The full biographical sketch as printed in 1910, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
FERDINAND HAAK.
If the prosperity of the city be measured by the enterprise of some of its more important manufacturing concerns Davenport owes no little of its reputa- tion as being the home of successful business men to Ferdinand Haak, who is president of one of the largest cigar factories west of the Mississippi. The enviable position he holds has been entirely the work of his own hands and brain, being a patent example of the value of industry, economy and wise fore-
sight. He was born in 1845 at Elmshorn, about four miles from Hamburg, Germany, a son of Carsten and Lesette (Oldendorf ) Haak. The father brought his family to America in 1857 and selected Scott county, Iowa, as a place of residence. He bought considerable land here and farmed with profit until his death, which occurred in 1888.
Ferdinand Haak was about twelve years of age when his family came to the United States. He h3.d attended the schools of his native land and after he came to Scott county was enrolled as a pupil in the public schools of Davenport. For a number of years he worked upon the home farm and then decided to start in life for himself as a cigarmaker. He served an apprenticeship for about four years, in that time becoming a most efficient workman, and then secured a posi- tion as foreman in a factory, but although he enjoyed the confidence of his em- ployers he was not satisfied for he was ambitious to make a name for himself. Accordingly; in 1870, he opened a factory of his own, and although he began business in a small way, through concentration of his powers, business acumen and determination to succeed he has built it up so that now it is one of the largest in the west. He has won from it a most gratifying income.
In 1867 Mr. Haak was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kohrdt, and of their union have been born seven children: Minnie, now the wife of Charles Meyer; Pauline, who became the wife of Gene Gruenewald and has one child; John, who is in business with his father, and is married and has three children, John, Ferdinand and Minna; Richard, who is also in business with his father, and has two daughters, Irma and Elsie ; Edna and Elsie, who are living at home ; and Theckla, who is the wife of Frank Hetzl, of Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Haak belongs to the Turners and is one of the directors of the Iowa National Bank. Shortly after his arrival in this country he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Iowa Infantry, but saw only one year's service on the field of battle. It, however, was sufficient to attach him closely to the government, so that he is an interested spectator of all national interests. His home is at 824 West Vine street, where he and his wife extend a gracious hospitality to all guests.
Source: History of Davenport and Scott County, Iowa (1910. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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