Schrubbe, Richard 1863 – 1932

SCHRUBBE, KROENING, RUSTAD, SONDROL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/29/2015 at 12:20:46

RICHARD SCHRUBBE.

Richard Schrubbe is successfully engaged in business as the proprietor of the only store of its kind in Decorah, handling books, fancy goods, stationery and wall paper, and enjoying an extensive patronage. He was born at Watertown, Wisconsin, on the 12th of December, 1863, being the eldest of the eight children of Charles and Ernestina (Kroening) Schrubbe, who were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in an early day, locating in Wisconsin, where he followed farming for some time. In 1865 he came to Iowa and embarked in the flour and feed business at Lansing, while subsequently he removed to Decorah and was here engaged in the same business for a number of years. He was afterward interested in a soap factory here for a number of years but during the last seventeen years of his life was in the employ of N. H. Adams. The period of his residence in this part of the state covered a third of a century and he was widely and favorably known. He passed away in the year 1898. His widow is living and makes her home in Decorah.

Richard Schrubbe, who was brought to Iowa when but one year old, received his education in the public schools of Decorah and also spent a year in study at the German school of Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1880 he entered the book store which he is now conducting but which was then owned by James A. Leonard, whom he served as clerk for seven years. On the expiration of that period he opened a similar establishment on Water street, conducting the same until 1890, when he bought the store of Mr. Leonard and has remained its proprietor throughout the intervening twenty-three years. He carries a comprehensive stock of books, fancy goods, stationery and wall paper and enjoys a large and well merited patronage, his store being the only one of its kind in Decorah. He owns the building in which the business is conducted and also purchased the adjoining brick structure in 1900.

On the 5th of October, 1892, Mr. Schrubbe was united in marriage to Miss Bertina C. Rustad, a daughter of G. O. and Kristina (Sondrol) Rustad, who were natives of Norway. They emigrated to the United States in the '50s, locating first in Beloit, Wisconsin, but a short time later coming to Decorah, Iowa. Mr. Rustad here secured a position as clerk in the grocery store and subsequently became treasurer of the Lutheran synod, holding that office until his death on the 23d of December, 1903. His widow survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Schrubbe have one son, Leslie Herbert, whose natal day was April 15, 1897. It was in that year that our subject erected a handsome modern residence at No. 303 East Water street.

At the polls Mr. Schrubbe casts his ballot in support of prohibition candidates and measures, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which this country has to contend. His religious faith is that of the German Methodist church, while his wife belongs to the First Norwegian Lutheran church and his son is a member of the Congregational church. He has spent almost his entire life in Decorah and has many friends and acquaintances here. His record is that of a self-made man whose history may well serve to encourage and inspire others for he started out in the business world empty-handed and has since worked his way steadily upward to a position among the substantial and representative merchants of the county.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913

Decorah Lutheran Cemetery gravestone
 

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