The Bock Families of Des Moines County, Iowa

To render complete this account of the business interests of Burlington, Iowa, and of Des Moines county, it is necessary to make extended mention of Jerome Bock, who ranks as one of the oldest nurserymen in the city, as well as one of the best known. Mr. Bock was born April 21, 1822, at Glatz, Prussia, a son of Joseph and Johanna (Zenka) Bock. The family had long been residents of that city, and were celebrated for their hardy physical constitution and longevity, the grandfather, Valentine Bock, having attained the age of ninety-two years, while his wife, who was killed by accident, was eighty-one years old at the time of her death. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Frederic Zenka, who was by trade a shoemaker, died at the age of eighty-four years. Joseph, father of Jerome Bock, was gardener to a nobleman at Glatz, and served in the war of the Allies against Napoleon, being with Blucher at Waterloo, and thus contributing to the final defeat of the emperor of the French. He attained to the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother of Jerome Bock was more than ninety years of age at her decease.

Mr. Bock learned the trade of gardener under the direction of a nobleman's gardener in his native land, and at the age of twenty-two years went to England to take a position in the Royal Botanic Gardens. He was in London during the time of the great World's Fair, which was one of the first of the series of gigantic expositions of modern times, and remained at the Royal Gardens for seven years, thus gaining much valuable experience. He then, with two brothers, Joseph and William, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to become gardener to a gentleman at Montreal; but not being pleased with conditions in Canada, he went to Boston in 185 1, and was there connected with the nursery business for a period of five years. In 1856 he traveled over Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois in search of a location, but being best pleased with Iowa when he came to this State in the latter part of that year, he located in Burlington, forming a partnership here with Keally Brothers in the nursery business, and the firm continued under the style of Neally Brothers & Bock for twelve years. This was the largest nursery firm in southeastern Iowa, and established the first commercial greenhouse in Burlington.

On the termination of the partnership, Mr. Bock purchased a tract of forty acres on South Madison Street, where, at No. 2600, stands his residence, a pleasant home, surrounded by the ornamental triumphs of the gardener's art. While in Boston he wedded Miss Susan Hill, daughter of John Hill, of Boston, and to them were born in Burlington two sons and two daughters, as follows: William, now a locomotive engineer; Helen, wife of Simon Chapman; Agnes, wife of Elmer Sykes; and Walter, who died when a promising young man of eighteen years. Mrs. Bock is also now

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In addition to his business Mr. Bock has always borne his share of the burden in matters of public interest, and in his political alliance was first a member of the Democratic party, voting while in Boston for Franklin Pierce for president of the United States: but since that time has been a Republican, having been converted to that view by careful consideration of existing problems. He has been a constant student and reader, acquiring wide general information, and as one who appreciates his higher duties, is a supporter and member of the Congregational church, as was also his deceased wife. He has acquired a complete mastery of conversational English, and is an entertaining talker, always speaking with ability and with a breadth of view which reveals the powers of his mind. To almost all the people of Burlington ht is well known, and the purity of his private life and integrity of his business career have endeared him to all. and won him that respect which is one of the most precious rewards of an upright life.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

In a history of Burlington it is imperative that mention should be made of Ernst Bock, for his life record is inseparably interwoven with the annals of this city. The beauty of Crapo Park is largely attributable to his untiring energies and in various public connections he largely furthered the general welfare. He was born in Silesia, Germany, on the 28th of August, 1848, a son of Joseph and Johanna (Reichelt) Bock. The mother died in Germany and in later life the father came to the new world and spent his last three years with his sons, passing away January 6, 1897, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He was a florist and landscape gardener of high repute in his chosen calling, and he had charge of the greenhouses of a German baron. In the family were five children: Joseph and Ernst, both of whom were valued and prominent citizens of Burlington but are now deceased; William, who died in this city, February 20, 1913; Anna, who died in Germany; and Oscar, who is still living in the fatherland.

Ernst Bock spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land and then in company with his brother Joseph embarked for the new world, making his way direct to Burlington, where the two brothers joined an uncle, Jerome Bock, who was then conducting a nursery business on Madison avenue. Both were connected with the nursery and florist business throughout their entire lives. Their father had been engaged in that line and thus they acquired considerable knowledge of the business in youth. They spent about ten years in the employ of their uncle and during that time Ernst Bock made a trip back to Europe for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired through injuries sustained in a railroad accident. After a few months, however, he again came to the United States. In 1873 he purchased what is now the present home place of fourteen acres and for a time kept bachelor's hall, building on his land a

ERNST BOCK house of three rooms which is now a part of the present fine family residence. He embarked in the florist and nursery business on his own account and his brother Joseph later became his partner and purchased adjoining property. From the beginning their business grew and developed along substantial lines and the partnership was continued for about a decade, at the end of which time they severed their business connections, Joseph taking over the greenhouses and continuing in business as a florist, while Ernst Bock became proprietor of the nurseries. He engaged in the cultivation and sale of general nursery stock and in that connection built up a business of e.extensive proportions. Under his careful management it became one of the best enterprises of the kind in the state. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investments and became one of the extensive property owners, holding a large amount of realty within the city limits, much of it being along Sunnyside avenue. His business was known as the Sunnyside Nursery — a name which became widely known not only in Burlington but throughout the state, for his patronage covered a wide territory.

On the 9th of September, 1877, Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Schafifner, who was born in Des Moines county and died July 21, 1894. They were the parents of four children: William, who died at the age of two years; Clarence, a salesman for the nursery business, living in this city, where he has married and has one son, Milton; Gertrude, the wife of Ed Cook, of Clinton, Iowa, by whom she has two children, Glenn and Marita; and Adella, who died at the age of two years.

In December, 1895, - Bock was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Frances Eckhart Hanson, who passed away June 6, 1900,. leaving two children, Jerome and Frances. On the 27th of July, 1904, Mr. Bock was married again, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Emma Kupper Kneubuhl, a widow, who was born in Des Moines county and by her first marriage had two children: Emily Kneubuhl, who is principal of a school in Minneapolis; and B. F., who has been connected with the United States navy for the past twelve years.

Mr. Bock gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, and he was one of the first selected to serve as alderman under the new commission form of government. His familiarity with plant life and the esteem in which he was held by all made him logically a candidate for the office and he was made commissioner of the parks, serving as president of the park board for nine years. He was one of the three park commissioners to succeed Philip Crapo and for fifteen years he acted as president of the commission having Crapo Park, in charge. He closely studied the opportunities for adorning and beautifying the park and Burlington has every reason to be proud of the results which crowned his efforts in that connection. When he was elected to the city government under the commission form he received the highest vote polled by any alderman. Mr. Bock was an active member of the Turn Verein. He passed away March 31, 191 4, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He had an extensive circle of warm friends who entertained for him the highest regard.

Writing of his demise, one of the local papers said: "The loss of Mr. Bock will be felt by the community in marked manner, as his personality and high character contained those attributes of love, patience, courtesy and unselfishness which made his presence a source of joy and encouragement to his friends as well as intimate family. With him thought of others was ever paramount and he met his acquaintances with a ready, genial smile." In manner he was quiet and unostentatious, but the sterling worth of his character won recognition and all who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard. In his passing Burlington indeed lost one of its worthy and valued citizens.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDWIN C. BOCK, D. D. S.

Dr. Edwin C. Bock is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Fairfield but is well known in Burlington, his native city. He was born February 25, 1879, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wiemer) Bock. His boyhood days were spent in Burlington and to the public-school system of that city he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his earlier youth. He afterward attended Elliott's Business College and then, determining upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he matriculated as a student in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1897 and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1900. Soon afterward he located for practice in Fairfield, where he has since remained. His entire time has been devoted to his profession and he is now a member of the Southeastern Iowa Dental Association and the Iowa State Dental Association. He keeps in touch with the most advanced processes and employs scientific methods in his practice. He possesses, too, that mechanical skill and ingenuity which are so necessary to the dentist and his increasing ability has brought to him a constantly growing practice. He is conscientious in the performance of all his professional service and his, ability has won for him high encomiums from the laity and from his professional brethren.

In 1903 Dr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Clara Gregg, who was born near Fairfield, Iowa, January 14, 1877, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Billingsley) Gregg. Her father, a Civil war veteran, is now a retired farmer of Jefferson county. Her mother died four years ago. Dr. and Mrs. Bock have two children, Elizabeth and Laura. His political indorsement is given to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Congregational church, to the teachings of which he loyally adheres.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The name of Bock has long been associated with the florist's business in Burlington, and the subject of this review is now connected with the Bock greenhouses, and is thus active in the control of one of the leading enterprises of this character in Burlington. He was born at the old home place here on the 27th of August, 1881, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wiemer) Bock. He has always resided in Burlington, and under the direction of his father he acquainted himself with the business of cultivating flowers and managing a greenhouse. He also spent one year in the Vaughan greenhouses of Chicago. Since his father's death he has worked with his mother, who conducts the business, and is ably assisted by her son Harry, who has become well acquainted with every phase of plant cultivation, as well as the sales end of the business. The products of the greenhouses now find a ready sale on the market, and the business has steadily grown and developed.

In 1910 Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Wohlwend, who was born in Burlington, August 15, 1880, a daughter of J. J. and Rosa Wohlwend, natives of Germany. The father died in Burlington, where the mother still makes her home. Mr. and Mrs. Bock have an interesting little son, Joseph, who is named in honor of his grandfather.

Mr. Bock is a republican in his political views, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Moose, the Eagles, and the Turn Verein. He is well known in the city where his entire life has been passed, and here he has made for himself a creditable record in business circles..

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

TiiK name of Frederick Bock became actively associated with the business history of Flint River township, and in trade circles he sustained an unassailable reputation; but those who knew him in other walks of life also entertaineil for bin) the highest regard. He was a son of Frederick I'ock, and was born in Gubeardstadt, Germany, about 1823. He came to-Xnierica in 1864. and settled in Burlington township. Des Moines county. Iowa. Soon after this he bought a place of one hundred and sixty acres on Sections 14 anil 22,. in Flint River township, where he lived till his death, which occurred Sept. 16, 1893, at the ailvanced age of seventy-one years. He gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and was ever loyal to all of its greatest needs. He was an esteemed member of the German Evangelical church.

In 1884, Mr. Bock was married to Mrs. Mary (Thurman) Houer, of Des.Moines county, who is a daughter of John and Catherine (Schulz) Thurman, and is a native of Machdenberg. Germany, her birth occurring Dec. 16, 1829. Her first husband was William Houer, and they had one child, William, who died at the age of six weeks. Mr. Houer passed away in August, 1882, aged fifty years. The memory of Mr. Houer is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.

Mrs. Bock adopted Charles Grothe, son of Henry and Dora (Ileinsauer) Grothe, who was born in West Phalen, Germany,.Xjiril 26, 1882. He came to America when only two years old. His father came before the family did, and met his death in 1884 while walking on the railroad tracks, being struck by a Qiicago, Burlington & Quincy train and instantly killed. His widow later married Christ Pistorius, a prosperous stone-mason of Burlington. Iowa. They reside at 206 South Woodlawn Avenue..Mrs. Bock gave her adopted son a good home and a fair education in the district schools. After her husband died she sold the Bus.se place, and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Sections 7 and 8, in Flint River township. Her adopted son superintend the farming interests of Mrs. Bock. They ha\ e made all the improve- 93:

ments on the place, putting up all the necessary outbuildings for grain and stock, and now have a comfortable home and new barn thirty by forty feet, which they erected in 1903. They do farming and gardening and also raise stock.

Mrs. Bock is a woman who has passed through much trouble, but each trial seems to have made her more able and better fitted to endure the burden of life..She is respected throughout the township for her many deeds of kindness. Charles, her adopted son, also commands the universal respect and esteem of all friends and neighbors for his sterling business qualifications, and for the attention which he exhibits constantly towards his mother in his efforts to make her-comfortable.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.