IASCOTT-L Archives

From: Debbie Clough Gerischer <>
Subject: [IASCOTT] John L. Zoeckler, Bio
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 09:46:22 -0700

Posted on: Scott County Biographies
Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/ScottBios?read=987

Surname: Zoeckler, Kohrs, Orth, Brammer, Kehrman, Braunlick
-------------------------

"From Vol 2 History of Davenport and Scott County" by Harry E. Downer -
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago

The industrial and commercial history of Davenport would be incomplete
were there failure to make prominent reference to John L. Zoeckler, who
was the founder of the packing-house interests of this city and the promoter
of a business which in the course of years grew to large proportions and
constituted not only a source of individual wealth but of public prosperity
as well. Mr. Zoeckler was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was sixty-eight
years of age at the time of his death, which occurred May 28, 1906. His
youthful days were spent in his native city and its public schools afforded
him his educational privileges. When a young man of twenty-eight years
he came to Davenport and from that time forward was associated with business
interests here. After a brief period he established a packing house which
constituted the nucleus of the packing industry and as the years passed
the enterprise grew until the firm name of John L. Zoeckler & Sons became
widely known. In the course of years he associated his boys with him in
the business but remained as the chief executive head of the enterprise
until 1906, when he retired from active life. Some time later the plant
was sold to the Kohrs Packing Company. Placing his dependence upon the
safe, substantial qualities of energy and wise management, Mr. Zoeckler
made steady progress in the business world and his name came to be widely
known and honored on commercial paper. His efforts constituted an important
element in making Davenport a leading commercial and industrial center
of Iowa.

In early manhood Mr. Zoeckler was wedded to Miss Veronica Orth, by whom
he had two sons and two daughters, namely: Charles, Mrs. Julius Brammer,
Mrs. John F. Kehrman and John H. The last named died, leaving a widow and
children. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Zoeckler was again
married, in 1898, his second union being with Miss Anna Braunlick, a daughter
of H. G. Braunlick, who is mentioned elsewhare in this volume. Mr. Zoeckler
also had several grandchildren, with whom he was ever a favorite because
of the interest which he displayed in their joys and sorrows. He was devoted
to his family and did everything in his power to promote their happiness.
For years he resided at No. 1337 West Second street, where he reared his
children, but later removed to Eighth street and Western avenue, where
he erected a modern home that he occupied up to the time of his death.
He was prominent in local Masonic circles and held several offices in the
lodge. He passed away when in Denver, Colorado, his remains being brought
back to Davenport for interment. He was a man of genial nature, whose friends
were legion, so that his death was widely and deeply deplored in this city,
where he had long made his home. To every test his character gave ringing
response and in no utterance of his life was there anything equivocal,
while in his entire career there was not a single esoteric phase to be
found. He dealt justly with all men and even generously and at the same
time managed his business affairs so capably that the interests of his
family were wisely conserved and to them he left a very substantial competence.

Link: Scott County Page
URL: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~iascott/scott.htm>;

This thread:

• [IASCOTT] John L. Zoeckler, Bio by Debbie Clough Gerischer <>