My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE BURKARD J. RAUCK is a native of Germany, and is one of the most popular citizens of Sedalia. For about thirteen years he has been before the eye of the public as an official, and has uniformly given thorough satisfaction. In the discharge of his many and varied duties he has always kept the welfare of his fellows foremost, and has made a point of advancing their interest in every possible way. In a number of the local fraternities he ranks high, and in his business and social relations has won the esteem of one and all.

Our subject’s father. Dr. Adolph Rauck, was born in Thuringia, Germany, and was a graduate of a medical college. His death occurred in the Fatherland, where he had been engaged in practice for many years. His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Fleck, was also born in the Fatherland, and by her marriage became the mother of live sons and two daughters, only three of whom are living. The Judge, the youngest of the family, was born in Weimar, Germany, October 11, 1843, and was educated in the common schools and in Fulda Seminary, completing the course and pursuing musical studies. He then served for two years in the Ninety-fourth Regiment of German Infantry, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant.

It was in the spring of 1866 that Judge Rauck left Bremen with the intention of making his future home in America. From New York City he proceeded to New Orleans, and after teaching vocal and instrumental music for a year and a-half in that city went to St. Louis, where he remained for a time, teaching school and continuing his musical work. After six years spent as a member of the faculty of the Hermann (Mo.) English and German School, he resigned on account of poor health, having been given up as incurable by the doctors. In 1873 he returned to Europe, visiting the old home, and also spending some time at the famous baths at Kissingen, and came back to the United States at the end of seven months much benefited. Hoping to further improve, he engaged in farming in Osage County, Mo., until 1875. Then he resumed teaching in the public schools at California, Mo., and in July, 1876, came to this city, where he embarked in journalism. The Sedalia Journal, which was published in the German language, was an eight-column folio, ably edited and conducted. The Judge continued its management until 1881, when he sold out, and in the spring of the following year was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of City Register, Record and Clerk (the duties of these several offices devolving upon one person). In 1883 he was re-elected and served altogether for two years, after which he went to St. Louis and for seven months was collector for a bank. For a short time afterward he traveled for the Germania Insurance Company of New York City, but soon returned to his old home in Sedalia. In 1891 he was appointed City Clerk by the Council, and at the end of his year’s term was nominated and elected City Recorder. While he held that position it was changed by the Legislature to Police Judge, and Mr. Rauck continued in the office until the spring of 1894.

October 28, 1869, our subject was married, in Morrison, to Hannah Clarey, who was born in Fredericksburg, Mo., and whose father, Hiram Clarey, was a native of Fredericktown, Md. The grandfather, Henry, was a miller in Zanesville, Ohio, at an early day, and was of French descent. About 1840 when Hiram Clarey was a young man, he moved to Gasconade County, Mo., and there engaged in farming. He was a member of the Home Guards at one time, and was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in January, 1888, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Jeanette (Dodds) Clarey, was born in Franklin County, Mo., and died in Morrison, aged fifty-four years. Of her six children, only one daughter, Hannah, survives. William Dodds, who was born in South Carolina, was a pioneer in Kentucky, and afterwards in Gasconade County. The Indians were so troublesome that he was forced to move to Franklin County, Mo.

Judge Rauck is a past officer of Eintracht Lodge No. 176, A. O. U. W.; belongs to the Select Knights, and is Vice-Commander and Recorder of the Woodmen of the World, besides being identified with the National Reserves and the Order of Mutual Protection. His family are members of the Broadway Presbyterian Church.