Bio of ROBITSHEK, Joseph (b.1847 d.1922), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 94-97
JOSEPH ROBITSHEK
Joseph Robitshek, a prominent and representative business man of Minneapolis,
was one whose career demonstrates the possibilities 6f successful achievement
through individual effort and ability. Coming to America when a youth of
nine­teen years, he began work as a farm hand in New England but ultimately rose
to prominence and success as the founder and president of the Robitshek, Frank &
Heller Company, with which he remained actively identified until his demise. He
was born in Kowarov Bezirk, Mulhausen, Bohemia, on the 19th of March, 1847, a
son of Mathias and Franciska Robitshek. He attended public and private schools
of his native country to the age of fourteen years, when he put aside his
textbooks and entered his father's store, there receiving his initial business
training. He remained in active connection with the business until nineteen
years of age, when he determined to try his fortune in the new world and crossed
the Atlantic, arriving in New York in 1866. He secured employment with a farmer
in Connecticut and thus earned his first money in the new world, but a little
later he came to St. Paul.
From that time forward Mr. Robitshek was closely associated with the business
interests and commercial development of this section of the state. He became
identified with Rees Brothers, pioneer clothing merchants on lower Hennepin
avenue in Minneapolis, and while thus employed carefully saved his earnings
until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him
to establish business on his own account. In the '70s he carried out his plans
in this particular by forming a partnership with Jacob Skoll and opening a store
at No. 228 Hennepin avenue. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning and
by reason of the close application, indefatigable energy and progressive
business methods of the firm the trade steadily grew. Mr. Robitshek was
identified with the business until 1894, when he turned his attention to
manufacturing interests in connection with Max Frank, while later changes in the
partnership relation led to the adoption of the firm style of the Robitshek,
Frank & Heller Company. From the inception of the business Mr. Robitshek was the
president and in fact, the enterprise came into being as the result of his
progressive spirit and laudable ambition. He developed one of the important
manufacturing interests of the city, the trade steadily growing until the
business was one of large and gratifying proportions.
In 1870 Mr. Robitshek was united in marriage to Miss Ida Schwab, who passed away
in 1904. He was again married in 1906, wedding the niece of his former wife,
Miss Lena Dallager, who survives him. as well as his foster daughter, Margaret.
Mr. Robitshek was a great lover of children, and having none of his own, was
constantly manifesting the keenest interest in other people's children. He
delighted in their companionship, enjoyed watching their sports and noting their
development, and they always counted on his friendship. Mr. Robitshek was a
pioneer resident of Cottagewood on Lake Minnetonka and was called by his friends
the father of the resort on the lake. For a number of years he spent his winters
in California. He passed away at his home, Cottagewood, on Lake Minnetonka, just
after his return from his winter sojourn on the Pacific, his death occurring
April 27, 1922. Mr. Robitshek was a very generous man and extremely charitable,
extending a helping hand many, many times where aid was needed and delighting in
assisting those who were attempting to make the best use of their time and
opportunities. He was a charter member of Minneapolis Lodge, I. O. O. F., and he
belonged also to the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and to the Jewish
Reformed church. He was also a member of the Oak Ridge Golf Club, while his
political allegiance was given to the democratic party until the time of the
European war, when he became more independent in his views. His position upon
any vital question was never an equivocal one. He held to his honest opinions
and never hesitated to express them on the proper occasion. There were many
sterling traits of character in his life and his kindliness, his generosity, his
reliability and progressiveness won for him a most creditable position in the
business world and in the confidence and regard of those with whom he was
brought into contact.