To say of him whose name heads this sketch that he has by his own efforts risen from comparative obscurity to rank among the wealthy wholesale merchants of Davenport, is but stating a fact that seems trite to those familiar with his early history. His record entitles him to a prominent place in the present work, for his life illustrates the potency of fixed purposes, hard work and strict integrity, and demonstrates that it is possible to achieve success in life with no other capital.
August Steffen was born in Herford, Westphalia, Germany, October 24, 1824, and was one of a family of four children, one of whom a sister whose name is Sophia — is yet living in Herford. The other two members of the family are dead.
At an early age Mr. Steffen learned the tobacco manufacturer's trade, engaging in that occupation until he came to America at the age of twenty-four years. His journey across the Atlantic occupied about eight weeks, making a long and tedious trip. After landing in New York in September of 1818 he at once came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment at his trade for about two months, after which he went to New Orleans, and from there to Natchez, Mississippi; but at neither of those places did he remain long. His trip on the Mississippi river to Natchez was far from a pleasant one, owing to the fact that the money he had received for work in the former city proved to be a counterfeit bill and he was compelled to work his passage on the boat, Notwithstanding this misfortune, he did not lose courage, but worked hard with other employés of the vessel until he reached his destination. In the spring of 1850 he went to San Francisco, California, and from there to Sacramento, where he secured employment in a bakery. About this time he heard a great deal of the gold fields. The excitement ran high in California and he made up his mind to seek his fortune in the mountains. After reaching the gold fields he began prospecting and was fairly successful, but the business had its drawbacks. Provisions were scarce and hard to get, and the prices demanded were enormously high. He often paid five dollars a pound for a good grade of flour and for other kinds of food prices which were proportionately high. Mr. Steffen had, like many others, some unpleasant experiences with the Indians, and remembers that on one occasion while he was camping in the mountains they entered his tent and stole the pick and a revolver from under his pillow while he was sleeping, and robbed the larder of every morsel of food which it contained . He remained in the gold fields for four years, when he returned to St. Louis by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. While in St. Louis le formed a partnership with Ferdinand Roddewig and came to Davenport to engage in the grocery business, locating here at No. 224 West Second Street. Soon after he came here he bought the interest of Mr. Roddewig and embarked in the business alone. After continuing in that line for about five years he decided to go into the grain business and soon became one of the heaviest operators in the State, being successful also as a speculator. This was the stepping stone to Mr. Steffen's financial success, and he since has acquired a handsome fortune. In 1879 he purchased the dry goods house of M. Weidemann, and after engaging in the retail business about three years established also a wholesale business in the same line. Since that time his business has steadily increased and the last year aggregated over four hundred thousand dollars.
He married Miss Margarete Gehrlicher, a native of Coburg, Germany, to whom four children were born: Meta, the eldest, married Dr. C. Matthai and resides in Davenport; Alfred married Miss Emma Schreier and resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Adela married B. F. Aufderheide, who is connected with the store; August is the youngest member of the family of children, is single and assumes the responsibilities which would otherwise devolve on his father, who seeks rest from active business.
Mr. Steffen was president of the Davenport Plow Works for many years. He is one of the directors of the First National and Davenport Savings Banks, and is the largest stockholder in each of the above institutions.
BIOGRAPHIES