Theodore Petersen Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Petersen, Klug, Kruse, Weis, Roddewig, Sonntag. The history of Theodore Petersen constitutes an interesting and important chapter in the commercial records of Davenport for through forty years he was classed with the leading merchants of the city. His devotion to his business interests, his close application and his thorough reliability were features in his life that won for him the respect of his colleagues and associates and constituted an example that is well worthy of emulation. He was born November 6, 1836, on the island of Fehmarn, Germany, and spent the period of his minority in his native country. But the opportunities of the new world constituted for him an irresistible call and in 1858 he severed the ties which bound him to Germany and crossed the Atlantic. For a year he remained a resident of New York and then came to Davenport, entering business circles in this city as a salesman in the employ of Otto Klug, with whom he continued for two years. He afterward went to Chicago where he remained for two years, being employed there by Sehn Brothers, the firm of Herzberg & Goodman and Kehoe & Company. On the expiration of that period he returned to Davenport and in 1872 formed a partnership with Fred Kruse at 310 West Second street. There they conducted business for many years and in that period developed an enterprise of large proportions, carrying an extensive stock and meeting the demands of the public in a liberal business policy and with prog! ressive methods. Systematic and methodical in the conduct of the business, careful in management and reliable in all commercial transactions and relations, he won an enviable reputation and was accorded a volume of business that made the undertaking one of substantial profit. After the death of Mr. Kruse in 1902 Mr. Petersen retired, tuning over his interests to his son, Julius N. It was in Davenport that Mr. Petersen was married to Miss Katherine Weis, and unto them were born five children: Theodore, who died in 1897 at the age of twenty-seven years; George P.; Julius N., junior partner in the firm of Petersen & Petersen; Olga, the wife of Louis E. Roddewig; and Elsa, the wife of Philip A. Sonntag. Mr. Petersen passed away on the 18th of April, 1904. He was prominent among the German-American residents of Davenport and was one of the organizers of the Turngemeinde, of which he was a member for over a quarter of a century. He preferred to do his duty as a private citizen yet was never neglectful of his obligations to the public welfare but gave of his time and means to further municipal interests. As the architect of his own fortune he builded wisely and well. No vain hope allured him to the new world. He had no untried standards but at all times recognized the fact that indefatigable labor is the basis of success and that commercial integrity constitutes an indispensable feature therein. He therefore labored earnestly to win his advancement and for a considerable period occupied a conspicuous and creditable place among the successful business men of this city. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES