Henry Diehn, Sr. Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Diehn, Krabenhoffer, Neimand, Vickbolt, Timming, Goetsch, Schraeder, Schoffenburg, Ehlers. Henry Diehn, Sr., the vie president of eh Davenport Cigar Box Company, one of the flourishing industries of the city, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, June 6, 1837, and is a son of John and Margaret Diehn. He received his education in the public schools of his native land, later finding employment in the brickyards there. In 1868 he determined to try the opportunities for advancement said to be found here accordingly sailed for America. He landed at New York, came almost immediately to Davenport, where the first employment he was able to secure was in a brewery. He worked there five years and then became connected with Moeller's cigar box factory, in which he learned the business thoroughly. He was ever eager to better his fortunes and establish himself securely in the commercial world, and accordingly, about 1884, he and two friends, George Krabenhoffer and Christ Neimand, organized the Davenport Cigar Box Company, with a factory on Western avenue. A year and a half late! r Mr. Neimand sold his interest to Theodore Krabenhoffer and retired, and in 1896 the present company was incorporated with other stockholders and local capital. From the beginning it has been a prosperous concern, doing each year an amount of business in excess of that of the preceding year and fully justifying Mr. Diehn's confidence in his ability, his sagacity and in his power to wrest from circumstances surrounding him the means for advancement, for he has been largely instrumental in its success. Before he came to the United States Mr. Diehn wedded Miss Fredrica Vickbolt, whose birth occurred October 24, 1840. She passed away July 26, 1907, and is survived by five of her six children, Christ, employed in the box factory, married Miss Emma Timming, and they have one son, Julius. Mary became the wife of Herman Goetsch and they have three children, Arthur, Herbert and Ella. Henry, Jr., foreman in the factory, married Miss Louise Schraeder, and they have a daughter, Leona. August, a resident of Ottumwa county, Iowa, was married to Miss Charlotte Schoffenburg and is the father of three children, Verona, Barnhart and August. Herman, who lives in Davenport, wedded Miss Dora Ehlers. Louisa is deceased. While Mr. Diehn has been most closely identified with the concern of which he is vice president and which he was active in promoting from the beginning, he has not been blind to the business opportunities afforded by other firms, but has become a stockholder in the Farmer's Bank and in the Independent Brewing Company. He has always been active in the commercial affairs of Davenport, although of recent years he has taken less part than in the past. He came to the he city with the determination to make a place for himself and despite competitors may feel gratified with the success the past has brought him. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES