Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 550

CLAUS KOLL, a well-to-do and leading citizen of Muscatine, is a member of the firm of Koll & Steen, proprietors of a paint store on Second street. He is a native of Germany, born in Holstein, April 20, 1849, and his parents were Henry and Anna ( Sich ) Koll. He was the second in order of birth of a family of seven children, but only three are now living, the others having died in infancy. Juergen is a resident farmer of Hall County, Neb.; Claus is the next ; and Clara, the youngest child yet living, resides in Germany, at Coblentz on the Rhine.

The early life of our subject was spent under the parental roof, and his education was received in Germany. Being a patriotic and loyal citizen of the Fatherland, he left his native country and emigrated to the New World, rather than fight under the Prussian Emperor. The voyage to America was made, in company with a brother, in 1868, and their destination was Davenport, Iowa. After reaching that city Claus first secured employment as a painter, with George Ott, for whom he worked for about six months. At the end of that time, with 120 pounds of glass upon his back, he started through the surrounding country to do glazing for the farmers, or any one who needed his services, but two weeks spent in this way convinced him that it was not a paying business, consequently he determined to try some other avocation. Having made the acquaintance of Mr. Hensler, proprietor of the Hensler Plow Works of Davenport, he secured a situation with that gentleman as a painter in the factory, in which he remained during the winter of 1868-69. In the spring of 1869 he secured employment with Mr. Eckermann, a painter and contractor of Davenport, for whom he worked for about three years, and in January,1872, came to Muscatine County, where he engaged as a farm-hand with H. Schwake, a farmer of Bloomington Township. After following that occupation for about three months, he removed to the city in April, 1872, and secured work with Mr. Halsted as a paper-hanger. During the following autumn he bought out his employer and embarked in business for himself, renting a little shop under Second street bridge, where he remained for about four years. At the expiration of that time he removed his business to a room under J. P. Freeman's residence, where he continued until 1884. Since 1872 he has been the leading paper-hanger of this city, and those who are especially desirous of having their work done in the best and most artistic manner, are numbered among his patrons. During the summer season he employs about twelve hands, and his business keeps increasing. After giving considerable thought to the matter Mr. Koll decided it would be a paying investment to establish a paint supply-store, and acting upon this conclusion opened his present store in 1884, in the Freeman building, where he continued for about a year, building up a fine trade. In 1885 he bought of Mrs. McDonald a three-story brick business-block on Second street, at a cost of $2,600, and removed his stock to that location, where he still remains. The same year he admitted to partnership Mr. Steen, and the present firm was established under the style of Koll & Steen. Mr. Koll admitted that gentleman into full partnership without capital,which is conclusive evidence that he regarded Mr. Steen as a worthy and upright man. Under the able management of the present proprietors, the business has been increased until they now do a large and profitable trade. Mr. Koll is general manager, and also superintends the greater part of the paper-hanging, as the confinement of the store is detrimental to his health.

On the 18th day of November, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Schutrum. When but an infant, the lady was left an orphan, and when only six years of age went to live with Henry Schwake, who was then a resident of Ripley County, Ind., and in whose employ Mr. Koll had formerly worked.. Their union has been blessed with six children , five of whom are living : Lillian, who was born in Davenport, Oct.7, 1872 ; Cora, born in Muscatine, Nov. 24, 1873 ; Laura, born Feb.23, 1876 ; George, Feb.27, 1878, is now deceased ; Clara, born Feb.19, 1881 ; and William, Nov. 10, 1885. Mr. Koll became a member of the A. O. U. W., of Muscatine, in 1881, and of the Modern Woodmen in 1887. For many years he has been a member of the Baptist Church, to which his wife also belongs, and has taken great interest in the advancement and work of that denomination. For the long period of fourteen years he served as superintendent in the Sunday-school of the German Baptist Church of this city, winning the hearts of the children and securing the confidence of the older members. In 1887 he took membership with the American Baptist Church, and is now connected with the Sunday-school at the West Muscatine school-house. Politically he is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. He owns considerable real estate in Muscatine, including his residence, which is situated at 1001 East Seventh street, and is one of the finest in North Muscatine, together with three good dwellings, and the three-story brick building in which his business is located.


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