Follow us on Instagram!
Author Archives: SCblogger
Davenporters of Note: Alvino Peña
Alvino H. Peña was born May 14, 1939, in Silvis, Illinois. He died on March 20, 2014, in Davenport, Iowa. In between those dates, he lived a lot of life and helped a lot of kids. The father of ten … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Alvino H. Peña, Davenport Boxing Club, Davenporters of Note
Leave a comment
When Irish Eyes are reading the newspapers . . .
It’s difficult to do any research about Davenport’s earliest history without finding at least one Germanic surname along the way. And once the “forty-eighters” came here to find a little peace from the ongoing wars in their part of Europe … Continue reading
The Small, Pretty Wedding of Jennie E. Grieve, Schoolteacher of this City
On March 14, 1901, Jennie E. Grieve, former schoolteacher of the brand new School #11 (later renamed Taylor Elementary) married Alexander Shadbolt, the owner of a stock farm outside of Brooklyn, Iowa, in Poweshiek County. Aren’t they a lovely couple? … Continue reading
Living Memory History: The Winter of 2013-2014
We decided to blog this week about the weather because after a winter of freezing cold and permanent snow . . . it’s still cold and still snowing. And while that makes us a little sad, we thought it was … Continue reading
Chronicling America: The Bystander
It’s no secret that newspapers can be a wonderful resource for history and genealogy, but many early newspapers—ones from smaller communities or with shorter or less frequent publishing runs— have remained secrets, or at least inaccessible, to the average researcher. … Continue reading
Davenporters of Note: Charles William Toney
Charles William Toney was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on August 23rd, 1913 to Wilber and Stella Toney. He attended Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa, and was on the swim team. This led to his first fight for civil rights … Continue reading
Library Closed for Presidents Day
The Davenport Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 17th in celebration of Presidents’ Day. We will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, February 18th.
It’s all about the records . . .
Today the Quad-Cities are enjoying a record-breaking cold temperature of -21 degrees, surpassing the old 1885 record of -15 degrees. Meanwhile in Sochi, Russia Olympians are attempting to perform their best and earn their way into the record books as … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged A. J. Preston & Co, Andrew J. Preston, new resources, Steamboat Bills of Lading
Leave a comment
A Simple Ceremony: The Wedding of Elsa Petersen and Phillip Sonntag
The wedding of Elsa Gertrude Petersen and Phillip Arthur Sonntag was a quiet affair. The couple was married in the evening of February 22, 1910, at the home of the bride’s mother. Only family were invited; in fact, the officiant, … Continue reading
By the Light of the Moon (Law)
When Iowa entered statehood, many cities were granted Special Charters to help them with municipal administration while the Iowa State Legislature was still trying to get off the ground. The Charters regulated everything from elections to street maintenance, city clerk … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Ernst Wenzel, Ficke & Ficke, Iowa, laws, Moon Law, Prohibition, Special Charter Cities
Leave a comment
