The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 109

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964

USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 109

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WILLIAM RECHE, gardening and fruit-raising, Delhi Road, Dubuque; is a native of Germany and was born Oct. 28, 1823; he grew up and learned his busi- ness there; he came to the United States in 1849 and lived in Schenectady, N. Y .; he came to Dubuque in 1856 and engaged in gardening ; he established the first market for vegetables in Dubuque, and used to supply the boats; he is the oldest gardener in Dubuque; has been in the business twenty-four years; he is a member of the Order of I. O. O. F. In 1850, he married Miss Louise Casper, from Prussia, Germany ; they have four children-Ida, Eliza, (now Mrs. Dr. Hall, of Kast Dubuque), Isabella, Henry ; they have lost one daughter, Theresa.

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HENRY REED, lumber dealer, corner White and Seventh street, Dubuque; is a native of Hallowell, Me., and was born in 1816; he grew up to manhood there and engaged in lumbering and ship building in 1838, and continued in that business many years; he came West to Iowa in 1856 and located in Dubuque, and since then has been engaged in the lumber business here and is one of the oldest dealers in the trade. In 1839, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy W. Freeman, from Hallowell, Me .; they have three children-two daughters, Ella F. and Lizzie M., and one son, Arthur H., engaged in lumber business in Wisconsin.

C. A. REED, of the firm of Stahlman & Reed, dealers in groceries and pro- visions, 640 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Platteville, Grant Co., Wis., and was born Jan. 19, 1841; his parents came over to Dubuque in 1843; he grew up to man- hood and received his education mostly in this State, completing his literary course at Cornell College; he afterward entered the State University of Michigan, and graduated from the medical department. When the war broke out he enlisted and went out with the Governor's Greys, which was afterward Co. I, 1st I. V. I .; he was afterward appointed First Assistant Surgeon of the 9th I. V. I. and served until the close of the war; after the war closed, he was Secretary and Surgeon of the Peace Commission to make treaties with Indians on the Missouri River, and since then has been engaged in business here. In 1867, Dr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Augusta E. Wood- worth, daughter of W. W. Woodworth; they have three children-Georgiana, Julian and Hortense.

JOSEPH REINFRIED, dealer in groceries and provisions, 1796 Clay street ; is a native of the city of Dubuque, and was born Oct. 11, 1848 ; his parents were early settlers ; he grew up and attended school here; he engaged in his present business in April, 1878, and is building up a good trade. He married Miss Louise Hilsob, from Fountain City, Wis., Dec. 18, 1872 ; they have two children-Charles and Lulu. Mr. Reinfried belongs to the German Benevolent Society.

LOUIS REINECKE, dealer in fresh and salted meats, corner of Julien avenue and Bluff street, Dubuque ; is a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born in 1845 ; he grew up to manhood there, and came to the United States in 1866, and came to Dubuque the same year, and since then has been connected with the meat trade; in 1874, he engaged in business for himself in his present location ; has built up a good trade. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the United Workmen. In 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Sippel, a native of Germany ; they have five children-Charlie, Emma, Agnes, Alvina, Eddie ; they have lost one son-Louie.

GEORGE REYNOLDSON, dealer in leather, shoe-findings and whips, No. 808 Main street, Dubuque ; is a native of England, and was born in 1822; he grew up to manhood there, and emigrated to America in 1845, and came to Iowa in 1846, and located in Dubuque Co., at Center Grove, and engaged in mining, and con- tinued for fifteen years ; then engaged in tanning for several years, and afterward engaged in the leather and shoe-finding business, and has established a good trade ; he had nothing when he began life, and owes his success to his own efforts. Mr. Reynold- son has been married three times ; his present wife was Anna Curry, a native of England ; he has six children-Mary Ann, Margaret, Joseph, John, Fanny, George. Mr. Reynoldson attends the Methodist Church.

HENRY T. REYNOLDS, yardmaster Illinois Central R. R., Dubuque ; is a native of Illinois, and was born in Springfield, Sangamon Co., Sept. 20, 1839; he grew up to manhood, and, when 19 years of age, entered the employ of the Illinois Central R. R .; he came to Dubuque in 1866 ; he has held the position of yardmaster in Illinois and Iowa for sixteen years ; he has been connected with the Illinois Central R. R. for twenty-one years, except while in the army, and, what is very unusual among railroad men, during all that time he has never smoked a cigar, used tobacco or drank a glass of beer or liquor of any kind. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 13th I. V. I .; he also served in the 45th I. V. I., Co. F. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret

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C. Girton, from Buchanan Co., Iowa, April 26, 1863 ; they have two children-Harry J. and Willie G.

L. A. RHOMBERG, of the firm of Jaeger & Rhomberg, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors, 521 Main strect, is a native of Austria, and was born June 15, 1843; he came to Dubuque Feb. 28, 1860 ; after reaching manhood, he engaged in business in 1864, the firm being L. 'A. Rhomberg & Bro., and, afterward, was a member of the firm of Paul Trant & Co., who were succeeded by the present firm of Jaeger & Rhomberg. Mr. Rhomberg was united in marriage, July 23, 1866, to Miss Margaret Jaeger, a native of the city of Dubuque; they have three children-Louise L., Alphonso and Augusta. Mr. Rhomberg belongs to the German Benevolent Society, shooting societies, and others.

JOSEPH A. RHOMBERG, residence 17 Prospect street, is a native of Tyrol, Austria, and was born in 1833; he came to the United States in 1852, and, the following year, migrated to Iowa and settled in Dubuque; when he arrived here, he had only 25 cents ; in 1863, he built a large distillery, and engaged extensively in distilling; afterward, in 1873, the building was changed into a flouring-mill; Mr. Rhomberg was prominently identified with various railroad enterprises ; when the Chicago, Clinton & Dubuque Railroad was built, he was the first Vice-President and Superintendent, and was also President of the Construction Company ; he was the last President of the road before it changed hands ; he is President of the Dubuque Street Railroad Com- pany, and has been actively identified with the interests of Dubuque. In 1857, he married Miss Catharine Breall, a native of Tyrol, Austria; they have four children- A. L. Rhomberg, Joseph, Edward and Ludmillo.

C. J. RICHARDS, fruit-grower, Seminary strect, Dubuque, is a native of Otsego Co., N. Y., and was born June 27, 1812; he came West to Illinois in 1834; at that time Chicago contained only 1,800 people ; in 1836, he came to Milwaukee, when there were less than 1,000 people there ; he lived there eighteen years, and came to Iowa and settled in Dubuque in 1853; engaged in mercantile business ; he afterward moved to his present location and engaged in fruit growing ; he owns ten acres of land finely located on Seminary avenue, well stocked with small fruits ; he held the office of Acting Sheriff of Milwaukee three years, and has served as Street Commissioner of Dubuque three years. In July, 1841, while living in Milwaukee, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Mira Blanchard, a native of Massachusetts; they have four children -George L. (cashier of the Union National Bank, of Streator, Ill.), Levancia (now Mrs. E. E. Bale, of Streator, Ill.), Ella B. (engaged in teaching in the Fifth Ward School, this city), and Edward A. (engaged in banking business at Manson, Iowa.) George L. enlisted and served in Co. E, 89th Ill. V. I .; he was severely wounded in the battle of Stone River.

JACOB RICH, former editor of the Dubuque Times; is a native of New York City, and was born Dec. 18, 1832; he grew up to manhood and received his edu- cation in Philadelphia ; he came West in 1856, spent some months in Dubuque, and then removed to Buchanan Co., where, in the fall of the same year, he commenced the publication of the Quasqueton Guardian ; in 1858, he removed the paper to Independ- ence, in the same county, where he continued its publication until 1865; in 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln Postmaster of Independence, and, in 1864, was unanimously nominated by the Republicans of the General Assembly Chief Clerk of the House, and elected, serving through the session ; in 1865, he went to Washington as Clerk of the Naval Committee of the U. S. Senate, holding that position until 1869; in the summer of that ycar, he started on a tour through Europe, and extended it to South Amcrica, returning in August of the following year; in October, 1870, he bought a half-interest in the Dubuque Daily Times establishment, and assumed editorial control of the paper; the next year the paper was greatly enlarged and improved, provided with steam machinery and a new dress, and removed to a finc, new building, erected specially for its occupancy. In the Presidential campaign of 1872, Mr. Rich was Chair- man of the Republican State Central Committee of Iowa, and again in 1877; in 1874, he was appointed Pension Agent at Dubuque, continuing to hold the office until the

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consolidation of pension districts in 1876, and the removal of the office to Des Moines ; in 1875, he disposed of his interest in the Dubuque Times, and retired from its editorial management. In 1877, he was united in marriage to Annie K. Smith, daughter of Sabin Smith, Esq., of Chicago.

HENRY RICHTER, of the firm of Richter & Newman, carriage and wagon manufacturers, Third and Locust streets; was born in Prussia, Germany, Nov. 24, 1844; at the age of 13, he began learning his trade; when 17} years old, he left home and worked at his trade in Russia, Hamburg, Berlin and Leipzic, and elsewhere; he came to the United States in 1869; worked in the large carriage factory of Coan & Ten Broecke, Chicago ; afterward joined the colony and went to Colfax, Colo., where he lost all he had ; returned to Chicago, and, after the great fire in 1871, he came to Dubuque and entered the employ of Tom Connolly, and for seven years he held the position of foreman of the wood-working department of his extensive factory ; he has recently asso- ciated with Mr. Newman, and engaged in business for himself; Mr. Richter is one of the best-skilled and finest workman in the ctty. In October, 1872, he married Miss Emma Shenker, a native of the city of Dubuque; they have two children-Matilda and Emma.

JONATHAN RICKARD, of the firm of Farley, Loetscher & Co., pro- prietors of the Key City Planing-Mill; is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Plymouth Co. May 25, 1829 ; he grew up to manhood and lived in that State until he came West to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Dubuque April 11. Mr. Rickard has been connected with the manufacturing of sash, doors and blinds for twenty-five years, and is the oldest in this business in Dubuque ; le has been a member of the present firm since 1876. Mr. Rickard was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Bland, a native of New York, in January, 1866 ; they have three children-Fred, Alvin, Lyman.

HENRY RIKER, of the firm of Fischer, Wheeler & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in ice, corner Third and Iowa streets, Dubuque; is a native of Canada, and was born in 1844; his parents came to Iowa in 1848, and located in Dubuque; he grew up to manhood here; he entered the employ of Cushing, Fischer & Co. in 1858, and has been with the firm twenty-two years; since 1872 he has had an interest in the business. He enlisted in the army during the war, but was under age and not accepted. He belongs to the I. O. O. F, the United Workmen and the Legion of Honor. In December, 1865, he married Miss Annie Moore, from Stevens Point, Wis .; they have five children-Harvey, Fannie, Harry, Carrie and Mamie.

DR. H. J. RISCHATSCH, physician, corner White and Tenth streets, Dubuque; is a native of Switzerland, and was born on March 19, 1811; he grew up and was educated in Switzerland and Germany; he studied medicine and graduated, taking his diploma, which bears date March 6, 1839; he emigrated to America in 1849, and came to Wisconsin and practiced medicine in Milwaukee; he came to Iowa and set- tled in Dubuque in 1856, and since then has practiced his profession here over twenty- three years. He married Laura Lefever, a native of France, Jan. 13, 1851; she died in 1861, leaving two children; in 1863, he married Mary Ann Dansch, from Pennsyl- vania; they have four children-Herman, Laura, Mary, Bernard.

J. H. ROACH, proprietor of the Key City Candy Factory, 182 Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio; he came to Iowa in 1855, and came to Dubuque and located permanently in 1860 ; he established his present business in 1864; he has built up a large wholesale trade; he manufactures largely for the jobbing trade in this city. Mr. Roach married Miss Mary Dunnen, from this city, in 1861; they have five children.

ASA ROBERTS, carriage blacksmith, corner Fifth and Iowa streets, Dubuque; was born in Montreal, Canada, Nov. 11, 1827; he grew up and learned his trade in Montreal; he came to Dubuque in 1857 and began working at his trade ; he was in partnership with T. Connolly for three years ; he has been engaged in busi- ness here over twenty years. In 1852, he married Margaret Perkins, from Kentucky ; they have three children-Mattie, now Mrs. Morgan ; Minnie, now Mrs. Coffee ; Fanny,

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now Mrs. Richards, all living in this city. Mrs. Roberts has two daughters, Mrs. Agnes Jones, living in New York, and Mrs. Maria Straight, living in Eau Claire, Wis.

FRANK M. ROBINSON, attorney at law, corner Main and Sixth streets; is a native of South Reading, Windsor Co., Vt .; he grew up and attended school there, and entered Dartmouth College, where he completed his education, and began reading law ; he came to Iowa, and arrived in Dubuque Feb. 16, 1856; he completed his law studies and was admitted to the bar in 1857, and engaged in the practice of his profes- sion ; in January, 1862, he formed a copartnership with Hon. Austin Adams, now Judge of the Supreme Court, and they remained together fourteen years ; he was also associated with Judge Lacy, both of whom are on the bench. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Laura G. Spaulding, a native of Vermont ; they have three children.

W. H. ROBISON, wholesaler and retailer in boots and shoes, 544 Main street ; is a native of Wooster, Ohio; he grew up to manhood there, and, in 1840, engaged in the boot and shoe trade; he carried on the business for fifteen years, and, in 1855, he came to Iowa and located in Dubuque, and engaged in the wholesale grocery business, and continued for several years, and, in 1860, he engaged in his present busi- ness ; he does both a wholesale and retail business, and has built up a large and leading trade ; he also has a branch store in Clinton, which is managed by his son. In 1852, Mr. Robison was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Marshall in Cincinnati, Ohio ; they have three children-Edgar M., Charles S., Alice Maud.

J. M. ROBISON, deceased ; was a native of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio; he grew up and attended school there, and entered Western Reserve College, and com- pleted his education at that institution ; afterward, he engaged in business. In 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Juliet Bostwick, daughter of Judge Bostwick, of Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, who was one of the early settlers of that country ; he was elected Judge of the courts, and served on the bench over twenty years, and was hon- ored with many offices of trust; he was one of the most prominent men in that section of the State. In 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Robison went to New York City, where he was engaged in business until 1858, when he came West to Iowa and located in Dubuque, and engaged in the lumber trade ; he built large mills in Wisconsin, and carried on the lumber business until his death, which occurred in July, 1876 ; he left three children, two of whom survive-D. B. Robison, living in Chicago, and Charles W. Robison, engaged in the lumber business in Dubuque, and living with his mother, on Main street.

JAMES ROCKWELL, proprietor of the Boston Bakery, 974 Main street, Dubuque ; is a native of Lewis Co., N. Y., and was born in 1828 ; he grew up to man- hood there ; in 1870, he came West to Wisconsin, and, in 1876, he came to Dubuque ; he engaged in his present business in 1879; the bakery was established in 1873; he is building up a good business. In 1854, he married Miss Matilda Kidder, a native of Lewis Co., N. Y.

AUGUST ROEBER, brick manufacturer, North End Lake street, Eagle Point, Dubuque; is a native of Germany, and was born Jan. 1, 1849; he came to the United States in 1866, and came to Dubuque in 1870, and engaged in making brick, and has carried on the business for the past ten years ; he manufactures 1,000,000 annually ; his brick is of a superior quality, and he is building up a large business. In 1870, he married Mrs. Wilhelmina Bechrens, a native of Germany ; they have one son -August ; Mrs. Roeber has two children-William and Theresa, by her former hus- band.

F. ROEHL, dealer in hardware and groceries, corner of Couler avenue and Nineteenth street, Dubuque ; was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Oct. 9, 1836 ; he grew up to manhood there, and came to America in 1862, and came to Dubuque the same year ; he entered the store of Junkerman & Haas, and was with that firm ten years, and was with Andrew & Treadway five years-two of the oldest and best firms in the city ; in 1879, he engaged in his present business, and is building up a good trade. During the war, he enlisted in the 21st I. V. I., Co. E; after serving a year,

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was discharged on account of sickness. In 1866, he was married Wilhelmina Grutz- macher, a native of Germany ; they have five children-Emma, Frank, Emile, Fred and Clara.

HON. THOMAS ROGERS (deceased), was born at Fort Edward, N.Y., Oct. 14, 1808 ; he graduated at the Albany Academy, and studied law at Saratoga in the office of his step-father, Judge Esck Cowen, the eminent jurist; his fellow-students were Stephen P. Nash and William A. Beach, now prominent lawyers of New York City ; his uncle, Judge Halsey Rogers, was an active Democratic politician, and Mr. Thomas Rogers became early interested in politics, and won a reputation in Saratoga and vicinity as a public speaker and debater ; he was admitted to the bar in 1836 ; Henry Clay, having heard him speak, advised him to seek a fortune in Iowa; in 1839, Mr. Rogers disposed of his property in New York, and came to Burlington, Iowa, and Hon. Augustus Dodge there gave him a letter to Gen. George W. Jones, of Dubuque; so, in 1839, Mr. Rogers commenced the practice of law in Dubuque, and his life henceforth, for over thirty years, was identified with that of his adopted city. Mr. Rogers formed a partnership with J. V. Berry, and afterward with W. J. Barney ; Mr. Rogers' spontan- eous oratory, strict integrity and genial nature, made him at once a popular lawyer and politician ; a year after his arrival in Dubuque, he was elected, in 1840, to the Legisla- ture, and reelected in 1842; his legislative ability and brilliant talents made him a leader in that body, and his wit and eloquence became traditions throughout the Terri- tory ; Mr. Rogers was a life-long Democrat, and the Constitution was his idol; his speeches owed their force to his enthusiastic belief in this cause, for both at the bar and on the rostrum, he only advocated what he thought was right ; Mr. Rogers was an adept in the appropriate use of words, and in private conversation, as well as public speaking, his English was beautiful; from 1840 to 1850, he frequently contributed to the press of his city-an occupation for which he was peculiarly fitted by his tastes and his judgment ; his tact and courtesy were such that his opponents never became his enemies ; he was the object of warm personal attachment of his friends, and disinterestedly gave his advice and services whenever they were needed ; though an ardent partisan for others, he was not ambi- tious for his own advancement ; he refused the Surveyor Generalship of Iowa and Wisconsin, and, in 1855, Gen. Jones in vain urged him to accept the United States District Judgeship, which was afterward given to Judge Love; he discontinued his law practice, and entered into the flouring-mill business in 1858, with C. H. Booth and N. Nadeau. Mr. Rogers was dark, short of stature, and had classic features ; his voice was wonderful for its power and magnetism ; during the discouragement which followed the battle of Bull Run, Mr. Rogers made his last public speech, which was a vigorous and effective appeal for enlistments. Mr. Rogers married Anna W. Borton in 1850 ; they had three children who survive them-May, Alice A., and Tom M .; after a brief illness, Thomas Rogers died Feb. 6, 1874, aged 65 years. The Hon. Thomas Rogers will be remembered as one of the best and kindest of men ; simple-hearted as a child, with a man's wisdom, and the noble instincts of a true gentleman.

S. ROOT, photograph artist, corner Eighth and Main street, Dubuque; is a native of Ohio, and was born in 1820; he grew up to manhood in Ohio, and studied his profession three years in the city of Philadelphia, then opened a gallery in the city of New York, where he remained until the early part of 1857, when he came West to Iowa, and located in Dubuque ; he opened a gallery and has practiced his profession here since then ; he is the oldest photographer in the State, and one of the oldest in the country now engaged in the business. Mr. Root made the first picture of Jenny Lind ever taken in this country; he has daguerreotypes which he made of Henry Clay, G. W. Curtis, Dr. Albert Barnes, Bayard Taylor, George M. Dallas, Edwin Forrest and others, all taken from twenty-five to thirty years ago; he has been engaged in the business over one-third of a century. In 1856, Mr. Root was united in mar- riage to Miss Harriet Furman, from Rochester, N, Y., daughter of Rev. Charles Fur- man ; they have no children, but lost one son during the war in the Government's service.

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H. ROUSE, senior member of the firm of Rouse, Dean & Co., proprietors of the Iowa Iron Works; is a native of New York State, and was born in the town of Penfield, Monroe Co., Oct. 15, 1824; he grew up to manhood in that State ; came West to Iowa in the spring of 1851, and located in Dubuque and established their present business ; he was associated with J. P. Farley in the business from 1851 until 1858. Mr. Rouse has carried on the business since then, a period of twenty-eight years, and is the oldest in the business on the river north of St. Louis; he is well known along the river and through the West, and built up a large trade. Mr. Rouse, after locating in Dubuque, returned East and was united in marriage, Sept. 23, 1851, to Miss Mary L. Dean, of Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y .; they have four daughters- Jane, Isabel, Martha and Mary. Mr. Rouse has long been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served as one of the Ruling Elders of that body.

JOHN RUEGAMER, of the firm of Ruegamer & Ade, butchers and dealers in fresh and salted meats, No. 1216 Iowa street, Dubuque ; is a native of Ger- many, and was born in Bavaria Feb. 7, 1830 ; he grew up to manhood there, and came to America in 1850 ; he came to Iowa and located in Dubuque in the fall of 1854; in 1855, he started a meat market, and in the fall of 1856 he and Mr. Ade entered into partnership, and they have successfully carried on the business for twenty-four years, and have built up a large trade; they are one of the oldest firms in the city without change. Mr. Ruegamer has held the office of County Supervisor for eleven years, and has also served as City Alderman four years. He is a member of the German Benevo- lent Society, and the Pius Society ; when he came to this country he only had $10, and owes his success in life to his own industry and good management. In November, 1855, Mr. Ruegamer married Miss Mary B. Coughlin, in Dubuque; they have four children- Peter, Amelia, Katie and Joseph; they have lost one child.

T. W. RUETE, druggist, 568 Main street ; is a native of Germany, where he was regularly educated as an apothecary, and, after passing his examination, received his license as a pharmacist in the Prussian Kingdom ; in 1861, Mr. Ruete emigrated to the United States, and was soon employed in a drug house in New York City. During the war of the rebellion he served in the medical department of the Army of the Poto- mac, and participated in almost every battle and engagement of that historic army ; having after the close of the war made an extensive European trip, Mr. Ruete was again engaged in the drug business, alternately in New York, Philadelphia, and later in West- ern New York, until he located in Dubuque in 1873 ; the famous old stand, the Pioneer Drug Store, well known under its former proprietors, Messrs. Dr. T. Mason and P. C. Samson, as the " Good Samaritan Drug Store," being at that time vacant, Mr. Ruete established himself here, and built up a thriving business, which soon made a removal into more spacious quarters necessary ; consequently, in the centennial year, his present commodious store in the Langworthy Block, between Fifth and Sixth streets, was occupied and fitted up in the most substantial manner; by steady growth, this establishment has become one of the most extensive ones of its kind in Dubuque, com- prising everything pertaining to drugs, chemicals, toilet articles, paints, oils, brushes, instruments, bandages, etc., etc .; as Mr. Ruete devotes his entire time to his business, and employs competent and skillful assistants, it is no wonder that his share of public patronage is large and continually increasing.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 109

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Number of Pages: 964

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964