Titanic Fashions, Midwestern Style

Posted on April 9, 2012 by SCblogger

The entire world was shocked when the Titanic sank in April of 1912.   A hundred years and several movies later, we’re still fascinated with every detail of the doomed voyage—especially the passengers.  We want to know who they were, where they were going, and what they did before, during, and after the disaster.

Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—there’s no evidence that any Davenporters were on the Titanic.  While our newspapers were full of news about the sinking of the unsinkable, they couldn’t provide any first-hand accounts from local residents or any local obituaries for those who didn’t make it home.

But our Special Collections Center can provide some information about one aspect of the passengers:  what they might have worn.

Our Hostetler photograph collection includes portrait images from around the time of the disaster.  And while Midwestern land-locked fashion sense probably wasn’t as cutting edge as the shipboard couture of the upper classes, they still give the general idea of what people were wearing at the time.

On the left, John and Minnie Benedict are wearing the sort of fashions Second Class passengers might have worn in their areas of the ship.  Mrs. Olga Roddewig, on the right, is dressed appropriately for dinner.

    

It was cold in the Northern seas, and a walk on the decks meant bundling up, even when it was sunny.  And if there’s one thing  Midwesterners know, it’s how to dress warmly! Miss Anna England is on the left, and  Mrs. Myrtle Dow is on the right:

    

Underneath their coats, First Class passengers wore something far more . . more, especially for dinners and the occasional shipboard soirée.  Mrs. Christine Rieche and Mrs. Edward Roberts are prepared for this, though they have yet to remove their hats :

    

But Mrs. Edith Wilson and Mrs. Botsford might have risked the social faux pas to keep their pretty chapeaux on their heads:

    

Miss Ethel Anderson, Miss Delphia Dooley, and Mr. Philip Sontag show what the younger crowd might have worn:

    

If you would like to know more about the actual passengers of the Titanic, including famous people, rich people, and people who behaved strangely—as well as the society standards of shipboard life and many other things about the world’s most famous ship—Liza Gilbert, the library’s Youth Services Coordinator and resident Titanic expert, will be presenting  Titanic: 100 Years Later at our Fairmount Branch at 6:30 p.m. on April 12.

And in the meantime, you can peruse the Davenport Public Library’s News & Events blog, which is featuring Fun Facts about the Titanic this month!

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The 1940s Census is here! And it works!

Posted on April 6, 2012 by SCblogger

Ancestry Library has finished uploading all of the 1940 Census images to its database.  They are now working on indexing—at this posting, Delaware was finished and everything else is pending.

Meanwhile, you can find your relatives by browsing the right Enumeration District (ED).

An Enumeration District is a geographical area assigned to a census taker.   City directories and other resources can help you determine your relative’s address during a census year.  An Enumeration Map will tell you in which ED that address is located.

The Enumeration Districts for Davenport are ED 82-19 to ED 82-69 and ED 82-67. Institutions such as hospitals, orphanages and boarding schools had their own EDs.

On Monday morning, the first searches we tried (and were successful in downloading) were for the Iowa Soldier’s Orphan’s Home, AKA the Annie Wittenmyer Home (ED 82-51) and the Catholic  orphanage in Davenport, St. Vincent’s Home (ED 82-36)

There were 559 children living at the Iowa Soldier’s Orphan’s Home and 56 at St. Vincent’s.  In 1930, there were 598 children at Annie Wittenmyer and 96 children at St. Vincent’s. The census not only lists the orphaned children living in the home, but also employees, including teachers, caretakers and administrators.

Exciting stuff for historians and genealogists!

 

(posted by Cristina)

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Library Closing: April 8

Posted on April 5, 2012 by SCblogger

The Davenport Public Library will be closed this Sunday, April 8.

We will reopen Monday, April 9th, for our regular business hours.

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Coffee & Census!

Posted on March 27, 2012 by SCblogger

Six Days until the complete 1940 Census is released!

Why are we so excited about this?

  • Because we’ve waited 72 years for the personal data—or ten since the 1930 Census—and the anticipation has been terrible.
  • Because this Census includes 1935 location information!
  • Because it’s being released electronically, so we won’t have to wait for the microfilm!
  • Because it isn’t indexed and will give us a chance to hone our enumeration district location skills!
  • Because now, when our patrons ask us when the 1940 Census will be available, we won’t have to answer “Not yet . .  .”

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In order to celebrate all these things (especially that last one) we’re throwing a Coffee & Census Open House on Monday, April 12 between 8am and 11am.

We’ll provide coffee, computers and as much assistance in using the online schedules as we can.  You provide the list of Davenport folks that you want to find.

Remember, we weren’t kidding about the lack of indexing:  researchers will need to read the documents in order to locate the folks they want to find.    But the schedules are arranged in smaller enumeration districts and we’re ready to help you figure out which districts include your ancestor’s addresses.

We’re asking everyone to register in advance so that we can provide enough computers and contact you if the National Archives changes the release time.

When you register, we will provide details about how to gain access to the Special Collections Center before the library opens at noon.

Call 563-326-7902 to register.

As we said, this will be the first time ANYONE has seen and used these census schedules, including our staff, so we can’t guarantee we’ll know everything about it and that there won’t be any glitches along the way.  But that just adds to the excitement, doesn’t it?

Won’t you join us?

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Real Midwives of Scott County: Celia Horst

Posted on March 22, 2012 by SCblogger

Every once in a while we notice things that have been right in front of us (that hmm moment). Then curiosity takes over and the research begins! I recently had one of those moments. While looking through local birth records I noticed that midwives, and not always doctors, signed the forms. Who were these early midwives and what could be uncovered about their occupation in Davenport?

Celia Horst is our first midwife researched. As we will see, it seems likely she learned her occupation in her homeland and brought her talents with her. Celia performed her services during an age when many women still felt more comfortable having their babies delivered by other women instead of men. In addition, many of the new immigrants to Davenport came from the same area of Germany as Mrs. Horst and her family. These expectant mothers may have found additional comfort with a woman who shared their language.

Mrs. Horst began advertising her services shortly after immigrating to Davenport in the city directory. She would continue to work as a midwife after her husband’s death in 1879.

Sielke Caecilla Wiese was born in Krumbek, Probstei, Holstein, on May 6, 1827 to Jochim Wiese and Margaretha Gretje Giese*. She married Hans Horst (1822-1873) in Germany sometime before 1852. They moved Scott County, Iowa in 1856 with their children Henry (1852-1926) and Anna (1856-1886). They had 4 more children that were born in Iowa: daughters Emma Cecelia (b. 1858), Laura Louise (b. 1863), Alma Berhardine (b. 1876) and a son, Adolph (1860-1864).

Celia Horst is listed in the Davenport City Directory for 1858-59 under Accoucheurs** (an early term for midwife or obstetrician that could be female or male). She lived on West Third Street, between Scott and Western Avenue. An area of Davenport that was heavily populated with recent German immigrants. 

Mrs. Horst is also listed under Midwives in 1867 and 1873 as Mrs. C. Horst; in 1876 as Cacilie Herst and in 1882-83 as Mrs. Celitia Horst. Her signature can be found in many of the early Scott County birth certificates, beginning in 1880.

The 1870 U. S. census is the first time we find her being listed under Occupation as Midwife. She has no listed occupation in the 1860 Federal census and the 1856 Iowa census.

Mrs. Cecelia Horst died on August 31, 1895 at her home on 220 Gaines Street in Davenport. She is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery near her husband, Hans. Her obituary was published in the Davenport Democrat on September 1, 1895. Her brother, Peter Wiese (1822-1897), was a farmer in Mt. Joy. Another brother, Claus Henry Wiese (b. 1823), lived in Lyons and a sister, Anna Tiedemann (b. 1838), lived in Seattle, Washington. Her will leaves her possessions to her surviving children.

Mrs. Horst provided a great, and needed, service to the women of Davenport. We look forward to exploring the lives and careers of many of the other Real Midwives of Scott County soon.

(posted by Cristina) 

* This information was taken from Ancestry World Tree. We have not been able to verify with any other source.

 ** ac*cou*cheur \ˌa-ˌkü-ˈshər\ n [F] (1759) : one that assists at a birth ; esp : obstetrician

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The 1940 Census — a two-for-one!

Posted on March 15, 2012 by SCblogger

 One of the questions asked on the 1940 Federal Census was the location of the person in April of 1935.    A decade is a long time and people didn’t always stay put—and some moved more than once.  The Census Bureau wanted to track the population movement. 

If you’re not sure why this is exciting, ask an Iowa genealogist!  The State of Iowa took its own Census between the Federal ones in 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, and 1925—which have been invaluable for pinpointing someone’s location between Census years (especially since the 1890 Federal Census was destroyed).

So when the 1940 Census is released this year, it will be like getting a two-for-one when it comes to location information!  And it’s not restricted to Iowa, of course—everyone in the country was asked this question.

So why not come down and try it out?  Our Special Collections Center will be have a special early morning Coffee & Census open house  on April 2nd, starting at 8am so you can try it out the moment it becomes available.

We’ll provide coffee, computers and as much assistance in using the online schedules as we can.  You provide the list of Davenport folks that you want to find.

Please register in advance so that we can contact you if the National Archives changes the time at which they are releasing the schedules and provide details about how to access the Special Collections Center before the library opens at Noon.

We hope to see you here!

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Davenporters of Note: Cecile Cooper

Posted on March 14, 2012 by SCblogger

Cecile Cooper was born April 15, 1900, in Trenton, Missouri.  After high school, Ms. Cooper attended the Madam C.J. Walker School of Beauty Culture in Chicago,* and took courses at Bethune-Cookman College, the University of Iowa, and traveled to Paris, France, as well.

She settled in Davenport and opened Cecile’s Beauty Shop in 1949 and ran it as a thriving business until her retirement in 1981.  But that wasn’t enough to keep Ms. Cooper busy.

In May of 1958, she hosted a meeting of like-minded African-American women who wanted to address inequalities in the United States and in the Quad-Cities.  From this meeting, the Semper Fidelis Club was established, with Ms. Cooper as its first treasurer.  Now an affiliate of the Iowa Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Semper Fidelis continues to assist the underprivileged, provide the youth of Davenport with scholarships and opportunities for Community service projects, and to promote diversity and cultural awareness.

In the 1960s, Ms. Cooper became involved in fundraising for Delta Ministries, a support system for the poorer areas of Mississippi.  She and other volunteers delivered food and clothing to the residents of the delta and organized local support for civil rights and the Freedom Schools.

In 1970, Ms. Cooper help found the Quad City Negro Heritage Society, the members of which promote education about the historical and cultural contributions Blacks throughout the world.  It may be worth noting that Ms. Cooper had a particular interest in the cultural contributions of African-Americans—her nephew, Simon Estes, was one of the first African-American opera singers to achieve international fame and help break down racial barriers in the world of classical music.

Throughout her life, Ms. Cooper was active in the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, the Iowa and Quad Cities Human Rights Council, and the Catholic Interracial Council.  In 1978, Cooper was presented with the local Diana Award for her volunteer efforts.

Cecile Cooper died on May 25, 1997 in Davenport, Iowa.  A room at the African-American Museum of Iowa bears her name and her personal papers may be found in the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa.

________

* Before C.J. Walker opened her first school, there were very few salons that would or could accommodate the needs of African-American women.  The Walker Schools provided employment and business opportunities for hundreds of black women at a time when such opportunities were rare.

Sources:

Silag, Bill (ed.).  Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000

Obituary of Cecile Cooper.  Quad-City Times, 26May1997, p.8A.

 

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Not Gone Before His Time: The Adventures of Civil War Captain Harry B. Doolittle

Posted on March 9, 2012 by SCblogger

On August 13, 1896 the Daily Democrat and Davenport Daily Times ran the obituary for Captain Harry B. Doolittle. The Civil War veteran had died after a fall at his residence at the Old Soldiers’ Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Interestingly, this was not the first time citizens of Davenport had mourned the loss of this brave soldier or read his news of his passing in the paper. 

34 years before the nation was in the midst of what became known as the Civil War. A young man named Harry B. Doolittle had moved from his native Ohio to Davenport around 1857.  As his obituaries noted, he was a popular and industrious man who joined the Iowa 2nd Infantry, Company C on April 24, 1861 with the rank of Corporal. On August 21, 1861 he was promoted to Full Sergeant.

From February 11 – 16, 1862 the Iowa 2nd Infantry, Company C joined in the Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee. Doolittle had been selected Color Sergeant of his regiment and carried the regimental colors into battle.  According to the 1896 obituaries, Sergeant Doolittle was first shot through the abdomen, then the shoulder, and finally the leg during the company’s charge.  The regimental colors were taken up by a Corporal Page (who was killed almost immediately) and then a Corporal Twombley who was wounded, but survived with the colors still flying.

The Union would go on to win the Battle of Fort Donelson, but Sergeant Doolittle was removed and eventually found himself in a hospital in Mound City, Illinois in dire condition. On March 21st a letter was received in Davenport stating that Sergeant Doolittle had passed away from his injuries. The newspapers prepared obituaries and the town mourned the loss of another brave soldier.

The following day a letter arrived addressed to Mr. H. G. Smith of Davenport. This one written by Henry Doolittle himself and dated after his supposed passing. In it he stated the only reason he was still alive was due to the intervention and care received by the Davenport Relief Committee (a group of doctors and other men who went to battle sites to retrieve the bodies of local men who had died and also toured the hospitals to make sure their soldiers received proper care. The committee was funded by donations from Davenport citizens).

The relief committee, according to Doolittle’s letter which was printed in the paper, had removed him from the hospital, placed him in better accommodations and nursed him back to health.  He referred to his original hospital as a living grave (Davenport Democrat and News, March 22, 1862, Front Page) and stated those doctors had told him he only had two weeks to live. At the end of the letter he indicated he would fight again to avenge the deaths of those who had fallen at Fort Donelson.

The newspapers reported the great relief at the news Sergeant Doolittle was still alive. Another letter printed in the Davenport Daily Gazette, March 24, 1862 from Doolittle to Mr. A. J. Smith gave more details of his wounds which he said occurred during battle on February 16th.  At the time of this letter Doolittle was in Cincinnati.

Sergeant Doolittle did recover and did fight again. He rejoined the Iowa 2nd Infantry, Company C and went back into battle. He once again was selected to take the regiment colors into battle and, once again, he was severely wounded and survived.

On January 1, 1863 he was promoted to Captain and was transferred to the Iowa 20th Infantry, Company K on March 25, 1863. He would serve with this unit until it was mustered out on July 8, 1865.

Captain Doolittle would eventually marry, have a child, and return to live in Davenport as a well-respected citizen and veteran. Age and his wounds were a deciding factor for Doolittle to move into the Old Soldiers’ Home leaving his wife in Davenport in the care of their adult daughter. Captain Henry B. Doolittle was buried in the Iowa Veterans Home Cemetery.

As stated in the Davenport Democrat and News of March 22, 1862 concerning the obituary they had written from Sergeant Doolittle, “We can’t say that we take back any part thereof, excepting the portion announcing his death. Otherwise it is as good as ever. It is not the first time in our life that we have written a person’s obituary before his death, though it is very seldom that men live long enough to hear what men say of them after they think they are dead.”

In Captain Doolittle’s case the good words still remained 34 years later, only with new adventures and compliments added to an already exceptional life.

(posted by Amy D.)

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“Quietly Utilizing Our Total Ability”: The Davenport Quota Club

Posted on March 1, 2012 by SCblogger

Quota Club International Incorporated was chartered on February 6, 1919 in Buffalo, New York. It was the first international women’s club and was made up of professional women. Quota is a Latin word that means “A share of one part to a whole”. Their motto was “We Share” and their slogan was “Quietly Utilizing Our Total Ability”.

 

The statement of purpose: “To associate together and to further the welfare of women engaged in the arts and professions, or in the distribution of commodities; To promote friendly intercourse among its members and to encourage co-operation and investigation in matters pertaining to general business; To apply ethical standards to business relationships, and to standardize and disseminate among Quota clubs, Quotarian principles and practices of the fair dealing gospel of ‘Do unto others as you would have others do onto you’ in private, social, civic and business life; To promote co-operation between Quotarians in the development of the various lines they represent; To quicken the interest of each member in public welfare.

 

The club was intended for mutual and general uplifting, to promote business ethics, encourage friendships and to cooperate in civic betterments. They believed they could help make the world a better place by improving themselves. The members of the club were asked to refrain from using the prefixes Miss or Mrs., and instead call each other by their first names.

 

The Quota Club of Davenport was organized in September of 1923. Founding members were Frieda Plath, Mary Tierney, Agnes Gosch, Gertrude Jenne, Flo McNitt, Mary (Ryan) Bollinger, Anna Canty and Mabel Palmer. They met on Thursdays at noon at the Hotel Blackhawk. The Davenport club was the farthest west at the time of its founding. It was also the first club to have a local objective – the encouragement and promotion of the underprivileged girl through interest and co-operation of Quotarians.

 

Delegates and Visitors to Ninth Annual Convention of Quota Club, International, Inc., held in Davenport, Iowa, June 27-28-29, 1928.

The Quota Club International, Inc. held conventions every year in different towns and published a newsletter titled The Quotarian. Before finding a permanent home in Washington D. C. in the late 1920’s, the Quota Club International’s headquarters and editorial offices would move each year to the club president’s hometown.

Mabel H. Palmer

 

Mabel H. Palmer was named President of Quota Club International, Inc. for the year 1927-1928. The Quota Club’s annual convention was held on June 27-29, 1928 at the Hotel Blackhawk. Volume 7, Number 1 of The Quotarian listed the International Headquarters and Editorial Offices as 808 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa.

 

The Quota Club of Davenport appears in the Davenport City Directories until 1972.

 

__________________________________________________________

Works Cited

The Quotarian July-August 1928.

Official program, ninth annual convention, Quota Club International Incorporated. Davenport, 1928.

“Quota Club One of Latest Davenport Women’s Organizations for Public Improvement, Affiliated With Strong National Civic Service Associations.” Davenport Democrat and Leader 17 July 1924: New Home Edition.

The Birth of Quota International. 5 July 2008 http://www.quota.org.

(posted by Cristina)

 

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Leap Year: When Ladies Ruled the Dance Floor

Posted on February 23, 2012 by SCblogger

Happy Leap Year!

As February 29, 2012 arrives, most of us will only give it a passing thought. Others, like Leap Year babies, will be able to blow out birthday candles on their actual birthday.

Maybe even a few adventurous couples will decide to get married on this day.  After all, Leap Year has been associated with romance for centuries.

While there are many myths associated with Leap Year, or Leap Day, most have to do with the idea that women were allowed to ask men to marry them during this special time. Some date the concept back to the 5th century with an agreement between St. Patrick and St. Bridget. Others date it to 1288 and a decree by Queen Margaret of Scotland. Still others say this idea of romantic turnabout dates from the 1600s, 1700s, or 1800s. Clearly no one knows who started the idea that a woman could propose to a man during A) A Leap Year, B) A Leap Month, C) A Leap Day—even the time frame when a lady could ask for a man’s hand changed over the years).

By the late 1800s into the early 1900s, one is able to glean from local newspaper articles that amusement over the concept of women asking men to marry them ruled the day. Small comments in the newspapers warned men to be weary of husband-hunting females. By the 1900s, District court clerks even offered a free marriage license to the first couple to acknowledge that the woman had proposed to the man during Leap Years. In 1928 The Davenport Democrat and Leader of February 5th printed that the free license offer made by district court clerk Harold Grumstrup was accepted by a Miss Helen Calvert of Davenport who proposed to Vale Pestle of Davenport. The couple were married by Reverend Harry Harned of the Congregational Church and settled in Rock Island to begin married life.

Leap Year themed card parties, thimble parties, teas, and dances were amusing ways to celebrate the date. One Leap Year party held on February 27, 1896 at Library Hall seems to show the good humor of the day as the ladies switched social roles with the men for the evening. The Davenport Daily Times of February 29, 1896 gave coverage to the event and all of its humor.

Dancing commenced that evening with ladies not only being allowed to ask partners to dance, but they were also allowed to walk the floor to search out men for each dance. Other rules for the women to follow included dedicating themselves to the comfort of their gentlemen guests, never allowing a man to cross the dance floor unattended, to make sure no man was left as a “wallflower”, offer gentlemen refreshments or air when needed (it was stressed that standing by an open window with a gentleman was more than enough in the way of getting air), always return a gentleman to a good elevated seat after a dance, and the women were never to smoke cigarettes.

Men, who were given fans to carry for the night, had a list of instructions as well for the evening. They were directed to be delicate in their demeanor, blush when addressed by a lady, lightly touch the lady’s arm during a walk around the floor, say “no” and “yes” as needed, dance gracefully and lightly on one’s feet, and never leave his seat without a lady’s escort.

One can imagine the frivolity of the evening with men fanning themselves and women rushing to help a gentleman cross the dance floor. The article also provides an interesting insight into what the social rules must have been for men and women during this time period at these events. One wonders who enjoyed letting go and changing their social manners for the evening more. If one of the ladies did take the Leap Year tradition to heart and proposed to a gentleman that night it was sadly not reported.

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate (or not), we wish you a wonderful Leap Year!

(posted by Amy D.)

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