Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Raich, William P. November 15, 1858 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 11, 2009, 9:44 pm Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown WILLIAM P. RAICH, who is prominent in business circles in Warsaw, represents various insurance companies, and is doing a good business along that line. One of War- saw's native sons, he was born in the city which is still his home on the 15th of November, 1858. His parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Ross) Raich, were both natives of Germany. The fa- ther was a stone mason by trade and followed that pursuit for many years. He bade adieu to his native land in 1856, crossed the Atlantic to America, and took up his residence in Louisville, Ky., from whence he came to Warsaw. His death occurred in 1882, and his wife died twenty years previous, passing away in 1862. In their family were five children, of whom three are yet living, namely: William P. of this notice; Benja- min A., who is connected with the pickle works of Warsaw; and Fannie M., who holds the posi- tion of book-keeper with the firm of Eckbohm, Dross & Co. Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth midst play and work, and his education was acquired in the public schools of Warsaw. He began earning his own livelihood at the age of fifteen years, and whatever success he has achieved in life is due to his own efforts. In 1873, he began working as delivery boy in the grocery store of Stroh & Roth, and was thus em- ployed for about three years. In 1876, he began clerking for Mr. Stroh, and the following year en- tered the employ of the firm of Eckbohm, Dross & Co. as book-keeper. He continued in that capacity for fifteen years, a faithful and trusted employe. In the mean time he had worked into the insurance business, and in 1893 he opened an insurance office. He now represents various companies, including the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York; the Bankers' Life of Des Moines, Iowa; the Northern Assurance Company of London; Niagara Fire Insurance Company of New York; the Detroit Fire and Marine; Traders' of Chicago; and the American Fire Insurance Company of New York. He has a good and growing business, which has constantly increased from the beginning, until it has reached fair pro- portions, and yields to the proprietor a good in- come. The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Raich was in her maidenhood Miss Lousia A. Schott. The marriage of our subject and his wife was celebrated on the 11th of November, 1884, and they have become the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, Clara, George, Frederick and Carrie. Mrs. Raich is the daugh- ter of John Schott, a resident of Warsaw. Mr. Raich, who is a stockholder in the Warsaw Pickle Company, assisted in organizing the company, which was incorporated in February, 1887, and was its first Secretary, holding that position for one year. In his social relations, Mr. Raich is an Odd Fellow. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, and has been honored with a number of local and official posi- tions. He was elected Collector of Warsaw in 1887, was chosen Alderman in 1889, and in 1893 served as Assessor. His various duties he dis- charged with promptness and fidelity, for he is al- ways true to every trust, whether public or pri- vate, that is reposed in him. He is well known in this community, where his entire life has been passed, and his warmest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted from boyhood, a fact which indicates an honorable and straight- forward career. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/hancock/bios/raich1563gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb