Reinholdt Sieg Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Sieg, Williams, Robirds, Burleigh. Reinholdt Sieg a splendid typed of the German citizen, manifesting in his life the salient and commendable characteristics of the Teutonic race, rose to a position of honor and prominence in connection with the industrial and financial interests of Davenport, the city profiting by his activity in business affairs and in those projects which have constituted the vital elements for growth and betterment along other than commercial lines. In the town of Magdeburg, Germany, occurred the birth of Reinholdt Sieg whose natal day was December 10, 1828. His parents were trades people in good circumstances, and liberal educational advantages were afforded him, his parents securing for him the opportunity of attending the pay schools of his native town. When his more specifically literary course was completed he sought and obtained employment as a salesman in a wholesale grocery store in Magdeburg, where he remained for seven years. While he was there living he was married the first t! ime and soon afterward he determined to seek his fortune in the land of the free. Accordingly completing his arrangements for leaving his native country, he sailed for America in 1849 and spent two or three years in traveling over the United States, looking for a favorable location for business. His parents had died when he was about thirteen years of age, leaving him in comfortable circumstances. His wisdom and sound judgment not only in business but in other affairs was constantly demonstrated throughout his life record. After traveling for about two or three years his observations and inclination determined him to locate in Davenport, where he entered into partnership with a Mr. Meyer now of Chicago, and under the firm style of Sieg & Meyer they established a tobacco business, which they conducted along both wholesale and retail lines. They made substantial advance in this field of labor, prospering in their venture and Mr. Sieg continued in active connection therewith u! ntil 1866, when the business was disposed of. For two or three years thereafter Mr. Sieg was engaged in no active business, but indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and he could not content himself in an inactive life. He therefore made arrangements which again took him into the commercial field, forming a partnership with the late Alexander F. Williams in the iron business. They dealt in heavy hardware and were not long in developing a large and profitable trade, in which they continued without change until the death of Mr. Williams in 1887. Upon the death of Mr. Williams his interest in the business was withdrawn and Mr. Sieg organized a stock company with small shares in order that his employes might purchase stock and thus share in the profits of the enterprise. He became the president of the company and remained as its chief executive officer until his death. The business is still carried on under the name of the Sieg Iron Company by his heirs. It i! s a monument to the enterprise and labor of Mr. Sieg, who recognized and used opportunities which others passed by heedlessly and when one avenue of activity seemed closed, sought out other paths that would lead to the result which he wished to achieve. In his business his methods were such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, being conducted with strict regard for the highest commercial ethics. Moreover, he was fair and just in his treatment of all employes, considering their rights and interests as well as his own and they entertained for him highest respect and regard. He considered that they had helped to earn for him the wealth that he acquired and he was therefore ever watchful of their interests. In addition to his interests in the iron trade he was a stockholder in the citizens Bank and also in the Iowa National Bank. He became one of the original stockholders in the Davenport canning factory and in the D. I. & D. Railroad. He was also one of the pro! moters and stockholders of the Masonic Temple and in various ways assisted in building up the city of his adoption. Mr. Sieg was twice married. His first wife died April 19, 1883. They had no children of their own but reared an adopted daughter, Alice Camille, on whom they bestowed every care and attention of loving parents On the 24th of April, 1884, Mr. Sieg was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Victoria Robirds, nee Burleigh. They had two children, Minnie and Martha. The parents of Mrs. Sieg were southern people, her father being at one time a wealthy and prominent man of Louisiana. His earlier years were devoted to journalism as an editor and later he became a merchant. One of his sons, a brother of Mrs. Sieg, was captain in the Union army and served as aid-de-camp on the staff of General Rosecrans. Mrs. Sieg was first married in Pekin, Illinois, to George Robirds. There is one son of this marriage, George Lawrence Robirds, who pursued his education in the military academy to Orchard Lake, Michigan. The death of Mr. Sieg occurred November 27, 1890, and his demise was greatly unexpected, the news therefore causing a great blow to his many friends. In his death Davenport lost one of its most valued citizens. In manner he was quiet, unostentatious and unassuming and cared not to figure before the public in any relation save that of a successful business man. He always refused office and political preferment, yet he was recognized as one of the worthiest citizens of the city. He was a man of very positive character and his position was never an equivocal one. On the contrary he stood fearlessly in defense of what he believed to be right and was a man of determination and unflinching integrity. No one ever questioned the honesty of his expressions or his actions. Moreover, he possessed a spirit of broad humanitarianism that prompted him to recognize the rights and interests of others and his employes, business associates and all with whom he came in contact in every relatio! n of life knew him to be not only a good and just but also a generous man. Because of his innate modesty and retiring spirit he was thought by some to be reserved, but those who knew him best and came within the closer circle of his friendship entertained for him the highest regard. His best traits of character, however, where reserved for his own fireside and he cared nothing for the social allurements which would take him from his family. He stood for all that constitutes high and honorable manhood and at his death left a memory that is cherished by all who knew him. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

William August Moeller >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Moeller, Fick, Ewaldt, Koch, Klindt, Wiese, Ottsen, Sorensen, Hinze, Rohlf. Among the early German residents of Scott county was the Moeller family, of which William August Moeller was the eldest of eight children. He arrived in Davenport in his sixth year and form that time forward continued his residence in this county most of the time, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. He placed his reliance upon the safe, substantial qualities of indefatigable effort and unfaltering perseverance and as the year as passed his financial resources increased until the poor little German boy became a man of considerable wealth, possessing valuable property interests from which he annually derived a substantial income. It is a fact worthy of note that some of the strongest characteristics of the German race have been dominant factors in the substantial upbuilding and development of Davenport and Scott county. William August Moeller was among the number of German citizens who aided in the pioneer development of this section of the state. He was a little ! lad of five years of age at the time of his arrival here in 1848. His birth had occurred at Propstei, Germany, November 16, 1842, his parents being Henry and Anna Moeller, who on crossing the Atlantic to the United States with their family landed at New Orleans in 1847. They made their way up the Mississippi river as far as St. Louis and remained there through the winter but in the spring of 1848 continued their journey to Davenport. The father worked as a laborer for about a year, after which he purchased forty acres of land in Davenport township at the usual government price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. Upon this claim he built a small house and at once began improving the fields, making his home there until 1855, when he sold that place ad bought one hundred an sixty acres of prairie land in Lincoln township at fifteen dollars per acre. He thereon erected a residence, fenced the land and made all the other improvements. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundari! es of his place from time to time until he was the owner of about four hundred acres when his death occurred, November 17, 1872. He had for eleven years survived his wife, who passed away July 23, 1861. They were the parents of eight children. William August Moeller, the oldest of the family, acquired his education in the district schools of Scott county, was reared to the occupation of farming and throughout his entire life carried on general agricultural pursuits. When he started out on his own account he at first rented a part of his father's farm and when his close economy and unfailing and unfailing industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to become the owner of a farm he invested in two hundred and forty acres in Lincoln township. There he lived for a long number of years and the place is still known as the old homestead. He also bought tow hundred acres in Sheridan township and two farms near Donahue, Scott county, of one hundred and sixty acres each, but later sold those tracts to his sons. He also became the owner of a farm in Ida county, Iowa, where his daughter now lives. Year by year he prospered, making good use of his time and opportunities and in all of his farm work he was practic! al, diligent, determined and therefore successful. Mr. Moeller was married twice. He first wedded Miss Dora Fick, now deceased and they had five children. Anna, the eldest, is the wife of Herman Ewaldt and they had eight children: William, Henry, Herman, Rudolph, Arnold, Albert, Meta and Hugo. Henry Moeller married Meta Koch and they have three children: Roy, Henry and May. William married Anna Klindt and they have two children, Clarence and William. Meta is the wife of Gust Wiese and their five children are Howard, Ruth, Arthur, Stella and Erma. Laura, the youngest of the family, is the wife of William Ottsen and has one daughter, Lorena. For his second wife, Mr. Moeller chose Magdelina Sorensen, a daughter of Henry and Louise Sorensen, who came to Scott county in 1883 and are now living at Eldridge. Mrs. Moeller came to this county in 1881. She was born in Schleswig, Germany, April 28, 1862. She has five children: Rudolph, living in Lincoln township, married Amanda Hinze and has four children-Hertha, Elton and infant twi! ns. Clara is the wife of Herman Rohlf, of Davenport, and they have two children, Wilbert and Bernice; Amanda, Arnold and Helen are at home. During the years of his residence upon the farm Mr. Moeller served in a number of local offices, including that of township trustee and school director. He was ever loyal to the best interests of the community and cooperated in many measures for the public good. He held membership with the Turners at Eldridge and was a man of social, genial disposition who won friends wherever he went. He continued to reside upon the farm until November, 1906, when he removed to Davenport, where his death occurred on the 29th of March, 1907. His widow still owns the old home place of two hundred and forty acres in Lincoln township and the two hundred acre farm in Sheridan township, besides fine city property, having been left fairly comfortable financial circumstances by her husband. Mr. Moeller was a man of many good qualities and his life moreover illustrates the value of industry and close application in the attainment of success. As the architect of his own fortunes he builded wisely an! d well. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

E. O. Ficke, M. D. Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Ficke, Voeght. One of the most prominent of the younger physicians of Davenport is Dr. E. O. Ficke, one of the city's native sons, whose birth occurred February 23, 1880. His father, H. E. Ficke, was born in Hamburg, Germany, but came to the United States when only a child. He grew to manhood in Iowa and here married Miss Louise Voeght, who was a native of Kiel, Germany, and like her husband came to the his country when a mere child. She is still living, but Mr. Ficke passed away August 19, 1908. Dr. Ficke was the youngest of the three children born to his parents. He was reared in this city and began his education as a pupil at what is now known as Harrison, No. 8, school. Later, having completed all the requirements, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, Illinois, from which he received his medical degree and his license to practice his profession in 1903. He went straightway to Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa, where he remained about two years. In 1907 he was appointed physician for the county, being reappointed in 1908 and 1909 and holding the office to the present, for he has acquitted himself with honor and enjoys the confidence of those who have watched his administrations. Dr. Ficke is a member of the Scott county, the Iowa State and the American Medical Associations and often attends their meetings. He is a young man of ambition, high ideals and skill in his chosen field, and the success which has crowned his previous efforts is an indication of what is in store for him. He has no reason to be discouraged with the present or despair of the future. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Chapter 18 cont. JUDGE GRANT'S KNIFE. Elihu B. Washburn, in a sketch of Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois, gives a bit of Iowa experience that sound rather singular at this day.  Mr. Washburn was fresh from staid, sober New England in the spring of 1840, when he attended a term of court held at Maquoketa, the seat of goverment of Jackson county.  This community, like many frontier settlements, was afflicted with gang of rustlers, counterfeiters and horse thieves which the newly organized courts found to be difficult to deal with effectually.  So the people had just arisen en mass and driven out the gang of counterfeiters in a fierce fight in which seven men were killed.  The whole community was greatly excited and every man was armed.  Mr. Washburn says:  "I stopped at the tavern which had been kept by W. W. Brown, alleged leader of the gang, and who had been killed in the doorway of his home.  My roommate was Judge James Grant, of Davenport, who has been for nearly a half century one of the most distinguished citizens and lawyers of Iowa.  When we were about to retire what was my amazement to see my roommate, whom I had never met before, draw out from the back of his coat an immense bowie knife and place it under his pillow.  When abroad I wrote a letter to a friend in regard to the incident and described Judge Grant's bowie knife as being three feet long.  The letter got into the newpaper.  The Judge wrote me a letter to Paris denying my statement and asserting the knife he had on that occasion was only two feet long." The following amusing incident is related by Judge Joseph Williams:  "I received my commission as judge of the territory of Iowa while in Pennsylvania.  The first court I held was in Cedar county.  Some one placed a large split-bottom chair under a spreading burr oak and I sat down to settle the county seat.  I picked out the longest, leanest, lankiest, ugliest looking man in the crowd for sheriff.  He had a long beard and when his mouth was closed no opening was visible, and when he spoke it looked like a hole in a buffalo hide.  The grand jury sat down on the ground on the right and the petit jury on the left.  I impaneled the former, swore the sheriff to do his duty and sent them off to work.  The bailiff took the jury to a large rail pen and herded them in.  They were about to indict a man for stealing hogs when a Dutchman squealed, 'I don't agree!'  At these words an Irishman, springing to his feet and pulling off his coat, said:  'I'll make you agree!'  and commenced pegging the Dutchman.  The bailiff came running to me saying:  'Judge, Judge, the jury are all fighting.'  I went down, kicked open the fence and sent them home, saying:  'I would not have the county disgraced.'  When I was in Jones county I was led into a slough where the grass was as high as my head.  A chair was placed for me and I sat down and then they told me that was the county seat.  I impaneled the grand jury, after which they were taken down the slough to commence work.  I was preparing the petit jury for work when the bailiff of the grand jury came slipping up close to me and then hallooed:  'Judge, is it right to have anybody sneaking?'  I did not know that he meant and so inquired, and when I understood, said:  'No, no, have a picket guard placed at a certain distance to keep all sneakers off.'" In March, 1882, the legislature passed an act providing that the terms of the supreme court, which had been held in Davenport, Dubuque and Council Bluffs, should be transferred to Des Moines.  Thereafter the court should hold its sessions at the state capital.  At one time the sittings of this court at Davenport were fully as important as those held at Des Moines, for the annual terms of the court were held in these two cities.  This court at Davenport was established in 1858 by action of the seventh general assembly.  One great inducement for the location of the court at Davenport was the existence here of the celebrated Grant law library, which was at that time the greatest and most valuable in the state, and to which through the generosity of Judge Grant, the bar not only of Scott county, but visiting lawyers had free access.  Another reason for establishing the court here, and it may have been considered an excellent one, was the splendid hotel accommodations.  Judge Grant, as was his nature, offered every courtesy to the court and in rooms over his office on Main street he provided commodious quarters for its sittings.  The court convened promptly after the passage of the act.  The first Monday in the following April found the clerk here ready for the initial session, but all of the judges were not present and an adjournment was therefore taken until the following day, when the court was fully organized.  George G. Wright, of Keosauqua, was chief justice; William C. Woodward, of Muscatine, and L. D. Stockwell, of Burlington, associate justices; Lewis Kinsey, of DesMoines, clerk; Samuel A. Rice, of Oskaloosa, attorney-general, and William Penn Clark, of Des Moines, reporter.  A large number of lawyers were present. The first case held in Davenport concerned a new charter which had been granted the city of Davenport at the term of legislature then nearing its close.  The provision of the new charter which was to take the place of the special charter granted under the old constitution arranged for a party of aldermen of twelve, which was to be reinforced by a council of six, each councilman to be ex-officio justice of the peace.  The act which granted the new charter was declared unconstitutional because under the consititution which at that time existed special legislation for any town was forbidden.  This court continued at Davenport about twelve years.  Twice a year a six weeks' term would be held and attorneys from thirty-two counties, then a major part of the central portions of the state, would come to Davenport and remain for several days, sometimes bringing their wives with them.  This made gay times for the Burtis House, especially during the years of the war, when Davenport was military headquarters with its four military camps.  In fact, all the attorneys in this part of the state came to this city, where they realized they were near the seat of greatest interest in Iowa.  It was about 1870 when sessions of the court were established at Dubuque, and the Davenport district was reduced to nine counties:  Scott, Cedar, Clinton, Johnson, Iowa, Muscatine, Louisa, Washington and Keokuk.  Eventually the terms dwindled from five and six weeks to a week, and then four days, and then ceased to exist in Davenport in 1881. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Greetings All, I have had several look-up requests for Oakdale Cemetery from folks who are seeking people who were removed from St. Mary's Cemetery and "were told that they were moved to Oakdale". Does anybody know what year St. Mary's started removing those graves and when they finished? {approximately} I am convinced that the "index" for these records was made up by someone with a very sick sense of humor who is having a laugh at my expense. While the index may be unreliable, {I'm actually surprised when I find someone I'm looking for in it}, I have noticed that the actual records seem to be meticulous. There are constant notations thoughout "removed from ________. / removed to _________./ moved from lot/sec to lot/sec". The people removed from St. Mary's would be documented in Oakdale records at the time they were moved there, not by their date of death, and it would be noted where they came from. Since I know that the index was made by a group of people from "www.demented_r_us" it would help if I knew what time frame to look in. ================== I checked the FHL Catalog to see if they had any records specifically with St. Mary's records and they don't. Sorry. They do, however, have 2 sets of microfiche from the books: Scott County, Iowa, cemetery records/ Vols. I & II compiled by Scharlott {Goettsch} Blevins and V. Lorraine {Edgman} Duncan. Pub. Iowa Genealogical Society, {198?} US/CAN FICHE AREA: # 6049239 & # 6049240 =============== For anyone who has checked the FHC Library Catalog for specific records and not found anything {in my case what they have on Kalkaska, MI is pathetic} I was told just last week by one of the librarians to check again in 3 to 4 months. She said that Salt Lake City is gearing up for a "huge" release of new records. I don't know how true that is or what "huge" is, but thought I'd put the word out. Who knows, I might find Granny getting hitched in Kalkaska, yet. Cathy

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Yl.2ADE/2326.1 Message Board Post: my grandma effie a. whitman work at the cigar store in davenport, iowa in 1918 started to work in sept. 1918 would you have any record of her being there she was divorce and had two little girls lillian and ileene. janet.ellington@johnfabick.com

William Marlette Chamberlin Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Chamberlin, Marlette, Galvin. William Marlette Chamberlin, a lawyer who for twenty-four years has practiced at the Davenport bar, is today enjoying the success which comes as the result of a large clientage of an important character. He was born in Princeton, Scott county, Iowa, August 24, 1862, and comes of ancestry represented in America from colonial days. Both the paternal and maternal lines were represented in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject were Levi s. and Lucy A. (Marlette) Chamberlin, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Susquehanna county and in 1836 came 3with his parents to Scott county. His father, Josiah Chamberlin, first settled in Rock Island county, Illinois, and soon afterward removed to Pleasant Valley, where he engaged in farming. His was one of the pioneer homes of the district and the first church services in the county were held in his house. He sought to aid in the work of public progress in every possible way and! was among those who laid broad and deep the foundation upon which the later prosperity and growth of the county were built. Levi S. Chamberlin was reared to farm life and for a number of years engaged in general agricultural pursuits but afterward tuned his attention to merchandising in LeClaire, Iowa, and was also a partial owner of a boatyard there. He likewise acted as pilot on the river for a few years and his varied activities brought him into close contact with the public life of the community. He died in 1885, at the age of sixty-three years, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away in May, 1909. In their family were three children, including W. M. Chamberlin, who was educated in the public schools of Princeton, and afterward engaged in teaching in this county for three years. He regarded this merely as an initial step to further professional labor, however, for it was his ambition to become a member of the bar and to this end he devoted his leisure hours, while engaged in teaching, to the study of law. Later he entered the State University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. He was an earnest student and gained comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, so that when he entered upon active practice his equipment was unusually good. He has served for one term as county attorney, which has covered the extent of his service in political office, but he has always been active in politics since attaining his majority. On the 5th of September, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Chamberlin and Miss Helen C. Galvin, of Davenport, a daughter of Martin Galvin, one of the old residents of this city. They have one child, James Marlette, born August 11, 1899. Fraternally Mr. Chamberlin is connected with the Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his name is also on the membership roll of other societies. He is likewise identified with organized movements for the city's benefit, including the Business Men's Association and the Commercial Club. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Jacob M. Eldridge >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Jacob M. Eldridge that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Eldridge, Brown, Woodward, Williams, Smith, Glaspell, Schlegel, Bawden. Jacob M. Eldridge, arriving in Davenport in 1845, became an active and valuable factor in the business interests of the city and at the same time his opinions carried weight and his labors produced substantial results in financial circles. While he won success, his interests were never so self-centered that business excluded participation in projects and measures of progressive citizenship. On the contrary he was ever alert to the best interests of the community and his cooperation constituted a valuable force in inaugurating measures which were of public benefit. A native of New Jersey,, Jacob M. Eldridge was born at Haddonfield, November 20, 1824, a son of D. C. and Rachel (Brown) Eldridge. His father was the first postmaster of Davenport. The mother died when her son Jacob was but four years of age and the boy then went to live with his grandparents. His father, having remarried, came west and had conducted a store in Davenport at the time of the death of the grandfathe! r. Jacob M. Eldridge, then a boy of thirteen years, was thrown upon his own resources and soon afterward commenced teaming. Carefully saving his earnings, it was not long before he was able to purchase a team and in that field of activity he continued to labor for some time. Later he turned his attention to clerking and, actuated by the laudable ambition which was ever one of his strong characteristics, he soon made it possible to become the owner of a mercantile enterprise. This he conducted until 1845, when he came to Davenport, his attention having already been directed to this city by the fact that it was the place of his father's residence. He arrived in Rock Island on the 23d of December after a two months' journey from Philadelphia and spent Christmas eve in Davenport. The next spring, however, he returned to the east to settle up his business affairs in that section of the country and in the succeeding fall again came back to this city. He had entered land from the ! government about three miles northeast of Davenport, for which he paid the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. The improvements which he placed upon it and the natural rise in value consequent upon the rapid settlement of this section of the country enabled him in 1874 to dispose of that farm for one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. He was one of the first land agents of the city and followed that pursuit during much of his life. His keen judgment and sagacity enabled him to make judicious investments and profitable sales and at the same time he contributed to the he substantial improvement of this section of the state by his careful manipulation of realty interests. At all times Mr. Eldridge was mindful of his opportunity to promote public progress and was actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good that was manifest in many tangible ways. He was prominent in the movement that extended the Chicago & Rock Island road to the river and continued its construction across the state as the Mississippi & Missouri road. The second line afterward consolidated, forming the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Mr. Eldridge was also a member of the company that secured the franchise for the second railroad bridge and he put forth earnest effort wherever he believed it possible to secure the adoption of a project that promised material benefit to the city, county and state. The town of Eldridge was laid out by him and the city of Eldridge, North Dakota, was named in his honor. It was through the influence of Mr. Eldridge that Frank P. Blair became a resident of this city and a most important factor in its later upbuilding. In the field of politics Mr. Eldridge was equally well known and prominent. He was a delegate to the convention held in Iowa City in 1855, which led to the organization of the republican party in this state. In 1872 he was sent as a delegate from Iowa to the convention of liberal republicans that nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency. He regarded it as the duty as well as the privilege of every American man to uphold by his ballot and his influence the principles in which he believed and while he never sought nor desired office for himself, he stood staunchly in support of those issues which he regarded as vital to good government. He conceived and instituted the idea of placing a memorial tablet in the rotunda of the courthouse in honor of the Scott county pioneers-a tablet which will preserve for future generations the names of several hundred residents who came here prior to 1848. He was one of the oldest and most faithful members of the Christian church, to the su! pport of which he contributed generously, while in its various activities he took helpful part. One of the most honored members of the Old Settlers' Association, he filled all of its offices, including that of president. He was also president of the Board of Trade at one time and instituted various projects which were accomplished through the medium of that association. In 1848 Mr. Eldridge was married to Miss Mary L. Woodward, who passed away eighteen months later. In June 1851, he married Miss Mary H. Williams, and on the 28th of September, 1866, he wedded Agnes Smith, who survives him. She was a daughter of Robert Smith, a farmer by occupation, who retired in 1861 and established his home in Davenport, where he spent his remaining days, dying at the age of eighty-eight years. The six children of Mr. Eldridge were all born of the second marriage, namely: George W., Mrs. R. F. Eldridge, Mrs. S. L. Glaspell, Mrs. Carl E. Schlegel, Mrs. George W. Bawden and Frank. The death of Eldridge occurred June 8, 1892, and brought a sense of personal bereavement to a large majority of Davenport citizens, for during the many years of his residence here he was honored and respected by all who knew him. The value of his public work cannot be overestimated and his record furnishes a splendid example for emulation in its public-spirited devotion to the general good. As the architect of his own fortunes he builded wisely and well and did equally good work for the city, his name being on the roll of the representative men whose labors have constituted the chief elements in progress and improvement here. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Gustave A. Koester Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Koester, Schulenberg, Beckler, Leach, Shaeffer, Reise, Osterhouse, Steinburg, Smith, Eskie, Krider, Anderson. Perhaps no history in this volume better illustrates the power of industry and the force of character than does the record of Gustave A. Koester, who, thrown upon his own resources by the death of his parents when ten years of age, has since made his own way in the world and now, at the age of three score years and ten, is numbered among Davenport's men of affluence. His business methods, too, have never required nor sought disguise. There has been no esoteric phase in his career, for in the legitimate lines of trade and business activity he has won his success. He was born in Germany on the 13th of November, 1838, and was a son of Ernest and Mary Koester, the former a prominent attorney of the fatherland, whence he sailed for America with his family in 1841. Landing at New Orleans, he proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis where he engaged in the practice of law until 1848, when his life's labors were ended in death. He was the owner of a coal mine near the arsenal at St. Louis, called the Grove mine, and during the period of his residence in that city was a prominent and influential man there. He brought with him to America Messrs. Schulenberg and Beckler, who were then studying law under him in Germany and who afterward became prominent lumbermen of St. Louis. His wife died in 1847. In their family were eight children. Otto, who was appointed burgomaster of Soest, Germany, and later received appointment as chief burghmaster over all others from Emperor William, died in his native land in 1908. Fritz died in St. Louis in! 1866. Julius is a practicing attorney of Carlinville, Illinois, now seventy-eight years of age. Mary died in 1907. Emily, of Cairo, Illinois, is the widow of Dr. Leach. Gustave A. is the next of the family. Mollie, who died in 1904, was the wife of George Schaeffer, a wholesale druggist of Fort Madison, Iowa. Elizabeth died in 1847. The educational opportunities of Gustave A. Koester were somewhat limited owing to the early death of his parents, whereby he was left an orphan when not yet ten years of age. For a brief period he attended the German Institute conducted by General Siegel at St. Louis, but was a student there for only about a year and then for only about four half days each week. After his parents' death he and three other children of the family went to live with an uncle, Conrad Reise, at Muscatine, Iowa. Soon afterward, however, Gustave A. Koester left his uncle's home and began selling papers, blacking boots and doing other such work as he could secure in order to provide a living. He came to Davenport in 1856 and was first employed as a bell boy in the hotels. He afterward worked in different restaurants and at different places, where he learned to cook, and when the civil war broke out he went to the front as cook for the Twelfth Missouri Infantry under Colonel Osterhouse. He also cooked for the Thirteenth Missouri Infantry. He had a brother-in-law, Captain Steinburg, with the Twelfth Missouri Infantry and Mr. Koester remained with that regiment until June, 1863, when he went south and witnessed eh battle of Helena, Arkansas. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Koester returned to Davenport, where in connection with Claus Houck he engaged in the grain business, which they carried on for four years. They then dissolved partnership and became agents f the Moline Flour Mills, buying all the wheat used in their plant and also acting as sales agents for their flour. In 1867 Mr. Koester engaged in business for himself in the same line, dealing in all kinds of grain, potatoes, onions and other farm products. In this undertaking he prospered and as the years passed by he extended the scope of the business by establishing branch houses at Eldridge, Long Grove, Donahue, Mount Joy an Durant, Iowa, where he had the largest elevator on the Rock Island Railroad. The yeas chronicled his growing success, resulting from his earnest purpose, his close application, his undaunted energy and his reliable business methods. At length Mr. Koester retired from that business in 1888 and was then employed by large real-estate companies to organize and conduct excursions, taking land seekers to new territory. He thus handled considerable land, selling as high as five thousand acres per day. In 1890 he purchased considerable land in Iowa and Minnesota from an English syndicate and became his own real-estate agent, handling his own property with headquarters and office in Davenport. He continued in business alone until 1896, when he admitted Charles Martin to a partnership. They were thus associated for four years, at the end of which time the business relation was dissolved, after which Mr. Koester sold out to his son Gustave, who conducted the business for about a year. Since then Mr. Koester has been selling lots in the Norwood addition to Davenport, which he owns, but has practically retired from active life to enjoy a rest which he truly earned and richly deserves. Mr. Koester was married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Smith. They had three children: Gustave A., who is married and lives in Davenport; Katie, the wife of Alex Eskie, of Colorado, by whom she has one son, Adolph; and Toney, of Davenport, who married Miss Maude Krider, and has two children. For his second wife Mr. Koester chose Kathryn Anderson. Fraternally Mr. Koester is connected with the Elks lodge, No. 298, of Davenport, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Schuetzen Verein. He is one of the directors of the Union Savings Bank and his name is an honored one on commercial paper in this city. His business interests have been of an important character and, carefully managed, have brought to him substantial success, so that now in the evening of his life he is very comfortably situated financially. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Louis Eckhardt Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Louis Eckhardt that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Eckhardt, Greve, Mundt. Among the efficient and popular county officials of Scott county is numbered Louis Eckhardt, who since 1906 has ably served in the position of sheriff. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, on the 23d of October, 1867, his parents being Charles and Christine (Greve) Eckhardt, who, though natives of Germany, were married in Davenport. The father, whose birth occurred in 1821, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1848, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana. After residing for a short time at St. Louis, Missouri, he came up the river to Davenport, Iowa, in 1850. He was a skilled mechanic and carpenter, with which trade he had become familiar in his native land, but after working at that occupation for a number of years he became identified with the lumber industry, acting as salesman for the French & Davis Company during the period of the Civil war. He next turned his attention to the grocery business, while subsequently he entered the service of the Mueller Lumber Company in th! e capacity of salesman and was thus employed for a number of years or until he passed away on the 11th of October, 1885. His death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he was a well known and highly respected citizen whose upright and honorable life won him the confidence and regard of all with whom he was associated. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, five of whom reached years of maturity. Louis Eckhardt, who was the eight in order of birth in his father's family, pursued his education in the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years. Having chosen the occupation of a barber as a congenial life work, he then devoted himself to the mastery of that trade and it was by reason of his untiring industry, indefatigable energy and excellent business ability that he eventually became the proprietor of the leading barbering establishment in Davenport. In addition to his interests in this connection he also gave considerable attention to public affairs and for two terms capably served as alderman of the fourth ward. He resigned that office, however, in order to enter upon the duties of sheriff, to which position he was elected in 1906. A democrat in politics, he is a prominent figure in the local ranks of his party-a fact which was proven by his election to the vice presidency of the Iowa State Sheriff's Association at the state convention of sherif! fs. On the 19th of August, 1896, Mr. Eckhardt was united in marriage to Miss Louise Mundt, a native of Davenport and a daughter of F. W. Mundt. They are now the parents of two children, Louise C. and Herbert W. Fraternally Mr. Eckhardt is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being the past exalted ruler of the last named order. He well deserves the proud American title of a self-made man, for by perseverance determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action. Both he and his wife have remained residents of Davenport throughout their entire lives and they well merit the high regard and esteem which is so uniformly accorded them. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Jesse Dodds Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Dodds, Blackman, Kramer, Rackster, Shutter, Voteman. For the past ten years Jesse Dodds has lived in honorable retirement in a nice home in Davenport, being numbered among the highly respected pioneer settlers of Scott county. He is a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, born August 4, 1834, of the marriage of James and Ellen (Sproll) Dodds. The father was a tanner by trade and also engaged in farming in the Keystone state. Jesse Dodds acquired his education in the schools of his native state and was reared there to the age of nineteen, when he sought a home farther west. Coming to Scott county in 1855, he engaged in the livery business in LeClaire, while later he went to Pleasant Valley, where he was employed in a flour mill about seven years. He then spent some time at Pikes Peak, Colorado, but on his return to Davenport took up farming, which he followed throughout the remainder of his business career. He eventually became the owner of one hundred acres of land in Pleasant Valley township, situated on the river road about eight miles east of the city. Mr. Dodds devoted much of his land to the raising of onions and this proved a very successful venture. He also raised considerable stock and devoted some of his time to general farming. About ten years ago he put aside all business cares and purchased residence property in Davenport, to which he removed, and he has since made this his home. He! still retains possession of his farming property, which he rents. Mr. Dodds was married on the 31st of December, 1859, to Miss Ruby Blackman, a daughter of Louis and Jane Blackman. She was born November 27, 1839, and died November 10, 1901. She was a most estimable lady and an active and faithful worker in the work of the Baptist church and Sunday school. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dodds were born seven children, three daughters and four sons, as follows: Jennie, the wife of Al Kramer and the mother of three children; Harry, who wedded Miss Sarah Rackster, by whom he has eight children; Jessie, the wife of F. S. Shutter and the mother of three children; Fred, who resides at home; Charles; Hattie, the wife of William Voteman; and Louis who has passed away. A republican in his political belief, Mr. Dodds, formerly took an active part in public affairs. While living on the farm he filled various township offices and the cause of education has ever been one of deep interest to him. He was also connected with the postoffice department at Davenport for seven years but is now living free from all business cares with the exception of looking after the rental of his farm. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and a friends. He is always courteous and affable and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES

Hi Cathy, Thanks for the lookup. Again a negative finding helps as I had thought that the Eliza lot 55 would not be her nor any of the others as she d. Aug. 3, 1907 & was b. Co. Clare abt. 1829/30. I thought you had said that those interned at St. Marys were moved. Since the Scott Co. Grave Records list from Coles, to Collins, Mary A. showed this Eliza (no dates) at Oakdale, I'd hoped it might be her. As to contacting St. Mary's do you mean the Church? I have written to them seeking the whereabouts of both Eliza Collins & Ulrich Westendorf & they wrote back that they had no knowledge of the whereabouts of records on St. Marys Cemetery internments. I appreciate your help on this. Jo

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Stoker,Burrell,Carey,Utter, Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Yl.2ADE/2353 Message Board Post: In davenport newspaper there were tow articles on two different days about J.A. (AL) Stoker and his wife dying in a car accident near Waverly. There is a headline and picture of the two with the story about the accident. It wqould help if I knew the name of the paper as well as the date. Can anyone help me in living there? I live in Atlanta area and this info would help. There was a son of Dr James Thayer also injured in the accident. He was 16 at the time. The Stokers had two sons, Jack and George surviving. randchildren were acknowledged in the article, so am assuming that they were adults with their own families. Thank you in advance for any response. Bonnie

Hi Jo, The records I am looking through are the Interment logs. The only information that is reliable about them is the date that the cemetery received them, the undertaker, and their section & lot number. {My first ancestor I found in them was declared 80 years old and born in Davenport, when I know for a fact that he was born in Cass Co. MI and only 74 when he died} This is what I found on those names you cited. The one from Lot 94: Elisa D. Collins, d. 1870 Lot 55: Elisa Collins d. 1883 Lot 16: Elizabeth L. Collins b. Penn. d. Clinton Co.; age 76, d. 18 Sept. 1916. That lot was owned by William Collins & purchased in 1885. So none of those are the Elizabeth Collins you are seeking. I looked through both sections of Index and there were no other Elizabeth Collins listed. {Which means nothing} What makes you believe that she was moved from St. Mary's Cemetery? As I am learning as I go along I will share with you some observations. These records are the day to day logs of "what they did with the bodies". If a body was removed from the cemetery, they located the name in the log on the original entry and made a note of the date it was removed and where it was sent. If you are of the belief that Elizabeth Collins was originally buried at St. Mary's then you will find her in those records, {conveniently, with a date of death, it won't be hard to locate her} and if she was moved, it will be documented on the same line with a note about where she relocated to, most likely. A note about the names you find with "no dates". If the person was buried at that particular cemetery at the time of death, there IS A DATE. I too have found my people with "no dates" in some of these databases. As well as one database will have a name and another won't. Very frustrating. I am guessing here, but I believe that is because of the Index that the name was acquired from. The last portion of this particular set of microfilm has the indices. In it are the names, interment numbers, {the order in which the people were buried}, and the section and lot numbers. When you find a name with "no dates" that's because it came from that type of Index. They don't list the date of death there. In the case of the microfilm I am searching, it appears that it was made in several different attempts by several different people. The names are listed alphabetically and at the beginning of each letter everything is very organized. Once you get towards the last section of a letter you will find names beginning with CL, CO, CR, CI, etc. all mixed together. There are also 2 sets of indices. One of my names was missing from both lists, either because it could not be deciphered or because it was overlooked by whoever made the index. My suggestion is for you to get the records from St. Mary's and check them. I found both of the people I have been seeking, {a husband & wife} one appears in the Ancestry.com database as buried in Lot 164, Section 15, "no dates given" {but not in the index of the film} and the other hasn't shown up at all on the Internet, but does appear in the index. Her father bought the lot in 1901 and I just looked through the film for anybody buried in lot 164, sec. 15 {a lot easier than reading each name} and found both her parents, her brother and sister and her and her husband. Hope this helps, Cathy

1873-Philomena Sachs Strasser 1873-1880 Laura Strasser Dammy and husband Emiel A. Philomena died with typhus in February 1873. No cemetery was listed in her obit but her husband Jacob A. Strasser, his second wife Pauline Lerchen and many children are buried there in graves and a columbarium in the old part up on the hill. I know he was among the first to purchase plots in Oakdale in 1850s. Thanks for your offer.

Hi Cathy, Thanks for the generous offer. I'd be interested in my Gr-Grandmother, Elizabeth "Eliza" Fitzpatrick Collins whom I believe was moved there from St. Mary's cem. She was b. abt. 1829/30 & died Aug 3, 1907. Scott Co. Grave Records lists an Elisa at lot 55, no dates. This could mean that you won't have anything further on her. There are two others: an Eliza, lot 94, but dates are wrong and an Elizabeth, lot 16, no dates but I don't know of a relation to the others buried there. Appreciate you offer & time. Jo

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Yl.2ADE/2351.1 Message Board Post: I have the information you are looking for if you contact me mjt@qconline.com Marty

Hi List, I have the FHL microfilm for Oakdale Cem. buriel records 1856-1989 in Davenport until Aug. 15, 2002. {when they send the film back} If anyone would like a look-up let me know. If you want a copy include your address. Since the Index leaves a lot to be desired.....hit and miss, very disorganized and fragmented, and lots of omissions, it would be helpful if you could include a year range, or section & lot # if you have found the person listed on the Internet as buried there. Cathy