Sites,Ranz,Stroup,Bergman Families of Ilinois:Information about Fred W. Ranz

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Fred W. Ranz (b. January 24, 1866, d. February 02, 1914)

Fred W. Ranz (son of Joachim Ranz and Fredericke Miller) was born January 24, 1866 in Muscatine, Iowa, and died February 02, 1914 in Iroquois County, IL. He married Ida Mae Kern on March 01, 1893 in Crescent City, IL⁵⁹, daughter of Owen Kern and Catherine Peters.

Notes for Fred W. Ranz:
"Fred W. Ranz, who for seven years has been engaged in the grain trade in Claytonville, owning and operating the elevator, also deals in coal,and the extent of his operations in both lines have won him a place among the representative young business men of this part of the county. He was born in Muscatine, Iowa, November 24, 1866, a son of Joseph Ranz, who with his family came to Iroquois county in 1858 and settled upon a farm in Ash Grove township, where he yet resides.
Upon the old homestead farm Fred W. Ranz spent the days of his youth and in the district schools acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in Grand Para ire Seminary in Onarga. Thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial than agricultural, Mr. Ranz engaged in clerking in Crescent City, where he remained for a few years and then went to Goodwine, where he took charge of the Farmers Elevator, continuing there for four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased an interest in the elevator at Claytonville and in May, 1899, took charge of the grain and elevator business at this point. He also handles coal and in both lines has built up a good trade. This being one of the rich agricultural districts of the state, there is excellent opportunity offered the grain merchant, and in the conduct of the business Mr. Ranz annually handles thousands of bushels of grain, thus furnishing a market to producers and also conducting a profitable business for himself.
On the 1st of March, 1893, at Crescent City, Mr. Ranz was united in marriage to Miss Ida May Kern, who was born and reared in that place. They now have five daughters: Hazel, Freda, Beatrice, Ruth and Beulah. The parents are well known socially in Claytonville and other parts of the county and have a large circle of warm friends. Politically Mr. Ranz has followed in his father's footsteps and is a stanch republican, but has always been without aspiration for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests and in connection with the grain and coal trade he is also interested in the breeding of Arabian horses, while formerly he was engaged in the breeding of heavy draft horses. He is a great lover of fine horses and is well known as a breeder and dealer. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Fraternal Insurance Association and his wife is a member of the Christian church.. He belong to that class who are the real upbuilders and promoters of a community by reason of the business activity upon which the growth of every town and city depends and Claytonville therefore finds in him a leading citizen." Source: Past And Present Iroquois County, Illinois 1907 by J W Kern, S J Clarke Publishing Co. Chicago 1907. Pages 149-150

More About Fred W. Ranz:
Burial: Unknown, Claytonville, IL, removed to Watseka IL.
Education: Grand Prairie Seminary, Onarga IL.⁵⁹
Occupation 1: 1907, Member of Beebe, Rose, and Ranz of Claytonville.
Occupation 2: Abt. 1893, Clerking in Crescent City, Il..
Occupation 3: Abt. 1895, Took charge of the Farmers Elevator in Goodwine..
Occupation 4: Abt. 1899, Purchased an interest in the elevator at Claytonville and in May, 1899, took charge of the grain and elevator business at this point..⁵⁹
Residence: 1868, Came to Iroquois county with his family and settled upon a farm in Ash Grove township.⁵⁹

More About Fred W. Ranz and Ida Mae Kern:
Marriage: March 01, 1893, Crescent City, IL.⁵⁹

Children of Fred W. Ranz and Ida Mae Kern are:

Hazel M Ranz, b., Crescent City, IL, d. date unknown.