Thies Sindt

As printed in 1910

THIES SINDT.

After a career characterized by industry and thrift it is the happy lot of Thies Sindt, one of Davenport's retired citizens to spend the evening of Hfe free from pecuniary cares and removed from commercial striving, amid the comforts and refinements of an attractive home which his former efforts have given to him. Like so many of Scott county's adopted citizens he is a native of Hqlstein, his birth having occurred there November 19, 1824, his parents being Hans and Anna Sindt. The former, a timber overseer, came to the United States in 1854, his son having preceded him by a number of years, but he was permitted to enjoy his new home only for the short period of four years, his death occurring in 1858.

Thies Sindt obtained his education in the public schools whose excellence so materially adds to Germany's high standing among the nations. Then, in the custom of the country, he set about him to learn a trade, his choice falling upon the tinner's trade. When a little past his majority he decided to cast his fortunes on this side of the Atlantic and June 21, 1847, he arrived in New Orleans, coming up the Mississippi river to Davenport. Here he speedily secured work in a tinner's shop and continued to follow that occupation until 1854, when he became a landholder, buying an eighty acre tract in Davenport township. No easy lot confronted him for the land was unbroken prairie and it was necessary to expend great labor upon it before it could be brought to a cultivable condition. Nothing daunted, Mr. Sindt proceeded to do this and in the following year built a house and went there to live. As opportunity and means presented he bought more land and now owns one hundred and twenty acres in Davenport township, two hundred acres in Benton county, Iowa, and six hundred and forty in Ida county, this state, these making him one of Davenport's extensive property owners. His residence on his Scott county farm extended over nearly half a century, in which time he witnessed most remarkable changes and did his share toward the growth and progress.

In recognition of his public spirit and trustworthiness Mr. Sindt was made school director and sei-ved so efficiently that he held the office for twenty-five years. He was also a member of the board of supervisors. In 1900 he concluded that advanced years justified his giving up active life and he retired and came to Davenport, where he owns a fine home at 1506 South street.

In February, 1850, in the early days of his life in Davenport, Mr. Sindt was united in marriage to Miss Able Stoltenberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Stoltenberg, German people, who were among Scott county's pioneer settlers. Nine children were born to this union. Henry, deceased, married Trena Horst and was the father of three children, August, Clara and Alma. Minnie is at home. William, residing in Algona, Iowa, married Ella Bey and has two children, Nora and Elsie. Theodore married Anna Brauch and lives in Davenport. He has two children, Howard and Erwin. Meta is at home. Herman B., a resident of Walcott, married Anna Wiese and has a family of five children, Hilda, Velma, Norma, Arnold and Alfred. Lewis E. married Mary Soering and lives on the old homestead. Clara C. married Henry Arp, of Davenport. The youngest child died in infancy. Mrs. Sindt passed to her reward in 1872 at the age of forty-eight years.

Mr. Sindt's interests are not limited to the supervision of his property. He is a stockholder in the German Savings Bank of Davenport and the Savings Bank of Walcott. Socially he is affiliated with the Society of Old German Settlers. His long life has been its own reward, for now wearing his years with ease and dignity, he has time and means to spend his remaining days in the cultivation of the fine things of life and in the society of children, grandchildren and the friends, of whom he possesses fully his share.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.