Prost! Brewing History in Davenport: The Evolution of the Zoller Brewing Company

Posted on March 12, 2022 by SCblogger

In our photograph collection, we digitized the photograph below picturing a group of workers from Zoller Brewing Company, located in Davenport, Iowa. The twenty-two men in work clothes including aprons are seen posing for a group picture from the 1930s. This image and many others are accessible to the public on the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive, a digital collection consortium spanning institutions in Iowa and Illinois surrounding the Quad Cities.

The brewery these men worked for, at the time, was known as the Zoller Brewing Company. It began in 1935. In the article, “Brew First Legal Beer in 20 Years,” published in The Davenport Democrat and Leader on February 28, 1935, the newspaper reports that the Zoller Brewing Company began its operations to brew “Davenport’s first batch of legal beer in upward of 20 years” (“Brew First” 10 ). The brewery is located at West Third Street and Wilkes Avenue which is the former site of its predecessors, the Black Hawk Brewery and Malt House and the Independent Brewing Company. This new brewing company was “acquired and reconditioned thruout by the Zoller interests” (“Brew First” 10). Thus the brewery constructed in 1890 was revitalized with new equipment allowing its story to turn another page. The article provides specific details such as where the brew will be aged and most importantly for the reader, when it will be available for consumption. The president, Carleton S. Smith, shared that the beer was going to be perfect beer before a bottle is sold on the market. But the people of Davenport didn’t have to wait long before sipping this brew.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Feb. 28, 1935, 10.

The history of the Zoller Brewing Company and its land trace its origins back to 1865 to the first Blackhawk brewery founded by Julius Lehrkind. An unfortunate fate befell the brewery in 1871 and 1880 when it was damaged by fire. Mr. Lehrkind sold the land to the Zoller Family.

  • Daily Davenport Democrat (Davenport, IA), Dec. 14, 1871, 1.
  • The Davenport Democrat (Davenport, IA), Mar. 5, 1880, 1.
  • The Davenport Democrat (Davenport, IA), Mar. 24, 1887, 1.

The Zoller Brothers, August, Ernest, and Charles, who had a history of being maltsters and owning a malt house/brewery as early as 1859, became the new owners of the Blackhawk Brewery, according to Randy Carlson’s The Breweries of Iowa. The brothers took on other rolls in the community as well such as constable and labors. They were listed as maltsters in the 1888-1889 city directory and were sometimes listed as A. Zoller and Bros. They resided in a suburb known as Black Hawk.

On February 17, 1890, The Daily Times announced the Zoller brothers’ new venture of building an “extensive brewery” roughly 44 by 72 feet in size. In the 1890 city directory, the brothers were listed at the proprietors of both the Black Hawk Malt House and the Black Hawk Brewery.

  • “New Enterprise,” The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Feb. 17, 1890, 4.
  • Davenport Morning Tribune (Davenport, IA), Feb. 19, 1890, 3.
  • “Another Extension.” The Davenport Democrat (Davenport, IA), Oct. 28, 1890, 1.

Tracing the history of people and businesses in city directories and other resources can lead to a variety of discoveries and mysteries. From our research, we know that the brewery was located at 2d NW corner Davie meaning it was on Second Street on the northwest corner of Davie Street. In some city directories, it is list as 1802-1812 Second Street and later it was listed as 1801-1803 West Third Street. With the help of our Sanborn Insurance map collection, we can pinpoint locations and a time frame when those buildings were extant.

The location of this brewery has an added layer of mystery because in Randy Carlson’s The Breweries of Iowa, he states that the Zoller’s purchased Lehrkind’s Blackhawk Brewery in the Blackhawk district. This property was sold to the Davenport Malting Company in 1894 and then closed shortly after. The Zoller brothers then purchased land offered by the railroad located at 1801 West Third Street. We will have to research more to find evidence of these claims in resources from our collection. (Carlson 21-22)

This last address is where we know it to be from 1902 onward.

  • Third Street between Howell and Wilkes Street. from the 1910 Sanborn Insurance Map of Davenport.

Over the next couple of years, the young brewery faced a fire that caused extensive damage to the malt house totaling around 16,000 as well as a renaming to Independent Malting Company in 1896 according to city directories of the time. (“A Black Hawk Blaze” 1).

The Zoller brothers continued operating the Independent Malting Company until 1919 when it was last listed in the city directories. Ernest Zoller was listed as president, Charles was the vice president, and Fred was the secretary and treasurer. Production ceased due to prohibition.

From that time until 1934, the brothers engaged in other entrepreneurial endeavors such as the Independent Real Estate Company, the Independent Motor Truck Company, and the Independent Produce/Products Company. According to Carlson’s The Breweries in Iowa, “In September of 1934, Articles of Incorporation were taken out renaming the brewery The Independent Brewing Company” (Carlson 23). Unfortunately, the brothers struggled to reopen the brewery without outside assistance. In November 1934, they found three established breweries willing to invest: The Pfeiffer Brewing Co. of Detroit, Michigan; The Southwestern Brewing Co. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the Springfield Brewing Co. of Springfield, Illinois (Carlson 23).

In January 1935, articles of incorporation were filed to change the name to the Zoller Brewing Company at 1801-1803 West Third Street. The brewery’s president was Mr. Smith. They became a very popular beer and increased their distribution to a number of surrounding states. Throughout 1935, the Zoller Brewing Company was continuously found in the local newspapers. They advertised tirelessly. In April 1935, the brewery was ready to have the citizens of Davenport taste their beer. (The Daily Times 10)

  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Apr. 30, 1935, 10.
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Apr. 30, 1935, 6.

In 1936, the Zoller Brewing Company celebrated its first anniversary with much fanfare. The organization continued the successful sale of beer with some changes to administrative staff, but the Zoller family continued to be employees of the company.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), May 1, 1936, 10.

1945 was another pivotal year for the brewing company. It changed its a name to Blackhawk Brewing Company with Stewart P. Porter as the president and treasurer, William F. Neumann as the vice president, Alfred Magnusson as secretary, Fred Zoller as assistant secretary, and R. M. Bush as general sales manager. The brewery was still located at 1801-1803 West Third Street.

We will continue the history of the Blackhawk Brewing Company in our next Prost!: Brewing History in Davenport blog post. Please enjoy these delightful Zoller Brewing Company advertisements that were run in the local newspapers.

  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Feb. 16, 1935, 9.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Apr. 30, 1935.
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Oct. 13, 1935, 49.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Dec. 14, 1935, 15.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), May 1, 1936, 8.
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Mar. 20, 1938.

Bibliography

“A Black Hawk Blaze.” The Davenport Democrat (Davenport, IA), Apr. 17, 1893, 1.

Burggraaf, Mike R. The Saloon & Liquor Trade of Davenport, Iowa & Scott County 1836-1933. [Iowa?]: Unidentified, 2016.

Carlson, Randy. The Breweries of Iowa. Bemidji, MN: Arrow Printing, 1985.

The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Apr. 30, 1935, 10.

Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Davenport, Iowa, Volume One. New York, NY: Sanborn Map Company, 1910.

Wilkie, Franc B. Davenport: Past and Present; including the Early History, and Personal and Anecdotal Reminiscences. Davenport: Luse, Lane & Co., 1858.

(posted by Kathryn)

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The Gaines Street African-American Settlement

Posted on March 4, 2022 by SCblogger

Herington Park in Davenport is a two-acre city-owned park with an address of 935 Brown Street. The park includes the area surrounded by Brown, Gaines, W. 9th, and W. 11th Streets. Neighborhoods with historic homes and families are nearby and downtown Davenport is just down the hill. This park offers open space to exercise, a playground for children, a basketball court, and a covered shelter shaded by nearby trees for a family outing or event.

This spot has been a park for a little over fifty years. Its history going back just about one hundred years ago will be the focus of this article. That is when this area became the site of a planned African-American settlement in the early 1900s.

On August 19, 1901, African-American businessmen organized the Negro Business League which was part of the National Negro Business League (NNBL) founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900. The purpose of the organization was for the support of the African-American community in association with the national organization.

The Davenport Morning Star, August 20, 1901. Pg. 8

On that August day, Albert B. Woods was elected chairman, Alexander D. Corbin was elected secretary, and W. B. Anderson was elected Treasurer. Alexander D. Corbin was also elected to represent the city of Davenport in Chicago at the gathering of the Colored Men’s National Business League on August 21st – 23rd.

By the end of October 1901, the Negro Business League purchased property near 8th and Harrison Streets for a cost of $4,000. The organization planned to build a three-story building on the lot with two store rooms on the first floor, four suites of rooms on the second floor, and two halls for meetings and entertainment on the third floor. The African-American community, fraternal organizations, and businesses would be welcome to use the space. The committee members compared their structure and its purpose to that of the Turner Society buildings in the German-American community.

Alexander Corbin was one of the biggest motivators during the fundraising for this project. Originally from Ohio and later Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa; Corbin had resided in Davenport since about 1896. His business of plastering and wallpapering had become very successful in the few years he lived here. Corbin was actively involved with the founding of the local Negro Business League and newspapers spoke highly of his real estate ventures, philanthropy, and oratory skills.

By November 11, 1901, the Davenport Democrat and Leader reported that Corbin was already meeting with local ministers and men of prominence from the Tri-Cities and was securing their pledges for the new building with the project set to start when the weather warmed up in the spring of 1902. With $4,000 already pledged, the goal was set at $8,000 more. In the midst of the fundraising, the League was disappointed to learn that an adjoining frontage property that was part of their future development plan was sold to the Economy Rug Company for a new business.

The Davenport Democrat, November 11, 1901. Pg. 5

Fundraising continued into 1902 and early 1903 along with the usual League business and their benevolence initiatives. One of the big events during this time was Alexander Corbin being invited to speak on the subject of real estate at the national convention of the National Negro Business League in August 1902 in Richmond, Virginia.

In August of 1903, Alexander Corbin purchased lots 3, 4, and 5 in block 10 of the Forrest & Dillon’s addition. He also purchased a house on Gaines Street between 9th and 10th streets in January 1904. The last purchase adjoined the previous purchase from 1903. Other members of the Negro Business League were also purchasing property that adjoined Corbin’s during the same time period. Over time, the organization purchased six acres of land in the area surrounded by Brown, Gaines, W. 9th, and W. 10th Streets.

The Daily Times, August 19, 1903. Pg. 10

It wasn’t until June 1904 that the Negro Business League announced new building plans. Alexander Corbin applied for a permit to build a two-story frame building* on Gaines Street between Ninth and Tenth Streets. The League had decided instead of building a business/entertainment building it was more important for the African-American community to have respectable housing at a reasonable price. The apartment house was to be the first of several structures managed by the Negro Business League on those six acres.

The apartment building at 936 Gaines Street contained nineteen rooms. There would be apartments for five families and include a large kitchen, large hall, and smaller meeting rooms to be used by the African-American community and fraternal organizations. The building contained modern conveniences such as running water, bathrooms, toilets, and a coal furnace. Rent was to be made affordable with no rent during winter months for families who lived in the building the previous summer. The goal was to sell shares in the Negro Business League association to the public to help fund the building of other homes and cover expenses.

On Friday, August 26, 1904, the dedication of the first building in the new African-American settlement was held. Over 2,000 people from local cities came to celebrate the event. Speakers and singers addressed and entertained the audience. After the dedication, a barbeque was held with food being served in the new large dining room. The building would become known as Corbin Flats.

Davenport Morning Star, August 13, 1904. Pg. 6

Soon, a few small houses were built on neighboring lots as the community grew. Once again, modern amenities along with affordable rent were a priority in building the homes. Alexander Corbin, and his wife Rosa, resided in the neighborhood that they were helping to build. Members of the Negro Business League continued to solicit donations and sell shares to help support their endeavor.

It appears things began to slow down in building new homes around 1906. In October of that year, Rosa Corbin filed for divorce from Alexander. Soon after the divorce, Alexander began to spend more time in his former hometown of Omaha. He opened a new business there as a contractor, paper hanger, and painter. He later expanded his business into Des Moines, Iowa before moving to Chicago, Illinois where he died on November 4, 1926. Corbin had been a motivating force behind fundraising, real estate, and building new homes.

Problems arose as the properties had been purchased in various League members’ names. Some sold their properties while others found themselves sued by builders or businesses if the League did not have the money to cover the building or materials costs. By 1914, it appears the organization had refocused in a different direction away from the settlement plan.

The Davenport Democrat and Republican, March 24, 1905. Pg. 10

The houses and the apartment building were sold numerous times over the years. Starting in the 1930s, several of the smaller structures were torn down due to age and condition. Some lots remained empty while others had new homes built on them. In February 1963, the apartment building built by Alexander Corbin was demolished after being condemned by the City of Davenport. The property sat empty.

With the flood of 1965, Davenport’s riverfront garbage dumps were unusable. The City created emergency garbage dumps that April in local neighborhoods on properties the City-owned. One dump was located on a City property at 11th and Gaines Street adjoining the former settlement lots. Residents protested and in May 1965 the dumping ended. In June 1965, Resolution 28,249 proposed by Alderman Larry Herington was passed resolving that no further dumping would be allowed at the 11th and Gaines Streets site, and the property would be given to the Park District.

Times-Democrat, May 11, 1965. Pg. 9

During this time, a decision was made to replace the City playground named Goose Hollow which was located right across Gaines Street from the Settlement lots. Goose Hollow was a small playground surrounded by athletic fields owned by the Davenport School District. The Parks Department rented the fields to be used for their recreation programs. A new location would allow for a larger playground and space owned and managed by the City of Davenport.

Times-Democrat, March 8, 1967. Pg. 43

The City of Davenport spent several years from the late 1960s into the 1970s purchasing the former Settlement lots that adjoined the old garbage dump (which had been reclaimed as a playground) to create the park that exists today.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate any pictures from the African-American Settlement. We would love to see anything that may exist from this important part of Davenport’s history.

*Other descriptions of the building say three-story. We wonder if the structure had a raised basement that might be confused in appearance with three stories.

(posted by Amy D.)

Sources:

  • Ancestry.com
  • Minutes of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Davenport, June 4, 1952.
  • Davenport Morning Star, August 31, 1901. Pg. 9
  • The Daily Times, September 12, 1901. Pg. 5
  • The Daily Times, September 30, 1901. Pg. 8
  • The Daily Times, October 30, 1901. Pg. 5
  • The Democrat Democrat, November 11, 1901. Pg. 5
  • Davenport Morning Star, December 17, 1901. Pg. 7
  • The Democrat Democrat, December 17, 1901. Pg. 4
  • The Daily Times, January 15, 1902. Pg. 6
  • The Daily Times, April 22, 1902. Pg. 2
  • The Democrat Democrat, April 22, 1902. Pg. 7
  • The Daily Times, August 20, 1902. Pg. 4
  • The Daily Times, August 19, 1902. Pg. 10
  • The Democrat Democrat, January 3, 1904. Pg. 14
  • The Democrat Democrat, April 22, 1904. Pg. 7
  • The Democrat Democrat, June 19, 1904. Pg. 6
  • Davenport Morning Star, August 13, 1904. Pg. 6
  • The Democrat Democrat, August 26, 1904. Pg. 4
  • Davenport Morning Star, August 28, 1904. Pg. 7
  • The Daily Times, January 13, 1905. Pg. 3
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader, March 24, 1905. Pg. 10
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader, May 25, 1905. Pg. 9
  • The Bystander (Des Moines, Iowa), September 4, 1914. Pg. 1
  • The Daily Times, July 25, 1916. Pg. 7
  • The Daily Times, July 22, 1920. Pg. 8
  • The Daily Times, March 24, 1931. Pg. 15
  • The Daily Times, June 14, 1939. Pg. 10
  • The Daily Times, April 11, 1952. Pg. 17
  • The Times-Democrat, April 13, 1965. Pg. 13
  • The Times-Democrat, May 20, 1965. Pg. 18
  • The Times-Democrat, June 19, 1965. Pg. 13
  • The Times-Democrat, March 8, 1967. Pg. 43
  • The Times-Democrat, March 5, 1969. Pg. 27
  • The Times-Democrat, June 5, 1969. Pg. 29
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Hostetler Hotties

Posted on February 25, 2022 by SCblogger

We’ve been uploading thousands of images from our Hostetler Studio glass negative collection to the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive since 2004! Yes, thousands of images ranging from the mid-1890s through the mid-1920s. Did we mention thousands of images yet?

The latest images we’ve been working on are from the WWI era (1918) and we’ve definitely noticed a transition towards 1920s styles and fashion. Not only are the clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles changing, but the poses have changed as well. The photographer is moving away from head-and-shoulders profile shots to more captivating compositions. The subjects seem to be more comfortable in front of the camera, not as stiff and severe as they were in photographs from earlier in the decade.

Here are a few examples of some beautiful people captured by J.B. Hostetler at his studio, 208 Brady Street in Davenport.

George W. Scott Jr.
Duella (Soderstrom) Ryan
Felix O. Dupont & Edmond E. Hommel
Ernest Miller “Mex” Henderson
Gertrude (Schindhelm) Schmitt
Fritz A. Claussen
Matilda (Quinn) Wood
Violet (Shaw) Bruins
Grace (Exline) Kauffman Conda
Charles & Margaret (Anthony) Mooney
Margaret (Hickey) Coffee Browning
Florence (Freistat) Lee
Portraits by J.B. Hostetler, Davenport, Iowa, 1918

George W. Scott Jr.

George W. Scott Jr.’s WWI Draft Registration Card lists his birth as February 9, 1896, in Davenport and his work as a clerk for the Tri-City Railroad Company. Based on information in his obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on June 1, 1964, George Scott died May 28, 1964, in Wakefield, Michigan.

Sue (Soderstrom) Ryan

The Rock Island Argus newspaper on September 15, 1919 announced that Miss Sue Soderstrom of Moline was engaged to Harold Ryan. As all other articles refer to her as Duella, we assume that Sue may have been a nickname. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in the Moline Dispatch on September 19, 1919, Miss Duella Soderstrom married B. Harold Ryan at her parents’ home, 1141 Fourteenth Street in Moline. Her obituary, published in the Moline Dispatch on July 20, 1964, states that Mrs. Duella Ryan was born February 15, 1898, in Moline to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Soderstrom. She was a member and past president of the East Moline American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Short Hills Country Club and the East Moline Woman’s Club.

Felix O. Dupont & Edmond E. Hommel

Based on information in the 1918 Davenport City Directory, Felix O. Dupont worked as a repairman at the Rock Island Arsenal. The Davenport Democrat on February 4, 1919, Felix C. Dupont and Edmond E. Hommel of 122 Park Lane had both returned from service. Soon after, the Davenport Democrat on February 24, 1919, reported that Felix O. Dupont entertained at a farewell party for Edmund E. Hommel of the S.A.T.C., formerly of Boston, who enlisted in the Merchant Marine.

Felix O. Dupont’s WWI Draft Registration Card states he was born on January 1, 1889, in Worcester, Massachusetts. We find from his obituary, published in the Salt Lake Tribune on July 6, 1971, that Felix Oliver DuPont went on to marry Ellen Carrington on May 25, 1937, in Salt Lake City. He was a retired salesman for the Purity Biscuit Co. and a veteran of WWI.

Edmund Edward Hommel’s WWI Draft Registration Card shows he was born February 15, 1898, and worked as a specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal. Based on information in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, Edmund F. Hommel died December 18, 1988.

Ernest Miller “Mex” Henderson

Based on information published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on July 14, 1918, Ernest Miller “Mex” Henderson, son of Charles R. Henderson, of 227 Forest Road in Camp McClellan was home on 10 days’ furlough from Fort Sheridan. His obituary, published in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News on November 7, 1969, states that Ernest M. Henderson retired in 1962 from General Motors after 34 years.

Gertrude (Schindhelm) Schmitt

Based on information in the 1920 Census Gertrude Schindhelm (age 22) lived in Oxford, Jones County, Iowa, and worked as a public school teacher. Her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on October 6, 1927, states Gertrude H. Schindhelm married Clement J. Schmitt in Houston, Texas. We found in the Texas Death Records that Gertrude Schmitt was born May 21, 1900, in Oxford Junction, Iowa, and died May 31, 1967, in Houston, Texas.

Fritz A. Claussen

Based on information in his World War I Draft Registration Card, Fritz A. Claussen was born December 11, 1895, in Davenport and worked as a Clerk at the Rock Island Arsenal. The 1920 Census found Frederick Claussen (age 24) living with his mother Bertha (age 58) at 2215 West Second Street in Davenport and working as an electrician at the Rock Island Arsenal. His marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on July 18, 1929, announces that Fritz A. Claussen married Miss Edythe Frances Taylor at the First Lutheran Church in Moline. Based on information in his obituary, published in the Sunday Times-Democrat on December 17, 1961, Fred Claussen had been employed as a maintenance man by McLaughlin Body Co. for 11 years, was a veteran of World War I, and a member of the East Moline American Legion Post No. 227.

Matilda (Quinn) Wood

Based on information in the 1920 Census, Matilda M. Wood (age 27) was the wife of Albert M. Wood (age 28) and they lived with Albert’s parents in Moline. Matilda’s obituary, published in The Daily Dispatch on January 12, 1949, states that Matilda Louise Quinn was born May 7, 1893, in Columbus, Ohio. She married Albert M. Wood on January 8, 1913, in Moline and she died on January 11, 1949, in Denver, Colorado.

Violet (Shaw) Bruins

Based on information in the Iowa Birth and Christenings Index, Viola Marion Shaw was born on June 10, 1899, to George M. Shaw and Julia (Eggers) Shaw. A wedding announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on November 20, 1919, reported that Thomas J. Bruins married Miss Violet Marion Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Shaw of 1708 Summit Avenue. The Iowa Marriage Records indicates that Thomas J. Bruins, son of J. Bruins and Grace Rerkas married Violet Marion Shaw in Davenport. Based on information in the 1920 United States Census, Thomas and Violet Bruins were living at that time with her parents, George M. and Julia Shaw, and her brother, George R. Shaw. The Daily Times, on September 18, 1942, reported that Thomas J. Bruins was a patrolman for the Illinois State Highway Police. On November 18, 1869 the The Moline Daily Dispatch stated that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bruins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Thomas Buins’ obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on March 25, 1970, stated he was born in Morrison, Illinois, was a retired employee of Robinson Hardware in Rock Island, and a veteran of World War I. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Moline Dispatch on July 3, 1988, Violet Bruins was born June 12, 1899, in Iowa. She had been employed at Petersen Harned Von Maur Department store. She was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Davenport. See also Image 17195.

Grace (Exline) Kauffman Conda

Based on information published in the Rock Island Argus on October 2, 1918, Mrs. Grace Kauffman and Louis Conda, both of Moline, were licensed to wed in Rock Island County. The Moline Dispatch reported on October 11, 1968, that Mr. and Mrs. Louis Conda were married on October 3, 1918, in Moline. Based on information in her obituary, published in The Daily Dispatch on October 20, 1982, Grace Exline married Louie Conda in 1918 in Davenport, They had been in the restaurant business 40 years, owning and operating several Moline establishments.

Charles & Margaret (Anthony) Mooney

Based on information in their marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on May 27, 1918, Miss Margaret Anthony of Rock Island married Mr. Charles Mooney of Davenport. His obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on May 15, 1970, stated Charles L. Mooney owned the Mooney Plumbing & Heating Co. and was also full-time stage manager and electrician for the RKO Orpheum, Davenport. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on February 27, 1983, Marguerite K. Mooney died at Mercy Hospital and is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Margaret (Hickey) Coffee Browning

Based on information in her first marriage announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on November 10, 1919, Miss Margaret Hickey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Hickey married Homer H. Coffee, son of Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Coffee in Chicago. Based on information in her second marriage announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on December 30, 1926, Margaret Hickey Coffee, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Hickey married Joseph H. Browning of the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Her obituary, published in the Davenport Democrat and Leader on October 14, 1946, stated Margaret Hickey Browning was the daughter of Dennis J. and Sarah Cecilia Hickey. She was born in Davenport on May 23, 1898, and graduated from the Villa de Chantal in Rock Island and St. Mary’s college in South Bend, Indiana.

Florence (Freistat) Lee

Based on information in the 1918 Davenport City Directory, Albert W. and Florence A. Lee lived at 922 Kirkwood Boulevard. The Davenport Democrat and Leader on May 9, 1918, reported that Mrs. Florence Friestadt Lee, violinist, arranged a program with Miss Freda Schricker, pianist, in the studio of Mrs. Alice Dufton Atwill on East Second Street. Based on information on Find A Grave, Florence A. Freistat Lee was born November 21, 1886, and died May 18, 1956. She is buried at Oakdale Cemetery.

(posted by Cristina)

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Caregivers of Color in Davenport

Posted on February 19, 2022 by SCblogger

In celebration of this year’s Black History Month theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” we tell the stories of three African American healthcare providers who practiced in Davenport: General Houston, Charles William Bates, and Robert Shannon Taylor, M.D.

We have elsewhere discussed aspects of General Houston‘s eventful life; by the early 1890s he was known in Davenport primarily as a celebrated “chiropodist.” A writer for the Davenport Weekly Republican described an individual engaged in the profession as one “who removes unnatural protuberances from that part of the anatomy most directly contiguous with Mother Earth.”[1] In other words, a modern podiatrist.

Houston had formerly worked as a barber in the city, between 1870 and 1876. [2] A 1893 newspaper advertisement indicates he practiced both professions together. He promised “corns, bunions, ingrowing nails, removed without pain,” with “ladies’ work a specialty” in his “tonsorial” (hairdressing) parlors at 420 Brady Street. [3] The “human corn sheller” told a Davenport Democrat reporter that he had “extracted more corns than any other living corn doctor and has never yet caused a sore foot.” When asked exactly how many, Houston replied, “‘…bushels and bushels of them, hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands…” and added, “If they were seed corn they would be enought to sow several hundred acres of land…'”[4]

And how did the formerly-enslaved Houston become a chiropodist?

“‘My hellish master, Dr. Lem Smith, did me one good thing which he was not aware of at the time. He provided me with a living in after years, for it was he who taught me chiropody. I was taught this so that I could look after the members of his family and not for any benefit it might have proved to me.'” [4]

Houston practiced from his home at 1806 North Street (now part of Kirkwood Boulevard in East Davenport) until his death in 1910. This photograph shows him wearing his signature silk hat.

Charles “Charlie” William Bates learned chiropody in a different manner: he completed a training course either under Mrs. Alice Thompson of Muscatine, or, according to his obituary, the American School of Chiropody in Chicago. [5] He was granted a professional license, and in 1924 announced the opening of his office at his home on 406 Clark Street in West Davenport. [6] Perhaps as proprietor of a shoeshine parlor in town since 1911, Bates had developed a deeper interest in the care of the feet. Perhaps he wished to follow in the footsteps, so to speak, of General Houston the generation before: Houston’s Perry Street office in 1903 included a shoeshine and bootblacking service performed by an assistant. [2]

Dr. C. W. Bates, Davenport Democrat and Leader, August 24, 1950, page 17.

Bates was involved in a number of business ventures, including as a drycleaner and a job printer. He was the founder of the Tri-City Herald (March 1914 to February 1917), “…the first newspaper owned and controled by colored people in the three cities.” [7]

At least two of Charles and Sadie Bates’ five sons also became chiropodists: Charles W. Bates II and Stanley Blair Bates. The two had planned to open a practice together in Rock Island after returning from the Second World War. Sadly, though, Charles II died in 1948 from tuberculosis contracted while serving in the U.S. Army in England. [8] Newspaper evidence suggests that Stanley continued to maintain an office in the Manufacturer’s Trust Building in Rock Island and a residence on Esplanade Avenue in Davenport through the 1950s.

Stanley Blair Bates, Blackhawk, Davenport Central High School Yearbook, 1938
Dr. C.W. Bates, II, The Daily Times, March 15, 1948, page 8.

Davenport’s first Black physician was Robert Shannon Taylor, M.D. A graduate of the University of Nebraska and Creighton Medical College in Omaha, he was also known as an exceptional football player. Taylor’s admission to the Scott County Medical Society in October 1915 was delayed by two years because a faction opposed “…opening the door of the scientific body to the colored brother of the profession.” [9] He maintained his status in the Society and served the Davenport community from his offices on Harrison Street until his retirement in 1973.

Quad City Times, February 15, 1973, page 4.

No doubt there are many Black women in Davenport and the Quad-Cities serving as midwives, nurses, and caregivers of many sorts in the early 20th century yet to be discovered.

(posted by Katie)

1. Davenport Weekly Republican, November 12, 1901.

2. “A Davenporter with a History,” Davenport Weekly Leader, March 6, 1903, page 7.

3. The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), August 30, 1893, page 4.

4. “Well Known City Types,” Davenport Democrat, May 10, 1908, page 16.

5. The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), March 15, 1948, page 8.

6. The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), September 15, 1924, page 11.

7. “Colored People to Have Paper,” The Davenport Democrat and Leader, March 6, 1914, page 3.

8. The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), March 15, 1948, page 8.

9. The Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 7, 1915, page 11.

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Who speaks for a Calico Ball?

Posted on February 11, 2022 by SCblogger

What is a Calico Ball you ask? I did too when I came across this in a May 1883 local newspaper.

“Rock Island Briefs.” Daily Davenport (Davenport, Iowa), May 21, 1883, 4.

Turns out, a Calico Ball (alternately referred to as a Calico Dance or Party) stems from an 1855 New York City event in which women were encouraged to wear a dress made of simple calico which would be donated for the benefit of the poor after the party. When the New York Times ran the story, the idea caught on quickly and copycat dances quickly moved westward.

The first notice I could find locally was in January 1857.

The Daily Iowa State Democrat (Davenport, Iowa), Jan. 8, 1857, 3.

So now we have frocks and flannel! According to the January 10th issue, “The calico ball came off in good style last Thursday night, and we sincerely hope that the efforts of our young friends have placed the poor in more favorable circumstances.”

It seems Calico Balls evolved over time. By 1869 in Burlington, Iowa attendees were invited to the affair with “invitations printed on calico, the ladies wore calico dresses, the gentlemen wore calico neckties, the supper tables were covered with calico and everything corresponded with the occasion…”

(Davenport Democrat Thursday, April 8, 1869 p1)

Here is a broadside I found on the internet advertising a Calico Dress Ball.

The Acquisitions Table: Calico Dress Ball!

In March 1874 a Calico Party was given in Eldridge Hall with the directive “Ladies and gentlemen must appear in calico.”  There was a call in December 1875 by a newspaper editor making a plea for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve calico dance for the poor.

The Davenport Democrat (Davenport, Iowa), Dec. 4, 1875, 1.

The call appears to have gone unheard.

A Los Angeles Herald item on May 6, 1881, shared the following notable rules:

1.  Every lady must appear in calico, having a necktie or rosette made from the same material.

2. This remnant must be enclosed in an envelope [presented at the door upon entering].

3.  Each gentleman accompanied by a lady will receive a check.

4.  Gentlemen holding checks will be entitled to draw for an envelope.

5.  Each gentleman will choose the partner whose dress corresponds with the remnant in his envelope.

It seems the common ingredient to all the events was dancing, refreshments and late nights/early mornings. It seems to have become less frequently about fundraising and more about the fun. Any reason would do, even Washington’s birthday! Here is a dance card cover found on the internet followed by a 1906 Davenport event at the Turner Hall!

Liberty Hall Calico Ball on February 22.
“A Calico Party at Turner Hall.” The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, Iowa), Feb. 18, 1906, 12.

The last local notice I found was from May of 1910 when the Mutual Protective League members were invited to a calico dancing party at Prosperity Hall after a short business meeting. Ladies were requested to wear a calico dress and bring a calico tie of the same goods. Them men were to wear the ties and at the time of the grand march, those wearing the matching calico were to be partners.

So, there you have it! Perhaps this theme will prompt someone in Davenport to once more celebrate all things calico and have a ball raising funds, celebrating an event, or maybe just enjoying some dancing and refreshments while we wait for cold days and pandemics to pass.

(Posted by Karen)

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Sibling Saturday!

Posted on February 5, 2022 by SCblogger

As we perused our digitized images on the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive, we wondered how many images of siblings we had in our collections. We are highlighting a sample of them below.

Catherine Coan or Coon

Hostetler, J.B. “Catherine Coan or Coon.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1910.

These images feature the Coan or Coon siblings. Based on information in the 1910 census it seems possible this is Catharine Coan, age 18, daughter of William and Mary Coan of Clinton, Clinton County, IA. Her siblings were Isabelle and Folwell.

Mrs. M.B. Kelinson

Hostetler, J.B. “Mrs. M.B. Kelinson.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1918.

These images are of the Finkelstein sisters. Based on information in the 1910 United State Census, Beatrice, Esther, and Tillie lived in Rock Island with their parents, Abraham and Ida, and their siblings, Morris, Henry, Israel, and Leo.

Based on information in the 1925 Iowa State Census, Beatrice was living in Davenport with Edward I. Wolfson. Based on information published in the Daily Times on May 25, 1955, Mrs. Wolfson (Beatrice Finkelstein) died at age 71 in Rock Island, Illinois. She was born on December 31, 1884 to Abraham and Ida Morris Finkelstein in Russia. She came to the United States in 1896. She married Mr. Wolfson on December 25, 1922 in Rock Island. She was associated with her husband’s clothing store and was a member of Temple Emmanuel, the Tri-City Jewish Center.

Based on information published in the Daily Times on July 2, 1920, Miss Esther A. Finkelstein married Earl Sarazan of Kansas City, Missouri on July 1, 1920. Based on information in Vermont Marriage Records, Esther Sarazan married David Finkelstein on March 14, 1943. This was her second marriage; she had divorced Earl. Based on information in Vermont Death Records, Esther A. Finkelstein was born March 22, 1891 in Lithuania and died December 7, 1945 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Based on information published in the Daily Times on December 10, 1945, Mrs Esther Finkelstein died at the age of 54 in St. Johnsberry and had three children with Earl Sarazan.

Based on information published in the Times-Democrat on October 24, 1967, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice B. Kelinson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their two sons, Marvin and Norman. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Times-Democrat on February 15, 1969, Tillie Finkelstein was born in Poland and came to the United States in 1904. She married Maurice B. Kelinson in Rock Island on October 14, 1917. Based on information published in the Times-Democrat on March 28, 1970, a monument in memory of Tille was unveiled at the Tri-City Jewish Cemetery in Davenport. She died February 14, 1969.

Gertrude McLaughlin

Hostetler, J.B. “Gertrude McLaughlin.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1910.

This image depicts the McLaughlin siblings. Based on information in the 1910 and 1880 federal census it seems likely these are the children of James B. and Ella McLaughlin. Left to right the siblings and their ages in 1910 would be Carl W. (32), Bessie (30), Gertrude (26), Vida (24), Marna (20), and Ed (17).

T. A. Murphy

  • Hostetler, J.B. “T. A. Murphy.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1900.
  • Hostetler, J.B. “T. A. Murphy.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1900.

These images feature the Murphy siblings. Based on information in the 1900 Davenport city directory and the federal census for Rock Island County, Illinois in 1900 and 1910 it seems likely these are the children of Timothy A. and Mary Murphy. The eldest is Madeline, age 9 in the 1900 census. Grace, age 1 in the 1900 census is on the right side of the group. Baby Laurence was born after the June 1900 census as he is listed as age 9 in the April 1910 census. Timothy A. Murphy was a lawyer residing in Rock Island, Illinois.

Whalen, Arthur & Ed

Hostetler, J.B. “Whalen, Arthur & Ed.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1916-1919.

This image features the Whalen brothers. Based on information in the 1920 United States Census, Edward and Arthur were the sons of Sarah Whalen. They also lived with their siblings, William and John. Edward was employed as an office clerk and Arthur was employed as a stenographer. Based on information in his WWI Draft Registration card, Arthur Bernard Whalen was born on August 22, 1893 in Davenport. Based on information published in The Daily Times on August 5, 1918, Arthur and Edward Whalen visited Mrs. Sarah Whalen, their mother, on their furloughs. Arthur was stationed at Camp Dodge and Edward was stationed at Great Lakes naval training station. Based on information published in The Daily Times on February 14, 1923, Mr. Arthur B. Whalen married Miss Ellen Hart in Chicago on February 13, 1923. At this time, he was employed as a director of an orchestra. Based on information published in The Daily Times on October 4, 1952, Arthur B. Whalen died on October 1, 1952. He was buried at the Holy Family Cemetery. Based on information published in The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Edward R. Whalen was born on May 2, 1891 in Davenport. He married Margaret Kearney in Danville, Illinois on June 20, 1937. He died in Chicago due to a car accident. He was buried in Danville.

Fred Wyman

Hostetler, J.B. “Fred Wyman.” Glass Negative. Davenport, IA.: Hostetler Studio, c1910.

This image montage features the Wyman siblings. Mr. Wyman is listed as age 52 in the 1910 federal census. Research indicates there is a good chance this is a montage of Wyman siblings, four of whom appear in image X793. Those four are believed to be Fred Wyman, E. Louise (Wyman) Hayward, Mary B. (Wyman) Pierce and Charlotte E. (Wyman) Breed. The identities of the other three siblings are likely Joseph Wallace Wyman, David Frank Wyman, and Mason Eugene Wyman. These would be the children of Daniel and Anna (Phelps) Wyman.

We hope this inspires you to look at images of siblings in your family or to take a snapshot with your siblings for the future generations.

(Posted by Kathryn)

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Recipes We Have Loved: Schauder’s Hungarian Goulash

Posted on January 29, 2022 by SCblogger

It has been 14 years since we started writing blogs for our Special Collections Department. After all these years, it is still exciting when you come across an interesting story from our past. This week’s blog was intended to go in a different direction until I stumbled upon not only a local “character”, but one whose recipe was so enjoyed that it lingered for years after his passing.

Louis Schauder became a local entrepreneur during his years in Davenport. His specialty, besides great stories, was his Hungarian goulash. And like all great characters of the past, Louis had a fabulous story about his journey to Davenport and that special goulash recipe.

Louis “Louie” Shauder was born in Baden, Germany on May 11, 1838. He always said he journeyed to the United States with his brother in 1854 at the young age of 16 years old. As Louis told it (and it was repeated in local newspapers), he first settled in Saginaw, Michigan where he became Chief of Police. Then it took his fancy to move to Cincinnati, Ohio where he became a restauranteur. Finally, he found is way to Davenport where he stayed.

Louis was always described in newspaper accounts as a large, burly man. He was somewhat unkempt and lacking in truly refined social graces. But underneath the gruff exterior was a kind man. Maybe the gruff exterior was suited for being a Police Chief, but it may not have helped when opening a small restaurant in Cincinnati. Louis claimed no prior experience running such an establishment, but he still decided to give it a try. Business was slow until the night a clergyman wandered into his restaurant.

The mysterious clergyman was from Hungary. It was raining heavily that evening and the man was drenched. Not only was he completely wet, but the man was without any money. He was waiting, he explained to Louis, for money to be sent to him. He was not affiliated with a church to help him out. Things were difficult. He only needed to wait a few days for the money to arrive.

Louis, with his kind heart, not only let the clergyman come in to dry off and fed him, but took him in as well. The clergyman stayed with Louis as he waited for his money. The money finally arrived after several days. In his gratitude, the clergyman thanked Louis by sharing one of his possessions – a recipe for Hungarian goulash.

Soon after, Louis left Cincinnati and settled in Davenport, Iowa. He brought with him the delicious recipe that had been gifted to him. Davenport residents fell in love with the goulash and made Louis so successful he never left Davenport.

How much of Louis’ story is true?

We did find Louis living in Saginaw, Michigan around 1860. He married Johannah Stehmann there on November 15, 1860. We believe Johannah and possibly two young children passed away in the 1860s leaving Louis a widower with one young daughter named Anna.

He married Ida Young about 1870 in Davenport, Iowa. They appear to have known each other in Saginaw, Michigan. Did one follow the other to Davenport?

1870 is also the same year we find Louis mentioned in the local city directory as Lewis Shoder who owned a saloon at 6 W. Front Street. Louis, Ida, and Anna are also found in the 1870 U.S. Census living in Davenport as well.

By 1873, Louis owns a boarding house east of Main Street. In 1876, he is listed as the proprietor for the Schauder’s Hotel at 126 W. Front Street. From this address he would spend the next 34 years as a hotel owner, saloon owner, and restaurant owner.

Louis’ large stature would play a part in his success. In those early days of Davenport, businesses on Front Street faced a tough crowd as the nearby Mississippi River brought in rowdy crews from boats. Louis is found in several newspaper reports successfully defending his establishment from a disreputable patron who had had a little too much to drink.

Davenport Democrat, December 14, 1875. Pg. 1

He also is credited with opening the first Orchestrion Hall in the city around 1873. Reports of the day suggested it cost between $6,000 – $7,000; though we have not confirmed that price. We were able to confirm that he did run the Hall from the 126 W. Front Street address. In 1883, the hotel received a makeover with the organ being replaced with a newer model and art by artist John Cameron adorning the walls. The grand re-opening even featured his famous Turtle Soup. Turtle Soup?

Davenport Democrat, August 1, 1880. Pg. 1

We learned there were two specialties Louis’ establishments served over the years. His “grand” Turtle Soup was frequently mentioned in early advertising. While not as well-known today, Turtle Soup was popular on restaurant menus in the nineteenth century.

But soon, the Hungarian goulash replaced the Turtle soup at Schauder’s Hotel. This much celebrated dish was served thick, not thin like soup, with a large piece of rye bread on the side. No mention of noodles or potatoes as found in German goulash or other versions of Hungarian goulash.

Davenport Daily Republican, October 10, 1897. Pg. 6

As the years passed, river boat traffic slowed on the Mississippi River and was replaced by trains rolling through Davenport. The clientele changed as well on the river front. Crowds of rowdy deck crews were not seen as much while railroad passengers visited the Schauder’s Hotel. The fight against alcohol gained public support and by 1910 the aging Louis Schauder closed his hotel and saloon and kept only the restaurant open.

Davenport Democrat and Leader, October 3, 1909. Pg. 14

Louis had spent years fighting against prohibition, frequently losing his alcohol license and serving fines as he fought the new laws being passed in Iowa. He and Ida purchased a home at 1533 W. High Street and lived there starting in 1906. Ida died in 1913. Louis remarried for the third time in 1914 to Roseline Wolney.

Even though his restaurant was still popular, Louis finally retired in 1913 after the death of Ida. Many local restaurant owners tried to buy his goulash recipe (one was rumored to have offered $200 for the popular recipe).  Louis declined selling his in case he might ever want to use it again one day.

It wasn’t until the Davenport Democrat and Leader published the news on January 24, 1916 that the public was let in on a secret. Louis Schauder did not sell his Hungarian goulash recipe. Instead he gave the recipe to fellow restaurateur, Albert Ohlsen. Hand picked by Louis, Albert not only was given the recipe, but Louis personally taught him how to prepare it. The recipe was now Albert’s to use.

Louis Schauder died days later on January 30, 1916 at his home. He was buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport next to Ida.  

Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 31, 1916. Pg. 12

Albert kept the recipe secret as well. Serving it as the cook at Maehr’s Restaurant, Ohlsen’s Café, Mac’s Tavern, Ohlsen’s Open Door, Saddle Club & Barn, and lastly Riefe’s. Locals would flock to have a dish of Schauder’s Hungarian Goulash and remember the burly man with tall-tale stories.

The Daily Times, August 29, 1929. Pg. 12

As for the recipe, we did find an article in The Daily Times from July 24, 1957. Mrs. Alice Widigen gave the recipe to the newspaper. She told the reporter that she received it from an aunt who said it was Schauder’s recipe. Could it be the one?

Mrs. Widigen mentions she had added to it. Looking at the recipe the first thing we noticed was the ketchup. Ketchup, or Catsup, in the late 1800s was much different from modern ketchup. Early ketchup was used as a sauce and not a condiment. It originally included many of the spices mentioned in the recipe. So, if anything might have been added in, we think it might be the ketchup. We had a differing opinions pertaining to the use of tomatoes which could have been increased as well by Mrs. Widigen. Sadly, we will never know.

As for Louis Schauder, we have learned a little of his story through research. Part of the challenge in documenting his travels before Davenport is the many ways Schauder may be spelled. Did Louis ever move to Cincinnati and open that little restaurant? Did a poor, wet clergyman really wander in and gift him with the Hungarian goulash recipe that people in Davenport would love for years?

In the end, maybe some stories are best unsolved. But we still wish we had the recipe for Shauder’s Hungarian Goulash.

(Posted by Amy D.)

Resources:

  • Ancestry.com
  • Davenport City Directories
  • Davenport Democrat, December 14, 1875. Pg. 1
  • Davenport Democrat, June 8, 1876. Pg. 1
  • Davenport Democrat, December 18, 1877. Pg. 1
  • Davenport Democrat, August 1, 1880. Pg. 1
  • Davenport Democrat, March 25, 1883. Pg. 1
  • The Morning Democrat, January 19, 1896. Pg. 1
  • Davenport Daily Republican, October 10, 1897. Pg. 6
  • Davenport Morning Star, November 7, 1897. Pg. 6
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, April 12, 1904. Pg. 6
  • Davenport Weekly Republican, June 23, 1904. Pg. 7
  • The Daily Times, January 2, 1908. Pg. 6
  • The Daily Times, April 30, 1909. Pg. 7
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, September 19, 1909. Pg. 7
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, October 3, 1909. Pg. 14
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 3, 1913. Pg. 15
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 5, 1914. Pg. 13
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 21, 1916. Pg. 11
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 24, 1916. Pg. 14
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 31, 1916. Pg. 12
  • The Daily Times, December 31, 1927. Pg. 24
  • The Daily Times, December 31, 1928. Pg. 27
  • The Daily Times, August 27, 1929. Pg. 3
  • The Daily Times, August 29, 1929. Pg. 12
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, January 4, 1931. Pg. 5
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, October 25, 1934. Pg. 10
  • The Daily Times, December 16, 1936. Pg. 4
  • The Daily Times, November 22, 1950. Pg. 5
  • Davenport Democrat and Leader, November 7, 1954. Pg. 55
  • The Daily Times, July 24, 1957. Pg. 27
  • Sunday times-Democrat, August 21, 1960. Pg. 47
  • Quad-City Times, December 4, 1996. Pg. 2
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Telling Your Family History for Future Generations with Dan Foley

Posted on January 21, 2022 by SCblogger

At the beginning of this month, Daniel M. Foley gave an insightful presentation on how he researched and published several books on his and his wife’s family history. Daniel recently presented at the September meeting of the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society. His talk was popular, so we invited him back!

We have 3 of his books in our collection about the Finnegan, Fleming, and Langford families. The Finnegans and Flemings are his mother’s ancestors and Oscar Langford was his wife’s great grandfather. In the books, Foley lists descendants using the Register System and includes family photographs, vital records, newspaper articles, transcribed letters & poems.

The first part of his presentation consisted of the research he did to find his wife’s “lost” family member, which resulted in his book Finding Oscar Langford: The Lost Branch of the Langford Family Tree, published in 2018.

Foley attended the August 2011 “Come Home to New England” educational program at the New England Historical and Genealogical Society in Boston where he learned about using social media to connect with other family historians who are researching the same surnames or locations. He joined Twitter and followed professional genealogists and family historians.

He found a tip about a new website called “GenealogyInTime.” He searched for Oscar Langford and got a hit that linked to historic newspapers kept at a library in New York. It turns out that Oscar Langford had written a series of letters to the editor where he told his life story. Jackpot!

Foley then gave us these useful tips on how to go about publishing your own family history, based on his own experience.

Deciding whether or not to publish your family history:

  • Take an inventory of what you have: Family Trees, Photographs, Documents, Heirlooms, Newspaper articles, Obituaries, Occasions when your ancestors were involved in major current events of their time.
  • Evaluate your computer skills. You can’t really publish without some basic skills, at the least. If I learned it, anyone can. But, at least evaluate your starting point. Do you use subscription sites? Are you familiar with what they offer? Do you use genealogy software? Can you create your own writings? Do you have your own printer? Can you scan documents? Can you publish on the internet as a blog or a book?
  • Have someone double check your work on the genealogy reports. Another set of eyes will help with typos, misspellings, or bad dates.
  • Include all of the history that you have. The events, news, pictures and significances for your ancestors are what make the family history come alive. Imagine you are writing this for your great grand children.
  • Make a nice copy at a copy store or printer. I used Staples and they were reasonable and easy to work with. You will need to make some decisions at this point about how many copies you want and how you are going to pay for them.
  • If you can, publish your work on the internet as a blog or a book. If this is beyond your capabilities, ask for help from someone who is tech savvy.
  • Donate copies to local libraries (Please & thank you!)
  • If you find significant unknown participation in major historical events, you will have a much larger book, greater expense of publishing, more need for proofreaders and genealogy double-checks.
  • You will also want to send copies to the most significant genealogical libraries.

Things to avoid:

  • Don’t put any information about people who are alive in your work.
  • Don’t include any Social Security Numbers in your reports.
  • Don’t put any verbal history in your work if you have not been able to prove it.
  • Handle new discoveries that fall into the category of bad news with care. Think about how everyone would feel if you publish anything bad about an ancestor. You can’t imagine what you might find in advance. Be judicious.

An update from the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society: 

The Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society monthly meetings (except for January and July) will be held at the Davenport Public Library | Main on the 1st Saturday of the month at 1pm beginning February 5, 2022.

(posted by Cristina)

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Upper Davenport

Posted on January 15, 2022 by SCblogger

By now we are familiar with the fact that the 1857 Map of the City of Davenport and its Suburbs, Scott County, Iowa by James T. Hogane and Henry Lambach contains many features that were aspirational for the city’s developers. Curious about the area on the map labeled “Upper Davenport” to the east of both East Davenport and the Thomas Allen land that would become Camp McClellan/McClellan Heights, we wondered if this lovely light-green patch was ever actually platted and sold.

A search of “Upper Davenport” in the local newspapers yielded a few clues, as did the attempt to find details about the three individuals named: Swords, Watkins, and Hildreth.

However, it was a group of title abstracts for this land (legally described as the West 1/2 of Section 29 of Township 78 North, Range 4 East of the 5th Meridian) in our collection that provided the clearest information.

This image from the 1875 Andreas Atlas, with modern streets overlaid using the Iowa Geographic Map Server, shows the area in question:

1875 Andreas Atlas of Iowa

The tract was indeed platted shortly before the publication of the Hogane & Lambach map, in October 1855 (Town Lot Deeds Book A, page 174), when it was owned by William and Cordelia Wray. The 280.73 acres had been deeded to them by George L. Davenport the previous autumn, save 10 acres in the southwest corner by the river.

The plat map shows the 9 blocks of lots, with Washington and Jackson Avenues running north to south, and Front, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets running east to west. Presumably, the surveyor was Henry Lambach; he drew the subdivision of lots 1 & 2 registered the following month (Town Lot Deeds, Book A, page 290).

Copy of the certified plat of Upper Davenport as found in title abstract No. 212, Acc.#1992 -06.

As early as September 1855, before the plat was certified, newly-arrived real estate agent George L. Nickolls was offering lots in Upper Davenport for sale in the Davenport Daily Gazette. According to his advertisement, these were “…beautiful sites for private residences having fine views of Davenport, Rock Island, and Moline, also of the river for several miles East and West.” Some were “…well adapted for many kinds of manufacturing business” and some even had “fine stone quarries…”

The following spring, W.H. Hildreth & Co. offered the “Upper Davenport and LeClaire House OMNIBUS” to take prospective buyers, those “doing business in the city,” to these “suburbs” where “pure air, cheap lots and elegant sites” awaited the “wealthy and those of moderate means to gratify their tastes and promote their interests by establishing homes where the rise of property will add to their wealth, and at the same time, exemption from high rents and taxes diminish their expenses.” (Daily Iowa State Democrat, April 7, 1856, p. 2.)

Hildreth’s company included Charles S. Watkins and George H. Swords. The Wrays had sold the land to the three in March of 1856. The success of the enterprise, however, was limited, and the dream of Upper Davenport quickly began to fade. There is a note of desperation in W.H. Hildreth & Co.’s early 1857 Gazette advertisments offering lots “…embracing summit, hillside and plain, with the most pictureseque views…destined to be a portion of the Metropolis of Iowa, its Eastern gate…” They promised a ferry to Moline, soon to become a “highway for immigration” and a “direct route to the coal region,” as well as “proximity to fuel” and “inexhaustible limestone quarries.” The area, they said, would grow to be “the entrepot for the commerce and supplies for the city and the choicest quarter for palatial residences,” at which present-day Davenporters would marvel in ten years time.

Like many others, this speculation venture did not survive the Crash of ’57; the firm dissolved in March of that year. There were no omnibus rides that spring.

George Swords suffered forclosure on his portion of the property in 1859; it was then obtained by Charles Watkins. The September 4th, 1861 issue of the Gazette reported that Watkins requested of the Scott County Board of Supervisors’ committee on bridges and highways the “vacation of streets and alleys in Upper Davenport.” Hildreth passed away in 1867; his obituary in the October 26th, 1867 issue of the Daily Davenport Democrat refers to the area as the “Watkins Farm.” County surveyor Thomas Murray re-platted a portion of the Watkins property in late 1872; the map of Scott County in the 1875 Andreas Atlas shows Watkins as the principal landowner in the west half of Section 29:

Huebinger’s 1882 Map of Scott County gives the names of property owners other than Watkins by the next decade:

And the whole of the West 1/2 of T78NR4E was replatted by Thomas Murray in early 1883:

Copy of the certified plat as found in title abstract No. 212, Acc.#1992 -06.

Huebinger’s Scott County atlases for 1894, 1905, and 1919 show the ownership of what was Upper Davenport through the turn of the century and the World War. The Watkins name was associated with the area even after his death in 1911. Identified as a “capitalist” in the 1856 census, he was active in Davenport ventures, including the Davenport Water Power Company and the Scott County Savings Bank. In the mid-1890s he traveled west for yet more opportunities, along with several other adventurous Davenporters, to Denver, Colorado.

1894
1905
1919

We searched in vain to find evidence of residents of Upper Davenport in the short time it was so named, save a single article from the June 2, 1858 Gazette exclaiming over a Brahma hen that laid three eggs in fifteen hours. It belonged to a Miss Clara Holmes of Upper Davenport.

(posted by Katie)

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This Week We Say Goodbye to Our Director Amy Groskopf

Posted on January 6, 2022 by SCblogger
  • Photos from the Davenport Public Library Archives.

This week we say goodbye to our director Amy Groskopf. Amy has been with the library for over 33 years and has held numerous positions in that time culminating in leading the library for the past 7 years.

With a small staff, she expanded the beginnings of Special Collections and turned it into a Center that is highly regarded as one of the best local history and genealogy collections west of the Mississippi River. She spearheaded the renovation of the Main Library basement into a welcoming and useful facility after pitching a million-dollar proposal on the spot to donors Ted and Alice Richardson Sloane. Working closely with the Scott County Genealogical Society, Amy was the catalyst of today’s Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. She worked with city and local organizations to create a premiere photograph collection, then initiated the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Project making images accessible through that new medium, the internet!

Amy was a major force in building both Fairmount and Eastern branch facilities, handling many of the construction issues and details,  putting out numerous “small fires” along the way, all while running SC at the same time. She has tackled remodeling, refurnishing, re-carpeting, and rearranging multiple times in her tenure.

Never afraid to pitch in, Amy schlepped thousands of glass negatives out of a coal dust-covered basement, dug out archival treasures from the basement of a crematorium, and loaded thousands of blueprints from a construction company when called upon with very little time to prepare. Amy has shelved books, processed collections, ordered equipment, managed conservation projects, built branches, trained staff, faced floods, consulted, contributed time and energy to archival organizations, held positions of leadership on boards and commissions, and ultimately led the library through arguably one of the nation’s biggest challenges – the Covid Pandemic. When faced with difficulty she put on her “mountain” earrings to meet it head-on! After all, if you can climb a mountain you can face anything, right?!

Amy’s unflappable professionalism, her ability to think outside the box, and her integrity have brought the Davenport Library system to our Community in new and exciting ways, making us “The Library”. We celebrate her contributions to DPL.  

  • Photos from the Davenport Public Library Archives.

“The mountains are calling and I must go!.”-John Muir. Go, Amy, with our best wishes. Thank you for everything.

(posted by Karen)

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