Christian Rock

As printed in 1910

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 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.