Chapter 11 cont. FOUNDER OF DAVENPORT As stated elsewhere in this work, Mr. LeClaire assisted in the formation of a land company that laid out the town of Davenport, and he became one of its most active, progressive and influential business men.  On this spot where Davenport now stands there was once an Indian village, of which no data is now at hand whereby it can be described.  Doubtless it was the camping place or village of the Indians centuries before this continent was discovered by Columbus, and it is said also, although it is a matter of dispute among historians, that here, too, Father Marquette landed in June, 1673, and that he was the first white man whose foot ever touched the soil of Iowa.  When Keokuk so generously presented to Marguerite LeClaire the section of land whereon Davenport now stands he little dreamed that a thriving, prosperous city would be built upon it.  The first hosue having been built by Antoine LeClaire, and he having been so closely associated with all movements that led up to the city's existence, it is easy to feel that it should have received his name.  But being of a generous and modest mind, he named the city in honor of his friend, Colonel George Davenport. Antoine LeClaire became possessed of great wealth for a man of his day.  His every desire seemed to be centered in the future and welfare of Davenport.  Everything that would advance the city in any way appealed to his generous spirit and by a liberal expenditure of money and by gifts, churches, schoolhouses, hotels and other public buildings came into existence at his expense.  The first cathedral of the Scared Heart (St. Marguerite's) was built and furnished with bell, organ, paintings, statuary and fonts complete, with eighty acres of ground for a cemetery, by his munificence.  The church and cemetery were named St. Marguerite's in honor of his wife, with its imposing appearance and lofty spires standing on a large city block of ground, crowning the hilltop overlooking the majestic Mississippi.  In early days he also gave a block of ground between Fourth and Fifth, on Brady and Main streets, and erected thereon St. Anthony's church, school house and rectory complete.  This block is now partially occupied by business buildings which bring a large revenue to the diocese.  Mr. LeClaire was a devout Catholic, and as the word implies, was broad in his views, as he not only gave of his substance to his own church but also as well to the Protestant churches of that time, donating grounds and contributing liberally to the buildings erected thereon. 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