Christian Mueller

As printed in 1910

CHRISTIAN MUELLER.

There is no man among Davenport's honored dead who deserves more prominent mention than Christian Mueller, who for many years figured as one of the keding lumber merchants of the city and while conducting an extensive business enterprise found opportunity for active and effective cooperation in many movements which have left their impress upon the city's growth and substantial development. Moreover, the salient qualities of his character were such as made him respected and beloved by all who knew him. Born in Holstein, Germany, on the ist of March, 1823, he was sixteen years of age when he was apprenticed to a mercantile concern and thus laid the foundation for his business career in the thorough commercial training which he there received. Wisely utilizing his opportunities and husbanding his resources, in 1844 he was enabled to engage in merchandising on his own account, opening a store in Kiel. While there he also took active interest in athletics and was the instructor in a turners' society. Moreover, he was keenly interested in the vital questions and issues of the day relative to the government policy and, holding decided views concerning many public affairs, during the winter of 1847-8 he organized a company of volunteers to aid the forces operating to secure greater freedom from the oppression of the Danish monarchy. In the latter year he joined some Schleswig-Holstein soldiers and other volunteers and this heroic band attacked a fortified post at Rendsburg, Holstein, which they captured. In the rebellion which followed he was wounded three times and in July, 1850, was taken prisoner, after which he laid for nine months in a hospital in Denmark. After peace had been declared he spent some time recuperating his health and in 1852 he sailed for the United States, determined to enjoy in the new world the liberty which was denied him in his native land.

Mr. Mueller reached Davenport in July of that year and soon after his arrival established a vinegar factory on the present site of the Kohrs Packing Company. This was destroyed by fire in 1854 and he lost all he had, but he did not become discouraged and with resolute spirit set to work to retrieve his losses. A few months later he married Elfrieda Claussen, a daughter of Hans Reimer Claussen, and with the added stimulus of having a home of his own to provide for he started again in the business world.

It was at this time that Mr. Mueller obtained his first experience in connection with the lumber trade, securing a position in a sawmill and thus gaining a knowledge of the business which stood him in good stead in later years. He worked for a time in a sawmill in Davenport and afterward operated a flour mill in Lyons, Iowa. On his return to this city, in 1857, he accepted a position as foreman and salesman with the lumber firm of French & Davis and when that failed in 1858 he was given charge of the disposition of their stock. In 1860 he became salesman for several lumber firms and from 1863 until 1868 engaged in the grain business on his own account. He had found the lumber trade congenial, however, and in March of the latter year he purchased the Dessaint interest in the lumber firm of Dessaint & Schricker, while in July, 1883, on the death of Mr. Schricker, he became sole proprietor. On the ist of January, 1895, he associated his three sons, Frank W., Edward C, and William L., with him in the business, which was then continued under the name of Chris Mueller & Sons. He ranked as one of the leading lumber merchants of the west, the firm enjoying a reputation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The straightforward, honorable business policy which he instituted at the commencement of his career was ever maintained, and the reliability of the house constituted one of the most potent forces in its continued and growing success.

The death of Mr. Mueller occurred on the loth of September, 1901, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was one of the most prominent and most beloved citizens of Davenport, his personal traits of character gaining him a firm hold on the affections of those with whom he was associated. His name was regarded as synonymous with business integrity and enterprise, and in social circles he was ever a welcome guest. He enjoyed association with his old friends but home was never forgotten and his happiest hours were spent at his own fireside. He was one of the founders and the first president of the Davenport Turngemeinde and was looked upon as the father of the organization. He was also one of the oldest members of the Davenport Schuetzen Gesellschaft. In public affairs relative to the city's growth and improvement he was deeply interested, as was manifest by his tangible support of many movements for the public good.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.