Scott Co, Iowa USGenWeb Project

Madison J. Smith

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Smith, Grandon, Brown, Johnson, Ritch.

 Madison J. Smith, better known as Joe Smith, who in the eighty-second year
of his life is now living retired, is numbered among the oldest settlers of
this district, having arrived in Scott county in 1835, only three years
after the Black Hawk war, when the country was still inhabited by large
bands of Indians and the work of progress and improvement had but just
begun.
 Born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th June, 1827, he is a son of
Eli H. and Mary Ann (Grandon) Smith, natives of New Jersey and Greene
county, Pennsylvania, respectively. As early as 1835 the father left his
native state and, making his way down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi,
landed at Le Claire on the 5th of April, being among the earliest settlers
to take up their abode in this district. There were three hundred red men in
camp at the time of his arrival and it was necessary for the family to live
in an Indian tent until a cabin could be erected. He took up a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, a portion of which is now in the possession of our
subject, and remained thereon until after the death of his wife, when he
went to live with his son in North English. He was a farmer by occupation
and also operated a stone quarry there for a number of years, her remains
being laid to rest in Le Claire. In their family were thirteen children,
namely: Matilda, Mahaly, Elizabeth, Susan, Cynthia, Jane, Madison J., Ira,
John, Nathan, Eli, Martin and Mary. Of this number only five still survive,
as follows: Madison J., of this review; Ira, residing in Scott county; Eli,
a resident of Iowa county; Martin, of Missouri; and Mary.
 Madison J. Smith was a little lad of seven years when he came with his
parents to Iowa and here shared with the other members of the family the
privations and hardships incident to frontier life. As there were no schools
in the district at that time, what education he received was obtained by
reading and studying at night, while during the daytime he assisted in the
arduous and difficult work of developing and improving a new farm. He
continued to give his father the benefit of his aid until fifteen years of
age, when he began working of river boats and was thus engaged until the
outbreak of the Mexican war.
 In the fall of 1846 Mr. Smith enlisted from Rock Island as a member of
Company F, Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and was first stationed at
Jefferson Barracks for about three months. He then went to New Orleans and
thence to Mexico, where he participated in all of the battles from Buena
Vista to Vera Cruz. He was wounded several times and at the battle of
Contreras, when General LeBega was captured, he received a bullet shot
through his head. He was believed to be dead but later recovered and
rejoined his regiment. He was detailed as second lieutenant in charge of a
number of men engaged in clearing roads, etc. After a most creditable
military record he was honorably discharged in New Orleans in the fall of
1848.
 He returned home and was employed on the river for a while. He then went to
DeKalb county, Illinois, where he invested in a small farm of thirty-two and
a half acres. He was there married to Miss Sarah Jane Brown, on the 28th of
December, 1849, who was a daughter of Eben Brown. After residing in that
county for about four years, Mr. Smith sold his property and removed to
Grundy county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of raw
land from the government, upon which he erected a dwelling and to the
development and cultivation of which he directed his energies, at the same
time engaged to some extent in the practice of medicine. He had previously
pursued a medical course at Richardson College, St. Charles, Illinois, under
the direction of Dr. Richards, from which institution he was graduated after
three years. He then entered the Eclectic Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio,
from which he was also graduated after taking a course in medicine and
surgery. He has his diploma from both institutions, which is rather
remarkable from the fact that he had enjoyed no educational advantages
whatever in his early life, all knowledge being gained through his own
efforts entirely.
 After residing in Grundy county, Illinois, for about eight years Mr. Smith
sold his farm and went to Butler county, Iowa, where he invested in one
hundred and twenty-eight acres of partially improved land, upon which he
made his home for four years, dividing his time between the occupation of
farming and the practice of his profession. Later he again sold out and
removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and forty acres
of land drawn from the active practice of medicine after leaving Iowa
county, and after his arrival in Scott county was engaged in operating
steamboats and rafts on the river for a number of years, continuing to make
his home in Le Claire to the present time.
 In the fall of 1862, again actuated by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Smith
enlisted at Dubuque, Iowa, as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a private
in Company E, thirty-second Iowa Infantry. At Vicksburg he joined General
Grant, whose acquaintance he had made during the Mexican war and at whose
request he was selected for scout duty. Later he joined General Sherman and
rode ahead of his army in the capacity of a scout throughout the entire
march to the sea. His term of service covered about a year, after which he
returned to Scott county and has since lived retired upon his small farm in
Le Claire township. He is also the owner of valuable town property and as
the result of former years of toil is now in possession of a competency
which makes it possible for him to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life without further recourse to labor.
 As the years passed Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of five children,
namely: Eben, residing in Iowa county; Anna, of Cherokee; William, of
Waterloo, Iowa; George, making his home in Redwood county, Minnesota; and
Elias, living in Muscatine. The wife and mother was called to her final rest
in Cherokee, Iowa, and on the 11th of August, 1903, he was again married,
his second union being with Miss Amy L. Johnson, a daughter of Sylvanus A.
Johnson, one of the early settlers of this county. Mrs. Smith was born on
the farm which is yet her home on the 25th of May, 1860. Her father was a
native of Vermont, where his birth occurred in 1826, and he came to Scott
county in 1858, here passing the remainder of his life. He was a farmer and
teamster by occupation. His wife was a native of Vincennes, Indiana, and
went to Illinois with her parents, Henry M. and Lucinda Smith, there, in
1848, giving her hand in marriage to Nelson Ritch, who at that time was the
owner of the farm upon which our subject now resides. Mr. Ritch passed away
in 1853, and in 1859 his widow became the wife of Sylvanus Johnson, whose
death occurred on the 5th of February, 1875. She survived until January 6,
1898, and was the mother of four children, namely: Amy L.: Caroline C.;
Minnie, who passed away in infancy; and Winnifred. Mrs. Smith has a
half-brother, Henry M. Ritch, and also a half-sister, Fannie Ritch. She has
passed her entire life on the farm which is now her home, Eli H. Smith, the
father of our subject, having entered it at an early date and later sold it
to John Williams, who in turn sold it to Nelson Ritch, her mother's first
husband.
 In politics Mr. Smith gives stalwart support to the prohibition party and
has belonged to many temperance organizations, doing all in his power to
further the cause of temperance in the community, for he realizes that the
liquor traffic is one of the greatest evils against which the country has to
contend. His has been a life of continuous activity, in which has been
accorded due recognition of earnest labor, and now, in the evening of life,
he can look back upon a past that has been fraught with honest effort,
unswerving industry and untiring energy and has at all times been actuated
by principles that are in keeping with honorable and upright manhood. His
business methods have ever been such as to inspire confidence and trust in
his fellowmen and his personal characteristics have gained for him the
respect, esteem and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

   John Knox, M. D.

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Knox, Culberston, Witherow.

 Among the prominent professional men of Princeton who has ably sustained
the high reputation made by his father is Dr. John Knox. A native of
Princeton, his birth occurred September 10, 1852, being the first white
child born here. His parents were Dr. Samuel and Mary Elizabeth (Culberston)
Knox. The former was born near Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania,
October 16, 1824, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Witherow) Knox. He studied
medicine in the state of his birth, but in 1850 came to Princeton, Iowa,
where he handled stock and engaged in the real estate business until the
spring of 1853. Then he returned to Pennsylvania, entered the medical
department of the university and was graduated at the head of his class in
1856. Returning to Princeton, he opened an office, where he practiced until
his death July 17, 1887. He was one of the most prominent and progressive
men of the town, always being at the head of any movement calculated to
advance its interests, doing much both as a private citizen and as a man on
whom the public gaze rested, for he held all the town offices and, as he
owned eight hundred acres of land situated for the most part within its
boundaries, he laid out several residence districts. In 1857 he opened what
is known as the Knox addition to Princeton and then, having purchased five
acres of land, he platted Oak Ridge cemetery, which is the principal burying
ground in the locality. During the war he was the main support of many women
and children, whose husbands and fathers had fallen on the battlefield.
 A slight dramatic interest is attached to the generosity Dr. Samuel Knox
showed toward the Presbyterian church. Not satisfied with having donated the
land and contributed funds toward the erection of the first church here, he
made a journey to New York city to see his uncle, the Rev. John Knox. During
the services at the latter's church one Sunday he rose up in the
congregation, explaining the circumstances that involved the little
religious community at Princeton, and from his listeners raised eight
hundred dollars, which he brought back home. That sum enabled them to
complete the erection of the church. During the early years of its existence
he also furnished the fuel, much of which Dr. John Knox chopped. In
recognition of his invaluable services and of his high character as a
Christian, Dr. Samuel Knox was elected an elder of the congregation, holding
the office throughout his life. He was also the main spirit in starting an
academy here. With several other men who had children to educate he raised
funds to employ a professor and conduct the school for a number of years.
While these incidents bear witness to the fact that he was always at the
head of movements for the social betterment of the town, others may be
adduced which show his interest in the development of the resources of this
locality. He was deeply concerned in a company which had as its purpose the
building of a gristmill. It, however, burned down after a few years'
operation and Dr. Knox lost about five thousand dollars on this investment.
Being on of the main promoters to induce the Sterling & Rock Island Railroad
to build a bridge across the river of Princeton, Dr. Knox lost the one
hundred and twenty acres of land which he had subscribed to the undertaking
when they failed to fulfill their promises. He was one of the most active
and prominent members of the Masonic lodge to which he belonged.
 His wife, Mary Elizabeth Culberston, was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, July 22, 1833. She was the daughter of Captain Culberston, and
is still living. Six children were born of her marriage: John, the subject
of this sketch; James, who died at the age of nine years; Mary E., the widow
of William Meadley; Helen, who died at the age of nine years; Mary E., the
widow of William Meadley; Helen, who died at the age of four and a half
year; Samuel, who died when he was forty years old; and Charles McLean, of
Butte, Montana.
 Dr. John Knox has lived in Princeton the greater part of his life. He was a
pupil in the common schools and then attended the academy which his father
had started. Later he entered Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois, where
he pursued a scientific course for two years and then in the fall of 1874
was enrolled as a student at the University of Pennsylvania. He was
graduated from that institution March 12, 1877, holding a very high rank in
a class of one hundred and twenty-four. Thereupon he passed the examination
for the position of resident physician at the Philadelphia Hospital and
England, but did not assume his duties, however, as his father had met with
an accident, which compelled him to return to Iowa. Upon his arrival here he
engaged in the practice of his profession, endeavoring to fill his father's
place.
 In a quarter of a century he has won a large patronage, and his patients
are unanimous in their expressions of admiration for his skill as a
physician and his high character as a man. Indeed, one has only to look over
the record of his life to obtain palpable evidence of this fact. For twelve
terms he was the people's choice as mayor of Princeton and was chairman and
treasurer of the republican party organization here for twelve years. His
land holdings embrace two hundred and fifty-six acres of fine arable land, a
part of which lies within the boundary of Princeton. Here he lives in a
handsome brick residence on Main street, which his father erected in 1856,
and also owns a large brick block in the business district.
 A member of the Masonic lodge of Le Clair, Dr. Knox is prominent in its
work. He enjoys conditions that are a great improvement upon those with
which his father had to struggle. The latter was the first to own a top
buggy in the town, and on account of this possession acquired no little
notoriety. Conditions, too, were of a kind that enabled him to effect
changes and improvements that found increasing growth through the years.
Such opportunities no longer exist, owing in part to his work, but his son,
Dr. John Knox, is none the less efficient in performing the duties that come
to him. As a professional man there is no doubt as to his skill. As a
friend, adviser and counselor he has made his sympathy felt by all who in
time of need have come to him. This confidence of his fellowmen he regards
as the highest guerdon of his life.

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

M. H. Calderwood

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Calderwood, Carson, Pelton, Burmeister, Bruhn

 M. H. Calderwood, who has made his home at Davenport since 1907, was one of
the organizers of the Eldridge Savings Bank in 1899 and has acted as
president of the institution since 1901. His birth occurred at Eldridge,
Scott county, Iowa, on the 4th of may, 1863. His parents, Henry and Nancy A.
(Carson) Calderwood, were both natives of Ireland, the former having been
born in County Antrim, while the latter's birth occurred in County Down. The
father crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1847 and four years
later took up his abode in Le Claire, Scott county, Iowa, when the district
was but sparsely settled and largely undeveloped. In 1852 he came to
Eldridge, this county, and, purchasing a tract of land, there followed
general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active
business career. Owing to his well directed industry and capable management
he prospered in his undertakings as the years went by and became widely
recognized as one of the successful and prominent citizens of his community.
In politics he was an unswerving republican but had no desire for the honors
and emoluments of office. His demise occurred in 1900 when he had attained
the ripe old age of eighty-one years. His wife was called to her final rest
in 1887 when sixty-four years  of age. Their family numbered eight children,
only two of whom are now living, namely: M. H., of this review, who was the
seventh in order of birth; and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles W. Pelton.
 M. H. Calderwood obtained his early education in the schools of Eldridge
and afterward spent one year in study at Valparaiso, Indiana. On putting
aside his text-books he turned his attention to the work of farming and
cultivated the old home place for many years or until 1907, when he took up
his abode in Davenport. The farm still remains in his possession, however.
In 1899 he became one of the organizers of the Eldridge Savings Bank and was
elected its vice president, while E. M. Burmeister was made president and H.
W. Bruhn, cashier. In 1901 Mr. Calderwood was elected president and H. W.
Bruhn, cashier. In 1901 Mr. Calderwood was elected president of the bank and
in this official connection has since ably directed and controlled the
affairs of the institution.
 In 1887 Mr. Calderwood was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Brownlie, a
native of Long Grove, who is one of the oldest residents of this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Calderwood were born six children, a follows: Ethel;
Blanche; Almeda; Errett Dwight, deceased; Helen; and Ruth. The wife and
mother died February 5, 1898, and was buried at Long Grove.
 Mr. Calderwood was honored by election to the state legislature on the
republican ticket and capably served as a member of the twenty-ninth,
thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies. The cause of education has
ever found in him a stalwart champion and for many years he acted as
chairman of the school board of Sheridan township. Fraternally he is
identified with the Knights of Pythias ad the Masonic order, belonging to
Trinity Lodge, No. 208, the Chapter, the Commandery and the Shrine. Both he
and his wife have spent their entire lives in this county and are well known
and highly esteemed within its borders, having ever displayed those sterling
traits of character which in every land and clime awaken admiration and
regard.

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

Gus P. Lamp

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Lamp, Paustian, Schlapkohl, Harbeck, Magnus.

 Gus P. Lamp, a well known resident of Hickory Grove township, is located on
a desirable farm on section 32, whose associations must be doubly dear to
him for it was here that he was born January 28, 1872. His parents were
Claus H. and Katherine (Lamp) Lamp, who lived for a number of years in
Davenport. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of five children:
Matilda, the wife of August Paustian, a resident of Hickory Grove township;
Caroline, who married George Schlapkohl and lives in New Liberty township;
and Clara, who married Otto Harbeck and lives in Davenport.
 Gus P. Lamp received his education in the public schools and spent four
winters in attendance at Davenport's Business College, his training not
being limited to his own particular vocation. Since he began his active
business career his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, the
scene of his activities being, as previously mentioned, the old home farm of
three hundred and twenty acres on sections 32 and 29, Hickory Grove
township. In addition to general farming he devotes a part of his attention
to stock raising with profitable result. He is also a stockholder in the
Galloway Manufacturing Company of Waterloo, Iowa. An evidence of his very
provident nature is the fact that he carries ten thousand dollars life
insurance.
 Mr. Lamp was married July 2, 1896, to Miss Regina Magnus, of Davenport. She
was born June 2, 1873, and is a daughter of Emil Magnus. They have three
children: Louis C. E., Dewey D. and Malinda Luella.
 Mr. Lamp is very happy in his fraternal relations, holding membership in
two organizations in Walcott, lodge No. 1644 of the Eagles, and camp No.
7749 of the Modern Woodmen of America. Although comparatively a young man,
he has accumulated a very considerable amount of wealth. Prudent,
resourceful, a keen business man and yet a just neighbor, he is held in high
regard by all who know him.

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

W. I. Quinn

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Quinn, Glines, Clapp, Ruch.

 Among the honored pioneer residents of Scott county none is more worthy of
mention than W. I. Quinn, a retired farmer, now living in Long Grove, where
he owns two lots in addition to eighty acres of land in Winfield township.
He was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 12, 1831, a son of Joseph C. C.
and Julia Ann (Glines) Quinn. The father was one of the pioneers of Preble
county and was there engaged in farming until 1838, when he decided to come
west to Iowa. The little party that crossed the plains from Ohio in a
covered wagon consisted of our subject's paternal grandparents, their two
sons, and their respective families. The aged grandfather said he wanted to
see the country as they went along and as he could not do this when in the
wagon, he walked for a large part of the way. He was not able to complete
the journey, however, but died when they were in central Illinois. The rest
of the party proceeded on their way, reaching Scott county, Iowa October 14,
1838, after having spent four weeks on the journey. They located about
sixteen miles north of Davenport, on the Wapsipinicon, where the two
brothers took up claims of eighty acres each, although they could not
register them as the land had not them been opened up for settlement.
However, they put up two log cabins, wherein the families began
housekeeping, and when the land came into market they entered their claims
and also forty acres each of timber. Joseph C. C. Quinn lived upon his
eighty-acre farm for about five years and then traded it for on of forty
acres farther down the river, which was partly cleared and had a log house
upon it, living there for seven years. The family suffered terribly from the
ague, the men being compelled to cease work two months every year on account
of it. After they had lived near the river for about twelve years and W. I.
Quinn felt he was old enough to do for himself, he told his father he would
not spend another winter on the Wapsie. Therefore they decided to give up
the farm, and, selling the forty acres in 1850 for three hundred dollars,
the father located on the prairie about two and a half miles south of Long
Grove, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. There he built
a frame house, a log stable and a few sheds covered with hay, hauling the
timber for these, and for his fences and other purposes from the banks of
the Wapsie. Mr. Quinn lived there until 1867, when he sold eighty acres to
Jacob Eldredge, his son, W. I., having bought the other eighty acres in
1852, and removed to Linn Grove, whence after several years he went to
Jasper county, Iowa, which remained his home until his death.
 W. I. Quinn was about seven years of age when the family removed from Ohio
to Iowa, and all the hard experiences of pioneer days are well remembered by
him. He attended school first in a little log shanty on the banks of the
Wapsipinicon. The seats were made of slabs, which were about a quarter of a
log, placed on legs which were stuck in bored holes, while the only desk
consisted of a board about sixteen inches wide resting on pins driven into
the wall, at which the pupils took turns in writing. At that time there was
no public fund for school purposes, so each family boarded the teacher for a
time and paid a certain sum for each of its members who attended. Such was
the first school at Long Grove. Indians were then seen in large numbers, but
they were peaceable and caused no trouble.
 Mr. Quinn remained with his father, assisting in the arduous work of
preparing the prairie land for cultivation, until 1852, when he started to
farm on his own account. He bought from his father eighty acres, which he
broke up and fenced, and on which, during the summer of 1854 he built a
house, into which he and his wife removed in August of that year. It
remained his home for almost half a century and is still standing, a
reminder to the present generation of the labors and courage of those
pioneers, who made possible the comforts of today. For forty-nine years MR.
Quinn was busily occupied in farming, and the generous returns he obtained
for his labor and diligence made possible his retirement. He has a pleasant
home in Long Grove, and here he enjoys the comforts which is meant should
surround a man in the evening of his life.
 It was on the 12th of November, 1853, that Mr. Quinn was married to Miss
Mary M. Calder, a daughter of John and Elsie Calder, who came to Scott
county in 1852, and they became the parents of four children, as follows:
Abbie A., who married Selah Clapp of Long Grove; Elsie Ann, the wife of
Conrad Ruch, of Adair county, Iowa; Benjamin F., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and
William D., who died at he age of five. Mrs. Quinn was born in Meigs county,
Ohio, July 10, 1834, and was called to her final rest April 14, 1908, her
remains being buried at Long Grove. She was a faithful member of the
Christian church, and her long life was one of courage and helpfulness, that
made her death keenly felt by all who shared her friendship.
 Mr. Quinn joined the Christian church in 1850 and has always been loyal to
its teachings, rearing his children in that faith. His life has ever been
honorable and upright, and his many excellent qualities have made him one of
the respected citizens of the community. He has now reached the age of
seventy-eight years and received the veneration and esteem which should ever
be accorded to one who has reached the evening of life, and whose record in
the years that have come and gone is in harmony with upright principles.

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

D. B. Morehouse

From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago.

Surnames: Morehouse, Dow, Moorhead, Richardson.

 D. B. Morehouse, who has been the deputy collector of internal revenue in
Davenport for the past eight years, was born in Galena, Illinois, August 15,
1844. He is descended from a family that came originally from the east in
the early days of the settlement of the middle west, for his paternal
grandparents, Jonathan and Loretta Morehouse, settled upon a farm about
fifteen miles from the city of Davenport some time in the early years of the
last century. Their son, D. B. Morehouse, the father of our subject, became
a captain upon a steamboat, plying upon the Mississippi river and devoting
himself to water navigation until 1858, when he retired and took up his
residence permanently in Galena. There his death occurred on a farm in 1869.
In his young manhood he wedded Miss Charlotte E. Dow and of their union was
born D. B. Morehouse.
 D. B. Morehouse spent the period of his youth in a number of cities so that
the education which fitted him for the responsibilities of life was obtained
in various places. He attended first the public schools of his birthplace,
later going to St. Louis and then to a country institution of popular
instruction. After a couple of terms spent in Jubilee College, he returned
to Galena, where his education was completed. He then took up farming upon
the Morehouse homestead, being engaged in the cultivation of the soil for
some time. When the president issued his call for troops to defend the
Union, he enlisted in company I, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
being in the western department of the army. As a member of the Army of the
Cumberland he participated in some of the more serious encounters between
the opposing forces and was under Generals Sherman, Rosecrans and Thomas
until the culmination of the struggle. When he was finally discharged he
returned to farming in Iowa, to which he devoted his energies for a
considerable time. Later he removed to Davenport. After being engaged in
several different lines of business, he entered the employ of the
government, being a member of the postoffice department here for about
thirteen years, and on leaving that position he was appointed deputy
collector of internal revenue. The duties of this office have been his for
the last eight years.
 In Scott county, June 12, 1873, Mr. Morehouse was united in marriage to
Miss Ella M. Moorhead, who was called from this life in September, 1901.
Three children had been born to the couple. Henry D. married Miss Anna
Richardson and is now a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Le Grand E. makes his
home in Davenport and is a cashier with the Bettendorf Company. Stella is
also a resident of this city, making her home with her father. Mr. Morehouse
belongs to the G. A. R. Post, No. I, and served as commander in 1866.
Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the Masons and the local lodge
of the Royal Arcanum.

 Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann