Charles Englehart
70 YOA
700 block of Main Street
Davenport, IA
Scott County
September 23, 1935
On Sunday evening, September 23, 1935, 70-year-old Davenport resident Charles Englehart parked his car in an alley in the 700 block of Main Street. Just as he was getting out, an assailant struck him on the head with a blunt object. Gravely wounded, Englehart slumped unconscious in the front seat.
He was found by R.C. Townsely and rushed to a hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery on his crushed skull. He died later that night.
The community was shocked. Everyone knew Charles, a retired barber, as a gentle and community-minded citizen. He belonged to several fraternal groups and was a stock holder in a large and successful Davenport wholesale business. No one was aware of any grudges against him.
He was, however, known to carry large amounts of money and his wallet was gone. But the murderer left behind a diamond ring and stickpin, which called robbery into question as a motive.
An extensive investigation was made but the case went cold as leads and tips dried up. The killer had been stealthy and left no clues.
Charles Englehart was born in Louisa County, Iowa, in June 1865 to Iowa native Louisa Rexroth and German-born Charles Englehart, Sr., who ran a grocery store. He had two brothers, Harry and Richard Englehart. After she was widowed, Louisa Englehart married George Hummel. From that marriage Charles had a half-brother, William P. Hummel. The family moved to Davenport in Scott County sometime before 1900. Charles Englehart never married.
Courtesy photo Jim & Lori RoweHe was buried September 25, 1935 in Grandview, Iowa, his hometown. Rev. W.H. Upton of the Davenport Edwards Congregational Church read the burial service and Members of the Masonic Lodge were Honorary Pallbearers.
Questions and information about the unsolved 1935 murder of Charles “Charlie” Englehart should be directed to the Davenport Police at 563-326-6154 or to Iowa Cold Cases through the Contact form.
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