ARP, CLAUS
Among the early German pioneers of Scott county is Claus Arp, who has retired from farming, which he pursued so profitably in Davenport township for upwards of forty years, and has taken up his residence in the city of Davenport. In that time he put to the test the fine qualities of the German race, achieved distinction and identified himself closely with the local interests, so that his influence, ever exerted for the betterment of the conditions surrounding his fellowmen, was felt throughout the township.
He was born in Holstein, Germany, August 23, 1827, a son of Detlef and Abel Arp, who died in the land of their birth. There Mr. Arp grew to manhood and attended schools. He also learned the weaver's trade and, having attained the age of manhood, was enrolled as a soldier in the army of the fatherland. During his two and a half years of service he participated in the war with Denmark during 1849 and 1850 holding an office equivalent to that of sergeant in the American army.
In 1851 Mr. Arp came to the United States. Landing at New Orleans, he came up the Mississippi river to Davenport, which he reached November 14, of that year. A brother had previously come here, so that he was not utterly a stranger in the new country. Immediately after his arrival he began to work for a farmer, receiving one hundred dollars a year. After two years' experience with that employer, he and his brother Henry bought eighty acres of uncultivated land in Davenport township. His sister had come from Germany about that time so that it was a little family of three that took up their residence upon this first piece of property Mr. Arp owned. For about five years they operated it in conjunction, the duties of housekeeping devolving upon the sister, and then divided the place. Thereupon Mr. Arp bought eighty acres of land in Davenport township, which he traded later for one hundred and forty acres there. It remained his home for the thirty-five years he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and constitutes what is now known as the Arp homestead. He had, however, during that time bought considerable other property in the township, for he had won a pronounced success in the cultivation of the soil, at one time owning seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Scott and Cedar counties, Iowa. Thus he felt justified in relinquishing the responsibilities of life and in 1894 he took up his residence in Davenport, where he owns some valuable property.
It was on the 14th of April, 1868, that Mr. Arp married Dora Sienknecht, a daughter of Henry and Lena Sienknecht. They have had seven children. Theodore is in Denver, Colorado, Hannes married Lena Luders. They live in Scott county and have two children, Alma and Theodore. Minnie became the wife of Julius Kuelper and they have three children, Vera, Alice and Lillian. Herman married Theresa Oldenburg and lives in Cleona township. They have one daughter, Hulda. Meta became the wife of Louis Goellnitz of Liberty township. They have two children, Roy and Edna. Otto lives in Davenport township on a farm. He married Mary Hien and they have three sons, Elmer, Theodore and Clarence. Adela is at home.
Having become a naturalized citizen of this republic, Mr. Arp identified himself closely with the best interests of his community, for during the period in which he was a resident of Davenport he served as school director and treasurer of the school board for about twenty years and also acted as road supervisor. He is a member of German Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F., of Davenport, also of the Verein Schleswig-Holstein, which is composed of veterns of the German war of 1848-50, and the German Old Settlers Society. Quietly and unostentatiously he pursued the calling he chose as his vocation and with patience and hard work gained a competence which entitles him to be numbered among the successful men of the county.This bio was extracted from the History of Davenport and Scott County, Vol. I and II, by Harry E. Downer, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. It was transcribed by Debbie Clough Gerischer.