USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 43
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tion. Within a year this organization has raised over $1,700,000 in money, has erected over thirty library buildings and organized libraries in the large training camps, collected and purchased over forty million books, distributed over five million magazines, and is supplying reading matter to men in the service of our country everywhere in America and overseas. He has served for a limited period as librarian of the camp library at Camp Custer, and is due for similar service from time to time, either there or elsewhere, during the continuance of the war. He is state agent in Michigan for the American Library Asso- ciation in its nation-wide campaign for books for soldiers and sailors. In Grand Rapids Mr. Ranck is a member of many organizations, among which may be mentioned the Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe club, and the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce. On Oct. 15, 1901, he was married to Miss Judith Anne Blackburn, daughter of Edwin and Maria (Powell) Blackburn, of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Ranck is a graduate of Wellesley College, 1897. They have three children : Elizabeth Powell, aged 15; Theodore Valentine, 12; and Wilson Marcy, 10, all of whom are attending public school in Grand Rapids. They reside at 728 Terrace avenue, S. E., with their summer home at Woodbrooke Farm.
Felix Raniville, for more than a quarter of a century prominently connected with the leather business of Michigan, entered upon his activities at Grand Rapids at a time when the community was begin- ning to emerge from the condition of a town and to reach out into the surrounding country with those instrumentalities of commerce which were to make her, within a comparatively short time, one of the prominent cities of the Middle West. The distance between the little business which he first started on Pearl street and the substantial house which is now being conducted by his heirs evidences the fact that between the time of his arrival, in 1875, and the date of his death, Dec. 2, 1902, Mr. Raniville traveled far. All honorable success, it has been proven, is based upon a definite aim in life and a persistent purpose which enables one to persevere in a given course regardless of difficulties. Success is measured not merely by the heights which one attains, but by the distance between the altitude which he has reached and the starting point of his career. Underlying and direct- ing the more than average success of the late Felix Raniville was that far-sighted and reasonable thrift which characterizes the peasantry of France, and which, notwithstanding the glitter and color of those in high places prior to the time when the exigencies of the great Euro- pean war made such things impossible, also obtained as a steadying current and by its very existence made possible that fascination which charmed and attracted the less volatile people of the world. Trans- ferred to the United States, this same capacity for saving, for making little go far and for philosophically accepting conditions, no matter how difficult, have made of the transplanted Frenchman one of the most commendable and desirable of citizens. Felix Raniville was born at Saint Mary's, Province of Quebec, Canada, Oct. 18, 1836, a son of Dennis andvJosephte (Patenaude) Raniville, natives of France. The parents, on coming to America, located in Canada, where they engaged in farming, and Felix .Raniville grew up on the farm, in the midst of a large family, receiving his education in the public schools. As a
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youth he was engaged in farming, but subsequently started teaching school and as a teacher went to Lowell, Mass. While he was there the Civil war broke out, and in 1863 he enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Light Battery, Massachusetts Volunteers, with which organ- ization he served until the close of the war, establishing an excellent record for bravery and fidelity. When the war closed he returned to Lowell and there learned the leather belting business with Josiah Gates, remaining in that gentleman's employ for some years. In the fall of 1875 he came to Grand Rapids, where he founded a small leather belting business on Pearl street. He was industrious, ener- getic and thrifty, and managed his affairs in such an able manner that he was, before long, obliged to seek larger quarters, and opened an establishment on old Canal street, where he continued to be engaged in a successful business until his death. Mr. Raniville was a Re- publican, but did not seek political honors, although he was always a good and public-spirited citizen and gave his support to good meas- ures. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a popu- lar comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Raniville was married, May 7, 1867, to Loova A., daughter of Samuel and Ulysse (Eastman) Child, of Lowell, Mass., the former a native of Barford, Canada, and the latter of Coventry, Vt. Mr. Child, who was a farmer by vocation in early life, came to Massachusetts when still a young man, and there, in his later years, followed carpentering and contract- ing. Both he and Mrs. Child are now deceased. Mrs. Raniville, who survives her husband and is the owner of the business which he de- veloped, was born at Barford, Canada, and there educated in the public schools. She is the mother of two sons: Eugene Frederick and Francis Felix, who are carrying on their father's business under the same honorable policies that made him successful. The family home is at No. 446 Terrace avenue, S. E.
Jacob H. Rauschenburger .- As one of the most representative and oldest established undertakers of Grand Rapids, Jacob H. Rauschen- burger belongs to that class of men in his line who have raised their calling to a profession and conduct their work scientifically and ex- pertly. For the past eleven years he has been in business at his pres- ent address, 415 Scribner avenue, and during this time has seen a number of advances made in his art. The funeral director of modern times must possess many qualities, for he must not only be a thorough master of his difficult profession, but in order to gain the confidence and friendship so desirable among his clients he must possess infinite tact and a sympathetic manner. The undertaker is called into the family at times of the greatest grief, when ordinary duties are sus- pended, and there is necessity for kindly action as well as expert ad- vice. Those who are possessed of these qualifications are the ones who are gratefully remembered by those whom death has brought into business relations, and among such none have a higher standing than has Mr. Rauschenburger. Jacob H. Rauschenburger was born at Ann Arbor, Mich., July 2, 1858, son of Thomas R. and Rosa (Katz) Rauschenburger. His father, who was an early business man of Ann Arbor, where for years he was successfully engaged in the manufac- ture of made-to-order furniture, died March 10, 1907, while his mother passed away Feb. 12, 1866. He has one brother, John R. Rauschen-
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burger, of Manchester, Mich., and his only sister, Barbara, is the wife of Michael Grossman. The early education of Mr. Rauschen- burger was secured in the public schools of Ann Arbor, and after his graduation in the high school he took up the trade of cabinet making. At the time he attained his majority he felt that Grand Rapids offered a broader field for his abilities, and accordingly, in 1879, he came to this city and secured employment with Nelson & Matter, with whom he remained for two years. He was then recalled to Ann Arbor, by his father, and for six years worked with the elder man in the manufacture of specially designed furniture, but the year 1887 saw his return to Grand Rapids and his subsequent entrance into the under- taking business in partnership with August Posner, under the firm style of Posner & Rauschenburger. The establishment of the firm was located at No. 14 North Front avenue, and the partners continued successfully together until 1889, when Mr. Posner died, at which time Mr. Rauschenburger succeeded to the ownership of the business, of which he has continued to be the proprietor. In 1907 Mr. Rauschen- burger moved to larger and more modernly equipped quarters at No. 415 Scribner avenue. He is modern in every respect and is always looking to secure improvement or to take advantage of any new discovery in his calling. He owns his own automobiles, his establish- ment is equipped with all the latest appliances for the careful, scien- tific and reverent care of the dead, and his tastefully furnished chapel seats one hundred people. He belongs, with the members of his fam- ily, to St. John's German Lutheran church, where he is on the board of trustees, and as a citizen he is serving energetically and capably as a member of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners of Grand Rapids. Politically he is a Democrat, while his fraternal connections include membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Forresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Rauschenburger was married in 1886 to Miss Carrie Stein, of Adrian, Mich., and of this union have been born four chil- dren : Paul ®. and Albert, who are partners with their father in the undertaking business and well known business men of the city; Alma, who resides with her parents, and Carl, who is a draughtsman in the motor works.
Edward G. Raymond .- The name of Edward G. Raymond has been for many years intimately associated with Grand Rapids history, and to him at least one of the city's towering business establishments owes much of its initial success and continued prosperity. His activ- ities have been so well directed and his management of affairs so mas- terfully handled that he has been rated among the most able men of his day and community, and he has earned the confidence and grati- tude of men of high standing with whom he has been associated. His success has been entirely due to his own ability and his advance to independence and high position has been steady and continuous. In the handling of accounts, in which he is an adept, he has been almost phenomenally successful, and his name still stands for some of the best work in this line that Grand Rapids has ever known. Mr. Ray- mond was born at Charlestown, Mass., May 26, 1843, son of Samuel and Emily Frances Raymond. Because of ill health, in 1853, the father took his family to North Andover, Mass., and there and at
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Andover, Edward G. Raymond secured his early education in public and private schools, this being supplemented later by attendance at commercial schools of Boston His career at that time was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war, and Aug. 19, 1862, the youth enlisted in Company G, Forty-fourth Massachusetts infantry, being mustered into the United States service, Sept. 12. His regiment went almost immediately to the front and soon was in the thickest of the conflict, participating in the engagements of Little Creek, Rawles Mills, King- ston, Whitehall and Little Washington, and the expeditions to Golds- boro, N. C., and Tarboro. In the last named Mr. Raymond received a severe wound which incapacitated him for further service and he received his honorable discharge and was mustered out, June 18, 1863. In the fall of that year he entered the service of the Suffolk Fire & Marine Insurance Company, of Boston, Mass., as an accountant, and remained with that concern until 1865, when he transferred his activ- ities to Alexander Cochrane & Co., manufacturing chemists of Boston, with which firm he remained until 1869. He then went with Stearns, Clark & Co., of Erie, Pa., inventors and manufacturers of saw-mill machinery, in the capacity of assistant treasurer. He was married, May 5, 1870, to Miss H. Frances Abbott, of Andover, Mass., a former schoolmate, and they have one child, Mrs. Alice (Raymond) Ewing, of Grant, Mich. In the fall of 1870, forced to seek a change of cli- mate because of ill health, Mr. Raymond came to Michigan, his first location being on the line of the Grand Rapids & Indianapolis rail- way, then in process of construction. He built and conducted stores on the present sites of the villages of Ashton and Leroy, Osceola county, and took contracts for construction work along the line of the railway, as well as a contract to stock with logs a sawmill at Ashton. This mill was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1872, causing a heavy loss to the owners and wiping out much of Mr. Raymond's hardly- won capital. In the fall of the same year Mr. Raymond became acquainted with the late Delos A. Blodgett, who was at that time residing at Hersey, Mich., and who, with others, persuaded him to make the race for county treasurer. He was elected at that time and for the three following terms, and at one election received every vote cast in the county for that office. In 1881 he received an urgent re- quest from Governor Jerome to audit the books and accounts of the Michigan Reformatory at Ionia, and April 14 of that year was ap- pointed secretary of the board of managers and clerk and purchasing agent of that institution. These positions he filled until Oct. 12, 1881, when he answered the call of the Northern National Bank of Big Rapids to become assistant cashier, a position which he retained until May, 1885, at which time he accepted the position of general office man and accountant with D. A. Blodgett & Company, of Grand Rapids. He remained in that capacity until 1904, when a limited partnership was formed and Mr. Raymond became a member of the firm. He was elected, Nov. 27, 1916, a director of the Fourth National Bank of Grand Rapids, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of John W. Blodgett, who had been elected a director of the Federal Reserve Bank at Chicago.
J. C. Reice .- The finding of a groove in life in which one's heart and mind are emphatically enlisted assures success to nine out of ten
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of the toilers of earth. The farm is the largest and most beneficent camping ground for the survey of life's possibilities, for here the farmer is too busy to dream other than with eyes wide open and senses alert, while health is being engendered by muscular action, regular hours and wholesome diet. It has been among these fortunate and congenial surroundings that the career of J. C. Reice has been passed, and it has been his fortune to have accumulated a handsome compe- tence and to have gained a substantial position among his fellows. Mr. Reice was born on an Ohio farm, Jan. 1, 1862, son of Jacob Reice. His father was an agriculturist, and when not attending the public school the youth was called upon to assist the elder man in the num- erous duties incidental to the farmer of the Middle West during that period. At the time of attaining his majority he decided upon an independent career, and eventually came to Solon township, Kent county, where he has since remained in the enjoyment of a constantly- increasing prosperity. His home farm is a valuable property and in its appointments, improvement and fertility reflects credit upon its owner. Mr. Reice is a man affable by nature, and has gained and held many friendships in his community. In the time he has lived here his strict probity in business transactions has given him an ex- cellent reputation, and his public spirit makes him known as a useful and valuable citizen. On a number of occasions his friends have en- deavored to secure his permission to place his name on the ticket as a candidate for one or another township office, but he has always re- fused, having preferred to pass his life as a private citizen. Politi- cally he is a strong adherent of Republican principles.
Cyrus Walker Rice commenced his professional career at Grand Rapids in the spring of 1910, and both as a lawyer and a citizen has earned a substantial and honorable reputation. Not alone by prefer- ence and training is he a lawyer, but by inheritance as well, for his father, the late Hon. William C. Rice, was one of the leading attorneys of Henderson county, Ill., during a long period, and judge of the county court for thirty-three years; and his maternal grandfather, the late Cyrus Walker, was also a prominent Illinois lawyer. Cyrus W. Rice was born at Oquawka, Henderson county, Illinois, May 19, 1861, a son of Judge William C. and Mary (Walker) Rice. Judge Rice was born in Kentucky, where he attended the public schools and also received academic training, and as a young man went to Illinois, where he studied law in the office of Cyrus Walker, whose daughter he later married. Judge Rice rose in practice, reputation and fortune, to become one of the foremost men of his profession practicing at the Henderson county bar, and during the long period of his incum- bency as a judge his decisions were seldom reversed and he enjoyed the confidence of the bar and held in full measure the respect and esteem of the people. He was a Republican in politics and attended the Presbyterian church, of which he was a trustee, at Oquawka, where both he and Mrs. Rice passed away. Cyrus W. Rice attended the graded and high schools of Oquawka and Monmouth (Ill.) College, in which institution he was graduated in 1882 with the first honors of his class. Having expressed a predilection for the profession of law, he spent about three years in his father's office in study, and then entered the Union College of Law, at Chicago. During this time he
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also devoted his spare time to study in the chambers of Hon. T. Lyle Dickey, judge of the Illinois Supreme Court, who, in former years, had studied under Cyrus Walker. Mr. Rice began practice at Peoria, Ill., with his cousin, James M. Rice, but in 1892 removed to Chicago, where he remained in the enjoyment of a good professional business until the spring of 1910, that time marking his advent at Grand Rapids. Upon the retirement of Arthur C. Denison, who had just been appointed judge of the United States District Court, Mr. Rice was admitted as a partner to the firm of Wilson, Wilson & Rice, an association which continued in existence for about two years. Since that time Mr. Rice has followed his calling alone, his practice being largely confined to matters pertaining to patent procedure. He has been admitted to practice in a number of United States district courts and the Courts of Appeals, where many of his important cases have met with favorable decisions. Mr. Rice maintains offices at 1208-10 Grand Rapids Savings building, where is to be found an interesting piece of office furniture, the chair which was in the office of his ma- ternal grandfather, Cyrus Walker, three of whose students who used this chair having since become judges of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Mr. Rice is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs. His fraternal connection is with York lodge of the Masonic order, and he also belongs to the Association of Commerce and the O-wash-ta-nong club With his family, he belongs to West- minster Presbyterian church. Mr. Rice was married, Sept. 9, 1897, to Katherine, daughter of Robert V. and Mary (Maze) Sutherland, whose home was then at Chicago. Robert V. Sutherland removed from his native state of Ohio at an early day to Peru, Ill., where he married the daughter of Samuel P. Maze, a prominent citizen. Mr. Sutherland became one of the leading bankers of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are the parents of two sons: William Cyrus and Robert V., both of whom are attending high school.
Henry J. Ringold .- In the death of Henry J. Ringold, which occurred June 28, 1915, the city of Grand Rapids lost a capable and public-spirited citizen and a business man who had been identified for a number of years with several of its prominent concerns. Mr. Rin- gold was widely known to the furniture trade, having traveled ex- tensively on the road, and he bore an excellent reputation in business circles. He was born in the Netherlands, June 14, 1863, son of Gerard and Anna Ringold, natives of that country, where the father was a gardener. In 1865 the family came to the United States and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Sparta, Mich., where the parents rounded out honorable, industrious and well-filled lives, both now being de- ceased. Henry J. Ringold was educated in the public schools of Sparta and Grand Rapids and received his introduction to the furni- ture industry in a humble capacity, as a worker in factories. Through industry, fidelity and energy he gradually won promotion in the Phoenix Furniture Company and subsequently in the Berkey & Gay Company, and became one of the organizers of the Grand Rapids Cabinet Company, a concern with which he was connected for several years. He then started traveling on the road, first for C. P. Limheit, later with the Este Furniture Company and finally for the Rockford Furniture Company, after leaving which, in 1913, he retired from
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active life. Mr. Ringold's contribution to the upbuilding of his adopt- ed city included several store buildings on Union street, near Lyon, in addition to which he had considerable holdings in city realty, and he was proprietor of the Grand Rapids Caster Cup Company, the management of which was taken over by his widow at the time of his demise. Mr. Ringold was generally popular with the trade, had a wide acquaintance among prominent men in the furniture industry, and belonged to the Illinois Commercial Men's Association and the Michigan Knights of the Grip. He also held membership in the local lodges of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Fraternal Order of Eagles, was a Republican in politics, and belonged to the First Presbyterian church. He was married, Aug. 30, 1893, to Carrie L. Thompson, who was born at Bellona, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1872, and edu- cated at Allendale, Mich. Mrs. Ringold, who is a woman of many accomplishments and capable in business affairs, resides in a pleasant home at 600 Parkwood avenue, in which community she has many friends. She is a daughter of Richard G. and Mary A. (Wallon) Thompson, the former born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., and the latter on the Isle of Man, and both are deceased. Mr. Thompson, who was a farmer, came to Michigan in 1880, locating at Chelsea, and subse- quently went to Allendale, where he was the owner of a good prop- erty. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life and was accounted one of the substantial and reliable citizens of his locality. He was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Masonic lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Ringold had three children : Harold J. T., Henry Russell and Donald Wallace, all re- siding with their mother.
Ritzema .- One of the old and honored families of Grand Rapids, which has resided here for nearly a half a century and which has witnessed and taken part in much of the business history of the city is that bearing the name of Ritzema. The founder of the business as well as of the family has passed to his final rest, but he is repre- sented by his widow and children, and the reputation for sterling in- tegrity, honesty of purpose, constant industry and good citizenship is reflected in and maintained by those who survive him. Jacob Ritzema, the first of this family to come to the United States, was born in the Netherlands and was a young married man when he came to America to seek his fortune. His first location was at Muskegon, Mich., where he settled in 1868, and for a time thereafter he was variously engaged, accepting such honorable and profitable employ- ment as came his way. Later he changed his residence to Grand Rapids, where he found a good field for his activities in the draying business, and this he followed for a number of years. On March 2, 1881, however, he embarked in the grocery business, at the corner of Broadway and Leonard, S. W., a corner store. His sagacity and good business sense served to make this a success from the start, but in the second year of its life, 1882, it was found necessary to close the estab- lishment and to quarantine the family because of the epidemic of small-pox which swept the city at that time and which centered about in the location of the store. By 1888 the business had grown to pro- portions that made it advisable that the owner have a building of his own, and he accordingly erected what is now known as the older
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part of the establishment. This proved sufficiently large until 1911, when the new building was erected, and both buildings are now used, the new structure being three stories and basement, with an 83-foot front and a sixty-foot depth. Thirteen people are employed in this establishment, which since the early days has added shoes, drygoods and other articles to the original grocery department. Mrs. Ritzema, also a native of the Netherlands, survives her husband and owns and manages the business, being assisted by her children. In the family there are: Leonard J., manager of the grocery department; Richard M., manager of the shoe department ; and Anna, who manages the dry- goods department. Jennie died at the age of five years and William passed away when but three years of age. Leonard J. Ritzema was born at Grand Rapids, March 13, 1870, and his boyhood was spent at the old family residence on Janette street, while he secured his early education by attending the Union school. He was only eleven years of age when he began learning the business under the instruction of his father, and to this concern he has continued to give his undeviating attention. He is accounted one of the capable business men of his city, broad in his views, able in his judgments and sound in foresight and methods, and is continuing to make the oldest business in the old First ward also one of the best. In this effort he is ably assisted by his brother, Richard M., also a native of Grand Rapids and a product of the city schools. The brothers are Republicans, and while not office-seekers they are good citizens. They belong to the Broad- way Christian Reformed church. Leonard J. Ritzema was married, Jan. 23, 1895, to Miss Lyda Hesselink, daughter of John Hesselink, of Osceola county, Michigan, and five children have come of this union, all born and educated in this city: Richard D., of Battery D, Sixth Provisional Regiment, Coast Artillery; Arthur J., of Battery B, Eighth Provisional Regiment, Coast Artillery ; and three daughters- Marguerite, Jeannette and Helen, at home with their parents.
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