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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE L. RIESS, County Superintendent of schools of Randolph County, and a well known resident of Red Bud, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, for he was born in St. Clair County, in 1888, and is the second of three children whose parents were John J. and Charlotte (Henckler) Riess, the former a native of Wurtemberg, and the latter of Nassau, Germany. The parents were married in Millstadt, St. Clair County, Ill., where they located in an early day. The father was educated in Basel, Germany, and came as an Evangelical missionary to this country, devoting his whole life to missionary work. He labored in Illinois and St. Louis, establishing a number of churches. He was an active Christian worker, and the church on Fourteenth and Madison Streets in St. Louis bears his name. His first wife died when Louie was only fourteen months old, after which he returned to France, and about 1842 married Victoria Petit. He then returned with his wife to his Illinois home. In his family were nine children, but only six grew to mature years. One son, Alfred E., graduated from both an allopathic and homeopathic medical college in this country, and then graduated from a noted medical school of Vienna, Austria. During the Franco-Prussian War, he was commissioned Surgeon, and at its close he returned to his home in St. Louis, but his death occurred soon after. The father died in that city, July 8, 1855.

Mr. Riess whose name heads this record was reared to manhood in St. Louis, where the family located in 1844. In 1850, they removed to Quincy, but after three years returned to the former city. George received but limited educational advantages, for after his father’s death he was thrown upon his own resources. In Waterloo, Ill., where he had been engaged as a teacher for seven years, he was married to Sarah A. Turk, daughter of John Turk, a miller of Belleville, Ill., and one of the old millers of that city. Mr. Turk was the inventor of the first smut machine used to separate the chaff from the wheat in a mill.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Riess were born seven children, six of whom are still living. Louie died in early childhood; George W. is the present Postmaster of Red Bud; Charles E. is now Secretary in the master mechanics’ office of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, in Murphysboro; John T. is successfully engaged in teaching in Randolph County; Gus K. is now employed in his father’s office, but is a telegraph operator by profession; Alfred D. is a student in the University at Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Sadie A. C. is at home.

While a resident of Monroe County, Mr. Riess served as Deputy Sheriff, and was then elected Assessor. He also filled the office of Treasurer for two terms, was appointed State’s Attorney for one year, and was then elected to that office for four years. His law studies, pursued while teaching school, well qualified him for the office. He also served as Justice of the Peace and Police Magistrate for many years, and his duties were ever performed with a faithfulness and fidelity which won him high commendation. In 1872, he established a law office in connection with John Micham, then State’s Attorney of the district.

Since coming to Red Bud, Mr. Riess has also been prominent in public affairs. From 1882 until 1886, he was County and Probate Judge, and since the latter year has been Notary Public. In the fall of 1890, he was elected County Superintendent of the schools of Randolph County, and in the discharge of the duties of that position has won the high commendation of all concerned. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, who warmly advocates his party’s principles. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Honor and the Odd Fellows’ societies. His public and private life are, alike, above reproach, and an honorable, upright career has gained him the warm regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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