My Genealogy Hound

Fred Rossner, the leading confectioner and caterer of Little Rock, whose place of business is the center of all that pleases the taste of Little Rock’s elite, is a native of Germany, and was born May 12, 1849. He is a son of Johann Gottfriedt Rossner of Saxe-Altenberg, Germany, a prominent contractor and builder in his native country, where he died, in 1874. His wife before marriage was a Miss Christina Mueller by whom he had twelve children, three of whom came to America: Frank (is a prominent marble dealer at Fond du Lac, Wis.), Minna (is the wife of Mr. Henry Mennerick, a harness dealer at Sioux City, Iowa) and Fred (the principal of this sketch). The mother died in her native land about the year 1870. Fred Rossner was eighteen years old when he came to America, and landed in New York on May 31, 1867. He had previously learned the stone and brick mason’s trade, and immediately went to Sheboygan, Wis., where he found employment on the courthouse that was then being erected. The following year he went to Fond du Lac, but in the fall of the same year returned to Sheboygan. His brother Frank followed him to America the year after and joined him at Sheboygan. On account of the long and severe winters in the North, Fred left that city and went to New Orleans, where he worked at his trade for some length of time, and then went to St. Louis. In September, 1870, he was engaged by the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad to assist in completing a bridge across Piney Creek, but was taken sick and brought to Little Rock, where he was confined in bed for six months. When able to work he was employed by Mr. G. Thorn in the cigar and confectionery trade, and remained with him until March, 1873, when he went to work for Mr. A. Kasselberg. He remained with this gentleman until September 1, 1878, and then purchased the stock and trade of the Boston confectionery at 107 East Markham Street. He continued in that way until the year 1884, when he bought out the business of Currell & Grisbel, and in 1884-85 operated two stores. During the latter year he discontinued business on Markham Street, and removed his interests to Main Street. In 1886 he erected the Rossner building, 53x140 feet, composed of brick and three stories high, on the corner of Third and Main Streets, and in March, 1887, moved in his new building. Mr. Rossner manufactures candies and confections for his own retail trade, and also charges nearly all the soda fountains in the city. Besides this he is caterer to weddings, balls and parties, and his trade in that line is the most extensive in Little Rock. In season his ice cream and oyster parlors are the resort of Little Rock’s fashionable society, and in addition to this he turns out delicious bread, rolls, buns, pies, etc. Mr. Rossner employs altogether about fourteen men, and the principal reason of his great success lies in the fact that he gives his personal attention to every detail of his business. In secret societies he is a member of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Arkansas Turn Bezirk, embracing the States of Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama. He is also secretary of the Defiance Hook & Ladder Company, and is also a member of the Little Rock Athletic Club. Mr. Rossner was married August 14, 1878, to Miss Minnie Wendt, of Little Rock, but lost his wife, who died after having borne him two children. He was again married, August 7, 1883, to Miss Lou Heitman of Columbus, Ohio, by whom he had four children. The children by his first marriage are Edna and Fred, and by the last marriage, L. (is the only one now living). Mr. and Mrs. Rossner are members of the First Presbyterian Church.