USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 82
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PUSTMUELLER, Otto W., was born May 15, 1873, in Belleville, Ill., a son of August and Catherine (Lefemann) Pustmueller, both na- tives of Germany. He received his education in the public schools and when fifteen years of age went to Warrenton, Mo., where he at- tended the Central Wesleyan College for three years, taking a classical course. After this he returned home and was in the employ of his father in the grocery business until his death, which occurred in August, 1894. He succeeded his father in business, and has since conducted a first class grocery and provision store at No. 220 Mascoutah Avenue, Belleville.
In politics, Mr. Pustmueller affiliates with the
Republican party, and religiously, he is a mem- ber of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. On January 12, 1898, he was united in marriage to Sophia Stephani, whose birth occurred in Summerfield, Ill., in the public schools of which place she was educated. They are the parents of two children, August Edward and Helen Eugene.
QUIGLEY, James Michael, former United States Government store-keeper, Belleville, was born at Solon, Cortland County, N. Y., Janu- ary 8, 1856, the son of Michael and Bridget Quigley, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, where the father was born March 17, 1819. James M. received his education in his native place, and, on December 24, 1875, enlisted in Company D, Eleventh United States Infantry, during his term of enlistment being on duty at Columbus, Ohio; New Orleans, La .; Brownsville, Texas; the Cheyenne Agency, and Fort Sully, S. D., until June 9, 1877, when he was discharged under Act S. O. No. 23. He then spent some time pursuing the trade of carriage triminer in the West, when, in 1883, he located in Belleville and there engaged in the insurance business. In 1894 he was ap- pointed store-keeper for the United States Government under the Internal Revenue Law, and was assigned to duty in connection with the Belleville Distillery. He occupied this position until 1905, when he resigned to accept the position of Captain of the Belleville police force, but remains upon the eligible list for Government service. Later, retiring from po- lice service, he resumed his connection with the firm of Heinzelman Brothers as a car- riage trimmer, in which he is now engaged.
Mr. Quigley was married at Nashville, Ill., November 29, 1883, to Kate A. Akins, who was born in that place January 3, 1864, and three children have been the result of this union, namely: Charles M., John Allen, and Mabel Elizabeth. Mr. Quigley has been a Modern Woodman of America for the past fifteen years, and in politics was a Gold Democrat up to 1896, but now declares himself "for the best man."
RAHNER, Otto E .- His present position, that of foreman for Rogers Brothers, of Belleville, has been held by Otto E. Rahner since 1901. Mr. Rahner was born in Dubuque, Ia., March
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
20, 1857, a son of Bernhardt and Clara (Her- ring) Rahner, natives of Germany. At an early day his father settled in Lebanon, St. Clair County, and established the old "Rahner House" and summer garden, the rendezvous of students of McKendree College, and one of the most popular places in the county.
Otto E. Rahner came to St. Louis in 1873 and there learned the foundry business. In 1882 he melted the first iron at the Highland (Ill.) Foundry, and in 1887 performed the same pioneer service for the Medart Patent Pulley Company, of St. Louis, Mo. He con- tinued as foreman of the latter for twelve years and a half, and followed his trade as a foundryman-for a year and a half at Highland, two years at Vicksburg, Miss., and two years at New Orleans, La. He then secured the foremanship of the Rogers Brothers foundry, one of the largest works of the kind in Belle- ville, having ably filled the position for the past five years.
Otto E. Rahner has a pleasant home in the town of his adoption, presided over by his wife (formerly Julia McCoy, of St. Clair Coun- ty), whom he married in 1883. A daughter, Blanche, has been born of this union. Mr. Rahner is an expert in his line, is conscien- tious and painstaking, and leads a moderate, well directed life.
RANDLE, Joseph, a well known mine opera- tor, of Belleville, St. Clair County, is a native of England, where he was born in 1853. He began work in the mines at a very early age and has ever since been connected with this industry.
Mr. Randle is president of the Summitt Coal Mine, which was started in 1895. It employs seventy-five men, and nas a capacity of 450 tons per day. He is also president of the Ful- lerton Mine, started April 2, 1904, which also furnishes employment for seventy-five men, and has a daily output of 400 tons. The entire product of both mines is shipped to St. Louis, and sold at wholesale.
Joseph Randle was married in Belleville in the year 1874, to Margaret Edwards, a daugh- ter of Edward Edwards, a native of Wales. Mrs. Randle was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Randle have the following children, namely: Sarah, Edward, Jessie, William, John Joseph, Annie Hamilton and Mildred. Polit-
ically, Mr. Randle has always been a Re- publican.
REBHAN, George C., lawyer, Belleville (office No. 12 Public Square, residence No. 404 Abend Street), was born in Jefferson City, Mo., July 25, 1856, a son of Emil and Catherine (Mueller) Rebhan. Emil Rebhan, a native of Saxony, Germany, a civil engineer, came to America in 1848. In 1856 he came to Belleville, St. Clair County, Ill., and obtained the contract for surveying and constructing the Mascoutah plank road, including the Belleville and Shiloh plank road, during which time he became ac- quainted with so-called "Cider Mueller," and married his daughter, Catherine Mueller. After the completion of that work he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and became acquainted with Cap- tain James B. Eads, the celebrated civil engi- neer who built the Eads Bridge, with whom he became a partner in the lumber business. When the war began he mustered Company F, Second Missouri Volunteers, of which he was elected captain, and took part in the battle at Wilson's Creek; after the war he came back and settled at Shiloh, St. Clair County, where he was appointed Postmaster, and became a merchant and farmer, taking part in public business.
George C. Rebhan, the son and subject of this sketch, obtained his education in the Shi- loh public schools, afterward being employed as clerk in a St. Louis drug store, working in the day time and attending school at night. From 1872 to 1880 he was engaged in farming in Shiloh, St. Clair County, Ill. In the fall of 1880 he entered the law office of the late Gen- eral William C. Kueffner, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon, May 11, 1885. He practiced his profession as clerk in the office of General Kueffner until 1889, when he succeeded to the abstract busi- ness of Sebastian Fietsam. In 1890 he dis- posed of this enterprise to the Donovan-Guig- non Land Title Company, in which he retained an interest for many years as manager. He has been a successful attorney in the special practice of probate and chancery law. As a business man, he is considerably interested in real estate, both city and farm lands, and also in manufacturing, being at this time the Presi- dent of the Citizens' Plate Ice and Cold Storage Company. He is a prominent member of the
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Sons of Veterans, having at one time held the office of Lieutenant Colonel and Judge Advo- cate of the Illinois Division. In February, 1889, Mr. Rebhan was married to Elizabeth Gund- lach, daughter of Jacob Gundlach, Sr., (now deceased). Mr. Rebhan is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral, and in September, 1905, delivered a memorable address in Ger- man at the reception on his return held in the city of Belleville, welcoming Rt. Rev. Bishop John Janssen from his European tour.
RECKER, G. H., proprietor of a restaurant, barber shop and saloon in East St. Louis, St. Clair County, was born in Washington County, Ill., in 1861. He is a son of H. K. and Chris- tina (Witty) Recker, natives of Germany. H. K. Recker was a prominent dry goods mer- chant in this place. G. H. Recker came with his parents to East St. Louis in 1863. He re- ceived his early education here and in St. Louis, and afterward entered the grocery busi- ness, which he followed for ten years. He then started in the saloon and restaurant line, and in 1891 established himself at the corner of Eighteenth Street and Broadway, where, in connection with vending refreshments, he con- ducts a barber shop.
G. H. Recker has been twice married. By his first wife, Lizzie Huschle, he had two chil- dren-Elma and Viola. His present wife was formerly Sadie Ruff, who was born in East St. Louis. Fraternally, Mr. Recker is affiliated with the I. O. R. M.
REICHERT, George (deceased.)-When an up- right, resourceful man and eminently useful citizen has lived in a community nearly fifty years-his entire life-when his individual de- velopment has been closely related to that of the community, and his career has been insep- arably interwoven with the promotion of the general welfare and the advancement of the place of his birth in material prosperity, the solemn event of his passing away from earth is recognized as an irreparable public loss. On an occasion of this nature, the sense of depri- vation pervading the community is only less keen and heartfelt than the deep grief that overwhelms the bereaved family of the de- ceased. Such was the manifestation of sorrow attending the death, on January 31, 1904, of George Reichert, of Freeburg, Ill., one of the
foremost representative citizens of St. Clair County. Mr. Reichert was born in Freeburg, St. Clair County, December 24, 1855. His fa- ther, Joseph Reichert, who was a pioneer miller of Freeburg, and widely known and honored in that vicinity, was born in Bargen, Province of Baden, Germany, November 17, 1828; and his mother, Marie (Rauth) Reichert, in the State of Pennsylvania. Of these worthy parents, George Reichert was the eldest son. A brother and six sisters still survive him, namely: William J., Katie (Mrs. Becker) and Emma (Mrs. Schulz), of Freeburg; Ida (Mrs. Fish), of Whitehall, N. Y .; Louisa (Mrs. Serth), of Lenzburg; and Angeline (Mrs. Bartel) and Marie (Mrs. Courar), of Belleville. In early youth, George Reichert was a pupil in the parochial schools of Freeburg, where he after- ward attended the public schools, completing his education in the Christian Brothers' Col- lege, at St. Louis. After leaving school he followed the example of his father by entering the milling business, with which he was ac- tively identified until three months previous to his death, when he was prostrated by fatal sickness. For many years he was President of the Reichert Milling Company, the most im- portant enterprise of Freeburg, and one of the most extensive of its kind in that section of the State. In this capacity he became widely known as a business man of fine executive abil- ity, clear perception, sound judgment and un- questioned integrity. The business of the firm had grown to such a magnitude as to cover a wide extent of territory, keeping pace with the commercial prosperity of Freeburg.
On February 8, 1877, Mr. Reichert was united in marriage with Ida Friedlander, a native of Belleville, and their union resulted in eight children, six of whom are still living, viz .: Benjamin W., Katie J., Clara L., George D., Adolph J. and Angeline M. The eldest of these was born in 1879, and the youngest in 1893. Bertha (Mrs. Kalert), the eldest daughter, died in 1900, leaving two children. The mother of this family continues to occupy the home en- deared to her by many cherished memories, and is an object of warm regard to a large circle of friends.
In addition to the milling business, Mr. Reichert was successfully engaged in several other undertakings, with which his name was prominently associated. Socially, he was con-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
nected with a number of organizations, in- cluding the Freeburg Sangerbund; the Free- burg Workmen's Benevolent Society; the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, (being a member of the Belleville lodge); the Catholic Knights of Illinois; and Post "R" of the Trav- elers' Protective Association of Belleville. In religion, Mr. Reichert was a devout Catholic, and a liberal supporter of the work of his church. An affectionate husband, a kind fa- ther, a dutiful citizen, he was faithful in all the relations of life, and the remembrance of his amiable character and good deeds will be long perpetuated in St. Clair County.
REICHERT, Joseph (deceased), formerly one of the leading merchants and citizens of Free- burg, St. Clair County, was a native of Ger- many, where e was born on November 17, 1830. He was a son of Joseph and Barbara (nee Leis) Reichert, also natives of that coun- try, and among the most respectable and worthy members of the community in which they lived. Joseph Reichert, the elder, was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pur- suit industriously and successfully in the fa- therland. He emigrated to the United States with his family in search of improved condi- tions, landing from a sailing vessel at the port of New Orleans, on May 30, 1847. Spending but a brief period in that city, he proceeded north to Illinois, where, during the same sea- son, he settled in the vicinity of Freeburg. There he purchased a tract of land, on which he farmed with successful `results during the remainder of his days, becoming a very prom- inent member of the community, and favorably known throughout St. Clair County. He de- parted this life in 1869, his widow surviving him until 1882, when she too passed away.
Joseph Reichert, Jr., was seventeen years of age when his parents brought him to this country. At intervals in early youth he en- joyed the opportunities afforded by the public schools, meanwhile assisting his father in the work of the farm. Upon striking out a life path for himself, he applied himself to farm work for a time, but afterward learned the cooper's trade in St. Louis, returning subse- quently to Freeburg, where he was married. In 1854 he entered the cooperage trade, and eight years later established himself in the milling industry, incurring a considerable .in-
debtedness in the purchase of his plant. As a miller he met with a high degree of success, and accumulated a handsome competence, be- coming the possessor of large financial re- sources. The enterprise originated by him is still conducted by his son, W. J. Reichert.
On October 28, 1850, Mr. Reichert was joined in matrimony with Maria Rauth, a daughter of Philipp and Barbara Rauth, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania and there, in girl- hood, received a good public school education. Mr. and Mrs. Reichert became the parents of eleven children, the seven still being: Louisa Serth, residing at Lenzburg; Mary, widow of John Courar, at Belleville; Katie Becker, at Freeburg; William J. Reichert and Emma Schultz, also living at Freeburg; Angelina Bar- thel, at Belleville, and Ida Fish, at Whitehall, N. Y. In political matters the deceased was an earnest and active supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and wielded a strong influence in the local councils of that organization. From 1857 until 1862 he creditably discharged the duties of Constable, and was twice nominated as his party's candidate for the office of Repre- sentative in the General Assembly of the State of Illinois. In religious belief, Mr. Reichert was a strict adherent to the Roman Catholic faith. He died at Freeburg, Ill., on August 28, 1893, leaving a stainless character, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him, as a man of high qualities, and a citizen whose loss was a public bereavement.
REICHERT, William J., President and Man- ager of the Reichert Milling Company and Vice- President of the First National Bank of Free- burg, Ill., was born in 1864 in the town which is now profiting by his success, and was edu- cated in its public schools and at the Christian Brothers' College. The name is an old and honored one in St. Clair County, being asso- ciated with practical business results and high character. Joseph Reichert, father of William J., was born in Baden, Germany, in 1830, and arrived in St. Clair County in 1847. Purchas- ing land from the Government, he improved the same until 1861, when he started a milling business which was incorporated in 1887, and which he managed with growing success until his retirement from active life in 1903. A few months later his death occurred, and the in- terests of the Reichert Milling Company passed
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
to the sons of the pioneers, William J. and George, who continued together until the death of the elder brother in the winter of 1904. Long experience and natural aptitude have made of William J. Reichert one of the most successful millers in Illinois, as well as one of the most progressive and public-spirited citi- zens of Freeburg.
The "Modern Miller" of November 19, 1898, calls special attention to the new mill of the Reichert Milling Company at Freeburg. The old mill having been burned in January, 1898, the company made arrangements to build a new and better structure before the smoke of the ruins had cleared away. The new build- ing was begun in April, on June 14 the ma- chinery began to arive, and the mill started upon its career of usefulness August 12, the same year. The building is five stories high, of brick, sixty by fifty feet ground dimensions, and eighty-five feet high. It has a stone foundation, and a two-story brick warehouse, sixty by eighty feet. It is equipped with the most modern and practical machinery known to the milling world, and has ample facilities for receiving and shipping mill products, in- cluding track scales and its own switch engine. Its products have long enjoyed a prestige at home and abroad, and it is generally conceded to be one of the finest winter wheat mills in the State of Illinois.
On October 21, 1886, William J. Reichert married Clara M. Rauch, a native of Freeburg and they have three children: Georgia, aged twelve years; Willie, eight years, and Elmer, six years.
Fraternally, Mr. Reichert is identified with the Modern Woodmen.
REID, George D., was born in Scotland Feb- ruary 19, 1878, and was educated in the public schools of that country. In 1889 he came to the United States and located in Albany, N. Y. On February 10, 1891, he started as an office boy for the Prudential Life Insurance Company at Middletown, N. Y., and in October, 1902, was transferred to Milwaukee, where he acted as agent for the Assistant Superintendent of that company. In February, 1900, he was promoted to the office of Superintendent of the East St. Louis district, which includes Alton, Collins- ville, Edwardsville, Madison, Trenton and Wa- terloo, besides all the other adjacent towns.
Mr. Reid is a progressive and successful busi- ness man, and has more recently been made lo- cal Superintendent of the Prudential Insurance Company, with offices at Detroit, Mich. So- cially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In June, 1898, Mr. Reid was married to Ida Wilkinson, a native of Wisconsin, in the public schools of which State slie received her educa- tion. They have one child, James W., who was born in February, 1901. The parents of Mr. Reid are James W. and Anna (Duncan) Reid, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The paternal grandparents were James and Anna Reid, and his maternal grandfather was Alexander Duncan, all of whom were born in Scotland.
REIME, Frank, was born in Schirgiswalde, Saxony, Germany, February 6, 1867, a son of Paul and Pauline (Frenzel) Reime, both natives of Germany. He received his education in his native country, coming to the United States in 1880, and during and for some time after 1881 was in the employ of Mr. Zahn, photographer, un- der whom he learned the business. Later he went to Chicago and Cincinnati, remaining in the latter city until 1890, when he returned to Belleville and started in business for himself. In 1893 Mr. Reime was married to Josie Zim- merman, who received her education in Belle- ville. They are the parents of three children- Clara, Adelbert and Winifred.
REINHARDT, John, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., in 1862, a son of Henry and Phil- lopena (Benner) Reinhardt, both natives of Germany. He was educated in the schools of the county, and learned the blacksmith's trade, . later assisting his father, who came to the United States in 1854 and carried on the busi- ness of wagon making. In 1882 he opened a blacksmith shop in Summerfield, where he does all kinds of repairing and also deals in farm machinery. In 1883 Mr. Reinhardt was united in marriage to Lizzie Lerch, a native of St. Clair County, and they are the parents of the following children: John, George, Har- old, Elsie, Marilla and Lawrence M. Mr. Rein- hardt served as Alderman for six years and School Trustee for four years, this being his seventh year as Town Marshal of Summerfield.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
REINHEIMER, Louis, a farmer and leading citizen of Freeburg Township, Ill., was born in the town of that name, on March 13, 1854, the son of George and Katherine (Kohlhouf) Rein- heimer, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, and Reine- Bier, Germany, who came to America at an early date, and in 1832 settled in St. Clair County. Here the father worked at his trade as a cooper during the winter, and in sum- mer labored on his farm of 240 acres in Sec- tions 17, 18 and 20. His death occurred in 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. The mother died in August, 1898.
Mr. Reinheimer received a common school education, and has always resided on the old homestead, which at the time of his father's death was divided between the children, Louis retaining 130 acres, which has since been aug- mented to 180 acres-120 acres being in Sec- tion 17, twenty in Section 20 and forty in Sec- tion 18. Mr. Reinheimer is a general agricul- turist, raising corn and wheat and other farm produce, being also prominent as a breeder of fine hogs and cattle.
On November 23, 1875, Louis Reinheimer was married to Frederika Reichert, of Freeburg, Ill., and of this union nine children have been born-Reinhold J., Louis, Job, Anna, George, Rosa, Katherine, Mary and Emma. In his po- litical connections, Mr. Reinheimer is a Dem- ocrat, and is a member of the Catholic Church. He is prominent in educational work, having served four years as School Director and being a leading member of the Board. Mr. Rein- heimer is both esteemed and much liked for his honesty and straightforwardness, and is one of the foremost leaders for good citizenship in the township.
REIS, Henry, Vice-President of the First Na- tional Bank of Belleville, member of the Reis Drug Company and of the firm of M. & H. Reis, lumber dealers, Belleville (residence 121 South Race Street, Belleville), was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, September 24, 1839, a son of Valentine and Catherine (Freihaut) Reis, who came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1846, re- moving thence to Minnesota in 1857. Henry Reis was educated in the excellent schools of St. Louis. Removing with his parents to Min- nesota, he remained there a year, when he returned to St. Louis. Later he again went to Minnesota, and was a grocer at Shakopee
in that State until 1866. Then he came to Belleville, where he has since been success- fully engaged in the lumber trade and in the other enterprises herein referred to. He became well known in the iron trade by his part pro- prietorship of the nail mill, and in financial circles as a Director and, later, as Vice-Presi- dent of the First National Bank of Belleville. Valentine M. Reis is his partner in the Reis Drug Company; Michael Reis is associated with him in the Reis Lumber Company. Mr. Reis married, July, 1866, Miss Elizabeth Kissel, daughter of Valentine Kissel, who was born in Belleville in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Reis are prominent members of St. Peter's Catholic. Church, and the former has been active and helpful in the management of the affairs of St. Peter's Catholic Benevolent Society.
REIS, Michael, of the M. & H. Reis Lumber Company, of Belleville, this county, and one of the representative German-American citi- zens of the town was born in Bibles, Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, November 25, 1831, and is a son of Valentine and Katherine (Freihaut) Reis, and grandson of Bartholomaus and Anna Reis. In 1846 Mr. Reis came with his parents to St. Louis, Mo., and lived there for sixteen years, during which time his father plied his trade of shoemaker. The son also learned shoemaking, and later clerked in a lumber yard, where he acquired the knowledge which enabled him in May, 1862, to start his present business in Belleville. For four years he was in part- nership with Joseph Hanses, and upon the re- tirement of Mr. Hanses, in 1866, Henry Reis, brother of Michael, became a partner, the as- sociation continuing up to the present time.
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