The Carroll Democrat Biographical Tribute to John Rauch

RAUCH, MEYER, SCHMITH SCHMIDT, GROTE, GEIER

Posted By: Hilary J. Rauch (email)
Date: 7/30/2007 at 08:32:47

(Translation of the John Rauch Biographical Tribute published in The Carroll Democrat Jubilee Number, September 29, 1899):

"In another place in this jubilee number, the friendly reader will find a true copperplate engraving of the elderly Herr John Rauch, who, although he has never lived in Carroll County, nevertheless is of kindred race with the inhabitants of this County, and through family bonds and friendships as well as many years of activity as an elementary school teacher and music teacher, he remains in close association with the aforementioned residents. Altogether the large acquaintanceship of this devoted countryman extends not only through Sac and Carroll and the neighboring Counties, but also over parts of the States to the east, in Missouri, Illinois and Minnesota, so that many a distant reader will be gratefully moved at this time that this old man, so humanly friendly and a successful pedagogue, who remains in the grateful memory of many, is made mention of here.

"Herr John Rauch was born at Nenzing, Kreis Vorarlberg, Tirol, on the 19th of November, 1823. He attended first the elementary slchool in his native town, then the provincial high school in Bregenz on the Boden See until his 17th year. For his further development he entered the Institute of the School Brothers at Kronburg in Tirol where he pursued his studies for three years, whereupon he was installed as teacher and organist in Schonweiss, Tirol. In February, 1852, Herr Rauch married Fraulein Maria Anna Meyer, a virtuous and well-bred young lady, and as he had already entertained the thought of emigrating to the free land of America, so he carried out this resolution with his young spouse soon after their wedding. On May 5, 1852 the newly weds landed on the American continent. Herr Rauch betook himself first to Richville, now a suburb of Chicago, where he held the position of teacher and organist. After three years there he held the post of teacher and organist at Dubuque, Iowa, and shortly thereafter he received a call to New Vienna, Iowa, where he was engaged in his calling for six years. On May 9, 1858 he was sorely stricken with a severe blow, in that his beloved spouse was torn from his side by death on that day. Three sons grieved with the father the severe loss of the dear spouse and mother, though the three sons also, too good for this world, followed before and after their beloved mother in death. On Oct. 21, 1860, Herr Rauch married Fraulein Sybilla Schmith, and in 1862 he received a call from St. Paul, Missouri, as teacher and organist, where he remained for six years. Then he moved to Guttenberg, Iowa, and after three years to Caledonia, Minnesota. After two years, he moved with his family to Dyersville, Iowa, where he engaged in private business. In 1874 he bought 160 acres of land in Viola Township, Sac Co., just across the line from Carroll Co., where he was able to find a piece of land-. After this he was at Petersburg, Iowa, occupied in his calling again, for six years. In the spring of 1880 Herr Rauch settled on this previously purchased piece of land, which at that time was still uncultivated. The family lives to this day on this farm, which in the meantime has been provided with valuable buildings, an orchard, etc., while nevertheless during this time the dutiful old man has always still been concerned in doing good. For two years, for example, he conducted the German class in the free-school in Arcadia and gave music lessons, and was for two years the organist of the Catholic Church in Breda under Rev. Norten and Rev. Schulte. While for eighteen years he has supervised his farm, he has held other various posts, and now the old gentleman is giving himself up to retirement and will probably move shortly to his beloved Breda. The marriage bond, which was exceedingly fortunate, was blessed with 10 children, of who three died at a youthful age. The names of the children still living are: Frank, railway telegrapher at Eagle Grove, Iowa; Elizabeth, Frau B. Grote; Agnes, Frau Wm. Geier; Karl, Wilhelm, Maria and Christina."