ARP, RUDOLPH
That the rich soil of Iowa offers to the agriculturist possibilities unexcelled by any and unequaled by many another state in the Union, is proven in the fact that so many of her native sons who have been reared to farm life have, upon starting out to make their own way in the world, remained within her borders. This is true of Rudolph Arp, who was born on the place which is now his home, July 15, 1874, a son of Hans and Abel (Vieths) Arp, in whose family were the following named: Alvena, the wife of Henry Untiedt, a resident of Jackson county, Minnesota; Cecelia, the wife of Henry Stender, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Henry, a resident of New Liberty, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of George Dietz, of Manning, Carroll county, this state; Emma, the wife of Edward Puck, a resident of Cleona township; Minnie, the wife of Conrad Dietz, also of Manning; and Rudolph, of this review.
The last named, the youngest in the family, was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools. He is today the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, forty acres of which constituted the old homestead farm upon which he was reared. On the farm are found two sets of buildings, some of which were erected by the father, while the others have been built by Mr. Arp of this review. He is extensively engaged in farming and stockraising, making a close study of his work, so that he obtains the best results. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Walcott and in the Security Bank of Davenport.
Mr. Arp chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Louisa Schlichting, whom he wedded February 15, 1899. Mrs. Arp was born in Blue Grass township, Scott county, August 21, 1880, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Holst) Schlichting, who were both natives of Schleswig, Germany, the former born January 23, 1836, while the latter's birth occurred on the 28th of November, 1834. The father was a little lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents to the new world, and the mother accompanied her parents to America in 1858, and two years later, in 1860, she was married to Thomas Schlichting. He became a well-to-do farmer, owning at the time of his death a section of land in Blue Grass township, this being divided into several farms. Unto him and his wife were born three daughters and three sons but the sons all died in infancy. The daughters are: Clara, the wife of Willie Soenke, a resident of Blue Grass township; Bertha, the wife of Louis Otto, of Davenport; and Louisa, the wife of Rudolph Arp. Both the parents are now deceased, the mother passing away December 11, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years, while the father, surviving for only about five years, departed this life November 14, 1904, when sixty-eight years old.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arp have been born three sons and two daughters: Raymond, Hilda, Leona, Arthur and Rudolph. both Mr. and Mrs. Arp have spent their entire lives in Scott county and are therefore well known in the section where they make their home. In his business dealings Mr. Arp is always found honorable and upright and he commands the respect and high regard of his fellow citizens.
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.