tanner, businessman, b. Essen, Germany. Influenced by the writing of Carl de Haas (q.v.), he migrated to the U.S. in 1853, settling briefly in Milwaukee. In 1854 he settled permanently in Fond du Lac, where he established the Rueping Tannery, and began gradually enlarging the scope of his business. In 1865 he took his sons, Frederick and Louis, into the business, and the firm name became William Reuping and Sons. After the death of William Reuping, two other of his sons entered the business, but by 1893 his son, FREDERICK RUEPING, b. Essen, Germany, had become sole owner of the business. In 1894 it was incorporated as the Fred Rueping Leather Co., and under his direction became one of the leading leather producers in the Midwest. During the 1890's Frederick was instrumental in developing chrome and Manitou calf leather. He continued as head of the leather firm until his death, was also active in various other Fond du Lac enterprises, and was one of the founders of the Fond du Lac National Bank. [F. J. Rueping], Hist. of the Rueping Family [Fond du Lac, 1943]; W. A. Titus, Hist. of the Fox River Valley . . . (3 vols., Chicago, 1930); R. Jensen, [100 Years of Leathermaking] [Fond du Lac, 1954]; Fond du Lac Commonwealth, July 26, 1879; WPA field notes.Learn More
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
