The Stoltenberg Families of Scott County, Iowa

The strong qualities of industry and frugality which are marked characteristics of the German race were conspicuous in securing for Hans Stoltenberg the success which enabled him to retire from the active life of the farm and live in the enjoyment of many comforts in Davenport. He was born in Germany, September 20, 1828, his parents being Hans and Anna (Mundt) Stoltenberg. With his wife and twelve children the father came to America in 1847. He landed at New Orleans and later ascended the Mississippi river to Davenport. In Scott "county he bought seven hundred acres of fine farm land about five miles from the city. Unfortunately, however, he was not permitted to enjoy it or to see the success of his children for he died about two months after his arrival.

His son Hans Stoltenberg was about eighteen years of age when he left his native land. He had received all his education in the public schools there and after coming to this country assisted the family in settling upon the new farm. After the father's death he and his brother Claus remained there for six years and the tasks were many and hard that were laid upon their shoulders in order to care for their brothers and sisters until this land, which had been but little cultivated, was producing richly. At the end of six years the homestead was divided between the children and for the next twenty-two years Hans Stoltenberg remained upon his share of the estate. A skillful farmer, he soon had his fields highly cultivated and his place well improved, winning therefrom large and ample returns for his labor. With advancing years he determined to give up the active operation of the place and came to Davenport in 1887, where he devotes himself to looking after his several interests, for besides retaining possession of lis farm he holds some stock in the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank.

Mr. Stoltenberg was married in 1854 to Miss Elda Baresa and they had seven children: Minnie, the wife of Richard Petersen and a resident of Davenport;

Henry, who wedded Miss Tillie Speck and has seven children; William, who married A. Hoss; Amelia, who is the wife of E. Stoltenberg; Louis, who wedded Melia Deckman; Edward; Mrs. Theresa Miller; and Caroline who became the wife of William Mann. For his second wife Mr. Stoltenberg wedded Miss Elizabeth Hoss. The family have been raised in the Lutheran church in harmony with whose teachings they endeavor to order their lives and in whose support Mr. Stoltenberg has always been liberal. He belongs to the Society of Old Settlers here and, having witnessed and participated in the growth of Davenport, the memories of his past years are rich in reminiscences of the early days and the incidents and hardships connected with them. His home is at 911 West Seventh street.

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

Investigation into the history of Davenport shows that the native sons of the fatherland have been prominent and conspicuous factors in the business activity and development of the city. The industry and resolute purpose characteristic of the representatives of the Teutonic race have constituted salient features in the commercial progress of the city and prominent as a representative of this class is Claus Stoltenberg, now president of the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank.

He was born April 1, 1831, in Germany, and when sixteen years of age accompanied his father, Hans Stoltenberg, to the United States, the year of emigration being 1847. The mother had previously died in her native land. On reaching American shores the father made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Davenport township, Scott county, Iowa, where he entered land from the government and developed a homestead, on which he reared his family.

Claus Stoltenberg had acquired a good education in his native country and after coming to the United States bent his energies to the development of the home farm. Scott county at that time was largely an unimproved district, in which were many evidences of frontier life. There were no schools in Davenport township at that time and the homes were widely scattered, while much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, but the state was rich in its natural resources and the opportunities afforded made for success when ambition and energy prompted their immediate utilization. Claus Stoltenberg was one of the younger children of his father's family and, like the others, was reared to farm life amid the scenes of a pioneer existence. He and his brothers, Hans and Joachim, turned their attention to farming, each receiving eighty acres. The subject of this review remained upon his father's farm for forty-six years, prospering as time passed and accumulating, as the result of his well directed industry, considerable land and money. He was diligent and persistent and his careful management brought him substantial success. In 1893 he retired from farm work and came to Davenport, where he has since figured in the financial circles of the city. In connection with Fred Heinz and others he organized the Farmers & Mechanics Savings Bank, of which Mr. Heinz became president, while Mr. Stoltenberg accepted the vice presidency and later succeeded Mr. Heinz as president. B. J. Meyer became cashier and the business was instituted upon a safe and paying basis, its conservative methods commending it to the patronage and support of the general public. Mr. Stoltenberg was also connected with the Davenport Malting Company for a number of years.

In 1853 Mr. Stoltenberg was married to Miss Anna Sindt, a native of Germany, who came to Davenport in 1851 with her father, Hans Sindt. Mr. Stoltenberg is very prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his life being a splendid exemplification of the basic principles of the order. His political allegiance has been given to the democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he served as county supervisor from 1892 until 1895. While he is interested in the political situation of the country, he has concentrated his efforts more largely upon business affairs and has won commendable success. He stands as a splendid type of the German pioneer of worth in citizenship, progressive in thought and action — a man of high character, honored wherever known and most of all where best known.

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

A. H. STOLTENBERG.

A. H. Stoltenberg, who, free from ostentation and display, is nevertheless by the consensus of public opinion accorded prominence in financial circles of Iowa and has come to be recognized as one of the leading representatives of banking interests in this state, was born in Blue Grass township, this county, on the lath of September, 1863. His father, Heinrich Stoltenberg, was a native of Holstein, Germany, and a shipwright by trade.' He sailed between Liverpool and New York for several years before finally taking up his above in Blue Grass township with the other members of his father's family. Turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits, he became prosperous in his farming operations and was well known as one of the reliable and enterprising citizens of his community. He died April 28, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Trina Lamp, was a native of Germany and a member of one of the oldest families of this county, represented here since 1846. She survived her husband for several years and passed away December 4, 1899.

Reared on his father's farm, A. H. Stoltenberg pursued his education in the public schools of the county and afterward took charge of the old homestead, which he continued to cultivate for fifteen years, bringing the fields under a high state of development and carrying on his work along the most progressive lines. In 1900 he removed to Davenport and became interested in a number of business ventures. His sound judgment and keen discernment made his cooperation a valued factor in successful management. He is now largely interested in banking, being connected, with a number of banks in Davenport as a stockholder. He was one of the organizers of the Lake Park (Iowa) Bank and the State Bank of Harris, Iowa.

Interested as all American citizens should be, in the political situation of the country, he has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. He has no desire for office, but during his absence in California was nominated for the legislature, the party recognizing that he would be a strong candidate and feeling moreover that his sound business judgment and public-spirited citizenship would constitute important elements in the adoption of wise legislative measures. He served through the thirtieth, thirty-first and thirty-second general assemblies and an extraordinary session of the thirty-second, representing the thirty-fourth district. Each question that came up for settlement received his earnest and thoughtful consideration and such is the regard entertained for his political wisdom and sagacity that his support of a measure also secured the endorsement of others. He has held a number of minor offices and yet he is by no means a politician, for his preference is to remain free from entangling alliances with political activity.

In 1886 Mr. Stoltenberg was married to Miss Magdeline Weise, a native of Scott county and a daughter of Peter Weise, one of the old settlers here. They now have one child, Clara. Mr. Stoltenberg is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while he has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He seeks no notoriety but belongs to that class of solid, substantial citizens whose genuine worth all recognize. He represents one of the old families of the county, is deeply interested in the welfare of the community and his endorsement of public measures usually secures them other followers.

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

John Stoltenberg, chief of the fire department of Davenport and a man of unusual strength of character and purposeful methods, was born here, January 7, 1863, a son of Henry and Mary (Jehring) Stoltenberg, both natives of Germany. The father came to Davenport in the 'sos, establishing himself in a butchering business, in which he prospered. However, when his adopted country had need of his services, he enlisted in the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served until honorably discharged. Returning home, he resumed his business and continued to follow the butcher's trade until his death in 1889.

John Stoltenberg was educated in the public schools of the city, after which he was engaged in various lines of business. At one time he worked on a river steamer and again was in the employ of a railroad. On May 22, 1884, he joined the Davenport fire department and rose successively on merit through the various grades of promotion until he was made chief August 15, 1906, to the entire satisfaction of the department and the people of the city generally. Since he joined the department it has been revolutionized. He was one of the sixteen men employed when he entered it, now he has forty-six men under him, and the appliances of today bear but little resemblance to those with which he and his companions were expected to fight fires in those early days. The present equipment of men and appliances is so complete as to make the department the best in this part of the state.

In March, 1890, Mr. Stoltenberg married Meta Ramm, who was born in Davenport a daughter of John Ramm. They have two daughters: Mary and Hattie Mr Stoltenberg belongs to the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man who understands his work thoroughly, having passed through all of the positions, and, being brave and resourceful, he is the best man that could be found to head the department which conserves the safety of the people of so large a city as Davenport.

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