William Ruff

RUFF, SCHUNK, MEYER

Posted By: Cheryl Moonen (email)
Date: 1/13/2014 at 15:46:02

WILLIAM RUFF, retired, No. 532 Main street, Dubuque; was born in Baden, Germany, May 28, 1811; when 10 years old, he went to Lyons, France, where he grew up and learned his trade of cabinet-maker; he lived in Paris ten years, and came to America in 1843, and came to Dubuque in June, 1845 he engaged in the cabinet-making business, on the same lot where he now lives; people laughed at
him for locating in the country; he was the first cabinet-maker to engage in the business in Dubuque, and he continued in the trade until a few years ago; he laid the first brick sidewalk in front of is store that was laid on Main street. In 1844, in New Orleans, he married Miss Katherina Schunk,a native of Bavaria, Germany; they have had ten children, six of whom are William A., attorney in Chicago, he was in the army & was Captain of Co. G, 16th I.V.I., served 4 years, and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; Herman, auditor, C.C & D.R.R.; Emilie, money-order clerk in the post office; Carrie, (Mrs. C.H. Meyer), Charles H., machinist; Edward F., letter carrier in Dub. Post Office. “The History of Dubuque County" http://members.tripod.com/~Doreen_3/DBBIOAB.htm