The Rock Families of Scott County, Iowa

CHRISTIAN ROCK, SR.

The life of Christian Rock, Sr., is a graphic illustration of the possibilities existing for the poor boy who is equipped with plenty of dauntless energy, integrity and intelligence in lieu of more material capital. He was born in Prussia, Germany, January 15, 1829, his parents being Christian and Wilhelmina (Klauschmidt) Rock. The parental roof sheltered the following large family of children: Wilhelmina Frazier, deceased; Christian, the subject of the sketch; Ludwig of Dixon, Iowa; Henry; Fredericka; Louise Brockman, who died in this country; Wilhelm, of Clinton county; and Frederick, of Walcott. The death of the father occurred in Germany, but the mother came to Dixon and made her home with her son Ludwig.

Early in life young Christian Rock fixed his hopes on America, and in 1853 he crossed the seas with his cousin William Rock. Coming to Iowa, he for several years earned his livelihood as a farm hand and from that time he climbed steadily up the ladder of fortune. Concluding to put into practice the experience gained upon the farms of others, he rented a farm near Walcott and operated it for a time. By the exercise of thrift, which was a natural characteristic, he soon found himself in a position to buy a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres on section 4, Hickory Grove township, and there resided from 1861 until he took possession of his present valuable property, a farm of two hundred acres on sections 32 and 29, that township, where he has lived for about twenty years. Prior to dividing it among his children Mr. Rock owned seven hundred acres of land, all of it fertile and in a high state of improvement, for he is thoroughly progressive and believes in the application of science to agriculture.

In 1857 Mr. Rock was united in marriage to a lady of the same name as his own. Miss Wilhelmina Rock, born in Prussia March 6, 1830, who came to America in the year of her marriage, and died February 17, 1910. Their union was blessed by the birth of the following six children: Christian, Jr., of Hickory Grove township; Louise, the wife of William H. Rock, whose career is treated elsewhere in this volume; Caroline, the wife of Christian Rock, of Avoca, Iowa;

Wilhelmina, the wife of Henry Meints of Aliens Grove township; Fritz, deceased; and Fredericka, the wife of Gus Greve of Aliens Grove township,

Mr. Rock is highly regarded and a loyal citizen of the county in which he and his children have enjoyed prosperity and many of Heaven's best gifts. He rejoices in the possession of many friends whose companionship his present well earned leisure permits him to cultivate.

Christian Rock, Jr., son of the above, was born April i8, 1858, in Blue Grass township, Scott county. When about three years of age he removed with his parents to the farm which he at present occupies, his father having taken possession of another homestead some years ago. The subject of the sketch has resided there from that day to this and has enjoyed great success as a farmer. This tract is especially well improved, much of the credit being due to the father, and the place is adorned by a fine eight room residence. Mr. Rock owns an additional two hundred and ten acres on sections 32 and 29, and one hundred and fifty-three in section 4, Hickory Grove township. He enjoys a wide reputation as a breeder of shorthorn cattle and owns thirty head of registered cattle. He is also a stockholder in the Dixon Savings Bank.

In 1890 Mr. Rock was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Quistorf. She was born in Scott county, March 17, 1868, her parents being Henry and Louisa Quistorf, both of them natives of Germany, who settled in Scott county and resided here until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Rock have a fine family of six children; namely: Albert William, Sadie Leonora, Edwin Christian, Eleanor Theresa, Walter Sylvester and Elmer Henry. The Rock family is one of the largest and most prominent in this part of country and Christian Rock, Jr., and his household are worthy representatives.

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

A public-spirited man with an eye single to the general good, even at the occasional expense of personal interest, is a credit and a boon to any community. Such a one is Frederick Rock, a citizen of Walcott. He was born December 11, 1834, in the principality of Waldeck, Germany, his parents being Christian and Wilhelmina (Kleinschmidt) Rock. Early in life he became imbued with the desire to come to America, whose wholesome ideas in the matter of equality had in some way reached him across the seas. He did not allow this ambition to remain a dream but came to America in 1857, landing in New York in the month of May. He made his way almost at once to Davenport and in a short time found employment with Robert S. Wilson, a Scott county farmer, with whom he remained for four years. At the end of this time he had become sufficiently well acquainted with the ways of the land of his adoption to make a more independent venture and he rented a farm in Hickory Grove township, where he lived for another four years. In 1863, as the result of excellent management, he was enabled to purchase a farm, a very desirable. tract of eighty acres located on section 4, Hickory Grove township. Here he lived until 1906, when he retired and removed to Walcott to make his home.

In 1865 Mr. Rock was united in marriage to a lady of his own nationality. Miss Margaretha Carstens, daughter of Claus Carstens, a native of Holstein, Germany. Three children were born to them but only one is living, Ella, now the wife of Otto Baustian. Mr. and Mrs. Baustian reside on the old Rock homestead in Hickory Grove township.

An evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Rock is held is the fact that he has been called upon to fill several important offices. He has served as trustee of Hickory Grove township and for over twenty years was justice of the peace. In the latter capacity he made a most remarkable record, for in all the twenty years a case was never appealed to a higher court after he had made his decision, his keen insight and unimpeachable justice being readily recognized. Mr. Rock is at present an advocate of the principles of the republican party and its administration of affairs, but he was originally a member of the democratic party. In 1893 he received the nomination of the gold democrats for the legislature but retired from the race before the election. He holds the position of president and secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of German Householders and is secretary of the Walcott Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is a stockholder in the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank of Davenport and also in the Farmers Savings Bank of Walcott, having at one time been vice president of the latter institution but compelled to resign on account of ill health in his family. In a word Mr. Rock is in all his relations worthy of respect and confidence, a man of integrity and progressiveness.

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

WILLIAM H. ROCK.

The strong traits of character predominant in the German race have been conspicuous in winning for William H. Rock the substantial position he holds among the farmers of Aliens Grove township. There he engaged m farming for more than a quarter of a century until 1908, when he retired from active life and took up his residence in Dixon. He was born in Waldeck, Germany, December 2, 1853, a son of Louis and Fredericka (Bick) Rock. They spent their entire lives in the country of their birth and were the parents of seven sons and two daughters. Three of the former came to this country: WiUiam

H., the subject; and F. H. and C. H., who settled first in Qinton county, Iowa, and later moved to Woodbury, county, Iowa.

William H. Rock attended the public schools of his fatherland until he was seventeen years of age, when he decided to come to America. After crossing the Atlantic he made his way immediately to Davenport, arriving here some time in the early part of 1870. He had little difficulty in finding work as a farm hand, receiving a small wage in compensation for his labor. Until he was twenty-six years of age he worked for others and then bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Berlin township, Clinton county. Upon that he engaged in farming for a number of years, finally selling it in order that he might buy the two hundred and forty acres in Aliens Grove township which was for so many years his home. It is situated about two miles south of the village of Dixon and is a fine arable tract. He improved it greatly during the years it was his home and from the cultivation of its soil derived a large profit. As the years brought him success he invested heavily in land elsewhere, purchasing one hundred and sixty-nine acres in Liberty township adjoining the corporate boundaries of Dixon, and five hundred and fifty-five acres in Oldham county, Texas. As these landholdings represent his own efforts he felt that he was well justified in relinquishing the heavier cares of life and enjoying a respite from his toil.

In 1882 Mr. Rock wedded Miss Louise Rock, who was born in Scott county. November 1, 1860, a daughter of Christian and Wilhelmina Rock. They were both natives of Waldeck, Germany, and had come to this county sometime in the '50s. They are now residing in Aliens Grove township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rock: Minnie, now the wife of Louis Wunder, of Hickory Grove township; and Herbert B., Hugo and Hellmuth, who are living upon their father's farm in Aliens Grove township. The eldest of the sons is married.

When Mr. Rock became a citizen of this country he those the democratic party as his guide in political matters and to its support has since given his unqualified allegiance. He was active in the affairs of Aliens Grove township, although never an office seeker, having for six years efficiently fulfilled the duties of assessor and for seven years having served the people as trustee. When the Dixon Savings Bank was organized a few years ago Mr. Rock became the vice president, a position he still holds. His activity in promoting this enterprise is but another indication of the progressive spirit which has been conspicuous throughout his life.

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