Contributed by Charlene Saunders:
JOHN A. RIES, proprietor of the Star City Bottling Works, and an active
and enterprising citizen of La Fayette, is a native of Hesse Kurr,
Germany, born at Hanan, January 17, 1839, a son of JOHN A. and KATE
(DORNHACKER) RIES, the father being a farmer and weaver by occupation.
In 1854 the parents with their children immigrated to America, and all
but the father who died on the ocean, landed at Baltimore, Maryland, May
15, of that year. They settled in Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana,
where the mother lived until her death in 1873. JOHN A. RIES, our
subject, remained at Cincinnati, Ohio, three years, where he learned the
barber's trade. He left Cincinnati for La Fayette, Indiana, January 17,
1856, and for three years following his arrival he followed the barber's
trade. He then engaged in the confectionery business, at which he spent
five years, when in 1864 he took charge of the Dell House, then located
on the same grounds of the present postoffice. His next occupation was
in the grocery business, at which he was engaged nine years. In 1878 he
established his bottling works on Fourth street, which were destroyed by
fire in August, 1887, since which time he has been running his business
in his old storehouse. He has built a new store and ice house on Fifth
street, wehre he will carry on his business.
MR. RIES was married in La Fayette December 19, 1860, to MISS KATE
WURSTER, a native of Germany, who was brought by her parents to America
when six years of age, they settling in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Thirteen
children have been born to MR. and MRS. RIES, of whom nine are yet
living--NELLIE, WILLIAM, LAURA, FLORA, JOHN, LOUIS, KATIE, CARRIE and
LILLIAN. Politically MR. RIES is a Democrat.
He was elected city treasurer of La Fayette, holding that office during
the years 1873 and 1874. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order,
belonging to Sigel Lodge, No. 173, in which he has passed all the
chairs, and of the Star City Encampment. He is also a member of the Red
Men and Druids. MR. RIES does an extensive business, and has territory
in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other States, and by his fair and upright
dealing in all business transactions he has gained the confidence of all
with whom he has business or social intercourse.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana
p. 580