The Sindt Families of Scott County, Iowa

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

With the passing away of Henry Sindt in 1898 Walcott lost one of if not its most public-spirited citizen, who for more than twenty years had been prominently connected with the business interests and public affairs of the city. One of Iowa's native sons, his birth occurred in Davenport on October 9, 1850, his parents being Thies and Abel ( Stoltenberg) Sindt, both natives of Holstein, Germany, where the father was born on the 19th of November, 1824. The year 1847 witnessed the arrival of the parents in America, the family home being established in Davenport, where they were married. The father followed the tinner's trade until 1855. He then took up the occupation of farming in which he was engaged for a number of years. He still survives at the age of eighty-five years, and makes his home in Davenport, where he is living retired from active labor, enjoying a well earned rest.

Henry Sindt, whose name initiated this review, was the eldest in a family of eight children, and under the parental roof passed the period of his boyhood and youth. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the public schools of Davenport, and in Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city received thorough and comprehensive commercial training that well equipped him for the practical and responsible duties of business life. In 1873 he came to Walcott and the succeeding two years were devoted to the occupation of farming, after which, in 1875, he became identified with hotel interests, conducting a hostelry up until 189s, three years prior to his death. His excellent business training and his good judgment and wise discrimination well fitted him for carrying on such an enterprise, and with the passing of the years his establishment proved a most profitable and paying investment. The proprietor believed in providing the very best at all times, recognizing that there could be no better advertisement than satisfied patrons, and the hotel; modern and up-to-date in all of its appointments, became well known throughout the locality for its excellent service and was the favorite stopping place of a large number of persons visiting this community.

It was on the 22d of February, 1873, that Mr. Sindt was united in marriage to Miss Catharina Horst, a native of Holstein, Germany, and a daughter of Jochim Horst, who also became a citizen of Walcott. Four children came to bless this union, of whom two are still living, namely: August, a resident of Lake Park, Iowa; and Clara, the wife of Robert Bennewitz, of Walcott. Alma passed away on the 29th of May, 1904, at the age of eighteen years, while Laura died, in 1876 when eleven months old.

Fraternally Mr. Sindt belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Walcott, while politically he gave stalwart allegiance to the principles of the democratic party. Public-spirited to an eminent degree, he at all times cooperated in every movement which had for its object the advancement and upbuilding of the community. His fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and worth, called him to various positions of honor and trust, and for nine years hs served as trustee of Blue Grass township. For six years he filled the office of township clerk and from 1888 until 1894 acted as a member of the county board of supervisors, also serving as township constable for seventeen years. Faithful and efficient at all times in the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him in his public office, he was not only popular with the members of his own party but won the honor and esteem of his political opponents and no citizen of Walcott occupied a higher place nor more richly merited the respect and admiration of his fellowmen than did Mr. Sindt. He was equally well known in the social circles of this city and therefore the news of his death, which occurred on the 9th of June, 1898, caused a feeling of personal loss throughout the entire community, with the affairs of which he had been so closely and thoroughly identified during the period of his residence here. His widow still survives and makes her home in Walcott, where she is highly esteemed by all who know her for her many excellent traits of heart and mind.

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

Few men have won a more marked success from years of persistent cultivation of the soil than has Henry Sindt, who owns two hundred and forty acres of fine farm land in Hickory Grove township but has now retired from active life and lives in Davenport. He was born in Holstein, Germany, March 29, 1821, a son of Hans and Anna Sindt. He received his education in the public schools of his native land and when he reached manhood rendered the military service exacted of all German born males. He served in the Holstein war with Denmark and at the expiration of his period of enlistment he came to the United States.

It was in 1851 that Mr. Sindt landed at New Orleans, where he took a boat upon the Mississippi river to St. Louis. There he remained two days and then reembarked upon the river and came to Davenport. Twelve weeks had elapsed from the time he left the old country until he reached his destination. Upon his arrival here he secured work as a farm laborer, but after a little experience he decided to rent land and himself obtain the compensation for his own toil. He was industrious and thrifty, besides being ambitious, and in 1856 he was able to buy one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Hickory Grove township. He built a house thereon, to which he brought his wife, and it remained his home until 1894, when he retired from the active pursuits of farming. In the course of years, however, he had invested heavily in land until he owned three hundred and twenty acres at one time. Fifteen years ago he bought the excellent town property where he now makes his home and has since lived in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

Shortly after his arrival in this country Mr. Sindt was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Weisi, June 26, 1852. She, like her husband, is a native of Holstein, Germany, where she was born in January, 1823. Seven children were born to them. Johannes, who is living in Lyon county, Iowa, married Katie Klindt, and they have three children: Hugo, Theodore and Carolina. Heinrich, also a resident of Lyon county, married Miss Augusta Baldt, and they have four children: Hugo, Herbert, Amanda and Malona. Celia became the wife of Henry Klindt, of Scott county, and they have three children: Albert, Meta and Henry. Emma is the wife of Henry Lage, and they have seven children: Theodore, Laura, Mary, Hattie, Anna, Emma and Lura. Alvina is the wife of Theodore Meyer, of Hickory Grove township, and has become the mother of six children: Emil, Alma, Grover, Martha, Frank and Stella. Edward, a farmer of Hickory Grove township, wedded Miss Bertha Croft, and they have three children. Gustave, residing in California, married Miss Helena Kroft, and they have two daughters.

In the half century or more of his residence in Scott county, Mr. Sindt took an active part in local affairs, serving as school director and road supervisor for long periods. He was faithful in the performance of his duties and gained the good will of his fellow citizens.

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