R. H. Ricke, senior member of the firm of Ricke & Soat, is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1854, son of John B. and Mary Ricke. When he was three years of age his parents came to the United States, locating in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. In 1870 he came to Carroll County, and lived with his brother Richard until 1877, when he went to California and lived there about six years. While in that State he was engaged in farming about two years, and for four years was employed as conductor on a street car in San Francisco. In 1883 he came back to Carroll County for a short time, then returned to Jo Daviess County and remained two years. May 19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Soat, of that county, and again returned to this county. He first went into the grain business with his brother Richard, and continued in that business until he engaged in his present business.

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