USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume II > Part 83
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Possessing a large capacity for work and great public-spiritedness, Mr. Reis has been called upon to fill many positions of trust and responsibility, and has promoted the cause of good government, education and morality. As a Democrat he has been one of the leaders of his party, serving two terms each as Alder- man and Mayor of Belleville. His benefactions are extensive, although unostentatious, and he is Treasurer of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, and for many years was President, and later Treasurer, of St. Peter's Benevolent Society. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica and the Catholic Knights of Illinois. Mr. Reis established a home of his own May 13,
John ANVies,
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
1856, upon that date marrying Caroline Eberle, a native of Germany, who is the mother of his five children-Annie M., Henry G., Ida M., Ro- sella Barbara and August G.
REISBICH, Charles A., Secretary of the Rich- land Foundry Company, Belleville, Ill., was born in Belleville in 1869, a son of Balthaser Reisbich, a native of Germany, and has been connected with the foundry business since his early youth. In February, 1889, George Flach, together with Nick Mank, Adam Reitz, George Flach and August Ebel, formed the stock com- pany which is known as the Richland Foundry Company (Incorporated), for the manufacture of stoves and all kinds of machinery. The company carried on this business at the cor- ner of Fourth and Spring Streets, Belleville, until October, 1903, when they moved into the new plant built by them on the present site, at Third and Franklin Streets. Mr. Reisbich was married, in 1895, to Mollie Meinert, and they have had two children-Walter and Ar- thur-the latter being now deceased.
REISS, Louis, Secretary of the Illinois Hard- ware Company, was born October 5, 1875, in St. Louis, Mo., his early education having been .
acquired in the public schools, supplemented by a course at Walters College, of that city. He is a son of Ferdinand and Johanna (Wied- meier) Reiss, the former of whom was born in Germany, and the latter in St. Louis, Mo. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Weidmeier, was a native of Germany. At the age of six- teen Louis completed his college course, and two years later, after having been engaged in mercantile pursuits, he entered the hardware business. In 1902 he became associated with the Illinois Hardware Company, of which he was elected Secretary, a position he has filled with more than usual executive ability and to the entire satisfaction of the other officers of the company. In his church affiliations he is a firm believer in Catholicism; in politics, he supports the Republican party, and socially, is a member of the Knights of Pythias. On October 14, 1902, Mr. Reiss was married to Helen Kohlmeyer, who was born and educated in St. Louis, Mo., and they have one child, Ade- lia, who was born October 21, 1901.
REISS, William A., civil engineer, residence 200 Portland Avenue, Belleville, Ill., was born in that city March 31, 1853, a son of Frederick
and Susannah (Hopp) Reiss. He was educated in the public schools, at Washington Univer- sity, St. Louis, and at the University of Illi- nois, graduating from the latter in 1872. For six months after leaving college he was em- ployed by the American Bridge Company, when he entered the service of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company as an engineer. In 1874 he returned to Belleville, and for six- teen years was a school teacher. As a tax ex- pert his services are sought by individuals and corporations of large holdings. He is a member of the Belleville Turnverein, and of the Kronthal Liedertafel Society of Belleville. For years he has acted as clerk for the School Treasurer of East St. Louis. Mr. Reiss was married September 26, 1882, to Miss Mathilda Faas, a daughter of Justice of the Peace F. M. Faas, of Millstadt, and they have four sons- Elmer F., Harry B., Edgar R. and Edwin J. Reiss-and an adopted daughter named Arline. Frederick Reiss, father of William A. Reiss, was Provost Marshal of the District of Belle- ville during the latter part of the Civil War, 1863-65. Later, and until 1870, he was in the dairy business. He was one of the proprietors of the Belleville Chair Factory from 1870 to January 18, 1876, when he died. His widow still survives, living in Belleville.
RENNER, Frank, hotel and saloon keeper, of Belleville, this county, was born in that town in 1864, the son of Jacob Renner, native of Germany, who settled there in 1834, where the father was a barber. Mr. Renner received his education in the Belleville schools, after which he worked in the Harrison Machine Company shops as a carpenter until 1893, at which time he opened the hotel and saloon which he has since conducted. In 1880 Mr. Renner was mar- ried to Lizzie Schuessler, of Belleville, and of this union four children have been born- Charles P., Clemens, Minnie and George. In his political affiliations, Mr. Renner is a Democrat.
RENNER, Jacob, a well known farmer and stock-raiser of St. Clair County, was born April 6, 1856, in Shiloh Valley Township, and was educated in its public schools. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Frank) Renner, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany, who came to Shiloh in the early 'forties. Here the father bought fifty acres of land, ten acres of
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
which was under cultivation, the balance being in timber. He added to his holdings from time to time, until at his death, which occurred in March, 1900, he owned 220 acres. The ma- ternal grandfather was Powell Frank, a native of Bavaria, Germany.
Jacob Renner is the second in order of birth of three children, and has always lived on the home farm, which he is now managing. He is also superintending the 150 acres located in Sections 6 and 7, Engelmann Township, which he purchased in 1891. In his religious views, Mr. Renner is an adherent of the Protestant Church, and in politics, supports the Democratic party. He has been School Director since 1897. Jacob Renner was married January 4, 1883, to Catherine Fruth, who was born in Belleville and educated in the public schools of that town. They are the parents of the following children: Adolph and Charles, both deceased; Ella, Amanda, Helen, Julia, Pauline, Arthur, Hugo and Aneida.
RENNER, Martin, was born in Belleville, this county, in 1868, a son of Jacob Renner, a native of Germany. He received his education in the schools of Belleville and at Teutopolis College, and learned the printing business, which trade he followed for a period of twelve years, when he secured a position in the Western Brewery, where he was in charge of the bottling depart- ment for eleven years. In 1899 he opened a saloon, which business he still follows. In 1893, Mr. Renner was married, at Belleville, to Fanny Damerick, and three children were born to them, as follows: Ollie, Frank and Edna. In his political affiliations, Mr. Renner belongs to the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a member of the W. C. U.
RETTLE, Joseph, engaged in the hotel and liquor business at Belleville, was born in St. Clair County, in 1874, a son of Antone Rettle, a native of Switzerland. The father came to America as a young man, settling first in Mis- souri, where the outbreak of the Civil War found him diligently improving a prairie farm. Enlisting in Company F, Fourth Missouri Vol- unteer Infantry, he served from 1861 until 1865, and soon after removed to Illinois, where he became interested in coal mining. Joseph Ret- tle followed coal mining until 1902, embarking then in his present business as hotel manager
and liquor dealer. In 1894 he married Anna Worms, and of the union four sons have been born-Frank, Charles, Clarence and Arthur.
REUTER, Charles J., a retired manufacturer of Lebanon, St. Clair County, was born in Ger- many, August 24, 1839, son of John B. and Christina (Schaefchen) Reuter, and was edu- cated in the public schools of Missouri. His parents came to the United States in 1849, lo- cating in St. Louis, where the father was, for a time, employed as foreman of the Pawley Foundry, in 1858 moving to Lebanon, where he engaged in the grocery business a number of years and then retired from active labors. He died January 10, 1873, the. death of his wife occurring January 14, 1888.
In 1859 Charles J. Reuter went to New Or- leans and embarked in the brewing business, remaining thus employed until 1863, when he journeyed to New York, via the ocean route. Returning to St. Louis, he resided there until 1868, then came to Lebanon and purchased a. soda water manufacturing plant, which he con- ducted for twenty-seven years, after which period he retired. In politics, he supports the Democratic party, is President of the Board of Education, has been City Treasurer for three terms, and has held several minor offices. Fra- ternally, he is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, in the Consistory at Chicago, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
The first wife of Mr. Reuter was Mina Smith, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Henry Smith, who came to the United States about. the year 1850, locating at St. Louis, Mo. He enlisted as a private soldier in the Civil War and died while in service. The death of his. wife occurred in May, 1889, at the age of forty- five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Reuter were born the following children: Lillie, who married W. S. Williams; Anna, who became the wife of C. E. Finley; Minnie, deceased; Irma, who is the wife of F. N. Harms; Katie and Charles (deceased). Mr. Reuter's second wife; whose maiden name was Mary Blum, is a native of Belleville, in whose public schools she received her education. The marriage took place in Lebanon.
RHEIN, Adam, a prosperous farmer living at. Shiloh Station, five miles east of Belleville, St. Clair County, has also been the manager of the
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
. Shiloh grain elevator for the past ten years. He was born on the old Rhein homestead, two miles south of Belleville, October 11, 1861. His father and mother were Fred and Charlotte (Nenninger) Rhein. The former was a native of Germany, and the latter, a daughter of Paul and Philippina Nenninger, was born in St. Clair County. Her parents came to the United States from Germany and settled in the county at an early period.
Grandfather Fred Rhein was a native of Ger- many, having been born in Rhenish Bavaria. He came to America when his son, Fred, was one year old, and settled on a farm two miles south of Belleville. There he died at the age of eighty-three years, having been in sound health until the day of his death. He and his family were members of the old St. Paul Lutheran Church. His occupation in Germany was that of a baker. He was a quiet, unassum- ing man, and was much respected by his neigh- bors. The estate left by him was of consid- erable value, consisting mainly of two large farms. In politics, he was a Republican. Fred Rhein, the father, remained on the homestead farm throughout his entire life, and died there in his prime at the age of forty-eight years. He was well known, and enjoyed the highest re- spect among the people of his locality. Polit- ically, he was a supporter of the Republican party. His widow died at the age of sixty-four years, the mother of four sons and four daughters.
Adam Rhein received his early instruction in the public schools of St. Clair County, and has, since reaching manhood, devoted his time to farming and handling grain. He is the owner of 187 acres of choice land in the Shiloh Val- ley, some of which has valuable coal deposits, and his farm is finely improved. Mr. Rhein was united in marriage, on October 25, 1888, with Emma Weygandt, a native of this county, and a daughter of George F. Weygandt, who resides on Rock Road in St. Clair Township. The children resulting from this union are Fred O., Julius E. and Florence H. Mr. Rhein is a Republican, but not an active politician, or desirous of public honors.
RHEINHARDT, Frank, who is accounted as one of the most ready-minded, alert, intelligent and energetic among the merchants of the smaller towns of St. Clair County, Ill., where
he is conducting a flourishing general store at Paderborn, is a native of that village, born in the year 1870. He is a son of Leo and Mary (Marlper) Rheinhardt, of whom the father was a native of Germany, and the mother was born in St. Clair County. The father was a farmer who first settled in Illinois, and after- ward bought property in Millstadt Township, St. Clair County. Being a man of very indus- trious, thrifty and frugal habits, his labors have been rewarded with merited success.
In boyhood, Frank Rheinhardt attended the public schools of Paderborn, and subsequently pursued a business course at the Belleville Com- mercial College. After completing his studies he went to St. Louis, Mo., whence he embarked in the grocery business, in which he continued for two years. Relinquishing this enterprise, he returned to Paderborn, and in 1901 opened a general store and saloon, which he has since conducted with satisfactory results. His place is equipped with a carefully selected and com- plete assortment of merchantable goods, and his patronage has steadily increased from the outset. He bestows close attention upon the details of his trade, and has succeeded in se- curing the complete confidence of his customers and the public generally. He is regarded as a man of good business capacity, and his suc- cess is attributable to the diligent application and strict integrity that have characterized the management of his establishment. In 1902 Mr. Rheinhardt was united in marriage with Mary Harold, his wife being a native of St. Clair County.
RICHARDS, J. Clarence, manager Baxter Molding Company, was born in St. Clair County in 1875, and attained his education in the pub- lic schools of St. Louis. His father, John Rich- ards, was born in England, subsequently com- ing to the United States and locating in this county, where he followed farming. In 1891 his son, J. C. Richards, became associated with the Baxter Molding Company, of which he is now Secretary and General Manager. The com- pany was incorporated under the laws of Mis- souri, with a capital of $70,000. Moving to East St. Louis, in March, 1903, it erected a main building two stories high, 225 by 100 feet, a mill building sixty by sixty-five feet, an engine house sixty by sixty-five feet, and a dry kiln ten by seventy feet. The company manufac-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
tures picture frames, picture moldings and has a jobbing department of glass and picture frame supplies, furnishing the trade throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. One hundred and fifteen hands, and the office and sales rooms are located at No. 3234 South Fourth Street, St. Louis. The officers are as follows: C. A. Anderson, President; J. C. Rich- ards, Secretary and Manager; Oscar Mynam, Vice-President and Treasurer. In 1899 Mr. Richards was married to Lucy Anderson, a native of East St. Louis, and they have one . child, Lucille.
RICHARDSON, Henry E., Postmaster and gen- eral merchant of Rentchler, St. Clair County, is a native of this county, and was born April 2, 1864. His father, James H. Richardson, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1834, and came to the United States with his parents, James and Mary Richardson, who settled in Philadel- phia, and in that city he learned the carriage maker's trade. This, however, he abandoned for farming, after locating in St. Clair County in 1849. James H. Richardson married Maria Rentchler, who survives her husband.
H. E. Richardson was reared on a farm, and for seven years conducted a large agricultural property owned by his parents in St. Clair County. He then opened his present store in Rentchler, and since has been the foremost business man in the town, maintaining a high standard of commercial activity, and participat- ing in educational and general advancement. In accordance with his faith in the future of the community, he has invested heavily in town and country property, owning all of the resi- dence and business lots in Rentchler. He has the advantage of perseverance, ability, and sound business judgment, understanding well the worth of courtesy and consideration in dealing with his large local and county trade. In 1883 Mr. Richardson married Jessie Wright, and the union has been blessed with five chil- dren: Eugene W., Ruth, Helen, Darley and James H. Politically, he is a Democrat.
RIPLEY, Joseph Henry, one of the pioneer farmers of St. Clair County, was born in a log house on the farm where he now lives, in St. Clair Township, on September 11, 1825, and there received his schooling. His parents, Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Murray) Ripley, were born
in Botetourt County, Va. His grandparents on the paternal side, James and Anna (West) Ripley, were natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, and Grandfather Murray was a Virginian. William Ripley first journeyed to Jackson County, Ill., where he took up land and lived three years. In 1821 he moved to St. Clair County, and traded places with his brother, who had previously settled here. 'The St. Clair County farm comprised 160 acres of land. William Ripley died when his son, Joseph, was eighteen years old; his widow lived to the age of ninety-two.
Joseph H. Ripley was married in December, 1851, to Lydia Applegate, who was born and educated in New Jersey. The children result- ing from their union were: George, deceased; James H .; Mary (Mrs. Boyken) ; Samuel M .; and Rebecca, deceased. The mother of this family has been dead for several years. Sam- uel M. occupies the homestead with his father. In politics, Mr. Ripley is a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Baptist Church.
RODEMICH, Philip W., who owns and culti- vates a farm of 140 acres on the road between Millstadt and Belleville, in St. Clair County, was born in this county, March 5, 1858, and received his early education in the district schools. His parents, Frederick and Catherine (Brown) Rodemich, were natives of Germany -the father, of Hessen-Darmstadt, and the mother of Rhenish Bavaria. They emigrated to the United States about 1840 and settled on land in Millstadt Township, where the father followed farming for the remainder of his life. He was Supervisor of his township about the year 1875.
Philip W. Rodemich was reared on the farm and has always followed that industry. He also raises stock, and is a breeder of Short- horn cattle. In 1866, Mr. Rodemich was mar- ried to Emma Diesel, who was born in St. Clair County. She is a daughter of Louis and Catharine (Boemer) Rodemich, her parents coming to America at an early day. The issue of their union is as follows: Amanda, Ce- celia, Robert, Laura, Flora, Edna, Bertha, Clara and Kermit, all living, and intelligent children. In politics, Mr. Rodemich is a Democrat, and has been a School Director for the past twelve years, thus showing his practical interest in educational matters, realizing, as he does, that
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
a good education is the first qualification of an American citizen.
RODENBERG, Charles F., Assistant Post- master of East St. Louis, is a native son of Illinois. He received his early training in the public schools and later took a course at Greene's Business College, St. Louis. He is a son of Charles and Anna (Walters) Rodenberg, the former of whom is a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Illinois. Mr. Rodenberg's father emigrated to the United States and settled in Illinois. He was a Meth- odist minister, and during his pastorates incul- cated ideas of frugality, industry and energy into the hearts and minds of his listeners, par- ticularly the younger element. Charles F. Rodenberg was one of the young men who was influenced by the pastoral admonitions, as well as the fraternal guidance. He early evinced those qualities, which in after years, assisted him in the forward and upward path.
Mr. Rodenberg became interested in coal mining, and for fifteen years held the responsi- ble position of Superintendent of the Consol- idated Coal Company's mines in this section. In this position he enjoyed the absolute con- fidence of his employers, and the esteem and good will of those with whom he associated. At the conclusion of his fifteen years of hon- orable service with the company named, he came to East St. Louis, where he engaged in the coal business for himself. Later he asso- ciated others with him, and an organization known as the Contractors' Material Company, was formed. Mr. Rodenberg became the Sec- retary, Treasurer and Manager of this concern.
In the summer of 1889, when Thomas Fekete was appointed Postmaster of East St. Louis, he looked over the local field for a competent man as his assistant, and selected Charles F. Rodenberg to fill this place. Mr. Rodenberg has brought to the position all the vigor, ability and carefulness which he displayed in private business. He and Mr. Bader (who succeeded Mr. Fekete) work hand in hand for the pur- pose of giving East St. Louisans the best serv- ice possible for a department the size of the East St. Louis office.
Fraternally, Mr. Rodenberg is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Red Men of America, Mystic Circle, Modern Woodmen of America and D. O. K. K. In 1881, Mr. Rodenberg was mar-
ried to Anna C. Busiek, a resident of Belleville, and four children-Nellie, Elmer, Ethor and Jessie-have blessed this union.
RODENBERG, (Hon.) William A., member of Congress from the St. Clair District, and lawyer, Postoffice Building, East St. Louis, was born at Chester, Ill., October 30, 1865, a son of Rev. Charles and Anna (Walters) Roden- berg, natives of Germany. His father, now re- tired, was for forty-two years an active minister of the German Methodist and Methodist Epis- copal Churches. His ministerial work was con- fined principally to Southern Illinois and the city of St. Louis, and for four years he was Presiding Elder of the Belleville, Ill., district of the Illinois Conference. William A. Roden- berg was educated in the common schools, at Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Mo. (where he was graduated in 1884), and in the Law School of Washington University, St. Louis. For seven years he was a teacher, be- ing employed for one year in St. Clair County, one year in Staunton, Ill., and five years as Principal of the public schools at Mt. Olive, Ill. He was a candidate for the office of County Superintendent of Schools of Macoupin County, Ill., in 1890, and was defeated, though he ran 1,700 votes ahead of the State ticket. Return- ing to St. Clair County in 1901, he was ad- mitted to the practice of law. He has been four times elected Representative in Congress- first in 1898-was defeated for that office in 1900, and in 1901 was appointed United States Civil Service Commissioner by President Mc- Kinley, which office he resigned April 1, 1902, to again become a candidate for Congress. He was elected that year, re-elected in 1904 and again in 1906. His religious affiliations are Methodistic. He is identified with the Masonic Order, Elks, Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Court of Honor, etc. Mr. Rodenberg was married, at Asbury Park, N. J., April 30, 1904, to Mary Grant Ridg- way, a native of Shawneetown, Ill., and of Revolutionary stock in both her paternal and maternal lines, and they have one son, William Ridgway Rodenberg, born October 16, 1905.
RODENBERGER, Mabury Charles, was born May 4, 1844, at Reading, Pa., and was there
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
educated in the public schools. He is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Boyer) Rodenberger, the former of whom was born October 5, 1805, and the latter, December 26, 1811. When six- teen years old, Mabury C., was apprenticed to the marble trade, serving four years under F. Herman Strecker, one of the most famous sculptors of Pennsylvania. He worked in Reading until 1866, in that year moving to the northern part of Pennsylvania, and remaining there until the spring of 1867. Mr. Rodenberger then removed to Baltimore and later to Wash- ington, working a few months in each place. On September 9, 1867, he located at St. Louis, and worked there a couple of years, then forming a partnership with R. H. Follenius, which con- tinued for three years. In 1873 he disposed of his interests and went to Columbia, Ill., there engaging in the quarry business for two years. At the end of that time he moved to Waterloo, Ill., and went into the marble business. In 1899 he sold out and moved to East St. Louis, where he continued along the same line of in- dustry. Finally deciding to retire from active life, he sold out to his son-in-law, John Metzger.
In August, 1870, Mr. Rodenberger was united in marriage to Louisa Sieber, who was born in Millstadt, Ill., and there attended the public schools. The children born to them were as follows: Louisa C., Edward C., August J., Wil- liam R., Charles F., Ellen Cornelia, Alfred H., and Minnie Belle. In politics, Mr. Rodenberger is a Republican, and fraternally, a member of the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and Knights and Ladies of Honor.
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