John H. Mohr Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Mohr that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Mohr, Dau, Petersen, Boge, Fellner, Arp, Hagedorn, Schroder, Emeis, Rauch. John H. Mohr, who since 1894 has lived retired in Davenport, is one of the oldest German-American settlers of this county and a valued member of the German Pioneers Association. For many years he was actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land in Sheridan and Lincoln townships as well as some town property. He was born in Holstein Germany, on the 26th of December, 1828, his parents being Paul and Katherine Mohr, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. John H. Mohr obtained his education in the schools of his native land and there also learned the carpenter's trade. He served as a soldier from 1848 until 1850, loyally defending the interests of his country in the war with Denmark. In the year 1852, influenced by the many favorable reports which he had heard concerning the advantages of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New Orleans. Thence he made his way up the Mississippi river to Davenport, Iowa, and here worked at his trade for about six years, assisting in the erection of many residences, a large number of which are still standing. About 1858 he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing a partly improved farm of eighty acres in Lincoln township, on which he made his home for five years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought another tract of one hundred an sixty-five acres in Lincoln township, erecting thereon a new residenc! e as well as well as all necessary barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. As time passed he brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement and there continued to carry on his agricultural interests until he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Davenport in 1894. As his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed labor and capable management, he added to his landed holdings, purchasing a tract of one hundred and ten acres atone time and later a farm of three hundred and eighty acres. He has sold a portion of his land to his sons but still retains possession of four hundred acres in Sheridan and Lincoln townships. Having eventually won a handsome competence through his labors as an agriculturist, he retired from active life and for the past fifteen years has lived in Davenport, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. He is a stockholder in the Iowa National Bank and the Daven! port Grain & Malting Company and is widely recognized as a most respected and substantial citizen. On the 10th of September, 1853, Mr. Mohr was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dau, whose parents died in Germany and who came to the United States when nineteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr reared a family of ten children, the record of whom is as follows: Amelia, the eldest, gave her hand in marriage to Fritz Petersen, of Avoca, Iowa, by whom she has five children: Katie, Elsie, Carl, Paula and Leona. Henry, living in Sheridan township, married Miss Laura Boge, by whom he has five children: Wilma, Alice, Jessie, Robert and Anna. Gustavus, likewise a resident of Sheridan township, married Miss Emma Fellner and has three children: Martha, Alfreda and Herbert. Anna Mohr, the next in order of birth, is deceased. William, who makes his home in Sheridan township, wedded Miss Minnie Arp and has four children: Anna, Alphonse, Elmer and Wilbert. Adolph, living in Lincoln township married Miss Laura Hagedorn and now has four children: John, Selma, Ralph and Edna. Catherine be! came the wife of Henry Schroder, of Lincoln township, and is now the mother of four children: Hattie, Harry, Edwin, and Mabel. Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to C. M. Emeis, resides with her father. Emil wedded Miss Elizabeth Rauch, of Lincoln township, and has three children: Leona, Norma and Frances. Herman Mohr has passed away. In his political views Mr. Mohr is a stalwart democrat, and for two years he capably served in the office of township trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world and has gradually worked his way upward, enjoying the advantages offered in this country, which is unhampered by caste or class. He has now reached the venerable age of eighty-one years and, having made his home in Scott county for fifty-seven years, has an extensive circle of friends here who give him their unqualified regard and esteem. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES