Ernst Bock

As printed in 1915

ERNST BOCK.

In a history of Burlington it is imperative that mention should be made of Ernst Bock, for his life record is inseparably interwoven with the annals of this city. The beauty of Crapo Park is largely attributable to his untiring energies and in various public connections he largely furthered the general welfare. He was born in Silesia, Germany, on the 28th of August, 1848, a son of Joseph and Johanna (Reichelt) Bock. The mother died in Germany and in later life the father came to the new world and spent his last three years with his sons, passing away January 6, 1897, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He was a florist and landscape gardener of high repute in his chosen calling, and he had charge of the greenhouses of a German baron. In the family were five children: Joseph and Ernst, both of whom were valued and prominent citizens of Burlington but are now deceased; William, who died in this city, February 20, 1913; Anna, who died in Germany; and Oscar, who is still living in the fatherland.

Ernst Bock spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land and then in company with his brother Joseph embarked for the new world, making his way direct to Burlington, where the two brothers joined an uncle, Jerome Bock, who was then conducting a nursery business on Madison avenue. Both were connected with the nursery and florist business throughout their entire lives. Their father had been engaged in that line and thus they acquired considerable knowledge of the business in youth. They spent about ten years in the employ of their uncle and during that time Ernst Bock made a trip back to Europe for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired through injuries sustained in a railroad accident. After a few months, however, he again came to the United States. In 1873 he purchased what is now the present home place of fourteen acres and for a time kept bachelor's hall, building on his land a

ERNST BOCK house of three rooms which is now a part of the present fine family residence. He embarked in the florist and nursery business on his own account and his brother Joseph later became his partner and purchased adjoining property. From the beginning their business grew and developed along substantial lines and the partnership was continued for about a decade, at the end of which time they severed their business connections, Joseph taking over the greenhouses and continuing in business as a florist, while Ernst Bock became proprietor of the nurseries. He engaged in the cultivation and sale of general nursery stock and in that connection built up a business of e.extensive proportions. Under his careful management it became one of the best enterprises of the kind in the state. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investments and became one of the extensive property owners, holding a large amount of realty within the city limits, much of it being along Sunnyside avenue. His business was known as the Sunnyside Nursery — a name which became widely known not only in Burlington but throughout the state, for his patronage covered a wide territory.

On the 9th of September, 1877, Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Schafifner, who was born in Des Moines county and died July 21, 1894. They were the parents of four children: William, who died at the age of two years; Clarence, a salesman for the nursery business, living in this city, where he has married and has one son, Milton; Gertrude, the wife of Ed Cook, of Clinton, Iowa, by whom she has two children, Glenn and Marita; and Adella, who died at the age of two years.

In December, 1895, - Bock was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Frances Eckhart Hanson, who passed away June 6, 1900,. leaving two children, Jerome and Frances. On the 27th of July, 1904, Mr. Bock was married again, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Emma Kupper Kneubuhl, a widow, who was born in Des Moines county and by her first marriage had two children: Emily Kneubuhl, who is principal of a school in Minneapolis; and B. F., who has been connected with the United States navy for the past twelve years.

Mr. Bock gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, and he was one of the first selected to serve as alderman under the new commission form of government. His familiarity with plant life and the esteem in which he was held by all made him logically a candidate for the office and he was made commissioner of the parks, serving as president of the park board for nine years. He was one of the three park commissioners to succeed Philip Crapo and for fifteen years he acted as president of the commission having Crapo Park, in charge. He closely studied the opportunities for adorning and beautifying the park and Burlington has every reason to be proud of the results which crowned his efforts in that connection. When he was elected to the city government under the commission form he received the highest vote polled by any alderman. Mr. Bock was an active member of the Turn Verein. He passed away March 31, 191 4, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He had an extensive circle of warm friends who entertained for him the highest regard.

Writing of his demise, one of the local papers said: "The loss of Mr. Bock will be felt by the community in marked manner, as his personality and high character contained those attributes of love, patience, courtesy and unselfishness which made his presence a source of joy and encouragement to his friends as well as intimate family. With him thought of others was ever paramount and he met his acquaintances with a ready, genial smile." In manner he was quiet and unostentatious, but the sterling worth of his character won recognition and all who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard. In his passing Burlington indeed lost one of its worthy and valued citizens.

As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.