My Genealogy Hound

ARTHUR E. RUDOLPHI, an able pharmaceutist employed in the drug store of R. Lewis, Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich., is a talented musician and an instructor in music of a high order of ability, and is also the leader of the Beckwith Memorial Theatre orchestra. Our subject is a native of Wisconsin and was born at Hartford, near Madison, November 11, 1869. Arthur E. was one of six children that blessed the home of Theophilus and Anna (Kehl) Rudolphi. The other children are four sisters and one brother: Louis; Lizzie, now Mrs. Eugene Gilbert; Theophila, Maleta and Aunie. The father, an able physician and a native of Preizstargardt, West Prussia, received a thorough education in Koenigsbergh and Stuttgart, Germany. An enterprising man of broad intelligence, he subsequently emigrated to America and resumed the practice of his profession in Hartford, Wis. In 1877, he removed to Dowagiac, Mich., and here gained a large practice, and also engaged in the drug business with success. He remained actively in business and professional duties up to the time of his death, February 19, 1888. An upright man of fine attainments, he received the confidence of the citizens of Dowagiac, and for two terms occupied with fidelity the official position of Coroner of Cass County.

Dr. Rudolphi was a valued member of the Ninth International Medical Congress, and was esteemed by his coadjutors as a man of scientific research. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and an earnest worker for the party. The paternal grandfather of our subject was also a man of note, and for years was Burgomaster of the city where he resided. Our subject attended the schools of Dowagiac and received an excellent education. He early developed the genius for music which has distinguished his later career. To gratify this absorbing talent, Mr. Rudolphi studied in Chicago for two years and a-half at Central Music College. He studied in violin and piano practice and orchestration, and, making rapid advancement in music, also devoted a part of his time to the National Institute of Pharmacy, and fitted himself to compound medicines. After nearly three years’ absence from Dowagiac he returned not only an accomplished musician, but was enabled to engage at once in the drug business.

Subsequent to the death of his father, our subject conducted the drug store for two years, and then sold out the business and immediately entered upon the clerkship, whose duties he yet satisfactorily performs in the employ of Mr. Lewis. Mr. Rudolphi has taught more or less for years, and has been especially successful in training and rapidly advancing his pupils. Aside from his other work in life, our subject is City Clerk, being elected to the position when but twenty-one years of age. He is deeply interested in politics, and although young in years has taken an active part in local and national issues. Mr. Rudolphi is one of the organizers and charter members of Lodge No. 138, K. P., and is also prominently connected with the Woodmen and National Union Societies. Within these various orders and by the general public of his home our subject is held in high esteem and sincere fraternal regard.