John Reuling
Pioneer Butcher Dies Early Today; Age Seventy-Four
John Reuling; retired butcher, aged 74 years, a resident of this city for amy years and one of the community’s most highly esteemed citizens died this morning at 7:30 o’clock at his home 713 Hillyer street, after an illness of many weeks. The death of Mr. Reuling followed closely that of his wife who passed away just a month ago, March 13.
John Reuling was born in Hesse Darmstatd, Germany, March 6, 1858, a son of Henry and Fredericka Schroth Reuling and with his parents he came to America ar the age of 11 years. Coming to Pekin a short time later, he had resided here since. For 55 years he had been engaged in the butcher business, much of the that time conducting a market on East Court street, near Seventh. Three years ago he retired from active business life.
On October 16, 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schaffnett, their marriage taking place in this city. Mrs. Reuling’s death occurred just a month ago. Few men had more friends and acquaintances than John Reuling and few were better liked or more highly esteemed. In his business life he established an enviable reputation for square dealing and a constant effort to please and satisfy the trade with the Reuling market enjoyed. He was a good man and citizen.
Mr. Reuling was a lover of the great outdoors and in his younger years was an ardent sportsman. He was a skillful marksman and was the last living member of the “Big Five” which was composed of William and Jacob Hoff, Herman Becker, Henry Lemm, and himself and which in its day spread the fame of Pekin throughout the state, competed in many shooting contests and on one occasion won the championship of the state, at clay pigeon shooting, this meeting being held in Peoria.
He is survived by four children, Mrs. Viola Lohman and Miss Florence Reuling, Carl and Vernon Reuling, all of Pekin, two brothers, Fred Reuling of Morton, and Henry A Reuling, Pekin, a sister, Mrs. Margaret Carstens, and a granddaughter, Nadine Lohmann, Pekin. He was a member of Empire Lodge A.F. & A. M. and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
(Pekin Times 1932)