John Rauch, 1899 Biography

RAUCH, MEYER, SCHMITH, GROTE GEIER, NORTEN, SCHULTE

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 1/5/2006 at 23:04:44

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

John Rauch

In another place in the Anniversary Edition, the friendly reader will find an accurate picture of old Mr. John Rauch, who, although he does not live in Carroll County, is still kindred, and is strongly connected to the local residents through family ties and friendship, as well as his many years in the profession of elementary school and music teacher. Indeed, this popular man’s large circle of acquaintances stretches not only over Sac, Carroll, and the bordering counties, but also over parts of eastern Iowa, into Missouri, Illinois, and Minnesota. Thus, many distant readers will be pleasantly surprised to find mentioned here the kind, old, and successful school teacher, who is still gratefully remembered by many people.

Mr. John Rauch was born on the 19th of November 1823, in Nenzing, District of Vorarlberg, Tyrol [in Austria]. He first attended elementary school in his hometown, and then in Bregenz, [Austria] on Lake Constance [a lake bordering on southern Germany, western Austria, and Switzerland], until he was 17 years old. For his advanced education, he attended the “Schulbrüder-Institut” [probably a Catholic advanced school run by priests] at Kronburg, in Tyrol, where he studied for three years, after which he was employed as a teacher and organist in Schönwies, in Tyrol. In February 1852, Mr. Rauch married Miss Maria Anna Meyer, a virtuous and educated young lady. And since he had long had the idea of emigrating to the free states of America, he carried out his plan with his young wife soon after the marriage. On the 5th of May 1852, the couple set foot on the American Continent. Herr Rauch first made his way to Richville, which is now a suburb of Chicago, where he found employment as a teacher and organist. After three years, he took over the teacher and organist position in Dubuque, Iowa. Soon thereafter, he was called to New Vienna, Iowa, where he worked at his position for six years. Unfortunately, he received a heavy blow on the 9th of May 1858, when, on that day, his faithful spouse was torn from his side by death. Three sons grieved with their father over the loss of the dear wife and mother, but indeed the three sons—too good for this world—followed after their dear mother in death. On the 21st of October 1860, Mr. Rauch was married again to Miss Sybilla Schmith, and in 1862 he was called as a teacher to St. Paul, Missouri, where he remained six years. He then moved to Guttenberg, Iowa, and three years later to Caledonia, Minnesota. After two years, he moved with his family to Dyersville, Iowa, where he was employed in private businesses. In 1874, he purchased 160 acres of land in Viola Township, Sac County, just across the border from Carroll County, because he could find no suitable parcel of land among his friends in Carroll County. Then he spent another six years engaged in his profession in Petersburg, Iowa. In the spring of 1880, Mr. Rauch moved to his above-mentioned real estate, which was still uncultivated at that time. The family still lives today on this farm, which is now equipped with fine buildings, an orchard, etc., though during this time, the active old man has always endeavored to do good works. For example, for two years he conducted the German class and gave music instruction at the public school in Arcadia, and for two years he was the organist under Rev. Norten and Rev. Schulte at the Catholic Church in Breda. During the 18 years that he has managed his farm, he has held several offices, but now the old gentleman has gone into retirement and will probably move completely to his beloved Breda. This marriage, which has been a completely happy one, was blessed with 10 children, three of which died at a young age. The names of the still-living children are: Frank, a railroad telegraphist in Eagle Grove, Iowa; Elisabeth, Mrs. B. Grote; Agnes, Mrs. Wm. Geier; Karl; Wilhelm; Maria; and Christina.