Was one of the prominent merchants of Denison, Crawford, County, Iowa. She had a large and complete stock of dry goods, notions, millinery, boots and shoes, clothing, hats and caps, etc.; her millinery stock was the largest in Denison, being under the able management of herself. She occupied two large rooms, one 30 x 60 feet, and the other, 20 x 70 feet, and carried a stock of goods valued at about $25,000, her annual sales amounting to over $50,000. She employed 6 efficient clerks. In 1879, Mr. and Mrs. Stoecks began business in Denison with a $50 stock of millinery goods, occupying a portion of a business room only having one window and 12 feet of shelving. She worked hard all summer, but was systematically robbed of a large part of her profits. Not discouraged, however, she went to work with renewed energy, and from that time on gradually increased her business. She established a branch store in Charter Oak, Iowa, which she conducted in connection with her house in Denison for 2 or 3 years, but then disposed of the Charter Oak stock and confined herself to Denison. Mr. and Mrs. Stoecks were natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was born on April 25, 1825, son of Erasmus Stoecks, and came to America in 1852. Mrs. Stoecks was by maiden name, Caroline Schmutsch, and was the daughter of Frederick Schmutsch. She came to America in 1868. They were married in Davenport, Iowa, and had two children: Harry and Matilda. Mr. Stoecks had two children by a former marriage, residents of Monmouth, Illinois.