RUDOLPH LORENZEN
Rudolph Lorenzen, one of the pioneers of Marne, came in 1875, and had an interest in the business of Julius Langfeldt. As this was the first store in the town, Lorenzen was one of the first merchants. He is a native of Germany, and came to America in 1857. He located in Davenport, and remained there in business till 1874, when he went to Maysville, and came to Marne as aforesaid.
Rudolph Lorenzen, merchant at Marne, came there in 1875, and engaged in merchandising in company with Julius Langfeldt. Two months later they removed to the postoffice building, where they continued business until 1878, then moved into their present store building. They are engaged in general merchandising. Mr. Lorenzen was born in the burgh of Fehmarn, in northern Germany, and is a son of Hans A.W. Lorenzen, who was a dyer by occupation. Rudolph was educated in his native town, and at the age of fifteen years entered a store where he remained five years. He then went to Huelligenhofen, where he occupied the position of bead clerk in a store for five years, receiving a large salary. His brother, Ludwig, had come to America in 1857, and located at Davenport, Iowa. Concluding to follow him, Rudolph also came to America, and to Davenport, where he was engaged in merchandising, two years; then on account of failing health he sold his business and went into the butcher business with his brother, which they continued three years. After this he was employed in a store for about two years, commanding good wages. He then went to Maysville, and was then employed in butchering one year, after which he came to Marne. Mr. Lorenzen, in addition to his other business, is engaged in the breeding of fine stock, including Durham cattle, Poland China hogs and Cotswold sheep. He has forty acres of land near town, which is divided into lots for stock. He commenced this business in 1881. He was married in Atlantic, in October, 1876 to Johanna Langfeldt, a native of Holstein, Germany. They have had three children, two of whom are living: Laura, born May 10, 1877, and Amanda, born October 19, 1882. Rudolph was born January, 27, 1879, and died April 7, 1880. Mr. Lorenzen is employed by the Davenport glucose company to buy corn in this vicinity.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 610.
Rudolph Lorenzen buys corn for the Davenport Glucose company. In 1883, he purchased for them 67,000 bushels, and in 1884, 53,530 bushels. They have a storage capacity in their bins here, of 30,000 bushels. Mr. Lorenzen buys for this company without limit as to amount.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 612.
