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Henry Rumler - well known citizen of Atkinson, Illinois

Henry Rumler,

A well known citizen of Atkinson, who is engaged in the hard ware business and in selling farm implements, was born in Belgium, april 14th 1854. His parents, Francis and Amelia (Bonne) Rumler, who were also natives of that country, came to America in 1857, settling in Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois. The next year, however, they came to Atkinson, were the father obtained work as a section boss, tough in the land of his birth he was a farmer. He was not long permitted to enjoy the advantage of this country for after only a little more than twelve years residence here he departed his live 1869 in Atkinson.

He was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Atkinson, in which his widow was also laid to rest. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are living: Henry, of this sketch; "August of Atkinson; Mary the wife of Jacob Broghamer of Cambridge; Illinois; John, of Atkinson, Wilhelme, the wife of John S. Iman, who lives in Montana; and Amelia, the wife of John Catour, of Atkinson.

Henry Rumler attended the district schools of Atkinson township and assisted his father with the work on the farm until twenty one years of age, where he rented a part of the farm and in connection with its operation ran a corn sheller and threshing machine. In 1892 he and John S. Novers bought the hard ware stock of John ]ohnston, who had been in business here for years and established their store on State street. Besides a line of stoves, pumps and general hardware, they deal in farm implements, carrying windmills. Deering, binders the J. I. Case and G. A. R. Scott threshing machines and other machinery used on a farm. Mr. Rumler devotes the greater part of his attention to this branche of the business, while his partner takes charge of the hardware department. Al though so many of his interests are in the town of Atkinson, he still lives on his farm, about one mile west of the village, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. His wife in her own right owns eighty acres in CornwaI1 township, so that they are closely identified with agricultural intrests. On the 15th of november, 1877, Mr. Rumler wedded Miss Wilhellme Bouwhuis a daughter of Anthony and Theresa (Van Landschoot) Bouwhuis, both natives of Holland. The father was born in the city of Heerenveen in 1820, and came to America in 1846 in one of the old sailing vessels, it requiring forty days to cross the ocean. He settled first in Wisconsin, which has then just beginning to be colonised by white people, who were greatly outnumbered by the red men. In fact Mr. Bouwhuis used to say that it was no infrequent occurrence for him to have his sunday dinner in the company of these children of the forest; leaving Wisconsin; Mr. Bouwhuis went to Rock Island; Illinois and in 1865 came to Atkinson, where he opened a general store on State street, where his daughter, Mrs Goldberg, is now engaged in the business. He retired from active life a few years before his death, which occurred in july 1907. His first wife was Miss Theresia Van Landschoot also a native of Holland, whom he wedded in Rock Island in 1855. She passed away in 1863, and two years later in St Louis, Missourri Mr Bouwhuis married Miss Demphinne Hindryckx, who died February 18th 1907 in Atkinson. There were three children by the first marriage: Christine, the wife of Peter Goldberg of Atkinson, Wilhelmine, now Mrs Rumler, and Mary, the wife of August Rumler , his brother.

Mr. And Mrs. Rumler have had 17 children: Frank, the eldest, died at the age of two years; William H., born January 13th, 1880, is in Dallas, South Dakotha, where he is interested in the automobiles; Annie is the wife of Peter De Reu of Atkinson Township, and they have four children, William, Edna, Alma and Roy. Edward married Miss Elisabeth Egert of Atkinson, and they have two children Blanche and Carl Joseph, Elisabeth is in Nauvoo, Illinois. Albert is at home as are the remaining children who are alive Charles, John, Henry, Alfred, Jenny, Amandus Calvin, Mary, Irene and Francess ; Agnes the 11th child is deceased; and the 15th died in infancy. The children have received their education in the schools of Atkinson and are being reared in the faith of the catholic church, to which the parents owe devoted allegiance.

In his political views Mr. Rumler does not confine himse1f to any but one party but casts his vote for the man he believes best suited for office. While not an office seeker, he has rendered the community valuable services as highway commissioner and as a member of the school board, in both of which capacities, he served for ten years. A man of strong principles and fine character progressive and enterprising. he is well known throughout Henry and adjoining counties and is highly respected. His success is the result of his own efforts and might be envied were it not so well deserved.

SOURCE/ History of Henry County, Illinois