SOURCE: Compendium of History and Biography of Polk County, Minnesota, Major R.I.
Holcombe, Historical Editor; William H. Bingham, General Editor; W.H. Bingham
And Company, Minneapolis, Minn.; 1916; reprinted by Higginson Book Company;
Salem Massachusetts; (book no longer copyrighted)
Library of Congress control number 16009966
This book can be ordered from Borders Book Store or from Higginson.
Both companies have web sites.  The cost is about $70
and well worth the price.


MARK RAUENBUEHLER
pages 183-184


Having become a resident of Crookston in 1879, Mark Rauenbuehler is one of the pioneer residents of Polk county; and having been the first harness maker in Crookston, he is also one of the pioneer manufacturers and merchants of that city.  Moreover, having borne his share of the privations and hardships of the early days, and helped to build the town to its present state of advancement and importance, and having, at the same time, made his own advancement in business and material gains keep pace with the progress of the community, he is entitled and prepared to enjoy his share of the pleasures and prosperity of the present period and look with pride upon the structure his hands have helped to build and improve.
Mr. Rauenbuehler was born in Baden, Germany, July 5, 1852, a son of Alois and Mary A. (Stahlberger) Rauenbeuhler, who were natives of the same province as himself, and passed their lives in it, profitably engaging in farming.  They were the parents of three sons and five daughters, of whom all of the sons and one of the daughters are now living in the United States.  The father took an active part in the public affairs of his native land and served as a soldier in the Revolution of 1848 in that country.
His son Mark remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen, the, in 1869, came to this country and located at Fort Madison, Iowa, where he learned his trade as a harness maker.  He next passed four years in Wisconsin, and then moved to Anoka, Minnesota.  In 1879 he located at Crookston and opened a small harness shop on Second street, in front of which he planted the first hitching post in Crookston.  During the first three days of his venture his cash receipts amounted to ten cents, but as the town grew his trade increased until it reached a considerable magnitude, and for many years it has kept him busy all the working hours of the day.
Mr. Rauenbuehler was married in 1861 to Miss Emily J. Martin, a daughter of Swiss and German parents, and was born on the Atlantic ocean while they were on their way to America.  Five children were born of the union, three of whom are living, Louisa, Paulina and George.  Their mother died in 1889 and in November, 1890, the father contracted a second marriage in which he was united with Mrs. Johanna Netzer, a widow.  They have two children, Madonna and Eugene.  The parents are members of the Catholic church.



 

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submitted Jan 17, 2003 Jon Raymond