Representative Henry Otto Seiffert View All Years

HONORABLE HENRY O. SEIFFERT

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Henry O. Seiffert, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Henry O. Seiffert was born December 12, 1845, in Schoenberg, Holstein, Germany, and died at his home, 523 West 6th Street, Davenport, on December 12, 1940—his ninety-fifth birthday.

As a youth Mr. Seiffert took up the milling trade and, having learned it, traveled all over Germany and Austria working at his trade. When he was 21 years old, in the summer of 1866, he left Germany with a boyhood friend, William Ruser, for America. They traveled on a cattle boat to Hull, England, and from there to Liverpool, and they sailed for Quebec on the sailing ship St. David. From Quebec they went overland to New York, traveling by way of Albany.

Failing to find work in New York, Mr. Seiffert came to Davenport later in the summer, staying for a time at Hoering’s boarding house, an establishment that few now living will remember. Failing to secure work at his trade, he worked on a farm near Davenport, attending business college in Davenport during the fall and winter. In the spring of 1867 he secured work in the flour store owned by John Good of Moline, located on Harrison Street. Later the store was sold and Mr. Seiffert obtained work in what is now the Phoenix Mill here, owned by the Freihofter Milling Co. For many years he was president of the Phoenix Company.

Two years after his arrival in Davenport he was married to Catherine Bauck. She preceded him in death. Four children survive: Otto H. Seiffert, president of the H. O. Seiffert Lumber Co., residing in Moline, Illinois; Miss Helan Seiffert and Mrs. C. T. Beiderbecke, both of Davenport, and Mrs. Martha Boes, Magdeburg, Germany. He also leaves a brother, Herman Seiffert, Avoca, Iowa, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

About the time of his marriage Mr. Seiffert decided that greater opportunity for advancement lay in the western part of the country, and with Henry Weise, a schoolmate, went to Avoca, Iowa, where they entered the land business. His land dealings prospered and in 1875 he started a brick and lumber yard in Avoca. Shortly after the establishment of the brick and lumber yard, he began to acquire grain elevators and to crib corn. Soon he owned eight lumber yards, located at Avoca, Walnut, Hancock, Oakland, Minden, Carson, Harlan and Adair. He extended his interests in Avoca, buying an interest in the flour mill there and becoming a director in the Avoca bank.

In 1881 Mr. Seiffert was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives From Pottawattamie county, although, as he related, he neither sought nor campaigned for the office. At the time of his death he was the oldest Iowa legislator.

In 1892, with his children growing up, he decided that they should have greater educational opportunities than were afforded in Avoca, and returned to Davenport, where he established his lumber business at its present location, 923 West Second Street.

Shortly after his return to Davenport he became a director in the Citizens Trust & Savings Bank, and later became a director and a vice president of the German Savings Bank, remaining for 30 years in the latter capacity.

He had been a director of the Davenport Bank & Trust Company since its organization and up until his retirement he had attended board meetings faithfully. He was also a director for the Friendly House for many years and was president of the Glucose Company, when it was Davenport’s leading industry.

In addition to his business affairs here, he founded the Monroe Shingle Company in Monroe, Washington, the H. W. Seiffert Co., at Everett, Washington, and served as president of the Monroe Timber Company at Eugene, Washington, for many years.

Outside of his business and family, Mr. Seiffert had few hobbies. He was fond of traveling and made numerous trips abroad, as well as traveling extensively through his adopted country. He enjoyed walking and frequently took long jaunts on foot.

At the age of 16 he was confirmed in the German Lutheran church.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty­ninth General Assembly, That in the death of Henry O. Seiffert, the entire state of Iowa has sustained a great loss.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the surviving children of the deceased.

HOWARD P. ECKERMAN,

WALTER DIETZ,

H. W. WALTER,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted, April 3, 1941.