LECLAIRE RIVERMAN
Part 9
HEIDENREICH WILLIAM
William Heidenreich was the watchman on the Jennie Gilchrist when the boat lost a cam rod and struck the bridge on October 27, 1881. He claimed that he did not know his duty included watching over the passengers to get them safely off the boat.
1880
Census State of
Kaltenbracker Charles Head 52 Machinist
Alvena Wife 40 Housekeeping
Charles Son 12 At school
Harry Son 8 At school
Heidenreick William Other 18 Apprentice
Harker William Other 17 Apprentice
White Oliver P. Other 44 Rapid Pilot
THE RIVER
The steamer Nellie, Captain Whitney which has been engaged in these waters through the summer in government and city service, passed down early this morning with a barge in tow, and having French & Co.’s circus on board. The company consists of some twenty-five people and five horses and carry a tent that allows covering for an audience of 600 to 800 people. The circus exhibited at LeClaire yesterday, and shows at Keithsburg today. They proceed south, and spend the winter in showing at small places on every stream which can be navigated by the Nellie.
ITEMS IN BRIEF
A fireman named William
Heitenreight (Heidenreich), on the steamer Nellie, which went down the river
with French’s circus, was drowned near
HE WAS MURDERED.
Our readers will recollect the
announcement of the death of a young man named George Schliedwein
(Heidenreich), who lived in LeClaire, and was drowned off the steamer Nellie,
below Cape Girardeau, as she was en route south with Robert’s circus. It
occurred last month. Mr. Charles Seims, at the request of the mother of
the deceased and other relatives in this city, has been to
JOHNSON CHARLES
Photo by Bob Jones
…”One of the crew, Charles Johnson of
LeClaire, also had a remarkable experience. He also was lying in his
berth in the cabin, asleep. He was blown through the outside door, or
window, of his room, on his mattress, falling about forty feet from the boat in
the river, where he caught a big oar that came sailing his way, and straddling
this he paddled himself ashore without a scratch. Without reporting back
to the wreck, Mr. Johnson made his way to McGregor where he enjoyed himself for
a few days, and then commandeering an old “dug-out” which was somewhat
insecurely locked, he started for his home in LeClaire. In the meantime
news of the wreck had reached his home and he had been reported among the
lost. His family mourned him as dead, and inscribed the date of his
demise in the family bible, and began negotiating for a mortuary slab to be
erected to his memory. Within a few days the dead man was sighted
paddling his dug-out toward the levee by some boys who were in swimming.
It is said that they did not stop for their clothes, but fled from the specter
for their homes: and it is said that as Johnson passed though the town he
cleared the streets wherever he went of both great and small, the people
believing that it was a sure enough ghost, and not a flesh and blood visitant
that had arrived from above. “--George B. Merrick, Steamboats and
Steamboatmen of the Upper Mississippi” The
Saturday Evening Post of
I expect that Charley (Windy)
Johnson and I have pulled him (S. R Van Sant) from Beef Slough to Muscatine
without hearing a murmur (that is, a mummer from him), but you might have heard
the linesman doing a great deal of murmuring. Sometimes as soon as we had
gotten the lines on at the slough we would pull out for
Did anyone ever hear of a strike
on a Van Sant and Musser boat? I never did. There wasn’t anything
to strike for. Of course there were times when we had to work hard but so
you did on all the boats and we lived better than any ordinary hotel all of the
time and not a boat on the river led us in wages. One day when Windy and
I had pulled him out to
When we got back to the boat after about a ten mile pull I went up to the office to investigate, as I hadn’t examined my envelope for several trips, just putting them back in the safe, and I found that not only were we getting thirty-five but that the linesmen were getting forty dollars.
“Sketch of Capt. S. R.
Van Sant”, Saturday Evening Post
The Daily Times, Tuesday, December 4, 1906, page 7.
Johnson
Chas. A. Johnson of LeClaire died suddenly yesterday afternoon about 6 o’clock at Dr. Bailey’s office in LeClaire, the cause of death being apoplexy. Mr. Johnson first complained of a bad headache about 10 o’clock Monday morning and as it did not seem to abate in the least, some of his friends persuaded him to go to a doctor. After walking to the Doctor’s office he suddenly grew worse and continued so until his death. His death was a shock to all who knew him, as Mr. Johnson had the appearance of being a strong, healthy man.
Mr. Johnson was born in
The funeral announcements will be made later.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Tuesday, December 4, 1906, page 14.
WELL KNOWN RIVER MAN DIES SUDDENLY
_____________
Charles Johnson of LeClaire Expired After Bursting Open Blood Vessel.
_____________
Mr. Johnson was running after a street car early in the day and as the result of too much exertion sustained a broken blood vessel. He walked back to a physician’s office and became unconscious and at the hour stated above passed away.
Mr. Johnson was one of the
prominent river men. He was a power boat clammer and had planned for an
extensive clamming season for next year. He was born in
The funeral will be held Wednesday
afternoon with services at the
KEM JOHN
The only time 11 was and captain, and Geo. Trombley Sr. was second. I am not sure, but think Sam Maxwell was head engineer and his brother, who was a good deal of dandy, was second. John Hanley was mate, Dan Hanley and I think Jake Berger, fireman. Jo Gallinor, if I remember correctly, was in charge of the kitchen. Bill (Muzzy) Carr and Geo. Trombley Jr. were running line, John Kim and Orrin Thompson were two of the men on deck and I believe the others were Hugh Sweeny, Charley (Windy) Johnson, Tom Malley and John Anderson but am not sure.
We built some little shacks on the bow of the rail and we put in considerable time down there. Some of the lads were quite small in fact they would only hold one person at a time. I remember Kim and Thompson had one in partnership and there was considerable maneuvering to see which could get the inside track and they used to work many sharp tricks to secure occupancy. Both were very much afraid of snakes and snakes were quite numerous that season. One day Kim was laying in the hut about half asleep and Thompson looking in said, “Look out for that snake Kim.” As Kim made a hasty exit Thompson crawled in and settled down for a nap. In the course of an hour Kim came by and hollered out, “Look out for the snake, Orrin.” And Orrin sort of grinned remarking that he wasn’t as big a sucker as some folks and leisurely turning over to resume his nap when he put his hand right on a big snake about two inches in diameter and about 4 feet long which was lying on the log right beside him.
Thompson and the snake both came right up thru the top of the shanty and demolished it so completely that they didn’t bother to rebuild more especially as they were both so badly frightened as regards snakes that they hunted the highest logs they could to sun themselves on and where they had a plain view of any snakes that might wish to become too sociable during the rest of the trip.
John Kim, I remember, was at the far end of the line as we stood along the bulkhead and just as we had enough to steady the jack John deliberately limped up to John Hanley to explain to him that he was suffering from rheumatism and that he could not stand to get in the cold water. John Hanley explained to him very briefly that he wasn’t hiring rheumatics and that it was up to him (John Kim) to get in the water right now, and he got. If he had stood still he would have been safe as he passed several to get to the front and was I believe the last man needed.--RECOLLECTIONS OF A. D. SUMMERS Collected From “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men Who Knew Them The Saturday Evening Post Burlington Iowa
1885
Kem John 32 Laborer
Melinda 29
Daniel 8
Mary 7
1920
Census
Kem John Head 52 Farmer
Malinda Wife 53 None
Note: The Davenport Democrat and Leader states the
John Kem is from Princeton and
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning, April 13, 1930, page 8.
JOHN W. KEIM IS SUMMONED
_____________
Well Known Ex-Resident Of
_____________
John W. Kem,
Mr. Kem was born in
Surviving besides the widow is a son Daniel Kem of
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the
McGinnis Funeral Home with burial in
The Daily Times, Saturday, April 12, 1930, page 2.
JOHN W. KEM, WELL KNOWN
_____________
John W. Kem, well known
Mr. Kem was born March 7, 1851, in
Surviving besides his widow are one son, Daniel A.
Kem of
Funeral services will be held Monday at the McGinnis
Funeral Home. Interment will be made in
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Tuesday Evening, April 15, 1930, page 17.
The Kem Funeral
Funeral services for John W. Kem were held at the
McGinnis Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. A. H. Ziemer
officiated. Burial was made in
Mrs. Harriet Basemann and Finley McGinnis sang “Some Day When the Shadows Flee Away” and “Beautiful Garden of Prayer.”
Pallbearers were H. B. Tomasek, Alfred Spink, W. S. Knapp, Harry Lancaster, S. A. Sargent and John Rippie.
MCCAFFREY JACK (JOHN) CAPTAIN
Capt. John McCaffrey, LeClaire, Ia., was
born in Ireland, 1842, son of James and Mary (Murray) McCaffrey, natives of
Ireland, who emigrated to the United States when the captain was a mere child,
and located in St. Louis, where he resided until his death, which occurred in
1850. Mother died about the same time leaving a family of five children,
viz: Mary (now the wife of Henry Spinsby), Phillip, Kate (now the wife of
George Tromley), Sarah, (now the wife of Stephen Rhodes), and John. The
captain commenced his river life in 1856, as a raft hand, and he said then if
he got through with his trip he would leave the river, but becoming acquainted
with the life still prosecuted the business since. March 24, 1868,
married Miss Sarah J. Davenport, a daughter of A. J. Davenport, an early
settler of
Photos by Bob Jones. This is the headstone of little Robert Adrian the son of Jack and Sarah McCaffrey who did not live to adulthood.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday Evening, July 30, 1917, page 12.
CAPTAIN JACK M’CAFFREY DIES AT BATTLE CREEK
____________________
Was One of the Pioneer Raft Pilots on the
____________________
Captain Jack McCaffrey, for many
years one of the best known raft boat pilots on the Upper Mississippi river,
died Sunday at the sanitarium at
Some five years ago Captain
McCaffrey went to
Captain McCaffrey was born in
With the decline of this industry
Captain McCaffrey retired from active river
pursuit and moved to
The deceased had been in failing
health for some time and last week was taken to the
Surviving are the three sons,
Frank, Jack and Duke and a niece, Mrs. Minnie McCraney of
The Daily Times, Monday, July 30, 1917, page 14.
DEATH SUMMONS CAPT. MCCAFFREY
____________
WELL KNOWN OLD RAFT PILOT DIES AT
____________
Captain Jack McCaffrey, well known
raft pilot on the Mississippi River, who for years resided in
Captain McCaffrey was a well known
raft pilot in the early days on the
Captain McCaffrey’s first boat was
the steam James Means which he owned and operated for a number of years.
Later he purchased the boats owned by Schuenburg & Buckler, of
He is survived by three sons, Frank, Jack and Duke, a sister, Mrs. Sarah Rhoads and a niece, Mrs. Minnie McCraney. The body will probably arrive in LeClaire Wednesday.
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 31, 1917, page 11.
McCaffrey Funeral
Funeral services of Captain John
McCaffrey, pioneer raft pilot, whose death occurred at
The body will be shipped to
LeClaire, the former home of the family, where internment will take place in
the
The pallbearers will be E. M. Sharon, William Chamberlin, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo Becker, W. D. Petersen and O. B. Grant. Bishop Morrison will officiate at the chapel and at the grave. Friends are invited to attend the services at the chapel, but internment will be private.
The Daily Times, Tuesday, July 31, 1917, page 7.
McCaffrey Funeral
The funeral services of Capt. John
McCaffrey will be held at 10:30 o’clock Wednesday morning from the M. V. Boies
chapel,
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Wednesday Evening, August 1, 1917, page11.
The McCaffrey Funeral
Funeral services of Captain John
McCaffrey, pioneer raft pilot, were held at the M. V. Boies chapel,
Pallbearers were E. M. Sharon, Wm. Chamberlin, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo Becker, W. D. Petersen and O. B. Grant.
The Daily Times, Wednesday, August 1, 1917, page 7.
McCaffrey Funeral
The funeral of Captain John McCaffrey,
the aged river captain, whose death occurred early this week, was held this
morning at 10:30 o’clock from the M. V. Bois Co. chapel,
E. M. Sharon, Wm. Chamberlain, T. J. Stebbins, Waldo Becker, W. D. Petersen, and O. B. Grant served as pallbearers. The services in LeClaire cemetery, where burial was made, were private.
MCCAFFREY JACK (JOHN) CAPTAIN
1880
Census
Town of
McCaffrey John 37 River Pilot
Sarah J 35 Wife
Frank 10 Son
Henry 9 Son
John 7 Son
1885 State
Census
LeClaire
McCaffrey John 42 Pilot
Sarah M 40
Frank 15
Henry 14
Jack 11
Hankins Maria 18 Servant
Morning Democrat, Wednesday, September 4, 1957, page 6.
Capt. Jack McCaffrey, former
steamboat captain and a native of LeClaire, has died at his home, in
(Unreadable) University
and the
Capt. McCaffrey operated
steamboats on the Mississippi River as a young man and after the decline of
packet transportation, operated boats on the
He is survived by his wife.
Services and burial will be held
in
The Daily Times, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1957, page 12.
LECLAIRE
_______
Ex-Pilot On River Is Dead
Capt. Jack McCaffrey, former
steamboat captain and a native of LeClaire had died at his home in
He was born in 1874 in LeClaire,
and attended
Capt. McCaffrey operated
steamboats on the Mississippi River as a young man and after the decline of
packet transportation, operated boats on the
He is survived by his wife.
Services and burial will be in
MCCALL EDMUND (EDWARD)
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Wednesday, June 6, 1906, page 2.
LECLAIRE
William Nesbitt and Ed McCall who are employed on the drill boats visited last Wednesday at home.
1910
Census
McCall Thomas Head 75 Own Income
Margaret Wife 71 Wife
Edward (Edmund) Son 27 Driller River Steamboat
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Wednesday Evening, September 2, 1931, page 15.
EDMUND H. MCCALL, FORMER RESIDENT OF LECLAIRE, DIES
______________
Edmund H. McCall, a former
resident of
Mr. McCall was 49 years old, the
son of the late Thomas and Margaret McCall. He was born Oct. 9, 1991, at
LeClaire, where he lived for a number of years. He was married Aug. 6,
1912 to Miss Florence Dearden at
He was a member of the Christian Church and of Davenport Lodge No. 28, L. O. O. M.
Surviving besides the wife are one son, James McCall of Davenport; two sisters, Mrs. Mettie Smith of Onlaska, Wis., and Mrs. Sadie Carver of ST. Louis, Mo.; three brother, T.K. McCall of Santa Monica, Calif., J. P. McCall of Jacksonville, Fla., and David McCall of Chicago, and two grandchildren, Betty and David McCall of Davenport of Davenport.
The body was brought here to the
McGinnis mortuary where funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2
o’clock. Burial will be in
The Daily Times, Wednesday, September 2, 1931, page 2.
Edmund H. McCall, Former Resident of LeClaire, Dies
____________
Edmund H. McCall,
Mr. McCall was born in LeClaire on
Oct. 9, 1881, the son of Thomas and Margaret McCall. He married Miss
Florence Dearden on Aug. 6, 1912, in
Surviving are his widow, one son, James E. of Davenport; two sisters, Mrs. Mettie Smith of Onlaska, Wis., and Mrs. Sadie Carver of St. Louis, Mo.; three brothers, T. K. McCall of Santa Monica, Calif., J. P. McCall of Jacksonville, Fla., and David McCall of Chicago, and two grandchildren, Betty and David McCall of Davenport.
The body was taken to the McGinnis
Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Burial will be in
The
The McCall Funeral
Funeral services for Edmund H.
McCall were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the McGinnis mortuary with
Davenport Lodge, No. 28, L. O. O. M., in charge. The Rev. C. K. Gillum
officiated. Burial was in
Fred W. Zabel, dictator of the Lodge, was in charge of the ceremony, and was assisted by Edward U. Meyer, prelate. Louis Koenigsaecker, accompanied by Mrs. George Westphal, sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” during the services.
Bearers were Arthur Veach, Elmer Kelser, William Pries, Charles Seward, Harry Langtimm and Bert Seward.
The Daily Times, Friday, September 4, 1931, page 6.
McCall Funeral
Funeral services for Edmund H.
McCall were conducted yesterday at 2 p.m. at the McGinnis Funeral Home.
Davenport Lodge, No. 28, Loyal Order of Moose, assisted in the services with
Fred W. Zabel, dictator, and E. U. Meyer, prelate, in charge. Louis
Koenigsacker, accompanied by Mrs. George Westphal, sang, “Beautiful Isle of
Somewhere” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” Rev. C. K. Gillum, pastor of the
First Christian Church, preached the sermon and officiated at the grave in
MCCAULEY JAMES “JIGGS”
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday Evening, May 18, 1942, page 15.
LECALRIE RIVER MAN MISSING; FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY
____________
“Jiggs” McCauley, old-time riverman residing at LeClaire, is missing from his home and relatives fear for his safety, Mayor Ferd Meyer informed Sheriff Walter H. Beuse Monday as he asked assistance in locating McCauley. The man was last seen sitting on a barge tied to the river bank Sunday afternoon and some fear was expressed that he may have drowned.
The Daily Times, Monday, May 18, 1942, page 4.
“JIGGS” M’CAULEY IS MISSING; LAST SEEN ABOARD BARGE
___________
James “Jiggs” McCauley, about 70, well-known LeClaire fisherman and former town marshal, was today reported as “missing.” -- “Jiggs,” as he is known to hundreds up and down the Mississippi river, was last seen at 1 p.m. Sunday, sitting on a barge anchored in the river near LeClaire, according to a report given to Sheriff Walter H. Beuse by F. G. Meyer, mayor of LeClaire.
No report of his whereabouts has been received, and it is thought he might have fallen off the barge into the river and drowned.
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday, May 19, 1942, page 15.
MISSING MAN FOUND IN RIVER NEAR LECLAIRE
____________
Body of J. McCauley Recovered by Search; Discount Foul Play.
____________
The body of James “Jiggs” McCauley, 72, long-time resident of LeClaire and veteran riverman, was found in 10 feet of water in the Mississippi river near the north end of town late Monday afternoon.
McCauley was the victim of an accidental drowning, according to Coroner W. A. Hoepner, who said that a gash on the scalp about two inches above the hair line apparently was due to a fall on a rock near the water’s edge.
The body was found by Louis McWilliams and Arp Gilbert, using clammer’s hooks; on their third drag about 20 feet from the shore line.
The coroner and Deputy Sheriff Joe Atkinson discounted rumors of foul play as the cause said that they believed that McCauley slipped on rocks as he was walking along the bank and fell, striking his head on a rock beneath the surface. He was reported to have been a good swimmer.
McCauley was last seen about 1:30 p.m. Sunday by Roy Gilbert who, with Orrie Hammond, was McCauley’s partners in sand barge work. Both Gilbert and Hammond are also residents of LeClaire.
Gilbert told authorities that he
saw McCauley sitting near the railroad tracts which parallel the river and that
the latter said he wanted to get across the river to Pt. Byron,
When they returned, Gilbert said, McCauley was nowhere in sight. They thought he might have wandered away but when he did not appear for work Monday morning. Mayor Ferd Meyer of LeClaire and later Sheriff Walter H. Beuse were notified. Dragging of the river bottom in the vicinity of where McCauley was last seen was then started and the body was recovered about 3:40 p.m.
BORN IN PT. BYRON.
McCauley, father of nine children,
the youngest of whom is eight, was born in Port Byron,
Surviving are the window; four daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger, New Boston, Illinois; Mrs. Leslie Fullmer, LeClaire; Betty, Mitchelville, and Mary, at home, and five sons, Kenneth, Moline; Wilford, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.; Russell and Daniel, both at home, and John, residing in New Jersey.
He also leaves two sister, Mrs. Mabel Nelson, Albany, Ill., and Mrs. Grace Roberts, LeClaire, and five brothers, William and Hope W., both of Rock Island; Sam, Davenport; J. A., Oconto Falls, Wis., and Cy, McGregor, Ia. A brother, Wesley died five months ago.
The body was removed to the
McGinnis funeral home and at 11 a.m. Thursday will be taken to the Full Gospel
tabernacle in LeClaire for services at 2 p.m. Burial will be in
The Daily Times, Tuesday, May 19, 1942, page 2.
Recover LeClaire Man’s Body From Mississippi River
____________
The body of James “Jiggs”
McCauley, 72, well-known LeClaire fisherman and former town marshal, today had
been recovered from the
McCauley’s body was found by Louis McWilliams and Art Gilbert of LeClaire with the use of a dragline about 4 p.m. Monday. McCauley had been missing since about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. His body was found less than 20 feet from the shore at LeClaire and deputy sheriffs found marks on the bank, showing where the aged man had slipped on the gravel and apparently had fallen into the river.
Officials said there was a cut on his head, indicating that McCauley might have been knocked unconscious by his fall.
Acting coroner W. A. Hoepner said there will be no inquest as death was due to accidental causes.
Born in Port Byron
Mr. McCauley was born in Port
Byron,
Surviving are his wife; four
daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger of New Boston, Mrs. Leslie Fullmer of LeClaire,
Miss Betty McCauley of Mitchellville, Ia., and Miss Mary McCauley, at home;
five sons, Kenneth of Moline, Wilford of the U. S. Army stationed at Fort
Leonard Wood, Mo., Russell and Daniel, both at home and John of New Jersey; two
sisters, Mrs. Mabel Nelson of Albany, Ill., and Mrs. Grace Roberts of LeClaire;
and five brothers, William and Hope, both of Rock Island, Sam of Davenport, J.
A.. of
The body was taken to the McGinnis
Funeral Home where it will remain until 11 a.m. Thursday when it will be taken
to the Full Gospel Tabernacle in LeClaire where funeral services will be held
at 2 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Thursday Evening, May 21, 1942, page 15.
THE MCCAULEY FUNERAL
Funeral services for James “Jiggs”
McCauley, of LeClaire, veteran riverman whose body was found Monday in the
Miss Watson and Miss Alta Suiter
sang. Burial was in
Bearers were Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert Moore, Thomas Bagley, Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese.
The Daily Times, Thursday, May 21, 1942, page 8.
McCauley Funeral
Funeral services for James A.
McCauley were held at 2 p.m. today at the Full Gospel Tabernacle, LeClaire,
with Miss Edna Watson officiating. Miss Watson and Miss Alice Suiter
sang. The pallbearers were Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert
Moore, Thomas Bagley, Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese. Burial was in
MC CONNELL JAMES
That season we had some very high water and on trip down we got into LeClaire just about time to change watch, so Little Jim and I told Mr. Carver and the other fireman (I believe it was Carver’s son-in-law Jim McConnell: that we would stay and cool her down and they could dress and be ready to go ashore as soon as we landed. They did so going ashore with the line….
You see we were victims of our own goodness as it wasn’t
our watch at all. Little Jim and the Captain have been gathered to their
father. Mr. Carver, Vital Burrow and Jim McConnell I have lost track
of. Brig Shannon and Jack Bailey are living in LeClaire.--RECOLLECTIONS
OF A D SUMMERSCOLLECTED FROM “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men
Who Knew Them. The Saturday Evening Post,
The
JAS. M’CONNELL, VET RIVERMAN, DIES, AGE 84
______________
Native of LeClaire Succumbs in His Home
in
______________
(Special to The Democrat.)
MCDONALD JOHN
Photo by Sue Rekkas
The Daily Times, Tuesday, December 4, 1906, page 7.
The Daily Times, Wednesday, January 21, 1925, page 6.
JOHN M’DONALD, VETERAN RIVER PILOT, SUMMONED
_____________
John McDonald,
Mr. McDonald was born at
Arrangements for the funeral will
be made on the arrival of the body in
The Daily Times, Monday, January 26, 1925, page 6.
DEATH NOTICES
McDonald Funeral
The funeral of Capt. John McDonald
was held from the home,
The pallbearers were H. Goos, M. Hanley, Capt. F. Wilson, Edward Knochle, Capt. H. Witt and Capt. G. Case.
MCKEE ALMON
Photo by Bob Jones
Age Sex Years in
McKee
Almon
35
M
3
Emma
11
F
3
Lucy
9 F
3
Walter
8 M
3
George
5
M
3
DAVENPORT Daily Gazette, Saturday Morning, October 25, 1862 page 1.
DEATH OF A CITIZEN OF LECLAIRE--It
is reported that Mr. McKee of LeClaire was
killed by the rebels on the 18th inst., on the steamboat Gladiator,
while she lay at Connell Bend, twenty-five miles below
“It appears that several of them came on board the boat, the boat on which McKee was engineer, under pretence of being passengers and before the boat left the landing they stabbed McKee and the fireman, and were about taking possession of the boat when a gentleman passenger in reply to the Captain to know if there was any one on board who could engineer, said, “I will if it costs me my life,” and slid down the chain and commenced moving away from the landing, when the wretches got away, except two, who had to take to the water and swim ashore.”
MCWILLIAMS LOUIS
1910 census
McWilliams Alexander Head 56 Laborer Stone Quarry
Gertrude Wife 57 none
Grace Daughter 19 none
Louis Son 22 Fireman River Steamer
Photo by Bob Jones
Times Democrat, November 13, 1970, page 24.
LOUIS MCWILLIAMS
Louis V. McWilliams, 83, of 1204
N. 2nd. Street, LeClaire, died Thursday in
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday
in the McGinnis Chapel,
Visitation begins at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mr. McWilliams had been a commercial fisherman.
He was born in
Mr. McWilliams is survived by
daughters, Mrs. Walter (Olive) Knapper, Long Grove; sons, Louis,
MADIN NATHEN
1880
Census
Town of
Carter Thomas 59 Watchman on River
Eliza 58 Wife Housekeeping
Madin Nathan 14 Grandson at School
The
RIVERMAN OF FORMER YEARS PASSES AWAY
___________
Nathan Madin, Engineer on
___________
Another of river’s picturesque
characters, and a man long identified with the LeClaire boat traffic, has
passed away. Word has been received here of the death at
For many years he was on the
He leaves three children, Mrs. Van Black of Drexel, Misses Jessie and Lenore at home, his aged mother, Mrs. Maggie Madin and six sisters, Mrs. Annie Kay of St. Louis, Mrs. Bertha Stiff of Davenport, Mrs. Blanche Light of Hampton, Ill., Mrs. Lillie Watkins of Pleasant Valley, Ia., Mrs. Lisa Stiff of Tipton, Ia., and Miss Grace at Drexel.
The Daily Times, Friday, April 1, 1921, page 11.
DEATH CLAIMS NATHAN MADIN, RIVER ENGINEER
____________
Nathan Madin, for many years
engineer on the Mississippi river boats, and well known in LeClaire, died March
22 at his home in
He was stricken with apoplexy while at work cleaning his automobile and died in a few minutes. He was born in St. Louis Jan.9, 1866, and married Miss Jessie Wright of LeClaire June 17, 1891. She died Dec. 25, 1919.
He leaves three children, Mrs. Van Black of Drexel, Misses Jessie and Lenore at home, his aged mother, Mrs. Maggie Madin and six sisters, Mrs. Annie Kay of St. Louis, Mrs. Bertha Stiff of Davenport, Mrs. Blanch Light of Hampton, Ill., Mrs. Lillie Watkins of Pleasant Valley, Ia., and Miss Grace at Drexel.
He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen, Engineers organization and of the Drexel Club.
After running on the Mississippi
river for many years he spent 16 years on the
METZGER BENJAMIN CAPTAIN
1900
Census
Name Relationship When Born Age Occupation Where born
Metzger
Benjamin
Head
Dec, 1863
37 River
Pilot
Lelah
wife
May 1866
34
Housewife
Arther W
son
Oct. 1895
6 At
home
“J. W. VAN SANT”
Stern-wheel rafter built at
LeClaire
Captain B. J. Metzger is home for a few days visit.
The Democrat and Leader, February 11, 1947, page 9.
CAPT. METZGER RIVER CAPTAIN DIES IN FLORIDA
____________
Worked on River for 36 years As Captain of Engineer Boats.
____________
Capt. Benjamin J. Metzger, 84, formerly of LeClaire and a colorful and well known river captain, died at
His home in
Captain Metzger was born in
The Captain’s first job with the
engineers was as a watchman, but he studied river navigation and finally became
a master and pilot having command of several engineer’s boats. Most of
his work was in what was then known as the northern field area and he moved
from LeClaire to
Surviving are the widow, the
former Lelah Rambo, member of the well-known steamboat family, a son, Ward at
home; two grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Julia Philips of
The Daily Times, Tuesday, February 11, 1947, page 10.
Death Notices
Metzger
Word has been received by
relatives here of the death of Captain B. J. Metzger, former LeClaire resident,
which occurred Friday at his home in
Captain Metzger was born December
26, 1862 and at one time had resided in
Survivors include his wife, the
former Lelah Rambo of LeClaire; a son Ward Metzger, at home; a sister, Julia
Philips,
The Daily Times, Friday, July 8, 1910, page 4.
Samuel Moore, an old resident of
Mr. Moore was born in August,
1836, near
Besides his wife, three sons and four daughters survive him, as follows: Samuel of Clinton, Robert of LeClaire, Hobart of Davenport, Mrs. William Slabby of Iowa City, Mrs. W. Young of Fort Madison, Mrs. Frank Sanders of LeClaire and Miss Bessie Moore at home.
The funeral announcements will be made later.
LECLAIRE
______
Leo Van Hein left Thursday morning for Dubuque to assist in the engine room on the steamer Eclipse, during the absence of Robert Moore, who is in LeClaire on account of the illness and death of his father, Samuel Moore.
The Daily Times, Saturday, July 9, 1910, page 15.
LECLAIRE
LECLAIRE, Ia., July 9.--Leo Von Hein left for Dubuque Thursday Morning where he will take the place of Robert Moore as engineer on the steamer Eclipse, Mr. Moor having been called home on account of the serious illness of his father.
Davenport Gazette, Wednesday, April 2, 1879, page 1.
TOWN AND COUNTRY.
_____________
LeClaire
LeClaire, March 37, 1879.
The ferry boat will be launched today and commence operations. She has been thoroughly repainted and looks new and staunch. Billy Moore continues in command.
WYTHE.
From
Old River Captain’s Rites to Be at Home
Captain Moore was born Dec. 16,
1851, in
Captain Moore was a member of De
Molay consistory here,
The Daily Times, Tuesday, May 3, 1932, page 15.
Capt. Wm. Moore Taken by Death At
CLINTON, Ia. May 3.--(Special)--Captain William M. Moore, pioneer riverman, died this morning in his home, 94 Twenty-fifth avenue, after many weeks of suffering with pneumonia.
He followed his wife by one
week. Both became ill about the same time. They came to
The
CAPT. MOORE,
_________
Follows His Wife by One Week; Ill Many Weeks.
_________
Special to the Democrat
Clinton,
He followed his wife by one
week. Both took sick about the same time. They came to
NESBITT
The Daily Times, July
30, 1926, page 28.
LAWRENCE
NESBITT OF LE CLAIRE DEAD
__________
LECLAIRE, Ia., July 30.--(Special)--Lawrence M. Nesbitt, 47 years of
age, died at his home at 10:45 p. m. yesterday after an illness of
short duration of gallstones.
Mr. Nesbitt was born in Le Claire Sept. 23, 1878, and had spent his
entire life in Le Claire and vicinity. He was known as Larry by his
many friends in Le Claire and
He married Miss Cora Thompson, daughter of Charles Thompson of
World and of the
for a number of years on government work on the river.
Surviving are his wife and his mother, Mrs. H. G. Noddle of Dixley,
O. Funeral services will be held from the home at 1 p. m., Sunday.
Burial will be in
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 30, 1926, page 11.
L. M.
NESBITT, LE CLAIRE, DIES AFTER ILLNESS
_________
Lawrence M. Nesbitt died at his home in LeClaire Thursday at 9:30 p.
m. after a short illness.
He was born Sept. 23, 1878 in Le Claire and received his education
there. He was occupied as a
boats. On Nov. 29, 1906 he was married to Miss Cora Ellis Thompson at
Mr. Nesbitt was a member of the F. O. E. and the Woodmen of the World.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 1 p. m. from the late home.
Interment will be in
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, August 2, 1926, page 13.
OBITUARY
The Nesbitt Funeral.
Funeral rites were conducted for Lawrence N. Nesbitt at the late
residence in Le Claire. The Rev. R. L. Whitmore was in charge at the
home and at the grave in
The pallbearers were William Freehan, Leonard Holdorf, Russell
Brown, Edward Cassily, Carl Reinhart, and Harold McFate.
REITER JOHN
Photos by Robert Jones
1910 U S Census, Sate of
Name Age Occupation
Reiter John Head 44 Fireman River Steamer
Eva Wife 44 none
Raymond Son 14 none
Davenport Democrat and Leader, Monday, November 26, 1923, page 15.
OBITUARY
_______
The Reiter Funeral
Funeral services for J. Reiter,
who passed away November 22 at
Rev W. E. Green officiated assisted by Rev. J.T. Stewart, Pallbearers were F. E. Speer, Clifford Stone, J. A. Teeters, J. V. Pollock, Edward Strohbehn and C. C. Hieman.
Interment was in
The Daily Times, Monday, November 26, 1923, page 6.
Death Notices
________
Reiter Funeral
The funeral of John Reiter of LeClaire who died at
RHOADS SARAH
“…Trombley, who didn’t need a second at all as he was practically on watch all of the time.
I really believe he averages three hours of sleep a say during the season and he had Aunt Sarah Rhoades at her wit’s ends preparing delicacies to tempt his appetite as she was not used to having her cooking turned down and it worried her. She used to come around at breakfast and say: “Now Georgie, what shall I fix for your dinner?” and “Georgie” would say, “Oh, I don’t know, just make me so and so” probably some little tidbit she used to make for him when he was a little barefooted toddler and Aunt Sarah would put in a good part of the morning fixing up fancy dishes only to have him say, “Yes, that’s nice and I appreciate it but I am not very hungry today,” and do you know I have seen him when he was “roistering” on the Silver Wave in the old days just grab the batter cake plate out of the slush cook’s hand as he came in the door and we didn’t get a cake until he had about cleaned up our daily quota…”
“His
appetite was also poor and I recall distinctly how assiduously his Aunt Sarah
Rhodes who was cook at the time used to prepare him little delicacies such as
he liked when a boy to tempt his appetite and how he tried to make her think he
enjoyed them.”--RECOLLECTIONS OF A. D. SUMMERS
Collected From “THE OLD BOATS” Additional Information from Men Who Knew
Them, The Saturday Evening Post,
1870 Census
Age
Sarah 21 Keeps house La
Charles
G
3
Mary Belle 2 Mo
Maham Mahala 10 Mo
1880
Census
Town of
Sarah 30 wife Housekeeping
Glenny 13 son At School
Belle 12 daughter At School
Luella 3 daughter At Home
John 1 son At Home
1885 State
Census Town of
Glenn 18 S Laborer
Belle 17 S
Luella 8 S
John 6 S
Goldy 3 S
..James and Mary (Murray) McCaffrey, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States when the Captain was a mere child, and located in St. Louis, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1850. Mother died about the same time leaving a family of five children, viz: Mary (now the wife of Henry Spinsby), Phillip, Kate (now the wife of George Trumley (Tromley), Sarah, (now the wife of Stephen Rhodes), and John.—“From the History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co.”
The Daily Times, Tuesday, September 25, 1928, page 21.
DEATH NOTICES
Roads
Mrs. Sarah J. Roads,
75 years old, died at 6 a.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. B. Gordon,
She is survived by one
son and three daughters, Mrs. J. B. Gordon,
DEATH NOTICES
ROLFS CLAUS C.
1880
Census Town of
Name Age Relationship Occupation
Rolfs Maupeter 62 Farmer
Mary 47 wife Housekeeping
Claus 21 son Laborer
Henry 15 son at school
August 12 son at school
Mary 11 daughter at school
William 9 son at school
Fritz 7 son at school
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning, September 14, 1930, page 9.
CLAUS ROLFS, PIONEER
___________
Former LeClaire Resident Succumbs After a Prolonged Illness.
___________
Claus C. Rolfs, 70,
Mr. Rolfs was born in
His father, Mass P. Rolfs, came
from north
Five children survived their
parents, viz: P. H. Rolfs, P. H. D.,
Eldest of Children.
C. C. Rolfs was the oldest of the children, and thru his efforts, his brothers and sisters all graduated at the State Agriculture college, Ames, Iowa. He furnished his brothers and sisters the money to go thru college and when this was accomplished, he was unable financially to take a college course for himself. A wonderful sacrifice he made for his brothers and sisters and in later life the money he had advanced was returned with interest.
P. H. Rolfs, brother of the
deceased, for many years was at the head of the agriculture department of the
state of
Started Life on River.
C. C. Rolfs started life like many of the LeClaire boys by working on the river, and he followed the river for many years in the employ of the Weyerhaeuser and Denkman line of raft boats as a clerk and watchman.
His services were so highly appreciated
by his employers that they changed him from the steamboats to the management of
their lumber yard in
Reared in poverty in his native
town of
He was the soul of honor in all of his business dealings. He was a constant reader of the writings of great men and was also a student of politics though never striving to office holdings.
He enjoyed the confidence and respect of his LeClaire friends to as great a degree as any native of that community.
He was tolerant in all things and respected all forms of belief by others even though he disagreed with them.
After the death of his father and mother, his brothers and sisters looked up to him as their own father, and he guided all of them to success though sacrificing his own desire of obtaining an education.
The Daily Times, Saturday, September 13, 1930, page 2.
CLAUS C. ROLFS, PIONEER SCOTT CO, RESIDENT IS DEAD
__________
Claus C. Rolfs, 70, a pioneer
resident of
The decedent was born March
4, 1859 in
Mr. Rolfs spent his boyhood days
by working on the river and for a number of years was employed on the raft
boats of the Weyerhaeuser & Denkman line. Later he was made manager
of the White Yard where he was employed for 15 years. On October 14,
1896, he married Miss Kate E, Hanley, sister of
Attorney J. A. Hanley of
Surviving besides his wife are four brothers, P. H. Rolfs of Vicosa, in Brazil, Dr. J. A. Rolfs of Aplington, Ia., Dr. W. F. Rolfs, of Mullan, Idaho, and F. W. Rolfs of Stillwater, Okla., and one sister, Mrs. Mary C. Schuck of Aplington.
The body was then to the McGinnis
funeral home and will be returned to the family home,
RUTLEDGE HERBERT
1870 Census State
of
Rutledge Herbert 25 Boat Caulker
Rutledge Herbert 25 Boat Caulker
Susie 18 Milliner
Sarah 57
Carrie 20
Old Times on the
By J. D. Barnes
Port Byron Globe April 4, 1935.
“The next boat from the south after the
From LeClaire Rivermen by Georgeann McClure and Susan Rekkas
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Friday Evening, March 16, 1934, page 21.
Obituary
____
Herbert Rutledge
Herbert Rutledge, 320, of
Mr. Rutledge was born in the east, but came to
The Daily Times, Saturday, March 17, 1943, page 11.
HERBERT RUTLEDGE, PLAYMATE OF CODY DEAD
IN
_________
Special to The Daley Times
(Special)--Herbert W. Rutledge, who died
yesterday at his home here, was a chum of William F. (“Buffalo Bill”) Cody, and
of former Governor Sam Van Sant of
Mr. Rutledge was 90 years of age. He was born
in
He leaves his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Louis Gerten
of
The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sunday Morning, March 18, 1934, page 10.
Herb Rutledge Was Friend of “
__________
Special to the Democrat
Clinton,
Mr. Rutledge was 90 years of age. He was born
in
He leaves his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Louis Gerten
of
CAPTAIN JON SMITH AND THE ROYAL ARCH
In the spring of 1856 she was put
into the run between