Henry Brockmann

BROCKMANN

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 7/6/2014 at 21:19:18

HENRY BROCKMANN, LONG KNOWN AS “ONION KING” OF SCOTT COUNTY, DEAD

Henry Brockmann, pioneer commission merchant and for years known as the “Onion King” of Scott County, is dead at the age of 80 years. Death occurred Sunday morning at Mercy Hospital after a lingering illness.

In the commission business Mr. Brockmann was credited with handling more onions and potatoes than any other dealer in the middle west. These he shipped to all parts of the world, particularly the red globe onion which thru his shipments had gained a world wide reputation for richness and flavor.

Mr. Brockmann was born in Germany on August 27, 1847, and came to Davenport at the age of 19 years. Here he engaged at first in business as a contracting carpenter. A few years later he engaged in the commission business, which he followed for 45 years. He retired from business some years ago.

Mr. Brockmann was united in marriage to Miss. Christina Petersen, in April 1873. She preceded him in death on March 11 of this year.

Surviving are three children, Mrs. H.P. Grief of Williamsburg, Ia., Henry Brockmann of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mrs. Mary Harbeck, Davenport. There are nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The remains were taken to the Nissen & Hartwig parlors. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Iowa, 02 May 1927.