Donatus Aloysius DeCock (1881-1958)

 
Portrait courtesy of the Central Community Historical Society, De Witt, Iowa.

  It's always a pleasure to reach out to others when putting together articles on some of these unusually named folks. The following write-up on De Witt, Iowa mayor Donatus Aloysius DeCock is an excellent example. One of the most unusually named figures elected to a mayoralty in Iowa, DeCock's life was shrouded in obscurity until a chance e-mail to the Central Community Historical Society opened up a myriad of new details on his life and two terms as head of De Witt's government. A special thanks to Sandy Miller of the CCHS for her searching out the many period newspaper articles that were used for this biography of DeCock, as well as for finding the rare portrait of him shown atop this article.

  The story of this unusually named Iowan begins with his birth on July 16, 1881, in Long Grove, Scott County, Iowa,  the son of Belgian immigrants Evo (1830-1903) and Pelagia Eliza (Dhuyvetter) DeCock (1848-1907). Pronounced "DeCook", his curious name originates in antiquity, Donatus being Latin for "a gift from God", as well as the name of St. Donatus, the Catholic martyr and the patron saint of Arezzo, Italy. Aloysius also has its origins in ancient history, being a translation of "famous warrior" in Latin and a Catholic saint.

  DeCock's early education was obtained in the town of his birth, and by 1907 had made his first move into the business life of Long Grove, being a founding organizer of the Stockmen's Saving Bank. In 1910 he had advanced to the advisory board of that bank and married in 1911 to Ella Scallan, who preceded him in death in 1948. The couple had three daughters, Elizabeth Margaret (DeCock) Hurley (1914-2002), Mary DeCock Kearney (birthdate unknown), and Helen (Sister Mary Donatus), BVM (1923-2010).

  Following his settlement in De Witt, Iowa in the 1910s DeCock entered local politics, winning election as city assessor in 1919. He served uninterrupted terms in the office through 1934, and after his term as mayor was returned to that post, retiring in 1950 after 25 years in office. Additionally, he attended the Clinton County Democratic Convention in 1922 and 1928, being one of five delegates from the De Witt vicinity. In the 1920s he established himself in the insurance business, establishing a Fire and Casualty Insurance Agency that he maintained for three decades. In 1953 he sold the agency to A.F. Deke, who continued operations. 

  Active in the fraternal life of De Witt, Donatus Decock was a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus, first being elected as the Archbishop Hennessy council's Grand Knight in 1921. He continued in that position into 1922, and in that year attended the Knights of Columbus Convention of Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries in Cedar Rapids.

  In February 1934 Donatus Decock announced his candidacy for mayor of De Witt, a formal statement being issued in the Davenport Daily Times on February 15. "Leading an independent ticket on a New Deal platform", Decock won the mayoralty in March, defeating Republican incumbent Edward J. Quigley by a vote of 633 to 506.

From the Davenport Daily Times, Feb. 15, 1934.

   DeCock served two terms as mayor (1934-1938), and during those terms, several civic improvements came to De Witt, including the installation of electricity, a self-supporting water system, and the widening of Highways 30 and 61. In the second year of his first term, Decock announced an ordinance regarding the Farmer's Telephone Co., which would bring a telephone system to the city. He was reelected in March 1936, and in September of that year would be named to the League of Iowa Municipalities fire and protection committee. In March 1938 he was defeated in his bid for a third term, losing out to Republican Charles Muhs (1875-1957).

  Following his terms, DeCock continued in the insurance business and was returned to the city assessor's office in the early 1940s. In September 1950 he made headlines of a different sort when he saved the life of a young boy who'd been bitten by a rattlesnake while frog hunting with friends. The incident occurred in Long Grove, where DeCock had been visiting. Struck in the foot by the rattlesnake bite, the boy rode on a bicycle until he reached the home of DeCock's sister. Seeing the boy's state of health he transported him back to De Witt for medical aid and the boy was later transferred to a Davenport hospital where his condition improved. 

From the De Witt Observer, Sept. 7, 1950. Courtesy of the CCH Society.

  Widowed in 1948, DeCock continued residence in De Witt until several weeks prior to his death, which occurred at the home of his daughter Mary in Monmouth, Illinois on March 1, 1958, aged 76. He was survived by his three daughters and was returned to De Witt for burial alongside his wife Ella at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

From the De Witt Observer, March 1, 1958. Courtesy of the CCH Society.