Klickitat County WA Archives Biographies.....Lauterbach, Rudolph 1854 - February 26, 1928 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 18, 2009, 4:22 pm Source: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company RUDOLPH LAUTERBACH. No name is better known in western Klickitat county, Washington, than that of the late Rudolph Lauterbach, who during a long period of years was one of the most important factors in the development of the town of White Salmon. A man of sound business judgment, marked initiative ability, great energy and sterling integrity, he was an exemplar of good citizenship and true manhood and during all the years of his residence here commanded the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen. Mr. Lauterbach was born in Bremen, Germany, in 1854, and died February 26, 1928, at the age of seventy- six years. He was a son of John and Margarite (Freiz) Lauterbach who were lifelong residents of Germany. Mr. Lauterbach was educated in the public schools of his native land and there learned the trade of a brickmason. In 1879, when twenty-seven years of age, he came to the United States, settling near Fort Worth, Texas, where he engaged in farming, remaining there until 1892, when he sold out and came to White Salmon, Washington, He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which but a small portion had been cleared, and a part of which is now included in the town of White Salmon. He opened a general store, the second mercantile establishment in the town, and had the post office in his store, serving as postmaster for several years. After conducting the business for ten years, he sold out to C. M. Wolford, and returned to his farm, on which he lived during the remainder of his life. He platted a large part of his land into town lots and he and Teunis Wyers were chiefly instrumental in the upbuilding and development of the town, both taking an active interest in all civic improvements and backing up their faith in the new community with their money. Together they built at White Salmon the first steamboat dock on the Columbia river. Mr. Lauterbach helped to organize the first school here and donated the land for that purpose and he was also one of the organizers and a part owner of the city waterworks. In these and many other ways he showed a sincere desire to be of real service to the community and to promote the well- being and comfort of its people, a fact which has been generally recognized and appreciated by his fellow citizens. He gave effective service as a member of the city council and was for several years a director of the Columbia State Bank. He was a member of the United Artisans and the Modern Woodmen of America. No community can afford to lose men of the type of Mr. Lauterbach and his death was deeply regretted throughout the city and county honored by his citizenship. In 1882, in Texas, Mr. Lauterbach was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Hillje, who was born and reared in that state and is a daughter of John and Helina (Buthe) Hillje. She is still living in White Salmon and, because of her gracious and kindly manner and her fine qualities, is greatly beloved by all who know her. To Mr. and Mrs. Lauterbach were born eight children, as follows: (1) Olga, who was born in Texas, is the wife of Teunis Wyers and they have two children, Marie, who is the wife of Russel R. Kreps and has two children, Margarite and Olga Jane; and Gertrude. Mrs. Wyers is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at White Salmon. (2) John A., who was born in Texas, and who is engaged in the meat business in White Salmon, was married to Miss Ruby Barnhart, a native of Missouri. He is a charter member of the White Salmon lodge of the United Artisans. (3) August, born in Texas, is engaged in the butcher business at Puyallup, Washington. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. (4) Meta, who was born in Texas, and is a trained nurse in Portland, Oregon, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at White Salmon. (5) Emil is deceased. (6) Louisa, who was born at White Salmon, is employed in a bank in Portland, Oregon. (7) William R. is a graduate of the White Salmon high school and is engaged in the meat business in White Salmon, was married to Miss Selma Reed and they have two children, Phyllis, now three years old, and Dorene, one year old. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World at White Salmon. (8) Henry, who was born in White Salmon and is a graduate of the high school, was married to Miss Fay Mulligan and is a member of the Masonic order at White Salmon. In 1924 John A. and William R. Lauterbach established a meat market in White Salmon and have met with flattering success, supplying the people of the town and surrounding country with fresh meat of the best quality. They have a modern store, equipped with a splendid refrigerating system, including a large cooler for dressed meat, and also supply ice to the people of the town. They pay special attention to the sanitary feature of the business and everything coming from their market is pure, fresh and clean. Because of their courtesy and fair dealing, they have not only built up a large and growing trade, but have won the respect and good will of all who deal with them. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 162-163 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/klickitat/bios/lauterba60gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb