As February ends, we would like to celebrate the month of love with one last photo. This photograph of Frederick and Rhoda Denkmann of Rock Island, Illinois caught our attention with the unusual placement of the subjects facing each other in chairs. Taken around 1912, Mrs. Denkmann is in a coat and elaborate hat with (possibly) a fur muff on her lap while Mr. Denkmann is wearing a suit.
Frederick Carl Denkmann married Rhoda Lee on October 23, 1884, in Rock Island, IL. Mr. Denkmann was the son of Frederick Denkmann, Sr. who was a founder/partner of the Weyerhaeuser-Denkmann Co. which became a profitable lumber and manufacturing company in the United States. Frederick Carl eventually took over the company from his father.
The couple were married until Frederick’s death from a heart attack on February 11, 1929. Rhoda died on November 28, 1936, after an illness of several months. The couple were philanthropists within their community with Mrs. Denkmann carrying on the tradition after Mr. Denkmann’s death. Together with Mr. Denkmann’s brothers, they founded the Denkmann Memorial Library (now Denkmann Memorial Hall) at Augustana College in Rock Island to honor their family. They also made significant contributions to education and local parks to improve the lives of others.
The couple are buried in the Denkmann family mausoleum in Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.
We hope you enjoy this picture as we did.
(posted by Amy D.)
Dear cousins.