Charles A. Ficke is, in the true sense of the word, a self-made man, the record of whose life well illustrates what one may accomplish by directing one's energies in the line of a high purpose. A pative of Germany, he was born in Beitzenburg, Duchy of Mecklenburg, on April 21 , 1850, to Christopher H. and Elizabeth (Präsent) Ficke. His father was a merchant of moderate means in the Fatherland, but in 1852 he immigrated with his family to the United States and settled on a farm in Scott County, Iowa, where Charles received his early education in the district schools. The narrow routine of farm life was ill suited to his tastes and ambition, and when twelve years old he was allowed to go to Lowden, Cedar County, Iowa, where he worked one year as a minor clerk in a general store. He felt the need of a more thorough education, and going to Davenport at the age of thirteen entered the public schools, paying his expenses of living by working after school hours, and thus acquired a good English education. He next clerked in a drygoods store for several years on a small salary, and by careful saving accumulated enough money to defray his expenses through a course of study at the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Davenport. Thus equipped, he was employed for a time in the United States Assessors' office, and in 1869 entered the service of the Davenport National Bank, where he worked his way up to the position of discount clerk. His ultimate purpose was to become a lawyer and to this end he employed all his spare time, outside of banking hours, studying and reading in the law office of Mr. H. R. Claussen, whose friendship was of the greatest help to him for many years. To more thoroughly fit himself for the profession, he resigned his position in the bank in 1876, and pursued a course of study in the Albany (New York) Law School, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1877. After his graduation he spent six months visiting and traveling in Europe and then returned to Davenport and established himself in his profession. With his wide range of friends and acquaintances, and his familiarity with business and business men, he found work enough to keep him busy from the outset and his practice gradually grew to large propor tions, and yielded him a most gratifying income. Besides his law practice he has engaged largely in money loaning with much success. Mr. Ficke has always shown a commendable interest in public affairs, and has been honored by his fellow-citizens with numerous offices of trust. He formerly affiliated with the Republican party and at one time was chairman of the Republican County and Congressional Com mittee; but in 1880 he changed his views and four years later supported for the Presidency, Mr. Cleveland. He also was a strong advocate for the election of Mr. Horace Boies to the governorship of Iowa, and in both conventions that named him for that office, he seconded the nomination. In 1886 he was elected county attorney of Scott County, receiving a majority of five hundred votes. Four years later he was nominated, against his protest, for the mayoralty of Davenport, and elected for the term of one year. The following year, 1891, he was renominated by acclamation, and elected by a majority of eighteen hundred and seventy-six, being the largest majority ever received by any mayor of Davenport. After serving his second term he declined third nomination. His was a vigorous administration, and his business-like manner of conducting municipal affairs won for him universal praise. To his efforts is largely due the extensive improvements that were made in the line of sewer building and paving. His faith in the future of Davenport is best shown by his numerous and large real estate investments, which are as much in amount as those of any other three men in the city.
On March 24, 1882, Mr. Ficke married Miss Fannie Davison, daughter of Mr. Abner Davison, a prominent attorney of Davenport. They are blessed with three children, Arthur Davison, Alice and Helen.
Mr. Ficke is a man of domestic tastes, simple in his habits, devoted to his family, and strongly attached to his friends. He loves literature, and besides being familiar with standard authors, keeps himself in touch with the trend of current thought and publications. He is broad-minded and liberal in his views, and in all his business or domestic or social relations, demeans himself as an earnest, conscientious and progressive man.
BIOGRAPHIES