Autumnal Styles of 1924

Posted on October 1, 2024 by SCblogger

Autumn is officially here! With cooler weather, people of the Quad Cities prepare to partake in festive autumnal activities such as visiting fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. When we think of this seasonal change, we think of warmer clothing such as scarves and coats to keep us cozy while we enjoy autumn.

We are taking some time to look back to the fall of 1924 to see what types of clothing the women were shopping for. The Daily Times has a host of advertisements for the stylish ladies of the mid-1920s to peruse while updating their wardrobes.

We found some interesting advertisements to share with you in this blog. Our 1924 Polk’s Davenport City Directory listed these businesses under “Ladies’ Ready-to-Wear” or “Milliners and Millinery Goods”.

The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 3, 1924, page 9.

The Bee Hive was located on the southwest corner of Second and Brady Streets. Its proprietor was Joseph Deutsch. They had ladies’ ready-to-wear, cloaks, suits, and millinery. “Ready-to-Wear” clothing came in standard sizes and did not require alterations. This is the type of clothing most modern people wear.

Joseph Deutsch was born on November 23, 1876 in Davenport. In 1924, he lived at 2116 Main Street. He married Ida Edith Rothschild on January 4, 1904 in Davenport. He passed away on June 14, 1947.

The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 8, 1924, page 27.

The Bon Ton Expert Milliners is located at 101-107 East Second Street or the corner of Second and Brady Streets. It was owned by S. Langbein.

Grossman’s or Grossman Brothers Cloak Company was at 122 West Second Street. Its manager was W. A. Wilson.

“Grossman’s Open Beautiful Store in Davenport; Will Handle Women’s Apparel.” The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Mar. 17, 1923, page 15.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 12, 1924, page 8.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 12, 1924, page 8.

Scharff’s was located at 207-209 West Second Street. It was formerly known as Newman’s. Its proprietor was Herbert E. Scharff. It was labeled as “‘A Shop for Ladies.'”

Herbert lived at 2502 Ripley Street with his wife, Carrie. Herbert was born on December 15, 1886, in St. Louis, Missouri. Herbert married Carrie Mayer on January 26, 1913. They had two daughters named Madelyn and Carolyn. He passed away on May 11, 1959.

  • “Scharff Buys South Putnam Building.” The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Feb. 16, 1927, page 1.
  • “Scharff Buys South Putnam Building.” The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Feb. 16, 1927, page 2.
  • “H. E. Scharff, 72, Store Owner, Dies.”
The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 19, 1924, page 11.
The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 12, 1924, page 8.

Klein’s was located at 119 West Second Street. They were touted as ladies’ and men’s outfitters. Its manager was Mark A. Klein.

Mark Adolph Klein was born on March 15, 1886. He was married to Hermine and they had three children, Marvin, Herbert, and Evelyn. He passed away on September 8, 1962 in Los Angeles, California.

  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Aug. 31, 1923, page 36.
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Jan. 3, 1924, page 3.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Dec. 5, 1929, page 6.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Dec. 5, 1929, page 11.
  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, IA), Apr. 27, 1932, page 11.
The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 12, 1924, page 12.

Abraham’s was located at 111-113 West Second Street. It was owned by brothers, Hervin S. and Bernard M. Abrahams. Hervin lived at 2503 Fulton Avenue with his wife Marguerite. Hervin was born on March 4, 1894 in Campbellsburg, Indiana. Hervin and Marguerite had one daughter named, Janet M. Bernard lived at 2429 1/2 Brady Street with his wife Grace. He was born on July 7, 1891 in Campbellsburg, Indiana.

  • The Davenport Democrat and Leader (Davenport, Iowa), Aug. 30, 1927, page 10.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), Feb. 8, 1954, page 1.
  • Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), March 30, 1980, page 12.
The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Sept. 22, 1924, page 9.

The M. L. Parker Company was located at the northwest corner of Second and Brady. It was known as “‘Parker’s Corner'”. It was listed as a department store in the 1924 Davenport City Directory. M. L. Parker was president, F. J. Schroeder was vice-president and A. E. Simmons was the secretary-treasurer.

M. L. Parker lived at 116 Hillcrest Avenue with his wife Christine. Martin Lavette Parker was born on April 17, 1856, in Fennimore, Wisconsin. On November 5, 1879, he married his first wife, Cora Jane Clark. She passed away in 1907. They had two daughters named Hazel and Marjorie. He then married Christine Kroeger Smith on June 10, 1908. He died on April 20, 1944 in Los Angeles, California.

  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Apr. 20, 1944, page 1.
  • The Daily Times (Davenport, IA), Apr. 20, 1944, page 2.
M.L. Parker building
http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/4829/rec/6
Traffic on Second Street
http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/3069/rec/2

Happy shopping this autumn!

(posted by Kathryn)

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Hostetler’s Houses: 49 Hillcrest Avenue

Posted on September 20, 2024 by SCblogger

The summit of McClellan Heights is graced by the home at 49 Hillcrest Avenue, photographed by J.B. Hostetler:

dplvm89-000463, volume 26

This view shows the rear of the house; the front and one side are visible in this image from the December 31, 1912 issue of the Daily Times (page 12):

Dr. Karl Vollmer built his house across the street from his mother Dorothea’s (built 1906, supposedly visible in the advertisement below) at 124 Hillcrest. The Vollmers were a prominent German-American family in Davenport; Karl was one of Dorothea and Henry Vollmer’s nine children. Karl’s father, an immigrant from Bremen, Germany, had worked for the Der Demokrat newspaper and later went into the printing business on his own; his brother Henry Jr. was the three-time mayor and a member of Congress; his brother Fred practiced law and served as County Attorney; and his brother Arthur had a career in the U.S. Army.

Democrat and Leader, June 19, 1910, page 3
Daily Times, March 3, 1914, page 9

Karl himself was a successful ear, nose, and throat doctor who practiced in Davenport for fifty years. As civic-minded as his brothers, he served as president of the Scott County Medical Society and the local school board. [1] He resided at 49 Hillcrest with his wife Paula Koehler and son Karl until 1921, when they sold it to Fred and Wyman for $60,000. [2]

Fred Wyman was a leader in the lumber industry, first associated with the Lindsay & Phelps Company, later the Southern Lumber Company, the Sound Timber Company, and several others. He and his second wife, Margaret, were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Davenport. [3]

Just a few more Hostetler Houses left! Stay tuned! As always, please share if you have further information to add to our knowledge of Davenport’s homes and buildings. And visit us at the Main Library for resources on the history of McClellan Heights and other developments in the city!

(posted by Katie)

[1] “Dr. Karl Vollmer, 78…” Daily Times, February 19, 1948, page 1.

[2] “Vollmer Home is purchased by Fred Wyman,” Daily Times, February 2, 1921, page 8.

[3] “Fred Wyman, 81…” Daily Times, July 27, 1939, page 1.

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Back to School Time: School #9’s First Grade Class

Posted on September 13, 2024 by SCblogger

We came across this photograph in our collection of a 1st grade class in School #9 taken on September 25, 1907. School #9 was located at 1921 Grand Avenue in Davenport. It was renamed Tyler School one year later when all Davenport city schools had their school number replaced with the name of a President of the United States starting with President George Washington replacing School #1’s name.

DPL Vol 11 VM89-00114. 1st Grade Class at School #9 September 25, 1907.

Tyler School, originally School #9, was built in 1892 and originally housed 1st through 8th grades. In 1913, Kindergarten was added into all city schools. By the 1910s, many of the elementary schools exceeded student capacity. Tyler School also housed the teacher certificate program for the high school. A cottage was built on the school property for the teacher certificate program students while their former space in the school basement became a needed classroom for elementary students.

In 1916, the Davenport School Board began to explore the growing trend of intermediate schools which would teach possibly upper elementary students and high school freshmen. The idea was adopted and the building of three new intermediate schools began in 1918. When they opened in 1919, the schools (J.B. Young, West Intermediate, and East Intermediate) taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader, May 17, 1914. Pg. 15

Tyler School was eventually demolished along with two other elementary schools by the school board in June 1941. That year, several older schools were also demolished as the school district worked on building modern schools for the growing student population in Davenport. Today the location is a park.

Going through the photographs, we realized another photo in our collection may be tied to our 1st grade photo. In June 1915, the 8th grade graduating class of Tyler Elementary School had their class picture taken. Many of these students would have been in 1st grade in September 1907. As the original photo does not contain names, we will simply have to look at the pictures and guess if any of the students in June 1915 sat for a class picture on September 25, 1907 in School 9.

DPLVolume 123 dplx1212. Tyler Elementary Graduating Class June 1915.

(posted by Amy D.)

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Frederick G. Clausen House and Architecture on Tour

Posted on September 6, 2024 by SCblogger

The month of September offers many attractions to divert and entertain us. Two events for those interested in architecture are the Heart of Downtown Davenport Walking Tour: Architectural Styles and Stories and “A Gold Coast Sampler” Tour of Homes in the Gold Coast-Hamburg Historic District.

The Heart of Downtown Davenport Walking Tour is on September 7th, 2024 from 10am to 12pm. Registration is required, but there are spots left! Ellen Shapley, an architectural historian and guide will highlight notable structures along this walk of downtown. If you do happen to miss the September date, please sign up for the October 10th date.

The always delightful Gold Coast-Hamburg tour of homes is scheduled for September 14th-15th, 2024. The tour runs from 12pm-4pm each day. It costs $15 and children under 12 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Six homes will be open during this tour as well as the German-American Heritage Center & Museum. Home Tour visitors will also be able to explore the Project Renewal Youth Program Expansion Project at 513 Warren Street and the United Services Motors located at 330 West 5th Street.

The homes include:

  • 630 West 6th Street – The Johanna & Frederick G. Clausen House
  • 625 Scott Street – The Elise & Peter Goldschmidt House
  • 519 West 8th Street – The Minnie & Charles E. Meier House
  • 532 West 8th Street – Johanna & Carl H. W. Juetje House
  • 537 West 9th Street – The Maud Davis & William Goettsch/Bernice Jones House
  • 730-732 Gaines Street – The Fanny & Christian H.H. Jipp Grocery & House

On both of the tours, one will learn about Frederick G. Clausen, a local architect born in Germany in 1848. He, along with his son Rudolph, were well-known architects in Davenport. They designed many buildings and homes in the area. He lived at 630 West 6th Street from 1873 to around 1898 until he moved next door to 624 West 6th. He lived with his father-in-law, Henry Lischer. According to the Architectural/Historical Survey, Henry Lischer built the home at 630 around 1865 and Clausen designed and built the home at 624 in 1871.

Come explore Davenport’s rich architectural history at both of these events!

(posted by Kathryn)

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Hostetler’s Houses: 1505 Grand Avenue

Posted on August 31, 2024 by SCblogger

This home at 1505 Grand Avenue (on the corner of East 15th Street) was built circa 1913 for Dr. Charles Edward Glynn and his wife Blanche Jeanette Langan. It was likely photographed by J. B. Hostetler a few years later, perhaps in 1914 when the property was entered into Davenport Rotary Club’s yard beautification contest. [1]

Glynn Residence, dplx1120, volume 1

Dr. Glynn, born and raised in Long Grove, returned to Scott County in June 1902 after graduating with high honors from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. He practiced out of leased rooms in the Whitaker block (the corner of 2nd and Brady). [2]

Glynn was president of the Davenport Hospital, a private medical facility incorporated in 1908. The building at South Avenue (now 29th Street) and Brady was designed by Temple, Burrows & McLane and completed in October 1909. [3]

This advertisement appeared in the 1913 city directory:

Dr. Glynn served at Fort Dodge as a captain in the Army medical corps in the First World War. Blanche Glynn was an active member of the Red Cross unit of the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish during this time, often hosting meetings at the house on Grand Avenue. [4]

Dr. Glynn sold the home to the Diocese of Davenport in April 1925 as a residence for the auxiliary bishop. Its estimated value was $14,000. [5]

The subsequent residents were also a medical doctor and his wife: Dr. & Mrs. Elmer Senty. They used the house often to entertain guests through the remainder of the 1920’s. The property was listed for sale in July 1930:

The Daily Times, July 5, 1930, page 15

1505 Grand Avenue passed to coffee salesman Walter A. Kleinhen and his wife Lissa in the early 1930s. The portraits below appeared in the local newspapers on the occasion of the couple’s golden wedding anniversary, in 1939. [6]

After Walter’s death in 1941, the house went to his son Rex’s family. It was listed for sale again in the winter of 1960, and changed hands multiple times into the 1970s.

The Daily Times, January 13, 1960, page 30

Explore the history of more Davenport houses and neighborhoods with the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center’s many resources!

(posted by Katie)

Sources: [1] Davenport Democrat and Leader, May 17, 1914, page 32. [2] Davenport Daily Leader, June 19, 1902, page 7. [3] The Daily Times, October 2, 1909, page 4. [4] The Daily Times, October 26, 1918, page 6. [5] The Daily Times, April 9, 1925, page 6. [6] The Daily Times, January 2, 1939, page 8.

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Happy 70th Anniversary to the Davenport Adult Crossing Guards!

Posted on August 23, 2024 by SCblogger

An enormous shout out and thank you to all the Davenport Adult Crossing Guards who have kept children safe on their way to school for the past 70 years.


The Davenport Democrat and Leader, September 16, 1951.g. 56

Before the Adult Crossing Guards were established, the busiest (and usually most dangerous) crosswalks to schools were protected by Davenport Police officers. Other school cross walks might have had school children as crossing guards. The problems with these early solutions were the police officers having to leave the cross walks to answer emergency police calls which left the children to cross unsupervised. The other issue was children were hard to see when helping other children to cross which lead to many near accidents.

The Democrat and Leader, September 16, 1951. Pg. 56

By 1953, the idea of adult crossing guards had become strongly supported by the Parent Teacher Association of Davenport (PTA). The PTA formed the PTA Safety Council Committee which asked the Davenport City Council to meet with them. One of the biggest issues was the estimated start-up cost of $6,450 which would cover salary, insurance, and uniforms.

Guards were to be paid $1 per hour with a 3 hour maximum work day. On average $540 per year. There would be ten main guards placed at the busiest cross walks near schools with two substitute guards in rotation as needed. Guards would be females from 25 – 40 years old, a minimum of 5 foot 2 inches tall, and not to be over or under 15 percent of the normal weight for that person’s age and height.

Uniforms would include dark skirts, blue-gray shirts, dark blue necktie, white gloves, white officer’s cap, dark blue coat, and a white “Sam Brown” belt. The estimated cost to have these items made or purchased was $75 per guard. The decision was made in July 1954 that the fabrics used would be dark blue-gray material similar to police uniforms.

The Daily Times, July 30, 1947. Pg. 15

The cost of the guard program and which organization would oversee the guards was debated for months as the PTA and City Council each worried about long-term costs. By March 1954, the decision was made to place the guards under the City of Davenport and the Davenport Police Department’s Traffic Division. In April 1954, Mayor Walt Beuse selected seven citizens to form a study group to determine the most dangerous cross walks near public and private elementary schools in Davenport. Part of the formula to determine the danger was the number of cars passing through the intersection during crossing times and the number of children crossing.

The Democrat and Leader, April 23, 1954. Pg. 15

On July 9, 1954, applications were put out in the police traffic office for those wishing to apply for the new crossing guard positions. All applications were due by July 26th. On July 27th, the citizens’ committee would begin to review the submissions for potential guards. If accepted, training would begin in August for the new school year.

The first crossing guards were announced in the newspapers on July 28, 1954 with their home address and the school they would be covering. Mrs. Clarence Moeller, Mrs. Paul Macumber, Mrs. Ann Lacey, Marion Frei, Mary Collins, Mrs. Roy McGinnis, Mrs. Albert Bowe, Mrs. Rose O’Toole, and Alice Kruse were all selected to be guards. Francis Schultz was named guard lieutenant to help oversee the schedules.

The Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 8, 1954. Pg. 15

On August 25, 1954, the first day of training commenced at Madison School located at 116 East Locust Street under the supervision of the police department. This 20 hour training included not only cross walk instructions, but also first-aid training as well.

The Morning Democrat, August 26, 1954. Pg. 11

Miss Rose O’Toole became the first active crossing guard when she reported to work on the morning of August 30, 1954 at her station of Fillmore and West Locust Streets. She was there to help the children of Holy Family Catholic School cross safely to their first day of classes.

On Tuesday, September 7, 1954 the Davenport public schools started their first day with an estimated 7, 266 elementary school children spread across the district. The newly created Davenport Adult Crossing Guards were in position and ready to help.

One thing was missing though. The Davenport City Council still had to make the program an official ordinance. Without formal approval with an ordinance, the women could not be paid or covered by insurance. By September 1954, the Committee of the Whole was working on forming the ordinance and it was passed in City Council on October 8, 1954 as Ordinance Number 19,297.

The Morning Democrat, October 22, 1954. Pg. 1

While other cities in the United States had similar programs, the state of Iowa did not. With the creation of their crossing guard program, Davenport had the distinction of becoming the first adult crossing guard program in the state.

The Daily Times, September 2, 1957. Pg. 19

A change occurred in 1970 when retired men were allowed to join the crossing guards. By 2004, at least four crossing guards had been injured over the years after being struck by vehicles while assisting children at intersections. The students crossing had not been hurt. It was around this time that financial cutbacks began to occur for the City and school district. While the 25 crossing guards and intersections remained, other items were removed such as the official uniform that had been worn since 1954 (and 1970 for men).

The Quad-City Times. November 25, 2004. Pg. 68

The biggest change to the program occurred in 2020 when the City of Davenport and the Davenport School District agreed to hire an outside company, Cross Safe, to oversee the daily operations of the Adult Crossing Guards. As before, the City and the School District still share the cost of the crossing guards, but they are no longer under the Davenport Police Department Traffic Department.

The Quad-City Times, May 22, 2004. Pg. 3

While the the management of the crossing guards has changed, the dedication to local school children has not. For that we are appreciative. Thank you for 70 years of dedication to the children of Davenport!

(posted by Amy D.)

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Treat yourself to Teatime!

Posted on August 16, 2024 by SCblogger

Fill your cup with your favorite tea and find a comfy chair or a delightful table and chair to look at these darling children partaking in teatime to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week!

These children were photographed by the Hostetler Photography Studio between 1895-1925. These negatives can be found in our 1998-28:Free Studio of Photography Collection and digitized copies are available on the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/6400/rec/11
File name: dpl17715b; DPLVolume: 289.

Miss Marie Frederichs is featured in the image above daintily sipping tea from a dark ceramic tea set off of a wicker table. Her parents were Gus and Isabelle in Allens Grove Township, Scott County, Iowa. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on August 31, 1940, Miss Marie Friederichs, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Friederichs, Jr., of Dixon, IA married Albert C. Vande Walle at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport. Based on information on Find A Grave Marie VandeWalle was born December 10, 1916, died January 5, 2010, and is buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Davenport.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/4918/rec/13
File name: dpl17143b; DPLVolume: 228.

Miss Vivian, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Giblin, was from Rock Island. She has a mischievous smile while standing by her tea set. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on April 3, 1992, Vivian Giblin married William Clark in 1935 in Aledo, Illinois. She married Elsworth Monroe Sr. in 1950 in Peoria.

  • http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/5985/rec/9 File name: dpl17589 a-b; DPLVolume: 281.

Miss Adelaide Lois Knaack was born March 2, 1917 in Walcott, Scott County, Iowa to Clarence and Adeline (Peterson) Knaack. She has two poses with her tea set!

Based on information in the 1934 Davenport High School yearbook, A. Lois Knaack, nicknamed “Lu,” graduated from the General Course. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on October 15, 1936, Miss Lois Knaack married Mr. William Erps on September 9, 1936 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua. She was a dance teacher in Walcott, Durant, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Dixon, and Wilton Junction. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on March 6, 2004, A. Lois Erps died March 4, 2004 at Silvercrest Assisted Living in Davenport. She retired in 1990 after 25 years of working as a personal banking officer for Davenport Bank and Trust.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/6155/rec/7
File name: dpl17678a.tif; DPLVolume: 286.

This sibling pair is having a delightful tea party with dolls and flowers. Verna and Marion are the daughters of Charles E. and Eleanor Brady from in Davenport. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on May 14, 1932, Miss Verna E. Brady married Philip D. Powers on May 18, 1932 at St. Mary’s Church. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on November 10, 1993, Verna E. (Brady) Powers was a sales clerk for 25 years at the former Petersen Harned Von Maur department store. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on May 7, 1937, Miss Marion Brady married Irvin Kuendel on June 5, 1937 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on February 27, 1996, Marion (Brady) Kuendel was a member of the Friends of the Davenport Public Library and Friends of the Davenport Museum of Art.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/6030/rec/5
File name: dpl17625a.tif; DPLVolume: 283.

Miss Thais Marie is sitting with fancy Edwardian-looking shoes next to her tea set. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on January 29, 2007, Thais Marie Marron was born May 23, 1917 in Calamus to Lester and Norma (White) Marron. Thais married Raymond Neff on October 9, 1935 in Wyoming, Illinois. The couple farmed in rural Calamus.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/5954/rec/4
File name: dpl17540a.tif; DPLVolume: 276.

Miss Irene and Ruth Stoltenberg share a cup of tea in this image. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on June 17, 1939, Miss Irene Stoltenberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stoltenberg of 305 South Lincoln Avenue, Davenport, married Mr. Frode Thomsen on July 29, 1939 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. She was a graduate of Davenport High School and worked at the Gordon-Van Tine Company. Based on information in the Minnesota Death Index, Irene K. Thomsen was born December 2, 1913 in Davenport and died February 4, 2007 in White Bear Lake, MN. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on April 30, 2007, Ruth Stoltenberg was born March 26, 1916 in Davenport to John and Kate (Oden) Stoltenberg. She married J. Lester Downs on September 21, 1943 in Davenport. She had been employed by R.W. Paulsen, CPA, before her retirement.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/4301/rec/3

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/4301/rec/3
File name: dpl15031b.tif; DPLVolume: 181.

This is either Miss Katharine Marie or Florence Agatha in this adorable photograph. Based on information in the 1920 Federal Census, Henry and Susie Schroeder of Blue Grass had 2 daughters, Katharine (age 9) and Florence (age 5). Based on information in the Iowa Births and Christening Index on Ancestry.com, Katharine Marie Schroeder was born January 11, 1911 and Florence Agatha Schroeder was born January 1, 1915 in Blue Grass, Scott County, Iowa to Henry Edward Schroeder and Susie Caroline Hoffbauer. Based on information in the Scott County Iowa Marriage Certificates and License Returns, Katharine M. Schroeder married Reginald M. Myer on September 8, 1927 and Florence A. Schroeder married George Edward Schultz on May 29, 1937. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on October 23, 2003, Katharine Meyer died in Muscatine, Iowa at the age of 92. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on November 5, 2006, Florence Agatha Schultz died in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 91.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/6213/rec/2
File name: dpl17687.tif; DPLVolume: 287.

Miss Margaret is playing with a cute white or cream-colored tea set in this photograph. Based on information in the Iowa Births and Christenings Index Margaret Rock was born March 8, 1917 in Allens Grove Township, Scott County, IA, to Herbert B. and Lillie (Meinert) Rock. Based on information in her obituary, published in the Quad-City Times on July 7, 1999, Margaret Rock graduated from Davenport High School in 1935 and earned a degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1939. She married Edward Cordt on October 26, 1941 in Las Vegas. She had been employed by the Davenport public school system at Adams Elementary School before her retirement.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/6199/rec/1
File name: dpl17697a.tif; DPLVolume: 287.

Our last child, Lois Marguerite, is pondering her tea set. Based on information published in the Moline Daily Dispatch on February 8, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lundholm of 1311 38th Street in Rock Island were the proud parents of a daughter, born Sunday evening (February 6th) in their home. Based on information in the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, Lois’ name was listed as “Lois Franklin Southall” in September of 1939, “Lois Southall Brushwood” in October of 1951, “Lois Brushwood Robertson” in October of 1963, and “Lois B. Robertson” on November 18, 1993. Based on information in the California Death Index, Lois Marguerite (Franklin) Robertson died November 12, 1993 in Santa Clara. Based on information published in the Moline Daily Dispatch on November 9, 1918, Mrs. Ruth Lundholm of 1111 15th Street in Moline opened a beauty parlor at her home. Based on information in her marriage announcement, published in The Daily Times on September 25, 1914, Mrs. Ruth Kuhner, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C.O. Granere of 1311 38th Street in Rock Island married Frank Lundholm of Moline.

We hope you have liked our selection of our tiny teatime darlings.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/2918/rec/10 Miss Hospeldt
File name: dplx1226b; DPLVolume: 124.

(posted by Kathryn)

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Hostetler’s Houses: 1517 South/1513 West 12th Street

Posted on August 9, 2024 by SCblogger

This handsome Foursquare at 1517 South Street in Davenport was photographed by J.B. Hostetler for owner Charles Markus circa 1913-15.

Hostetler-Free Image Collection, dplx1248, Volume 126

The woman posing in the car (let us know if you can identify the make/model/year!) out front was likely Charles’ 2nd wife, Pauline Mausnest, whom he married in August 1912. The home was purchased the following month. John Herman Carstens, a retired hotelkeeper from Schleswig-Holstein, was the previous resident.

Hostetler-Free Image Collection, dplx991a, Volume 8

At the end of 1946, the property was purchased by Marycrest College to help house the growing number of students there. It was eventually torn down to make way for a more modern campus building.

Charles lived at the address that became 1513 West 12th Street (in 1919) until his death on August 1936. Pauline suffered a heart attack in her bedroom here and passed away in October 1941. Both are buried in Fairmount Cemetery.

Markus was a numismatist. He collected rare coins and paper currency for more than 40 years and was considered “a national authority” on the subject. His collection at the time of his death was reportedly valued at $50,000. He died suddenly while attending his 20th consecutive meeting of the American Numismatic Association in Minneapolis, MN. He had served as the organization’s president three times. [1]

In February 1927, Markus organized a coin exhibit in the lobby of the Union Savings Bank in Davenport along with other local collectors E.H. Luett, E.M. White and George Klindt. [2] Starting in 1930, he fitted out the attic of his home as an exhibit space, or what he called his “sky parlor,” for medals, daggers, guns, seashells, photographs, and his favorite pictures, in addition to coins and currency. He had four photographs of the house on display, including the two shown above. The others showed the house decorated for the 4th of July and as a garden contest prizewinner. [3]

Markus was active in local Republican politics, and served as the clerk of the Board of Public Works in Davenport from 1904 to 1905. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World. He ran a news stand and cigar store in the I. & I. interurban station waiting room on Brady Street with his first wife, Johanna Barofsky, until the railway accused the couple of treating its customers “discourteously” and he sold the business. [4]

Davenport Democrat and Leader, August 30 1908

Another of Charles Markus’ claims to fame was securing the “No. 1” city dog tax check for his fox terrier “Spot” several years in a row, and later, that same number for his Scott County automobile license.

Find out if your Davenport home has any interesting former residents by visiting us here at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at The Library|Main!

(posted by Katie)

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[1] Daily Times, August 25, 1936.

[2] Davenport Democrat and Leader, February 26, 1927.

[3] Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 21, 1935.

[4] Davenport Democrat and Leader, August 11, 1908.

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Lazy Summer Days: Summer Camps

Posted on July 26, 2024 by SCblogger

Before the days of air conditioning in private homes, many people escaped the summer heat by camping out.

It could be as simple as putting a tent in a backyard to escape the heat of a house for relaxing or sleeping. During extreme heat waves, it was common for families without backyards to sleep in nearby parks to escape the heat of apartment buildings in crowded downtowns such as the summer of 1936.

The Quad-Cities was fortunate to have the Mississippi and Rock Rivers along with ponds and streams to camp near during the summer months. Several small islands in the Mississippi River had camp sites that could be rented. Social and fraternal organizations, the YMCA, YWCA, Lend-A-Hand, and private families would rent space on the islands or along the levee for the summer. Some locations might have pre-built cabins, but the majority of owners just rented the land. It was up to the renters to bring their homemade cabins or tents to live in.

Some camp grounds were designated for only men or women while others were family friendly. With trolley lines located near the rivers, many families relocated to the islands for the entire summer with men taking the trolley to their jobs while women would use the trolley for quick trips to stores for food and supplies. It was also a social time with dances, music, and children playing or swimming together. Family and friends would be invited to spend a few days as well to help others escape from the summer heat.

Further away from the rivers, the woods near streams and ponds provided relief from the summer heat. Some camps might be very rustic with a tent and firepit to cook over while others were more elaborate and meant for long-term use. Cook stoves, rugs, tables and chairs, homemade bunks, or cots would be brought out in wagons or trucks and set up for the summer season.

We found a wonderful example of summer camping in our archives that we wanted to share.

DPL Volume 10 dplvm89-002435

This photo taken in the 1890s or early 1900s, shows eight men relaxing in a grassy area. They are all casually dressed with four men in bib overalls and four men in undershirts or shirt-sleeves. The man in the front center is reading a book.

Behind them, we are able to see two large tents on the right and left with an open air tent in the middle. The middle area has a wooden frame and netting with (what most likely is) a waterproof cloth or canvas over top. You can see what appears to be a screen door on the opposite side of the middle structure on the viewer’s left to access the structure.

Inside the middle area we are able to see a long table of some type (possibly tables or wooden planks) covered with tablecloths. Wooden chairs are scattered around the table. There does not appear to be a stove in the middle structure. It might possibly be located outside or a fire pit was used for cooking.

At this time, we do not know the history behind the photo. If this was a family gathering or organized by a social or fraternal organization. There is a possibility there were other tents located at the site as well for cooking or housing family members.

What we do know, is this was a moment in time that was captured. It shows us a wonderful example of summer camping and those that enjoyed these outdoor moments.

(posted by Amy D,)

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Hostetler’s Houses: 701 Brady Street

Posted on July 13, 2024 by SCblogger

We’ve featured many of the J.B. Hostetler portraits in this space, but our collection of the Studio’s images also includes a few photographs of area residences.

If you are headed up Brady Street hill as a participant in the Bix 7 this July, or otherwise, be sure to take note of the house at 701 (Brady and 7th Streets, NW corner).

This handsome home, called “Highview,” was built in 1907 for Maria Agnes McGee and Leander (Lee) L. Beauchaine.

Vol. 113, dplx1117d

Lee Beauchaine was the operator of the Slate House, saloon and hotel at the Davenport end of the Government Bridge, from 1894 until Prohibition began. He first came to the city in 1890 as a traveling salesman for a Detroit tobacco company.

Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 9 Feb 1927, page 2

In 1892 he married the notorious “Mamie” or “Biddy” McGee. She was the likely owner of the house at 701 Brady, having acquired multiple Davenport properties that she rented to prostitutes. As Sharon Wood notes, McGee was different from other local brothel-keepers, a savvy landlady who “pursued rather than drifted into vice…” to gain wealth. (The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship, and Sexuality in a Gilded Age City, p. 98).

Mamie and Lee’s marriage was not without strife. The couple’s many violent “rows” at the Slate House were reported in the local newspapers. She threatened to divorce him more than once. Ultimately, they stayed together until Lee’s death in 1927. On a trip to Ireland in 1906, the pair experienced a religious awakening, and returned to Davenport repentant. Occupying the Brady Street residence was perhaps a move towards greater respectability, as was adopting a daughter in 1915. Marie Katherine Beauchaine attended the Immaculate Conception Academy in the city and was married to Ray Hinds in April 1937.

Mrs. Beauchaine was certainly proud of her home: She was the winner of a Christmas light display contest in December 1927.

Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 30 Dec 1927, page 6

Other than a few reports of break-ins, not much more is known about the property itself. Mamie McGee Beauchaine lived at 701 Brady Street until her death in 1949.

Stay tuned for more stories behind the houses photographed by J.B. Hostetler!

(posted by Katie)

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