John H Riekenberg

RIEKENBERG

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 15:51:30

John H Riekenberg is what the world calls a self made man, and he deserves all the credit and honor which that term implies. He began work for himself at the early age of fourteen years and has since been depending upon his own resources. Although he has encountered difficulties and obstacles in his path he has overcome these by determined effort and by honest purpose, and today he is a leading representative of the business interests of Boone, being the owner of a large dry good establishment and the vice president of the Boone County Bank. He is still a young man and has attained the success that many an older man might well envy.
Mr Riekenberg was born February 16, 1862, his parents being C J and Martha (Eckstein) Riekenberg, both of whom were native of Germany, whence they came tot eh United States in the year 1867, our subject being at that time five years of age. The father was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company until his death, working in the capacity of the stationary engineer as well as various others. In the former position he served for a considerable period. He died in July 1888, a man who was quiet and unassuming, but highly respected by all who knew him because of his genuine worth. He held membership wit the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his family wre six children, of whom for are yet living: Maggie, the wife of Mark Heiman, John H, Lizzie, the wife of A Schaneman, and Edward. Those deceased are: Gusta, the wife of H Jurgensen, and Charles, who was a partner of our subject but died at the age of twenty-five years. Their business relations had been in the employ of his brother John form the time he was thirteen years of age.
John H Riekenberg entered upon his business career at the early age of fourteen years, being employed as a salesman in a dry goods store in Boone. Gradually he worked his way upward and mastered the business in both principle and detail. In 1884 with the capital he had acquired from his own efforts, we opened a small dry goods store in company with Hawley Main. Success attended the new enterprise form the beginning, and at the expiration of five years Mr Riekenberg purchased his partners interest and has since been alone. He has a large store in which he carries a complete and well selected stock of dry goods. His earnest desire to please his patrons, his study of the business and of business methods, his reliability and his genial manner have won for Mr Riekenberg a large and constantly growing patronage. He has also been vie president of the Boone County Bank for several years.
In August 1888 was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Mary Munn, a daughter of A J Munn. Their home is noted of its gracious hospitality, which is enjoyed by their large circle of friends. Mr Riekenberg is a man of keen discernment in business affairs, enterprising and alert, and his life proves conclusively that success is not a matter of genius but is the outcome of honorable and determined effort.

1902 Boone County History Book