IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Charles J. Riser

 

Charles J. Riser, a worthy native son of Allamakee county and a prosperous and esteemed resident of the Village of Church, is now serving for the second year as secretary of the Calhoun Creamery. He was born on the home farm in Lansing township, this county, his parents being John and Eva (Kaam) Riser. The former, whose birth occurred in Berne, Switzerland, on the 21st of February, 1829, accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1843, the family home being established in Madison county, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter’s trade. In 1852 he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, and helped erect the first home on the Riser place in Lansing township. Going back to Madison county, Illinois, he purchased eighty acres of land and there resided for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Allamakee county and purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Lansing township, continuing to reside thereon and being busily engaged in its cultivation throughout the remainder of his active business career. His last years were spent in the home of his son, Charles J., his demise occurring at Church in January, 1907. He passed away in the faith of the German Congregational church and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had been a resident of this county for more than a half century and had become well known and highly esteemed within its borders. He was first married in Illinois to a Miss Anderson, who died in that state, leaving one son, John , a resident of Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Riser chose Miss Eva Kaam, a native of Berne, Switzerland, who passed away on the old home farm in Lansing township in 1893. By this union there are eleven children, as follows: Mrs. John Schupbach, who is a resident of Madison county, Illinois; Caroline, of Allamakee county; Fred, living in Woodbury county, Iowa; Henry, of Idaho; George, who makes his home in Colorado; Amelia, who is the wife of L. W. Wendel of Belmond, Iowa; Rosa; Charles J., of this review; Theodore; Pauline, and Elizabeth.

Charles J. Riser attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1900 he purchased the property from his father and continued its operation until 1905, when he sold the place. During the following six years he was engaged in business as a member of the firm of Decker & riser general merchants at Church. For the past two years, however, he has devoted his attention to his duties as secretary of the Calhoun Creamery and in this connection has won a creditable and gratifying measure of success.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Riser chose Miss Clara Martinson, by whom he has five children, Hazel, Edgar, Carl, Leigh and Harold. The family home is the most attractive and pleasing in Church. In the community where his entire life has been spent he has gained a large circle of friends who esteem him as a man of genuine personal worth and many sterling traits of character.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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