Rilling, Christian 1848 – 1917
RILLING, UHLMER, JONES, BILLEN, GALMAN, ZIMMER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/26/2015 at 07:50:45
CHRISTIAN RILLING.
Christian Rilling is living retired on his farm near Fort Atkinson in Washington township after many years devoted to the stone-mason's trade in Winneshiek county and a long period of identification with agricultural interests in this section of the state. His residence here dates from 1868, but he was born in Germany, on the 27th of April, 1848, a son of Adam and Mary (Uhlmer) Rilling, who lived and died in the fatherland. To their union were born four children: Barbara and Adam, who live in Germany; Lizzie, the widow of Henry Mohler, of Winneshiek county; and Christian, of this review.
Christian Rilling acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and there remained until he was eighteen years of age. He then crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first in New York and then in Philadelphia, whence after three years he came to Winneshiek county in 1868. He bought one hundred and eighty acres near Festina and he resided upon this property for over twenty years, purchasing at the end of that time two hundred acres on sections 4 and 9, Washington township, upon which he has ever since resided. During all of this time he followed the stone-mason's trade throughout the county, leaving the work of the farm to his assistants, and he became recognized as an expert in his special line of work, his labors being finally rewarded by a comfortable competence.
Mr. Rilling was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Jones, a daughter of Fritz and Margaret (Billen) Jones, natives of Germany, who came from that country to Wisconsin and after five years to Iowa. Both have passed away. To their union were born four children: Peter and Nicholas, of Oklahoma; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review; and Philip. The father had been previously married and by his first union had two children: Katie, the widow of Edward Galman, of Festina; and a son who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Rilling became the parents of nine children: Sophia, the widow of John Zimmer, of Calmar; Philip, who lives at home; John and Christ, also at home; Fred, who resides at Old Mission, Iowa; Alfred, of Fort Atkinson; and Nick, Joseph and Annie, at home.
Mr. Rilling is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is a stanch supporter of the democratic party. The success which attended his labors during his active years has been well deserved and has gained him recognition among the prosperous, enterprising and representative citizens of the community where he is spending his retired life.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
St. Aloysius Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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