RIES, L. L.

RIES, BRUHN, MEINECKE

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 2/3/2019 at 12:24:00

L. L. RIES.

Denmark has furnished to America many of her best and most reliable citizens, among whom is L. L. Ries, who, for over a quarter of a century, has been prominently identified with the business interests and political affairs of Clinton, Iowa. He was born in Denmark February 15, 1852, a son of L. A. and Sabina M. (Bruhn) Ries, who were also natives of that country, and came to the new world in 1881. During his residence here the father lived retired, but in the land of his birth was engaged in farming, and was quite successful. He died in May, 1900, when lacking only a month and a half of being eighty years of age. His wife had passed away in Emmet county, Iowa, in February, 1899, when about seventy-five years of age. They were the parents of five children, all sons.

L. L. Ries was reared in his native land, and was provided with excellent educational advantages, attending college at Hadersley, where he made a special study of the classics, languages, sciences and history. He remained there until shortly before coming to America, in 1870. On landing in this country Mr. Ries came at once to Clinton county, Iowa, and for two years was engaged in farming near Low Moor, after which he was employed as clerk in a general store in that village for the same length of time. In 1875 he came to Clinton and embarked in the grocery business, which he has since carried on with marked success. He handles everything usually found in a first-class grocery store, and is now located at 245 Fifth avenue, and 310 North Fourth street.

Mr. Ries was married in 1877 to Miss Maria K. Meinecke, of this county, and to them have been born six children, namely: Louis F., of Clinton; Sabina, a clerk in the treasurer's office; Arthur A., who works in his father's store on Fifth avenue; and Walter E., Frances and Florence, who are still attending school. In his political affiliations Mr. Ries is a Republican, and has ever taken a very active and influential part in political matters, always attending the county and, frequently, the state conventions of his party. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have several times elected him to positions of public trust, and he capably served as alderman from the first ward one term; was sheriff of the county in 1894 and 1895, and the following year was elected city treasurer, in which position he is now serving his third term. His public and private duties have always been performed with the greatest care, and he well merits the confidence and respect so freely accorded him.

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.