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Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Alexander J. Rauch. In all avocations in life, whether of a professional, commercial or agricultural nature, there are some men who, by their many sterling qualities, have attained prominence. Such a man is Mr. Rauch, who is one of the leading citizens and successful business men of Phelps County. He is one of five surviving members of a family of ten children, and was born in St. Clair County, Ill., in 1861, receiving his primary education in the district schools of his native county, and at the age of thirteen began attending the high-school of St. Louis, remaining in the latter three years. The two following years were spent in teaching school in St. Clair County, since which time he has been engaged in the milling business, first at Freeburg, Ill., afterward in Belleville, of that State, where he was assistant superintendent, and lastly at St. James, Mo., where he has been since 1883. He has been very successful throughout his business career, and through his good management and business ability has become the owner of 640 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. At this time he is engaged in operating the flouring mills at this point, the only manufacturing establishment of the place. The company is known as the W. H. Bowles Milling Co., of which Mr. Rauch is secretary and superintendent. He has always labored in the interests of the Republican party, and his first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine, in 1884. He is a member in good standing of the A. O. U. W. His wife, whose maiden name was Miss Belle Dunlap, and whom he married in 1883, is a member of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Rauch was born in St. Clair County, Ill., and is the mother of two children. Her parents, Thomas and Nancy Dunlap, were also born in St. Clair County, and there the father died. The mother is living in Marshall, Mo., and is the widow of W. F. Bamber. Mr. Rauch is a son of John and Frederica (Telcher) Rauch, who were born in Germany in 1819 and 1825, respectively. The former came to the United States in 1830, and the latter in 1842. They were married in St. Clair County, Ill., about 1846, and are still living. The father is a well-to-do farmer, and from 1868 to 1870 was engaged in manufacturing agricultural implements in Carlinville, Ill. His father, John William Rauch, came to the United States in 1830, and died in St. Clair County.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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