Henri RUSH, Biography ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jean Smallwood USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Source: Centennial History of Missouri (The Center State), One Hundred Years in the Union 1820-1921, Illustrated, Volume V, St. Louis - Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1921 Henri RUSH: Henri RUSH, member of the firm of LEE & RUSH, architects of St. Louis, was born in Cape Colony, South Africa, June 24, 1874. He was educated in the Polytechnic Institute of Johannesburg, South Africa, being there graduated with the class of 1890. He entered upon professional work in that city as an architect and structural engineer and was thus engaged until 1896. Later, he entered the military service as an engineer officer in the Transvaal State Artillery, being connected with the technology branch having charge of searchlights, bridges and roads on the Ladysmith's battle front. On account of illness he was left by his company in the Drakensberg Mountains, where he was picked up by British soldiers and taken to Pretoria, where he remained in the military hospital until convalescent. He was then paroled and later was permitted to depart for England, after giving his word that he would not take part again in the war. He then went to Amsterdam and also traveled through continental Europe and England. Later he returned to Amsterdam, where he obtained his passports papers preparatory to coming to America. On reaching the United States in 1901 Mr. RUSH first settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and was there employed by the GARRETT & CROMWELL Engineering Company for two years. He afterward returned to England on a visit and on account of not being able to get passports for South Africa he went to Hamburg, Germany and then came again to the United States, settling in St. Louis in 1903. Here he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as designer of stations, and later he became connected with the director of p7ublic works, being thus engaged during the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. I this connection he designed buildings, including the airdrome for airships and also the buildings for the Boer exhibition. When the fair was over he accepted a position as chief engineer in the building department of the city and continued to act in that capacity until 1919, during which period he designed several buildings for the city. While thus serving he became silent partner in the firm of LEE & RUSH in 1905 and when he left the city department in 1919 it was for the purpose of devoting his time exclusively to the interests of his own firm. They are numbered among the prominent architects of the state, making a specialty of large hospitals and churches and other buildings of great size. Some of the finest structures of the city and state stand as monuments to their ability, and they have gained a reputation as one of the leading firms of architects in St. Louis. It was in this city in November 1904, that Mr. RUSH was united in marriage to Miss Marie GRUENEBERG, and four children have been born to them: Henry, Jr., Mary, Irma and Hildegard. The activities and experiences which have come to Mr. RUSH have been broad and varied and interesting. He was given a full citizenship in the Transvaal Republic and a reward for his services, this being considered a very high prize in that country. Aside from the military service already mentioned he was likewise in the Jamieson raid in South Africa in 1895. Since coming to the new world he has taken out his citizenship papers here and has given his political allegiance largely to the republican party but does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if his judgement so dictates. He was a member of the St. Louis Home Guards during the World war. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he also has membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers and with the St. Louis Engineering Club. He is a man of highly developed powers and ability along the line of his chosen profession and has ever been actuated by a laudable ambition to obtain a high degree of efficiency in this field. Step by step he has advanced, and the high quality of his work is today widely recognized. RUSH GRUENEBERG LEE & RUSH GARRETT & CROMWELL Transvaal Republic (South Africa) St. Louis (Missouri) Cape Colony, South Africa Cleveland, Ohio Pretoria (South Africa) England Amsterdam