Charles Ruegnitz, manufacturer of barrel hoops, Clayton City, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on June 12, 1849, and in November 1864, he immigrated to the United States, landing at New York, and from there came at once to Clayton County. He followed the cooper's trade here six years, ane worked in a brewery on year. He then went West and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad one year, and on the Missouri River bridge at Omaha, Neb. some time, then returned to Clayton County. He worked at his trade until 1874, when he obtained employment with the Northwestern Hoop Company, of Chicago, and remained with them seven years. In 1881 he began the manufacturing hoop business for himself, and has successfully continued the business since. He was married on Dec. 16, 1872, to Emma Venus, who was born in Communia, Clayton county, on Sept. 28, 1851. Three children have been born to them--Emma, born Nov. 21, 1873; Fritz, April 16, 1876, and Louis, Dec. 17, 1879. Mr. Ruegnitz was reared in the Lutheran faith. He affiliates with the Democratic party. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 724-725 |