REES, Richard Griffith: 1850-1901

REES, ERDMAN

Posted By: Volunter: Sherri
Date: 4/26/2013 at 08:48:37

On Saturday, December 14, 1901, while attending to his duties as a member of the town council in looking after the construction of the water works system in his home town, Bonaparte, the coat of R.G. Rees was accidentally caught by a rapidly revolving shaft in the waterworks power hourse, hurling its owner to the ground with terrible violence, and he was only saved from almost death by the strength of his sons Herbert and Harry, who caught and pulled him loose from the shaft by tearing his clothing partly from his body. For a couple of days friends thought he would recover, but there were internal hurts, injury of the right lung and liver, that resulted in his death about one week later, Sunday, Dec. 22, 1901.

Richard Griffith Rees was born in Carduf, Wales, May 18, 1850. At the age of 6 years, in 1856, he sailed with his parents to America, but because of a shipwreck, they were on the ocean for 16 weeks. They located in Chicago that year; going from there they moved to East Dubuque, on the Illinois side of the river. At the age of 17 Richard commenced work as a "carriage smith" in the city of Dubuque, Iowa.

He moved to Pladville, Wisconsin, when 21 years old, and on January 14, 1873, he was married to Miss Carried Erdman in Galena, Illinois. To them tow sons were born, Herbert and Harry, who, with the mother, survive to mourn their great bereavement. In 1874 Mr. Rees located Bonaparte and in partnership with D.W. Riggle began the manufacture of carriages and other vehicles.

This firm soon became famous for its excellent work, and there is not a neighborhood in Van Buren county but what today has in it carriages, buggies and sleighs made by the deceased. In 1891 Mr. Rees bought Mr. Riggle's interest in the business, assisted by his sons Herbert and Harry, building up an industry that is known far and wide for its reliability of workmanship. "Dick" Rees was a citizen that Bonaparte and Van Buren county could illy spare.

Men of his integrity, morality and energy, are needed in every community. He was of the high type of American citizenship. Such men make a community worth living in. Their motives are always on the side of right. We knew Dick Rees for many years, both in a social and business way, and we always found him "good goods."

His funeral was largely attended and was held at the M.E. church in Bonaparte, at 2 o'clock, Thursday, Dec. 26, 1901, Rev. G.W. Barber of Drakville(sp) by Rev. Collier of Bentonsport, conducting the services. The floral contributions were profuse and beautiful. The remains were escorted to the church and from there to the cemetery by 85 members of the K. of P. and M.W.A, the deceased having been a member of both these orders. Members were present from various points in the county. A good man has gone.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 12, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA