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.
HENRY THODE.
Henry Thode, who worked his way upward from a humble beginning and gave proof in his life that success is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and indefatigable energy rather than the result of fortunate circumstances or propitious environment, was born in Neustadt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, February 15, 1828. In his youthful days he learned the wagon maker's trade, which he followed in his native country until he came to America in 1852. Crossing the Atlantic on one of the old-time sailing vessels, he landed at New Orleans on the 3d of October and made his way northward to Iowa. At Rock Island he secured employment, there working at his trade for a year. On the expiration of that period he came to Davenport where he opened a wagon maker's shop and conducted business on bis own account. For a time after his arrival he was in partnership with a Mr. Linke in the ownership and conduct of a blacksmith shop on Harrison street, continuing in the business for eight years. He afterward formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Mr. Goss, who was a wagon maker by trade and came to this country from Holstein, Ger- many, in 185 1, at the age of fifty-five years. He entered the wholesale liquor business in 1866, in connection with Mr. Langfeldt, on West Second street, under the firm name of Langfeldt, Thode & Company. The partnership was dissolved in 1874 and Mr. Thode continued to carry on business in that line until his death.
On the 28th of October, 1854, was celebrated the marriage of Henry Thode and Miss Augusta Goss. Her father died many years ago but his wife lived until about 1893, when she passed away at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thode were born eleven children, eight of whom yet live, namely : William, Laura, Carl, Hugo, Edward, Dora, Mary and Emma, the last named being now the wife of H. J. Garstang. The death of Mr. Thode oc- curred October 18, 1893, after a residence in Davenport of about forty years. He was well known in the Odd Fellows society, holding membership in Scott Lodge, No. 37, and in the encampment. No. 3. He was also an honorary mem- ber of the Schuetzen Society. He was much interested in the German schools of Davenport and in his fellow countrymen, whom he assisted in many ways. His life stood to them as an example of patriotic American citizenship and of enter- prise and energy in business affairs, for the success he achieved in life was at- tributable entirely to his own labors.
GUSTAVE A. AND RUDOLF SCHROEDER.
The gentlemen whose names introduce this sketch are enterprising and well known farmers of Buffalo township, where they own a valuable farm compris- ing two hundred and twenty-three acres. They are sons of J. H. and Mina (Hoffman) Schroeder, both of German birth, the former a native of Wernings- hausen. Saxony, born September 13, 1840, and the latter born in Baden on the 1st of January, 1845. They came to the United States in early life and were married in Davenport. Prior to his marriage the father lived for a time in Black Hawk, Iowa, which is now a part of Davenport. He is a cabinet-maker by trade and followed that purstiit after coming to the new world. Eventually, however, he took up farming on the Locust road but is now living a retired life in Davenport, enjoying in ease the fruits of his former labor.
Gustave A. Schroeder was bom on the home farm in Scott county, January 20, 1873, while Rudolf, two years his junior, was born on the 2d of October, 1875. They were trained to the duties of the farm during the spring and sum- mer months, while in the winter seasons their time was devoted to the acquire- ment of an education in the district schools. In 1888 the family removed to a farm near Mount Joy in Scott county, and the sons remained on the homestead there until 1896, when, ambitious to start out upon an independent venture, they purchased their present farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres in Buffalo township. This tract is well improved, having on it substantial buildings, while the land is in an arable state and their knowledge of farming is such that each year they harvest good crops as a reward for the labor bestowed upon the fields. From the time of early spring planting until their crops are harvested in late autumn they are busily engaged, and their work is ever carried on according to the most honorable business principles.
The Schroeder brothers have one sister, Miss Lizzie Schroeder. In politi- cal belief they are democrats, believing firmly in the principles of the party. They are stockholders in the Bufifalo Savings Bank, of which Rudolf is a direc-
tor. Alert to every opportunity presented for advancement, they are steadily working their way upward and are classed with the representative farmers of Buffalo township and Scott county.
Source: History of Davenport and Scott County, Iowa (1910. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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