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BIOGRAPHIES
 William
S. Chenoweth
From "Vol. 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
For a period of over forty-one years William S. Chenoweth has been a resident of
Davenport and through intelligently directd activity in his chosen field of
labor, came to be recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of the
Aetna Fire Insurance Company of Connecticut. He is today one of the oldest
insurance men in the state, but is now living retired, his success in former
years enabling him to enjoy many of the comforts of life without recourse to
further labor. He has passed his eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey.
During twenty-eight years and a half he averaged twenty-five thousand miles a
year on the road for the Aetna Insurance Company.
His birth occured in New Castle, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1825, his parents
being Arthur and Rebecca (Reynolds) Chenoweth. His father was one of the early
settlers of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and named this county before his
death, which occurred over eighty-two years ago, and the family has long been
respresented in that state. He had previously lived near Harper's Ferry,
Virginia, when he removed to Pennsylvania.
William S. Chenoweth was educated in the schools of his native city, and in the
year 1844 sought the opportunities of the middle west, first establishing his
home near La Harpe, Illinois. He afterward lived at different points in that
state and was associated with different lines of business until eventually he
turned his attention to insurance. He is today one of the oldest insurance men
in the state of Iowa and one of the best known in the western and southern
states. The rebellion destroyed the large insurance business of the Aetna Fire
Insurance Company in southern states and nearly forty years ago he was sent by
the Aetna Insurance Company to open up the insurance business for this company
in the different southern states. It was a hard place to travel then, as the
railroads were put in bad condition by the war. He entered this field in a
humble way, but gradually advanced as he proved his usefulness and worth in this
field. He thoroughly familiarized himself with every phase of the insurance
business and with firm belief in its value, to the insured as well as the
members of the company promoting insurance, he was enabled to build up an
extensive clientage and sucure a business, the volume of which brought him, in
the course of years, to a prominent position among the insurance men of the
state, securing for him at the same time a substantial financial reward for his
labors.
On the 17th of April, 1851, Mr. Chenoweth was united in marriage to Miss
Caroline Webster Painter. Her father, like Mr. Chenoweth's, had come to the
middle west in the hope of bettering his fortune. Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth can
both remember spending the day together at her home over seventy-four years ago,
when she was five and he was ten years of age. By this marriage there were born
four children: Alice, the oldest, is living at home. Mary P. became the wife of
J. B. Johnson, who for twenty-eight years was an attorney of Des Moines and is
now living in Oklahoma City. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children: Arthur,
who is married and has one son, William H.; and Ernest C., at home. Louise, the
third member of the family, died in childhood. Henrietta B., the youngest of the
family, is the wife of Oren Bradshaw Waite, a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and they have two daughters, Marguerite and Dorothy.
Sixty-three years ago Mr. Chenoweth joined the ranks of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and has since maintained active membership in that fraternity,
heartily endorsing the beneficent principles which constitute its basic
elements. He has always been a generous contributor to the churches and his
influence has ever been on the side of justice, truth and right. His political
allegiance was given to the whig party in early manhood, and in 1844 he heard
Henry Clay make a speech from the steps of the old Planters House in St. Louis.
He joined the republican party on its organization and has since been one of its
stalwart advocates.
He has lived in the Mississippi valley for fifty-three years, and his life
record covers almost eighty-five years, so that he has been a witness of many
events which to the great majority are matters of history. He can remember the
building of the early railroads in this section of the country and of being in
Chicago the day the books were opened to sell stock in the first Chicago
railroad (the Chicago & Galena Railroad) and the day when the emigrants to
the west traveled in the old moving wagons. Chicago then had fourteen thousand
inhabitants. Many of the homes in this section of the country were log cabins
and sod houses and there were vast tracts of land yet unclaimed and
uncultivated.
Mr. Chenoweth has lived to witness the remarkable changes which have occurred
and has always maintained a deep interest in the work of progress that has
brought Illinois and Iowa to their present advanced position. It is these places
that the greater part of his life has been passed in and he has always felt that
he came to this section of the country, rich in its natural resources and
affording boundless opportunities to the early settlers as well as to the later
day residents. While his able managed individual interests have brought to him
success, he has always contributed in no small degree toward promoting general
progress through the course of years.
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
Ernest S. Carl
From "Vol. 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Carke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
From a long line of German architects and builders there came to Davenport a
man, who was to be a builder of sound institutions and of enduring business
confidence. For more than forty years and particularly during the quarter
century that he acted as cashier of the Citizens National Bank, E. S. Carl was
acknowledged one of the leading representatives of that fine integrity which was
preparing the city for a permanent greatness.
Ernest S. Carl was born January 4, 1842, in Coburg, Germany, where he received a
thorough, practical education. At the age of sixteen, in 1858, after the death
of his mother, he sailed for New York, remaining there only a few months before
he came straight to Davenport. In 1860, after some months' employment in the
general store of his brother-in-law, August Steffen, he started for California
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, but on the steamer met John E. Lovejoy, United
States consul to Callao, Peru, with whom he engaged as assistant secretary. A
few months later he became assistant to Dr. Charles F. Winslow, of Boston, the
American counsul to Paita, Peru, where he remained two years till Dr. Winslow's
resignation. These years in South America, during which Mr. Carl not only
learned Spanish, but completely mastered the English language so that ever after
he seemed as much an American as any of his fellow citizens, were a broadening
influence in his whole life.
In 1863 Mr. Carl returned to Davenport, erected a warehouse at 224 West Front
street and entered the grain business. In 1868 he accepted the position of
teller in the Davenport National Bank, where he demonstrated his true talent for
banking. In 1870 he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank, and
finally, in 1875, at the age of thirty-three, he was appointed cashier of the
Citizens National Bank. It was in this last position, which he held till failing
health compelled him to retire in 1899, that Mr. Carl became known not only as
one of hte ablest bankers in the state but as a helpful public servant, whose
kindly aid was bestowed without reserve upon all who sought. His administrative
qualities won the bank fame for its sound and rapid progress, and his broad
human qualities brought a varied and enthusiastic patronage. He inaugurated the
system of currency distrbution by which Davenport has become a financial center
for the smaller country banks that formerly looked to Chicago; and, during his
term of office, the Citizens National Bank became the leading banking
institution in Iowa.
In 1861 Mr. Carl married Miss Sarah Marckley, who had removed in 1851 with her
parents, William H. and Harriet (Allison) Marckley, from their home in
Alexandria, Virginia, to Davenport. Mr. Marckley was a contractor and builder,
whose work became a substantial improvement to the city in the early days. Mrs.
Carl, like her husband, was a person of generous instincts and an agreeable,
social nature. Her incessant charities, quietly performed, made her known to
rich and poor alike; and her unbounded hospitality, together with Mr. Carl's, in
the beautiful residence at Sixth and Perry streets, has left happy memories
throughout the city.
After a year spent in Colorado seeking health, Mr. Carl returned to Davenport
for a short visit, and on October 15, 1900, was stricken dead in the very bank
where he had spent the best years of his life. Five months later, on the 24th of
March, 1901, Mrs. Carl answered the same call. There are left only the daughter,
Mrs. Rosa Oberholtzer, and her son, Ernest Carl Oberholtzer.
Mr. Carl's activities were by no means confined to banking. He was a
public-spirited citizen, believing in Davenport and its people and supporting
all measures for its best progress. He was one of the founders of the Phoenix
Milling Company and of many other successful enterprises, an ardent and
effective promoter of the Hennepin canal, a friend of the Davenport Academy of
Sciences, a director of the Oakdale cemetery, and though a member of no church
yet a supporter of many. He was a Turner, an Odd Fellow, a Mason and a member of
several intimately social clubs. Next to his home and friends, which were his
chief delight throughout life, his greatest pleasure was music, of which he was
always a lover and patron. Mr. Carl, in brief, was not only one of the most
trusted but one of the most beloved men in Davenport.
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
 Otto
Clausen
From "Vol. 2 History of Davenport and Scott county" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
Davenport has always acknowledged her indebtedness to her German-American
citizens for much of her progress in the fields of commerce and industry, and
promient among those who have been leaders in manufacturing circles was numbered
Otto Clausen, for many years general manager of the H. F. Brammer Manufacturing
Company. He was born June 14, 1850, in Schonhorst, Kirchspiel Brugga, near Kiel,
a son of Claus and Johanna (Carstens) Clausen. His father was the oldest son of
Claus Clausen, teacher in Oxboll on the island Alsen. The mother of Otto Clausen
was a daughter of Johann, Carstens, teacher at Michaelis Donn, north Ditmarsch.
Mr. Clausen's childhood was spent in Dollerup, Kirchspiel, Grundshoff, Angeln,
Boel Angeln, and at Atzeballig, near Augustenburg, he being confirmed at the
latter place. On the 1st of May, 1869, when nineteen years of age, he sailed for
America, landing at Montreal. He arrived in Davenport on the 1st of June, his
choice of a location being influenced by the fact that he had a distant
relative, Emil Geisler, living here. After spending some time here he went to
St. Louis by steamboat and later journeyed to Memphis, Tennessee. There he
accepted a position as bookkeeper in a private hospital (St. Joseph's
Infirmary), working during the day and attending the commercail college at night
in order that he might learn the English language and become qualified for
active work in commercial and industrial circles, for in the schools of his
native country he had acquired a good education in his mother tongue. Later he
became clerk in the Central Hotel at Memphis, there remaining for seven years.
When he had saved enough of his earnings he returned to Europe in 1872 and
brought his parents, sisters and one brother to the new world with him, the
family settling in Memphis. The following year yellow fever broke out in that
city and Mr. Clausen volunteered as a nurse, taking care of many who were
afflicted by that dread disease - a heroic act for which he deserved high
praise. In 1876 he started his own grocery business, which he conducted with
success until 1885.
On the 20th of January, 1880, Mr. Clausen was married to Adele Geisler, who was
a daughter of Emil and Sophia (Halkins) Geisler and who died July 4, 1886. There
were two children by that marriage, one of whom died in infancy, while the
other, Adele, is now the wife of H. W. Hubers of Davenport and has one child,
Marjorie Del. Mr. Clausen continued in business in Memphis until 1886, when he
came to this city and purchased the present home of the family. On the 11th of
August, 1887, he married Eveline steinberg, a daughter of Louis W. and Anna
Wilhelmina (Hagen) Steinberg. By this union there was born a son, who died in
infancy. In 1888 Mr. Clausen accepted the position of bookkeeper and treasurer
of the H. F. Brammer Manufacturing Company, and in 1895 became the general
manger. He remained the executive head of the enterprise until 1901, when he
retired from the active control of the business and throughout his remaining
days enjoyed the fruits of his former toil in well earned retirement.
Mr. Clausen was a member of the Turner Society and had a very extensive
acquaintance among the German-American residents of this city. He won a
creditable position in business circles, was ever charitable, brave and fearless
in the face of danger, trustworthy in the performance of duty and diligent in
the accomplishment of every task which he undertook. These qualities gained him
a firm hold on the affections of his fellow townsmen, so that his memory is
cherished by all who knew him. He loved his home and was a most kind and loving
father and husband. His death occurred on the 30th of April, 1905, at his
southern home, Ottonia Park, Santa Rosa county, Florida. His remains were
brought to Davenport for interment.
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
James H. Clement
From "Vol 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
On the pages of history from the earliest ages have appeared the names of those
renowned for personal bravery - men who have dared to face the implements of war
in defense of principle or country. Among Davenport's citizens whose military
record is such as elicits praise and honor is numbered James H. Clement, a
veteran of the Mexican war and for a considerable period a representative of the
United States navy. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and
spent his early life in the east, becoming connected with the navy, with which
he did active duty for a number of years. When the country became involved in
war with Mexico he stanchly defended the interests of the Federal government and
enlisted from Pennsylvania. He was wounded while in the army but with the spirit
of the true soldier again took his place on active duty as soon as his health
permitted.
In 1871 Mr. Clement arrived in Davenport and for many years thereafter held a
position on Government Island, although he retired some time before his demise.
In 1867, in Blackhawk county, Iowa, Mr. Clement was married to Miss Mary A.
Dorlan, whose father, Robert Dorlan, was one of the pioneers of Iowa, coming to
this state at an early day form Indiana. He was native of Pennsylvania but was
closely identified with the development of the middle west, first in Indiana and
afterward in Iowa, where his labors constituted an effective force in
supplanting pioneer conditions with the evidences of a modern civilization. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Clement were born a daughter and son: Caroline, who is now Mrs. W.
E. Scott; and William, who died in 1904. The mother has continued to make her
home in Davenport since the death of her husband, which occurred on the 24th of
September, 1897. He was a self-made man, charitable and public-spirited, and
possessed a strong and impressive character. He held membership in the Methodist
church and his life was in consistent harmony with his professions. He was
devoted to his family and his home and while his chief interests in life
centered there, he yet found opportunity to do good to his fellowmen, giving
throughout his life many tangible evidences of a helpful, charitable and
benevolent spirit.
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
Bio of Henry C. Cook
From "Vol 2 History of Davenport and Scott county" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
One of the well cultivated farms of Sheridan township is that of ninety acres
belonging to Henry C. Cook, one of the sturdy sons of the fatherland who did so
much toward developing the fertility of Scott county in the early years of its
settlement. He was born in Holstein, Germany, September 17, 1840, a son of Hans
and Kathryn Cook. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the old
country, but in the hope of bettering his own fortunes and of providing larger
opportunities for his children, he with his family emigrated to the Untied
States in 1847. They disembarked at New York, whence they came west to Chicago,
completing their journey to Iowa by wagon. Upon reaching Scott county, Mr. Cook
entered four hundred acres of prairie land, but he was not permitted to enjoy
his new property, for he died thirteen days after arriving here, and his claim,
made out in his name in Washington, D. C., was paid for by his friend, Nicholas
Rusch, who later married his widow.
Mr. Rusch became a prominent factor in the public life of Scott county. He was
born in Holstein, Germany, February 16th, 1822, and received a good education in
the land of his birth, for after leaving the elementary school at Marne, he
entered the gymnasium at Meldorf, later attended the Segeberg Seminary, and
finally became a student in the University of Kiel, where he specialized in
theology. He afterward taught as a private tutor in Holstein. He came to this
country on the same ship with Mr. Cook, expecting to teach here. After Mr.
Cook's death he assumed the management of the farm, making all the improvements
and bringing it to a high state of fertility, and there he lived until after the
inauguration of the Civil war. He was a successful farmer, and also possessed
the personality that made him a man in whom the people placed the utmost
confidence. He was an ardent republican in his political sympathies, and upon
that party's ticket was elected to various township offices. In 1859 he was the
choice of his district for state senator, and although he served only until
1860, he was concerned with some important legislation. In that year the
republican party elected him lieutenant governor of Iowa, at the same time that
Mr. Kirkwood was elected governor, and he held that position until 1862, when he
resighned to accept the appointment as commissioner of immigration, which was
made by Governor Kirkwood. Mr. Rusch had his headquarters in New York city for
ten months, and then as immigration had fallen off on account of the war, he
returned to Iowa and was appointed assistant quartermaster, with the rank of
captain, for the troops of this state. During the course of the war he went to
Vicksburg, Mississippi, was made chief quartermaster of the Iowa troops there
and died there September 22, 1864, while in active service. He was a man of
great force of character and left his impress upon the affairs of his time and
locality, bequeathing to the generation who followed him a record for public
service and patriotism which should be inspiring. Educational interests in Scott
county were also furthered by him, for he donated the land for and helped build
the first school in his neighborhood.
Mr. Rusch became the father of three children, namely: Emily, who is the wife of
J. E. Meyers, of Davenport; Minnie, who was the wife of Joseph Keck, formerly of
Washington, Iowa, but now like his wife deceased; and Gustav C., a prominent
farmer of Sheridan township, this county. His wife, who had previously married
Hans Cook, had six children by her first union, as follows: Louisa, who married
Henry Berg, now deceased, but formerly a resident of Davenport; Augusta, who
married Henry Landt, of Tama county, Iowa; Julia, who is the widow of Cornelius
Axelson and lives in Mississippi; Henry C., whose name introduces this review;
Eliza, the wife of Martin Banthen, of Durant, Iowa; and Agnes, who married Jens
Lorenzen, of Davenport.
Henry C. Cook received his early education in Germany before his parents
emigrated to this country, for he was about seven years of age when they started
upon their journey, and after he came to Scott county he attended the district
school near his home in Sheridan township, where he completed his training for
the responsibilities of manhood. He was early initiated into the methods of
cultivating the soil, and in the years that he has been a resident of this
county has lived upon this same farm. He assisted his stepfather in operating it
during the lifetime of the latter, and then, after his death he assumed the full
charge of it. In the period, amounting now to almost half a century, that the
place has been under his control, he has worked earnestly and diligently to make
it one of the most productive tracts of land in his vicinity, and as enterprise
and determination have been salient features in his success, he is well
deserving of the comfortable income which his labors have brought him.
On the 6th of October, 1869, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Kathryn Emise, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Emise, who were among the early German settlers
of Scott county. Both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born
three children. Carl F., who is engaged in the telephone business in Eldridge,
Iowa, wedded Miss Eliza Peterson and they had one child who died in infancy.
Harry and Carrie are both at home, and the latter is a graduate of Brown's
Business College, of Davenport.
Mr. Cook has served as trustee of Sheridan township and has filled other offices
within the gift of the people, with the same carefulness and honor that has
distinguished his private life, and the fact that many of his closest friends
are those who have known him from boyhood is an evidence that his life has been
directed in accordance with high principles of manhood and citizenship.
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
 Bio
of Edward Savage Crossett
From "Vol 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by
Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago
The lumber industry occupies a most important relation to the development of the
United States. One of the most interesting chapters in our national history is
that recounting the origin of this far-reaching activity, the struggles of its
pioneers, their privations and triumphs and the marvelous growth which the
business has now attained in certain sections of our common country. Employing,
as it does, literally an army of men; offering channels of investment for
millions of dollars; this branch of trade takes easily front rank as one of the
wealth producing agencies of America. One of the captains in this great industry
is the subject of this sketch.
When one has spent the fifty most active years of his effective life in one
section of the country and in the pursuit of a single enterprise which has
issued in ultimately fortunate results to himself and those associated with him,
he most certainly has contributed to the development of the industry and has won
for himself a large and merited place in the history of that locality. Such a
man is Edward Savage Crossett of Davenport, Iowa. For half a century he has
played a conspicuous part in the lumber business of the entire Mississippi
valley and is a masterful factor in council and conference wherever in that
entire section men interested in yellow pine foregather.
Mr. Crossett was born in West Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, February 4,
1828, near the scene of the battle of Plattsburg, historic in the war of 1812.
His father, John Savage Crossett, participated actively in that war as a soldier
in the American army. The subject of our sketch received his education in the
public schools and in an academy. His first employment was in the printing
office of Bardwell & Kneeland, at Troy, which work, however, he abandoned on
account of failing health. His new position as clerk in a shoe store brought him
the munificent salary of two dollars and fifty cents each month and board. In
1846, when eighteen years of age, he became clerk in the village store at
Schroon Lake, New York, and two years later he and his brother purchased the
establishment. It was here that he first became interested in the lumber
business, handling pine and spruce lumber in small quantities.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Crossett turned his business over to his brother
and started west. From Cincinnati he journeyed to St. Louis by steamer, and in
the spring of 1852 on to St. Paul, going soon to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he
remained one year and six months. In the meantime business matters had not gone
well in the east, his brother had sold the property at a loss and young Crossett
was under the handicap of debts, if anything can handicap one so strong and
courageous. With the restiveness of an honest nature smarting under the sense of
unmet obligations, he assumed the entire burden and eventually paid the last
dollar.
In the fall of 1853 Mr. Crossett went to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, where he
took charge of a supply store for lumbermen. He was in entire command of this
enterprise, from the making contract for supplies to the sale of the goods. His
experience as a merchant in the Adirondacks served him well, and so satisfactory
were the results that his employers united their four stores into one and gave
him its management. From 1854 to 1856 he was postmaster of Black River Falls,
and in the latter year he associated himself with W. T. Price in a supply store
business of their own, returning, however, a year later to his former employers.
Then came a period of reverses in which Mr. Crossett suffered heavy losses. The
freshet of the following year swept the company's logs down the river and out of
reach; as a result the company was forced to suspend operations and go into
bankruptcy. A portion of Mr. Crossett's capital and two years salary were sunk
in the general collapse. In 1859 he started a supply store of his own, but
shortly after was burned out with the complete loss of stock and building. Still
undaunted and unafraid, Mr. Crossett gathered up the threads of his raveled
business and attempted to again weave them together. Succeeding in obtaining the
equivalent of some bills due him, in the shape of lumber and hewn timber, he
rafted it down the river in 1861 and sold it where he could, but was obliged to
take in payment "stump tail currency," which depreciated largely
before he could dispose of it. Thus Mr. Crossett's first eight years in the west
brought him little but valuable experience.
In this same year Mr. Crossett was employed to assist J. E. Lindsay, who was
shortly thereafter joined in partnership by J. B. Phelps; and subsequently he
was connected with other concerns until 1870. For several years he ran the yards
of Isaac Spaulding in East St. Louis, spending his winters in picking up stock
on Black river. From 1870 to 1875 he was engaged in scaling logs and estimating
timber; purchasing for himself parcels of timber land whenever such were
available and seemed valuable.
In 1873 Mr. Crossett was united in marriage to Miss Harmony E. Clark, of
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and from that auspicious day dates, as he declares,
his real prosperity. The two made their home in Nielsville, Wisconsin, until
February, 1875, when they removed to Davenport, Iowa, where Mr. Crossett became
a member of the firm of Renwick, Shaw & Crossett. Their son, Edward Clark
Crossett, was born at Davenport, August 7, 1882. The same year marks Mr.
Crossett's first investment in yellow pine, as one of the organizers of the
Lindsay Land & Lumber Company.
In 1884 Renwick, Shaw & Crossett bought a sawmill and some pine land at
Cloquet, Minnesota. two years later Mr. Crossett sold his interest to Mr. Shaw,
taking in payment ten thousand acres of Arkansas land covered with yellow pine.
His friends were confident that he had made a serious mistake in acquiring
Arkansas property, but the soundness of his judgment was speedily vindicated.
Convinced by personal inspection of the great possibilities in yellow pine, he
became extensively interested in other companies operating in the south. Already
a heavy stockholder in the Eagle Lumber Company, of Eagle Mills, Arkansas, and
in the Gates Lumber Company, of Wilmar, Arkansas, he, in company with C. W.
Gates and Dr. J. W. Watzek, purchased in 1892 the Fordyce Lumber Company, of
Fordyce, Arkansas.
In the principle of cooperation Mr. Crossett has always been interested. With
William Morris, its modern apostle, he has believed that the profits accruing
from any enterprise should in some equitable way be divided among those
producing them. In 1899 the Crosett Lumber Company was organized on a
cooperative basis, not as the result of any dreaming of a modern Utopia, but as
a business proposition, and partly no doubt because of his own long bout with
the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." In the cooperative
organization Messrs. Crossett, Watzek and Gates held three-fourths of the stock
and certain employes the other one-fourth. In recognition of Mr. Crossett's
generosity, his fine sense of justice in this self-centered age, and of his wise
council and cooperation always so freely given, his associates named the new
town in his honor, and Crossett, Arkansas, came upon the map.
After eight years of actual operation, this town has come from the virgin forest
to be one of the "show towns" of the entire south. Here dwell a
prosperous people, numbering upward of two thousand, each in a home good enough
for the best and at rents that return to the corporation only a very low
interest rate on the investment. The town rejoices in a fine public school
costing upward of fifteen thousand dollars, a well equipped hospital worth
thirty-five thousand dollars, two good churches well supported and effective,
and a clubhouse and swimming pool costing something like fifteen to twenty
thousand dollars, these latter the personal gift of Mr. Crossett to the youth
and manhood of the town. There is a five-mile liquor law and it is enforced; the
finest type of labor gravitates here naturally, and it is to be doubted if any
finer specimens of life and character can be found in any lumber town in the
world than flourish and mature in this favored spot. While much credit for these
conditions is surely due to the splendid men whom Mr. Crossett has associated
with him, the fact still remains that it is due to his influence, his ideals and
his character that the town is what it is.
More recently Mr. Crossett has extended his holdings and, as an influential
member of the Jackson Lumber Company, of Lockhart, Alabama, has with his
associated invested in one hundred and fifty thousand acres of virgin timber in
Alabama and Florida. In cooperation with Messrs. Watzek and Gates, the two
remaining members, a large sawmill plant was built at Lockhart, and the property
otherwise developed and increased. In 1906 the Crossett Timber Company, of
Davenport, Iowa, was organized for operation in the Pacific northwest, with
holdings chiefly in Washington and Oregon. Mr. Crossett not only organized and
projected this company but retains a controlling portion of the stock and
direction in management through his son, Edward Clark Crossett, its president.
Believing that a man should dispose of his property and provide for his family
during his lifetime, while still in his early seventies Mr. Crosett organized
the Crossett Land & Investment Company as a holding company for the greater
part of his property and gave his wife and son equal shares with himself.
Religiously Mr. Crosett has always been known as a sincere and earnest worshiper
of the God of the forests. Reared as a Methodist, and a member of the Baptist
church from the age of twenty-five, his sympathies have always been with all
genuine men of whatever name or creed. It would be expected that a man of such
robust personality and breadth of vision would have fellowship with all good
men, and hence his interests and beneficences have outrun all denominational
bounds. He was a member of the building committee of St. John's Methodist
Episcopal church, of Davenport, of which his wife and son are communicants, and
his generosity and liberality, with that of one or two others, made that superb
structure possible. His proposition to give fifty thousand dollars to a Young
Men's Christian Association building in Davenport, providing the citizens would
contribute an equal amount, was the means of securing for his home city one of
the best equipped structures in the middle west, while his private benevolences,
about which even his right hand knows not, are perpetual and broadcast.
Mr. Crossett is that type of manhood for which America is most famed and for
which she may well be proud; yet only now and then in a century is she able to
grow one of his superfine qualities. Born with little promise of what was to be,
with little to assure him such a future as has been his, little save his rugged,
stalwart character and his tireless determination, all graciously shot through
with his changeless trust in God. Honest to the core, circumspect in life,
genial in spirit, alert in mentality, helping everybody and hindering none,
wronging no man that he might himself gain, but enriching all others by his own
prosperity, he lives an honored and conspicuous type of that noblest of all men
- an American gentleman
Transcribed by Debbie Gerischer
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