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Claus C. Rolfs

ROLFS, SCHUCK

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/18/2014 at 11:31:46

DEATH NOTICES

CLAUS ROLFS, PIONEER COUNTY RESIDENT, DIES

Former LeClaire Resident Succumbs After a Prolonged Illness.

Claus C. Rolfs, 70, 739 Sylvan Avenue, a pioneer resident of Scott County died at 10 o’clock Friday night at the family home. Death terminated an illness of three year’s duration. Funeral services will be held at the home at 3 o’clock this afternoon, with interment in St. Marguerite’s Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted.

Mr. Rolfs was born in LeClaire, Ia., Mar. 4, 1859. On October 14, 1896, he was united in marriage with Miss Kate E. Hanley, sister of Attorney J. A. Hanley, of this city.

His father, Mass P. Rolfs, came from north Germany to Scott County in 1851 and died here about 30 years ago. His mother lived several years later.

Five children survived their parents, viz: P. H. Rolfs, P. H. D., Brazil, South America; Dr. J. A. Rolfs, Aplington, Ia.; Dr. W. F. Rolfs, Mullen, Idaho; F. W. Rolfs, P. H. D., Stillwater, Okla.; and Mary M. Schuck, Aplington, Ia.

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 Florida, and for the last 10 years has been in the employ of the government of Brazil in an effort to put that country on the same agriculture basis as the United States.

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 Davenport known as the White Yard where he was employed for a period of about 15 years.

Reared in poverty in his native town of LeClaire and by his own efforts he accumulated large property holdings in Davenport and owned stock in various corporations.

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.

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Ia., 14 Sep 1930, p.9.

CLAUS C. ROLFS, PIONEER SCOTT CO, RESIDENT IS DEAD

Claus C. Rolfs, 70, a pioneer resident of Scott County, died at 10 p.m. Friday at the family home, 739 Sylvan Avenue, Davenport, after an illness of the last three years.

The decedent was born March 4, 1859 in LeClaire, Ia., the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mass P. Rolfs, early settlers in Scott County. He was the oldest of the children and through his efforts made it possible for his brothers and sisters to graduate from the State Agriculture College at Ames. P. H. Rolfs, a brother of the deceased, was for many years head of the agriculture department of the state of Florida, and for the last ten years has been employed by the government at Brazil in an effort to put the country on the same agriculture basis as the United States.

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 Davenport.

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, 739 Sylvan Avenue. Burial will be in St. Marguerite’s Cemetery. The family requests that flowers be omitted.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 13 Sep 1930, p. 2.

Other notes: 1880 Census Town of LeClaire County of Scott State of Iowa, 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.


 

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