Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-03
CLOSE BUSY LIFE
:. C. A. Denkmanr, Millionaire
Lumberman, Goes TO
Long Rest.
BUYS HIS FIRST MILL IN 1860
Witnesses Development and Passing of
Industry reabout-Funeral
Tomorrow.

see the lumber industry grow and
flourish and virtually pass away in the
locality TO which he confined his ac-
tivities. died yesterday afternoon at
AIS O'Clock at his home, 122 Fourth
lavenue.
Mr.. Denkmann's death was not IN
expected, as he had been falling rap
idly in the past few weeks. There was
10 special ailment simply wearing
away of d life that had gone far be
yOnd the span allotted 10 man ordinarily.
one that had seen 50 years of work;
that had helped build up one of the
| largest industrial establishments of
the city. Mr.. Denkmann was in full
possession Of his mental faculties un-
til a few hours before he breathed his
| last
| The funeral services will take place
at the residence tomorrow afternoon
al o'clock. the services. which will
| be private, TO be conducted by Rev
| c. a. Mennicke, pastor of the German
Lutheran church. Of which deceased
was a communicate, assisted by Rev.
! w. S. Marquis. d. D., pastor of Broad
way Presbyterian church. 1t is the
wish of the family that flowers be
omitted.
I.OcI>smith in His Native Country.
Mr. Dcnkmann was born April s.
1922, in the town of Salzwedel in the
kingdom of Prussia, Germany. There
he learned the trade Of locksmith. de
veloping into an expert machinist. He
followed this vocation in his native
in ,riD #
TO America, settling in Erie. Pa. On
Dec. of the same year his marriage
TO Miss Anna Catharine Bloedel was
solemnized. They continued their
home in Erie, where Mr.. Denkmann
pursued his trade until 1851. when
they moved to Rock Island. Mr.. Denk-
mann obtained employment at the
foundry of Buford & Tate. From his
savings he was able to purchase a gro
Gerry stock and embarked in business
on Fourth avenue. between Nineteenth
and Twentieth streets. his store adj
joining the present library building.
Business was not of sufficient proper
tons to justify Mr.. Denkmann devot-
ing himself exclusively to his grocery
venture. and he continued at his posi-
ton in the foundry.
Buys SaNvmiN in 1860.
In the spring of 1860, however, his
capital had increased so that he was
enabled, in partnership with Frederick
Weyerhaeuser. the latter known TODAY
las the lumber king Of the northwest"
TO buy the sawmil of Meade, Smith
& Marsh. which was located on the
site of the present Weyerhaeuser &
Denkmann plant in the western part
IF the city. The mill in that year was
saving an average of 1000 feet per
day. The new proprietOrs inside
year had developed il so that it was |
turning out 10000 feet a day. In 1904 |
the average was 100000 feet per day. |
with $50 men on the payroll, and 80 |
additional men employed on the steam |
boats operated by the firm. AT his |
death Mr.. Denkmann was president of |
the Rock Island Sash & Door works, !
which operates the sawmill in connec-
ton with its factory on Twenty-sev-
enth street and president of the Wey- |
& Denkmann company, the
old firm having incorporated two years
ago. He was at the head also of the
mill that the company had in Daven-
port and which was destroyed by fire
three years ago. At one time Mr..
Denkmann was the active head of four
sawmills. three in Rock Island and the
one in Davenport. Several years ago
the b. mill on Twenty-fourth street
was dismantled.
Decline of Lumber business.
1t was not many years ago that there
were 26 mills operating i'll Rock Isl
and. Moline. Davenport, Clinton and
Muscatine. The coming season there
viii be but five indicating the sure
decline OF the lumber business in this
territory. the mills hereabouts find
ing it impossible 10 compete with
those situated closer to the base of
supplies. the timber district. The
Weyerhaeuser & Denkmann mill will
not operate more than another year.
unless conditions change considerably, |
and this is not looked for.
Mr.. Denkmann's partner. his
associate in the days of his early
struggles. when they Iaborad night
and day 10 make their venture a sue
cess. some years ago saw greater OPP
porcunities farther north. and he has
beyond all dreams. becOm-
ing many times millionaire. While
Mr. Denkmann, too. has amassed a
huge fortune. estimated in the mil
lions. he has chosen TO remain in the
city where he got his start, although
continuing his business relations with
mis- old partner.
Rises Through Own Efforts.
Probably no better tribute could be-
paid deceased than the one uttered to-
day by a man who has been intimately
associated with him these many years.
He said: Mr. Denkmann was a re
markable man in many ways. He rose
through his own efforts. He was a
man who worked He knew no day Il