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