 1864 and his mother in 1880. Clans was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to Davenport via New York in 1854 and hired out as a farm hand, and worked as such several years. Ile then bought a farm of 80 acres, and subsequently added to it 160 acres, and continued to farm 10 years. He then rented the farm and came to the city, where he has since continued to re- side. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Catherine Schuma- ker, daughter of John and Minnie (Kruse) Schumaker, who came to America in 1858. Mr. Hill is in polities a thorough Republican.

John Hill was born in Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1838. Hewas a son of Adam and Anna (Pollock) Hill, likewise natives of the Keystone State. John Ilill received his primary education in the district schools of Pennsylvania, and after coming to Davenport in 1831 entered the Commercial College from which he graduated. His mother died in Pennsylvania in 1850, and in 1853 his father came to Iowa, and for some years engaged in farming, and at pres- ent resides with his son, John. The latter engaged in the real estate business in this city for about 20 years, then established liv- cry, feed and sale stables at 209 West Third Street, which he still condnets. His establishment is one of the finest in the city. run- ning from 25 to 35 horses, 12 single buggies and six double car- riages. He resides at No. 1 Clinton Place.

John Hill, proprietor of Turner HIall and manager of the Day- enport Stadt Theater, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 25, 1840, and was a son of Conrad Hill, a Government inspector, and Margaret, nee Ditzenberger. John Hill came to this country in 1854, and in December of that year located in Davenport. Hc learned the cabinet-maker's trade here, and in 1858 he went to Muscatine and followed his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, First U. S. Lancers; remained with that regiment nine months, then returned to Muscatine. Here-enlisted in Aug, 1862, in Company C. 35th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, as sergeant. He was taken prisoner at Jackson, Miss., July 11, 1863. He then suffered the horrors of Libby, Bell Island and Andersonville pris. ons until the close of the war. While in Andersonville prison he was taken sick with senrvy, and was taken to a place they called a hospital to die. The hospital was a piece of land fenced in, with the bare ground for cots, and tent flies drawn over a stick of wood for tents. When Mr. ILill was taken there he had to lie outside of one of the so-called tents eight or ten hours, waiting for a man to die in order to get his place. At the close of the war he returned to Davenport, and in 1869 he took charge of Turner Hall and Stadt Theater, of which he has the entire management. Ile was married April 6. 1867, to Mary Kaehler, a native of Holstein, Ger- many. They have five children-Charles, Hugo, Ludorwieka, Otto and Paula. Mr. Hill is a Mason, and a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 227, and .1. O. U. W .; Lessing Lodge, No. 37: of the

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Druids: United Brotherhood of Iowa; Turner Schutzen, Menna- choir, Thalia, and Harmonia Societies. Mr. Hill has traveled exten- sively and has been in every State in the Union except California John J. Hoersch was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg. He left his home and Germany in the year 1849, at the age of 22 years. He embirked at the city of Havre de Grace, France. for America. After a voyage of 37 days he landed at the city of New York ; staying there a couple of weeks he went to the State of Ohio, where he worked for nearly two years. In the year 1851 he started for Iowa; landed at Divenport in the month of April, 1851. In a short time after his arrival he bought land in Blue Grass township, which he improved. In the year 1852 he was married. IIis wife was also a native of the Kingdom of Wurtemburg. He improved half a dozen farms in Scott County, most of them he sold after he had improved them. In the year 1861 he retired from farming. took up his habitation in the city of Davenport, where he has resided since.

John Holst was born in Hamburg, Germany, in the year 1816, on the 11th of April. In his 11th year he commeneed going to sea. He went to England, from there to the West Indies, Calcutta, from there to Liverpool, from there to Glasgow. Scotland, from there to New Orleans, from there to Cork, Ireland, then to Liverpool, and then to the Sandwich Islands. Honolulu, and then again to Liverpool, then to Valparaiso, Chili, then to Greenwich, Scotland, where the ship was found to be unseawor- thy and was laid up for repuir. In the meantime he worked in the sugar refinery, and when his ship was repaired they sailed for Liverpool. from there to New Orleans, where he wis taken sick with a fever; having no friends he was taken to the hospital, where he remained until better and joined the Louisiana volunteers under General Taylor, to fight the Florida Indians. He returned to New Orleans, worked in a store, and in 1840 he married Miss Mary Downey, of Barnslow, Ireland. In 1843 they, with their two children, took a trip to Hamburg, his old home, to visit his parents. They remained three months, came back again to New- Orleans and remained there until the spring of 1845, when he came north to Davenport. bought a farm in Clinton County, Iowa. stayed until 1846 when the Mexican war broke out. He enlisted as a teamster, went to New Orleans, from there to Texas, from there to Camargo, Mexico, where he got his team and hauled provisions to Monterey, back and forward, until the 21st and 22d of February, when they fought the battle of Buena Vista. After the battle they were ordered down to Camargo. He was attacked by the Mexican Lancers who killed 100 teamsters out of 250 and burned their wagons. He then went to Camargo and then home to Davenport. IIe staved a month and then went to Vera Cruz, Mexico. took sick with fever, in two weeks got better and went with 700 teams to the City of Mexico; remained there till peace was declared when he came home, sold his farm and came to Davenport, where he clerked for Christy & Wells till the spring

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of 1850. He then took a trip across the plains with Wm. Banis, leaving his wife and four children in Davenport till 1852, when he sent for them. They started to New Orleans, taking her brother along with them. They started the 25th of May, taking passage on the steamer "Cresent City" to Havana to meet a New York steamer there. On arriving his wife died ; her brother then took the children to Panama, it taking them two weeks. On ar- riving there the brother took the fever and died. Before he died he gave the oldest little girl, Louisa, 8800 that had been left by her mother. Three of the children then took sick with the Pan- ama fever and during this time every one took money and paid himself. They stayed there four weeks but finally arrived safely in San Francisco. In 1853 Mr. Holst's youngest son, Charles, died, and he remained in California till 1854, when he started for Davenport with his three children. Ile was married again in 1854 to Mrs. Mary Martin, who had two sons, James and Charles. In September of the same year the cho'era broke out, Mr. Holst losing his two sons. James 11 years and John 9 years, in about a week. In 1855 a daughter was born to them and named Mary C. Holst. Mr Ho'st was dealing in real estate at that time. In 1557 the panic came and he lost nearly everything but his home- stead, which he mortgaged. In 1861 he bought in Davenport 12 aeres of land at 850 an aere, and sokl it for $100 an acre, that giving him a start again. Then his wife took sick with a cancer and in 1862 the 1st. of August she died. Ilis daughter, Louisa, mar- ried in November the same year and in the next year she died. Mr. Holst being siek at the time and hardly able to attend the funeral. He then kept a grocery store for a short time, then quit the business and commenced speculating in real estate. Then in 1866 he was married to Selena C. Richardson-Prendergast, and for the last 15 years has lived a retired life. In his youth he was reared a Lutheran, but of late years has become a Methodist. He is fond of reading of the ocean and lives of sea-faring men, and is inter- ested in all new discoveries. His library consists of books and curiosities from all parts of the world.

Henry Holst. fine wood, ivory and horn turner, at McClelland's. 304 to 314 Main street, also owner of the Eddie House saloon, East Davenport, was born at Lenbeck, Germany, March 22, 1840. His parents were Peter and Mary (Parbz) Holst. He attended school until he was 14 years ohl, when he learned the trade of fancy wood, ivory, and horn turning, and in 1866 he came to America, locating in Davenport on June 11 of that year. He engaged in business for himself two years, and made the first bungs for beer fawcets, and the first croquet balls in Davenport. He worked for various firms in the city three years, then spent nine years in a furniture factory at Geneseo, Ill., then returned to Davenport, and has worked at McClelland's since. He was married to Dora Ilolst, likewise a native of Germany, May 19, 1865. To them six

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

children have been born-Mary, Emma, Freddie, Lena, Henry and Maude. Mr. Holst is a member of I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. Lodges and of the Turner Society. In politics he is a Democrat.

George II. Irish, grocer, 150S Brady street, was born on a farm in Franklin Co., New York, July 24, 1814. He was a son of Enoch and Naney (Perkins) Irish, natives of Vermont and members of the M. E. church. George lived on the farm with his father nntil 22 years of age, when he went to Lower Canada, some 90 miles from Quebec, and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, when he re- turned to the old homestead in New York, and married Miss Em- ily Graves, Oct. 1, 1838. She was born in Vermont and was a daughter of Barnabus Graves and Abigal. nee Goth, natives of Con- nectient. After his marriage Mr. Irish lived five or six years in New York, then went to Wisconsin and farmed one year in Wash- ington County, when he moved to West Bend, Wis., and kept the Travelers Home hotel until 1865, then traded his hotel for a store, and one year after sold out and came to Davenport, where he has since been engaged in the grocery trade. He and wife had three children, all now dead. His daughter, Dr. Delila S. Irish, died in May, 1878. She was for many years a practicing physician of Davenport and a member of the Scott County Medical Society. Mr. Irish carries a stock of groceries and provisions, and has been a groeer in Davenport since 1860. In polities he is a Democrat.

J. H. Jaeger was born in Schleswig, Germany, Dee. 22, 1828. and was a son of Hans C. and Henriette (Hoet) Jaeger, who were born and died in Germany. The subject of this memoir emigrated to the United States, and located in Davenport in 1856. He did laboring work for about 10 years. then embarked in the grocery business at 1221 West Third street, his present number. Ile was married in January, 1857, to Margaret Eggiels, who died Ang. 2. 1859. He was married the second time to Annie Deltimer, nee Westphaul. in November, 1860. She had one child by her former marriage, Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger have had three children- Henry, Meta and Clara. Mr. Jaeger is a Republican in politics.

Samuel A. Jeninngs, general manager of the Davenport woolen Mills, was born on the 25th of September. 1828, in Ballston. Saratoga Co., N. Y., and was a son of Samuel and Jane Jennings. likewise natives of New York. At the age of 18 he was appren- ticed to the carpenter's trade. and after serving his apprenticeship he came to Davenport. He traveled for Haight & Sears five years, then purchased an interest in the firm, which he held until January, 1878, when he disposed of his share, and formed a partner ship with R. S. Price, E. W. Brady and Franklin Fearing, for the purpose of establishing the Davenport Woolen Mills E. W. Brady and Franklin Fearing withdrew from the firm, at the ex- piration of one year, and Mr. Jennings and Mr. Price conducted the business one year. The mill was then idle until February, 1881, when the Davenport Woolen Mill Co. was organized by the following named gentlemen and others : Hiram Price, Pres. ; J.

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B. Phelps, Sec. and Treas. ; S. A. Jennings, Gen. Man. ; the Board of Directors is as follows : Hiram Price, J. B. Phelps, S. A. Jennings, W. D. Petersen, W. O. Bennett, Lorenzo Schricker and Wm. Renwick. The company employ a force of 55 men, and sell their goods chiefly in lowa and Illinois.

John C. Johannsen, grocer, 612 West Third street, was born in Schleswig, Germany, Apr. 23, 1539, and was a son of Hans P. and Anna Johannsen. John attended school until he was 16 years old, then followed the grocery business until 1863, when he came to America, locating immediately in Davenport, where he has followed the grocery and dry-goods business since. Ile opened his present store on West Third street, Dec. 1, 1873. He carries a $1,500 stock of goods, and does a good business. He was married Apr. 17, 1865, to Katrina Klahn. She was born in Hol- stein, Germany, Apr. 17, 140. Eight children have been born to them-Natalie, Olga. Hugo, Otto, Amanda, John, Ameda and Carl. He is a Mason, and a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 221. A. F. A. M .; Lessing Lodge, No. 74, A. O. U. W., and was first past master of this lodge. In politics he is a Republican.

William Jones, grocer, 422 and 424 Brady street, was born in the city of Frederick, Maryland, Dec. 11. 1829. Ile was a son of Andrew and Maria (Schuman) Jones, both natives of Maryland, a member of the Lutheran church and had a family of eight chil- dren, four living. When eight years of age William Jones' father died. lle then lived with his mother until 12 years of age, when he went tolearn the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother-in-law, where he remained five years, then worked at Middleton two years. then two years at Baltimore, where he finished his trade; he then superintended his brother in-law's cabinet business two years, when he went into business for himself in Baltimore, and in 1855 was burned ont and lost all he had. He went to Chicago and clerked in the wholesale furniture for Burton, 217 and 219 Lake street, until 1957. Ile then returned to his old home in Frederick, Md., and engaged in the furniture business one year and conducted a grocery store until 1863, when he went to La Salle, Ill., a short time, when he came to Davenport, Ia, arriving here July 28, 1864; soon after opened a confectionery store on Perry street. Four months after began to elerk for Hess & Stern, clothiers, in the Metropolitan Block, and six months after bought out E. M. Green, in same block he now is in, and where in 1867 he built his present store, at 424 Brady street. He carries a full line of provisions and groceries and is one of the leading grocers of the city. He is vice- president of the Grocer's Protective Association of Davenport. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Burkhart, at Frederick. Md., Ang. 9. 1852. She was born in Maryland and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Woodward) Burkhart, natives of Maryland and members of the M. E. church, and had seven children, three living. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have four children, viz .: Lilly C., Charles W. A., J. Edward \. and J. R. Neil Jones. Mr. Win.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Jones is a Mason and a member of Davenport Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 37, and of Pioneer Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 2, and a member of Iowa Legion of Honor. In politics is a Republican, and his family is of English, Scotch and Welsh descent.

Henry Karwath, dealer in boots and shoes, No. 1210 Harrison street, was born in Bilin, Bohemia, Nov. 1, 1839, and was a son of John and Theresa (Weiderman) Karwath, natives of Bohemia. The subject of this record came to America in 1855. He went to Baraboo, Wis., where he remained about two years, then ran on the river until the spring of 1859, when he came to Davenport. He engaged in farming until 1862, then enlisted in the U. S. army, as a private and was promoted to sergeant. He served three years and was honorably discharged at Clinton, Ia. He returned to Davenport and engaged in farming one year, then embarked in the boot and shoe business, which he still follows. IIe was married in Davenport, July 22, 1867, to Julia A. Belken, who was born in this eity, March 5, 1845. Her parents were John Henry and Sevilia ( Bomberg) Belken. He was a native of Fiehdendorf, Westphalia, Germany, and died Sept. 15, 1853, in Davenport. She was born in Coburg, Gotha, Saxony, and is now a resident of Scott County, and the wife of Albert Brugman. Mr. and Mrs. Karwath have had five children, two living-Louis Henry, born Aug. 1, 1868, and Julia Anna, born Sept. 4, 1873. Mr. Karwath is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and in polities is a Republican.

Capt. John Kaufmann was born in Baden, Germany, Dec. 15, 1833. His parents was John and Elizabeth Kaufmann, who were married in Baden, where 12 children were born, eight sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common-seliool education in his native country. At. the age of 20 he came to the United States, landed in New York and proceeded to Long Island, where he worked a short time. From there he went to Burlington, Ia., and in 1857 came to Davenport. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the 12th Mo. Vol. Inf., not being able to get into an Iowa regiment, and their first engagement was at Pea Ridge, under Gen. Curtis; then at HIaines Bluff, Arkansas Post (where they captured 5,000 prisoners, the first of whom were brought to Roek Island); then at the battle of Greenville, and then back to Vieksburg's siege, in whieli he was shot through the chest, while on a charge. Through meritorions eonduet and bravery he rose from a private to the eap- tainey of his company. Oct. 19, 1863, he married Mary A. Sehiss- ler. By this union there are six children, viz .: Eddie, Ida, John. Annie, Tillie and Julius. The Captain has held several local of- tices of trust, in the gifts of the people; was elected four times as city marshal, also elected justice of the peace.

Mrs. Dr. Keck was born in Wooster, Wayne Co., O., and was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Illgenfritz, nee Harie. She was married to John C. Keek, of Allentown, Pa .. Jan. 6, 1857. Six children were born of this union, viz. : Bella, wife of W. R. H.

John Horst

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CITY OF DAVENPORT.

Alexander, an attorney of Davenport; Lotta. Florence, Maggie and William T. In the years that Mrs. Dr. Keck has devoted to her profession, she has proven herself eminently worthy of her high calling, and has achieved a success and prominence as a physician that entitles her to more than a passing notice in our work. She began the practice of medicine some 18 years ago, and her success as a physician is indeed most wonderful, as hundreds of her patients who have been permanently eured can and do testify. She is an earnest Christian woman, and has won the affections of all classes. She is frank, generous and kind-hearted, and is respected and honored by all, not alone for her professional attainments, but for her many noble qualities of mind and heart. Mrs. Dr. Keck belongs to the Eclectic school of medicine, and at her home office and infirmary, No. 611 Brady street. has founded an institution for the cure of all chronic diseases, that is unsurpassed by any similar infirmary in the country. It is pleasantly situated on an eminence over-looking the broad Mississippi River, affording a magnificent view. Without doubt it is one of the finest situations in the city. The building was erected by the late John P. Cook, who spared no expense in its construction. When Mrs. Keck purchased it, she with a liberal display of money transformed it into a mammoth, home-like, palace hotel. It is magnificently furnished thronghout. The decoration, painting and graining of the entire building are from the masterly hand of Thomas S. Hamilton, of Wooster, O., who came expressly to execute this work. The arrangements for an abundance of sunlight-that great dispensary of health-the perfect ventilation of all the rooms, for the comfort and conven- ienec of the invalid is unsurpassed in the United States. The suc- eess of the infirmary is another and stronger evidence of the vast valne to the world of Mrs. Dr. Keek's treatment of all chronie diseases. In addition to her infirmary in Davenport, she has branch offices at Peoria, Bloomington, and Quincy, Ill .. and Min- neapolis, Minn. These offices are in charge of capable and experi- enced assistants, and are visited every two months by Mrs. Dr. Keek. She is to-day treating from 12,000 to 15,000 patients, from all parts of the country, and is constantly receiving testimonials from grateful patients who have been cured by her. She also treats patients by mail. sending medicine to any part of the United States. One secret of her success is that she and her husband manufacture at their own laboratory all their medicine, and conse- quently know them to be good.

Charles HI. Kent, real estate and land agent, was born in Cho- shire Co., N. II., March 21, 1824, son of Asa Kent, also of that place. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and by his own personal application to study. In 1845 he went to Fitchburg, Mass., and accepted a situation as clerk in his brother's. Henry Kent's cotton manufactory, who is now treasurer of the Exeter Manufactory Co., and was one of the 12 New England delegate manufacturers to attend the great exposition at Atlanta,

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Ga .. in 1881. Chas. H. went to Nashua, N. H., in 1849 and clerked there until 1850, then went to Lawrence, Mass., where he engaged in the same business until his removal to Davenport in 1857. He engaged in the real estate business here, which he still follows. The Cook & Sargent property, which belongs to Boston parties, fell into his hands and he has had charge of the business since. He was sanitary agent for the soldiers during the war, and collected money for the United States Sanitary Commissions. Mr. Kent is the author of two very valuable works, one is " Kent's New Commentaries for Young Men," the other, "Kent's New Commentaries for Young Women." The first appeared in 1880 and sold very rapidly; has been sold in every State and Territory in the United States. The latter came out in 1881, and has re- ceived the highest testimonials from leading journals. Mr. Kent was married Dec. 27, 1858, to Hattie C. Peaslee, of Haverhill, Mass. They have two children-Ella. a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, and Charles F., who clerks at Emeis' drug store in this city. Mr. Kent was instrumen- tal in the building of the Spring street chapel. East Davenport, and at the dedication it was christened "Kent Chapel," having been Superintendent of the Sunday-school seven years. He also donated the lot for the North Davenport Mission Chapel corner of Locust and Grand avenue.

Frank Kessler, chief of police of the city of Davenport, is a na- tive of Wallenstadt. Switzerland, born July 26. 1840. His father, Frank X. Kessler, was a contractor and builder, and died July 29, 1851: his wife, Mary A. (Gabriel) Kessler, died Oct. 25, 1881. Frank emigrated with his parents to America when he was about four years old. They located in Divenport, Ia. In April, 1861. Mr. Kessler enlisted in Company B, Second Iowa Infantry Volunteers as a private, and was promoted to second sergeant. Participated in the battles of Fort Donelson. Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Inka, and various other engagements. He was dis- charged at the expiration of his time in Sept. 1864. and re-enlisted in Company I. 11th lowa Infantry Volunteers, and remained until the close of the war. Upon leaving the service he came to Daven- port and was married April 25, 1866, to Miss Jennie Propst. a na- tive of Virginia. This union has been blessed with six children, of whom Charles, Eddie and Mamie, are living. Mr. Kessler is a member of Iowa G. A. R. and of the First Ward Hose Company since 1874. He was one of the charter members of the Rescue Engine and Hose Company, beginning as torch boy and finally occupying the position of second assistant foreman. He has been a faithful member of the Davenport police force 11 years, and for the past five years has been chief of police. Has held the offices of deputy city marshal, health inspector and other positions of trust. He has been a resident of Davenport since 1845.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 77

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