Springfield-Greene
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FRED WILLIAM RAUCH.
Spake full well in language quaint and olden,
One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine,
When he called the flowers so blue and golden
Stars that in earth's firmament do shine;
Stars they are in which we read our history
As did astrologers and seers of eld,
Yet not wrapt about with such awful mystery
As were the burning stars which they beheld.
Thus wrote the poet Longfellow in his fine poem on the flowers, which have been a favorite theme of poets since the days of Homer, and it has ever been the opinion of the thinkers of the world that he who does not love and admire these "stars of earth" has little good in him. No vocation could be more conducive to pure and high thinking, and consequently right and wholesome living, as a natural sequence of such thoughts, as floriculture. Most of the flower gardens and green-houses in this country are conducted by Germans. We offer no theory as to why this is so. Suffice it to add that we are greatly indebted to our brothers of Teutonic blood in many respects, and especially because they keep us supplied with their beautiful and necessary "hot-house" products during the "winters of our discontent."
Fred William Rauch, a young German-American, is one of the successful florists of Springfield. He was born on July 7, 1881, in Springfield, Ohio, and is a son of peter and Caroline (Winter) Rauch. The father was born in Hessedarmstadt, Germany, April 26, 1854, and there he grew to manhood and received a common school education. He remained in the Fatherland until 1873 when he emigrated to America with a brother, and settled in Urbana, Ohio. He learned the blacksmith's trade when a young man, also was a tool dresser and he followed his trades in a machine shop in Urbana a short time, then removed to Springfield, Ohio, where he continued working at his trade until 1884, in which year he came to Billings, Missouri, located on a farm near there, which he operated four years. He then returned to Urbana, Ohio, and followed the cigar manufacturing business for eleven years, then came back to Billings, this state, and for the past fifteen years has engaged in farming there. He has been very successful in a business way and owns a good farm and is highly respected by all who know him. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been school director at billings for a number of years, having received every vote in that place except his own in the elections for director. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the German evangelical church. He and Caroline Winters were married in 1877. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 31, 1859, and she received a good common school education. She is a daughter of William Winters and wife. Mr. Winters is a baker by trade and is still living, making his home with Mrs. Rauch at Billings. His wife died about fifteen years ago.
Eight children were born to Peter Rauch and wife, namely: George is a florist at Monett, Missouri; Fred W., of this sketch; Lulu is the wife of Frank Dean, of Billings; Charles is a florist in Monett; Katie lives in Monett; Anna and Phillip are at home with their parents; William died when six years old.
Fred W. Rauch received a good education in the common schools, and when a boy learned broom making and worked at the same about four years, after which he worked on a farm near Billings, Missouri, for four years, then came to Springfield and worked for a florist about two and one-half years, meanwhile learning the ins and outs of the business, then was employed at the Chalfant conservatories a year, then, with two brothers built green-houses and laid out gardens at Monett where they are still in business, his two brothers remaining there and operating the business, while our subject stays in Springfield, where he returned in 1911 and began operating the Chalfant conservatory and later established offices in the Colonial Hotel under the firm name of Rauch Brothers, and he has built up a large and constantly growing business.
Mr. Rauch was married March 10, 1907, to Bertha Kemm, a native of Springfield, born April 10, 1886, in Wisconsin. She received a good education in the public schools. She was a child, when her parents, Karl and Mary (Schmith) Kemm, brought her to Springfield. Her father's active life has been devoted to the ministry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rauch one child has been born, Frances Rauch, whose birth occurred on April 21, 1908.
Politically, Mr. Rauch is a Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Vincent Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery No. 20, Knights Templar; Abou Ben Adhem Temple and Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. One would judge from Mr. Rauch's daily intercourse with his fellow men that he is endeavoring to live up to the sublime percepts of Masonry.
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