RIETH / REITH, John died 1876

RIETH, REITH, KERNDT

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/30/2024 at 11:42:37

This community was shocked last Saturday evening to hear of the sudden death at Prairie du Chien, of Mr. John Rieth, one of our oldest citizens. For the past seven months Mr. Rieth had been badly afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism, and a greater part of the time being confined to his bed.

A few weeks ago he got able to travel and went to Dubuque to try the Turkish bath. He remained there for some time and his health was greatly benefitted by them. The fore part of last week he came home and was able to be about the streets, but was very weak.

On Thursday last he went to Prairie du Chien for the purpose of testing the baths there. He took his first and last one on Saturday afternoon. He was so weak that the trip down on the cars had greatly prostrated him, and when he went into the bath rooms the heat was too much for him and before he got through he fainted away. Dr. Steiger attended him through the bath and called in assistance to help restore him. He finally revived sufficient to get him back to his hotel, the Germania House, where he commenced to fail rapidly, and about eight o'clock the soul of our old and esteemed citizen had passed into eternity.

The deceased was 51 years old. He was born in Wurttemburg; came to America in 1848. Stopped first in Philadelphia, but soon left there and in 1855 he went to Dubuque and worked for about two years in the old Waller, now Rouse & Dean, foundry.

He came to Lansing in 1857, and soon went into the gunsmith and tinware business. His shop used to stand where Kerndt's store now is.

In October 1855, he was married to Miss Henrietta Kerndt, a sister of the well known Kerndt Bros. His wife died in the spring of 1871. He was married again about a year and a half ago to a lady in Milwaukee, who is now left to mourn his loss.

He leaves six children, Julius, the eldest, being 20 years old and in charge of the large and flourishing hardware business which his father's industry and economy has built up.

It is sad indeed that Mr. Rieth should be thus suddenly taken away, just as he had got his property and business into a condition that he could enjoy life and take his ease and comfort. His death is deeply felt in this entire community.

~North Iowa Journal, Friday, July 14, 1876; pg 3

Note: Surname is found variously spelled Rieth or Reith