John Wm. Riebock (1849-1898)

RIEBOCK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 17:30:43

John William Riebock
(April 6, 1849 – December 6, 1898)

John William Riebock, now deceased, was for many years an enterprising farmer of this section of Iowa, who hoping to better bis financial condition in the new world, left his home in Germany and crossed the Atlantic to America. He was born in the town of Breeze, in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, April 6, 1849, a son of John Georeham William and Katherine (Fean) Riebock, who were also natives of the same country. They were married in the province of Hanover and the father engaged in farming near the town of Breeze in which locality he and his wife spent their remaining days. Both have now passed away. They were the parents of four children; August, who is living on the old homestead in Breeze, Elizabeth, the wife of John Grutzmacher; John William, the subject of this review: and August, who resided in Sadorf, Germany, and is now deceased.
John William Riebock remained at home until nineteen years of age, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter he pursued his education. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until nineteen years of age when, thinking that he might profit by better opportunities in the United States he resolved to seek a home and fortune in this land. Accordingly he made his way alone to Chicago, Illinois, and there he worked for three years during the summer months, striving not only to gain a livelihood but also acquire a knowledge of the English language, with which he was entirely unacquainted at the time of his emigration. He afterward spent one year amid the Black Hills of Dakota, prospecting and mining, and about 1873 he came to Calhoun County, where with the capital he had acquired through his own labors he purchased a tract of land in Sherman Township. There he began farming and stock-raising and carefully conducted his labors. He placed his land under a high state of cultivation and added all modern accessories to his farm which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land constituting the east half of section 15. It is pleasently located three miles from Manson. The land has been drained by tiling, substantial and commodious farm buildings have been erected and there is a splendid grove and all modern equipments upon the place. Mr. Riebock continued his active farming operations until his death and was classed among the practical and progressive agriculturists of the community.
On the 17th of November, 1880, Mr. Riebock was united in marriage to Miss March Klocke, the wedding taking place in Manson. The lady is a daughter of John T and Caroline (Jentz) Klocke, both of whom were natives of Germany, but her father followed farming in Buena Vista County. Both have now passed away and her brother resides on the old homestead farm in that county. Mrs. Riebock was born July 16, 1863, in Will County, Illinois, and there resided until twelve years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Riebock were born three children: Henry, born April 16, 1886; Lizzie, born April 26, 1890, and Anna, born October 20, 1895. It was on the 6th of December, 1898, that Mr. Riebock was called to his final rest, and many friends were left to mourn his loss. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat and was many times called to serve in township offices. He held membership in the German Lutheran church to which his family also belong. His is the record of a well spent life. Coming to this country empty handed he has steadily worked his way upward and his enterprise and persistency of purpose enabled him to achieve success and leave to his family a comfortable competence. In addition to the farm, he owned a fine residence in Pomeroy which Mrs. Riebock and her children now occupy. She is an estimable lady, possessed of good business qualifications, and well manages her property interests. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.563]