Susanne Denkmann and John Hauberg met for the first time when both were serving on the board of Bethany Home orphanage in 1909. She was the youngest child of F.C.A. Denkmann, who with his brother-in-law, Frederick Weyerhaeuser, established their successful lumber business here in Rock Island. He was a farm boy, used to hard work and little money, who had worked his way through law school and just opened a small office in downtown Mollne. Their interests in social, religious, and civic activities made them well matched. They married in June of 1911.

Susanne had recently completed the building of West End Settlement at 7th Avenue and 5th Street. People in need were welcome to use a bathhouse with hot water, tubs, showers, soap and clean towels. There was a clothing room, a kitchen, a food pantry, and a gym. A staff of 6 worked with many volunteers to teach cooking, sewing, and well-baby care. There was a huge vegetable garden, a playground, and even the opportunity for crippled children to receive corrective devices. Susanne was also very supportive of her church, the YWCA, the Red Cross and the local symphony orchestra.

Likewise, John found many ways to enrich the community. He started a fife, drum, and bugle corps providing instruments and training to any young man who attended Sunday School somewhere. He served on numerous local and state boards and commissions. He rallied support for making Black Hawk Park a state park and sponsored the first Labor Day Pow Wow. He started the Hiking Club and the Rock Island County Historical Society. He even provided legal services to those working to rid Rock Island of John Looney and his gang.

The Hauberg children, Catherine and John Jr. continued their parent’s philanthropy.  Catherine had a lifelong love of plants and gardening. She and her husband, Edward Sweeney, bought and restored a botanical legacy known as The Kampong in Coconut Grove, Florida. Upon her death in 1995 the estate became a National Trust Botanical Garden.

John Jr. worked for Denkmann Weyerhaeuser in Seattle, Washington. John Hauberg Jr., co-founded the Pilchuk Glass School with Dale Chihuly. He was a patron of artists and created a fellowship residency at Pilchuck, established to encourage collaboration among a group of outstanding artists.

The Hauberg Estate was donated to the City of Rock Island in 1956. We, too, are recipients of the Denkmann Hauberg family tradition of Purposeful Philanthropy.