John Berwald Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Berwald, Sandleben, Brauch. A lifelong resident of Davenport, John Berwald needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for from his boyhood days he has been identified with that class which has upheld the political status of the community and promoted its material, social and benevolent interests. He is a man of generous aims and honorable purposes and is both widely and favorably known in this city. He was born July 28, 1852, in the city which is yet his place of residence. His parents were Edward and Carolina (Sandleben) Berwald, both of whom were natives of Hamburg, Germany. Coming to America, the father landed at New Orleans, whence he made his way northward to Davenport, arriving in this city in 1851. Here he conducted a profitable business in books, stationery and toys. The family of which he was a representative was connected with German affairs through many generations and John Berwald now has in his possession an old picture printed in 1577 at Leipsic, Germany, by one of his ancestor! s, Jacob Berwald, showing a bear coming out of the forest. This is a symbol of the family name: ber, bear, and wald, forest. The picture is of the ancient German type and the spelling is also of the old form. John Berwald was educated in private German schools of Davenport and in Bryant & Stratton Commercial College. After putting aside his text-books he became his father's assistant in business, also engaged in carrying papers and did much work in connection with the store. When his father was on a visit to Germany in 1866, and John Berwald was only fourteen years of age, he sold his first steamship ticket and since that time has been continuously connected with the steamship business. In these years he has secured passage for many patrons of the steamboat lines, but has not confined his attention solely to this business. Up to 1889 he was connected with his father's store as a dealer in books, stationary and toys and also maintained the steamship agency. From that year until 1904 he was engaged in the fire insurance and real-estate business, and from 1904 until 1908 gave his attention to the life insurance business in addition to the steamship agency. In the latter year he was! chosen secretary of the Brick and Tile company and also has important financial interests in other corporations. In all vital business matters his judgment is sound, his discrimination keen and his enterprise unfaltering, and his efforts and opinions therefore have always been counted valuable factors in the attainment of desirable results in business lines. In Davenport Mr. Berwald was united in marriage, on the 16th of May, 1879, to Miss Sophia Brauch, a native of Scott county, Iowa, whose parents were industrious German people identified with the farming interests of the community. The brother saw active service in the Civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brauch were born three sons and two daughters, including Mrs. Berwald, who by her marriage has become the mother of two children, Anna Elfrieda and Walter Edward. Mr. Berwald has taken active interest in matters of public importance, cooperating in many measures for the general good. He was alderman of the city in 1897-8 and is a democrat of the gold standard school. In 1880 he became a member of the Davenport Turngemeinde, of which he was presiding officer in 1903-4. In that year the society attained its highest point in membership, eight hundred and four names being on the roll. Mr. Berwald strongly pushed the matter of obtaining new members, so that one hundred and fifty-eight were secured that year. He also belongs to the Klaus Groth Gilde, of which he was presiding officer for several years, during which time the membership was increased from one hundred and forty-two to three hundred seventy-four, while the indebtedness was greatly reduced. This society was organized for the benefit of the sick. Mr. Berwald is likewise connected with the Saengerfest of the Northwestland and in 1898 the ten singing societies in convention in Dav! enport elected him to the presidency for a term of two years. He has been secretary of the German-American Pioneer Society of Scott county since 1904 and has advanced the member ship from seventy-seven to two hundred and ninety-two. He has served on several committees of the Business Men's Association, was twice chairman of the advertising committee and was once secretary of the Carnival Association, during which time they voted him a donation of one hundred dollars, which he refused, however, to accept. For a year he acted as secretary of the Davenport Outing Club and assisted them strongly in advancing their financial affairs. That Mr. Berwald has been again and again called to office in these different organizations is an indication of he confidence and respect entertained for him and also of the trust reposed in his ability. He has been associated with no organizations is an indication of the confidence and respect entertained for him and also of the trust reposed in his! ability. He has been associated with no organization that has not felt the stimulus of his efforts and enterprise, and his activity in business lines makes him one of the foremost residents of Davenport. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES