In the death of Dr. John J. Olshausen, which occurred March 16, 1890, Davenport sustained the loss of an influential and much-respected citizen, whose memory is warmly cherished by all who knew him and who left to his family that which they prize above all else—the heritage of an honored name.
He was a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and was born June 16, 1817, the son of John D. and Julianna Olshausen. His father, who was a prominent clergyman of the Lutheran Church in Germany, was superintendent of all the churches in the Duchy of Oldenburg, the highest office to which a clergyman there could attain. He was a noted author and an eloquent preacher and published numerous works on theology and geography.
Dr. Olshausen's mother still survives and lives in Rock Island, Illinois, the wife of Dr. Bernhardi. His maternal grandfather was a famous surgeon in Germany. His eldest brother, Herrman Olshausen, is a noted author of religious works, among which are "Olshausen's Commentaries on the New Testament.” Another brother, a celebrated philologist in Berlin, received many titles and honors and left a son who is now physician to the emperor and a man of note. Still another brother, who achieved distinction in Germany, afterward settled in Davenport, where he was editor of “Der Demokrat.” He is now editor of the “Westliche Post” in St. Louis, Missouri.
Our subject enjoyed the best of educational privileges in his boyhood. He attended the gymnasium at Schleswig, later entered the University at Königsberg, Prussia, and was graduated from the department of natural science and medicine at Kiel. In the furtherance of his researches in natural science he traveled extensively through Europe and parts of the Orient and also visited South America. Not finding this line of research entirely satisfactory in a financial way, he returned to Kiel and completed his medical studies, and, after spending several months visiting and investigating the German hospitals, he immigrated to the United States and established himself in the medical profession at St. Louis, Missouri. That was in 1847. Seven years later, in 1851, owing to the uncongenial climate of St. Louis, he removed to Davenport and there continued his professional work with great success until his decease.
Dr. Olshausen was a man of broad intelligence, liberal-minded, warm hearted, generous and genial, and with his refined and cultivated tastes and his wide range of knowledge, he impressed his personality upon all who came under his influence. He was a loving husband and father and in the charming circle of his home showed himself the soul of goodness and devotion.
December 10, 1848, he married Miss Elizabeth Shepman, a native of Hanover. Of eight children born to them four died in infancy and four still survive.
Dr. Olshausen was a Republican in sentiment, but liberal in his political views, as he also was in religious matters. He served fifteen years as a member of the Davenport School Board.
BIOGRAPHIES