My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK WILLIAM RIECKENBERG. The world is crowded with men and women, each trying to gain success through the different avenues of money-making, and day after day the ceaseless round of duty goes on, some giving attention to professional callings, some buying and selling in commercial headquarters, and others cultivating the soil. It is generally conceded that the agriculturist leads the most independent life, and certainly to no class of bread-winners are we indebted for more beneficial results than to the farmer.

Among those in Randolph County who are identified with the latter-named class may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who was born in Wine Hill, this county, September 26, 1853. His father, Diederich Rieckenberg, was born in Germany, and at the age of fourteen years emigrated to America, and after working in New Orleans, La., for several years, came to Randolph County, sometime during the ‘30s. Since that time he has been closely identified with the farming interests of the county, and is still living at Wine Hill. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Heitmann, died in 1872.

In the parochial school at Wine Hill, as well as the public schools of that place, the subject of this sketch received a practical education. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty-four, when he settled upon his present estate, and has since devoted his attention to cultivating and improving the property. His buildings are modern in design and attractive in appearance, while he has all the machinery to be found upon a first-class farm. In addition to the raising of cereals he is largely interested in stock-raising, making a specialty of milch cows. He has an interest in the Steeleville creamery.

Mr. Rieckenberg was united in marriage in 1877 with Miss Emma, daughter of Conrad and M. (Royersher) Voges, who reside near Red Bud, Ill. The marriage has resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Adelia, George, Helene, William, Fritz and Rudolph, all of whom reside with their parents and attend the home schools. In religious belief, Mr. Rieckenberg and his entire family are identified with the Lutheran Church. In politics, he has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as Road Commissioner, as well as in other local positions of trust.