Carl F. Hass Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Hass, Buhman, Stieger, Wriedt, Behrens. In the quarter of a century in which Carl F. Hass has been a member of the Davenport bar his constantly expanding powers have brought him distinction and honors. He is now senior partner of the law firm of Hass & Hamann, whose clientage is surpassed by none in extent or in the nature of the litigated interests involved. Like many of Davenport's most prominent and forceful citizens, Carl F. Hass was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Lütjenburg, Holstein, on the 3d of April, 1857. He spent the first seven years of his life in that country and in 1864 came to America with his father, John F. Hass, who was born in Lütjenburg in 1823. He had there married Dorothea Buhman and ere crossing the Atlantic their family numbered a daughter and son. A number of their German neighbors accompanied them, so that there was quite a little colony that left the fatherland for the United States. John F. Hass was a shoemaker and followed that trade industriously until 1885, when ! he retired from active business life, spending fourteen years in the enjoyment of well earned rest, after which he was called to his final home in 1899. His widow still survives, as do the daughter and son, the former being Mrs. Caroline Stieger, of this city. After coming to Davenport with his parents Carl F. Hass entered the public schools, graduated at a comparatively early age and began clerking in a mercantile establishment. He determined, however, to obtain a thorough business education and to this end attended Montague & Lillibridge Business College. In 1874 he became a clerk in the law office of Bills & Block and utilized his leisure hours for the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1882. He remained with the firm, however, until January 1, 1883, when he entered the office of W. J. Birchard, clerk of the district courts, as his deputy, there continuing until April 1, 1884. On that date he returned to the office in which he had formerly been a student and clerk, there remaining until the dissolution of the firm, when he was admitted to partnership relations by Mr. Bills, the new firm of Bills & Hass maintaining a continuous existence until the death of the senior partner in 1897. Mr. Hass was then alone in practice ! two years, or until the 31st of July, 1899, when he was joined by A. W. Hamann in forming the present firm of Hass & Hamann. The trend of his mind is analytical, logical and inductive. He readily sees the relation of cause and effect, his application of legal principles is seldom, if ever, at fault and his legal opinion and statements are seldom questioned seriously. His legal practice is directed more particularly to the settlement and management of estates. In 1883 Mr. Hass was married to Miss Minnie M. Wriedt, a native of Scott county and a daughter of Claus and Anna (Behrens) Wriedt. Mr. Hass belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Turners Society. He is interested in the problems of politics but not in the active work of the party to the extent of giving much time to effort for the election of its candidates. However, he is not unmindful of the gravity of many municipal problems and the weight of his influence is cast on the side of reform, improvement and continuous progression. HE has been characterized as "quiet, reflective, reticent; a doer rather than a talker, direct and lucid in conversation; steady, sure and safe." Such an expression from those who have long known him is perhaps the best summary of his character. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES