The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography Volume 17; Being the History of the United States as Illustrated in the Lives of the Founders, Builders, and Defenders of the Republic, and of the Men and Women Who Are Doing the Work and Moulding the Thought (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...of Perry C. Curtis, a rancher of Santa Clara Valley, Cal.; she survives him, with one child: Lelia May Lewman. He died in Louisville, Ky., July 16, 1917. BLANKENBURG, Rudolph, merchant and political reformer, was born at Barntrup, Lippe, Detmold, Germany, Feb. 16, 1843, son of Louis and Sophie (Goede) Blankenburg. He was raised at Hillentrup, where his father was a minister of the German Reformed church. The son received his education under the preceptorship of private tutors and at the Real Gymnasium. He early became proficient in French and English, as well as German, it being the ambition of his parents that he prepare for the ministry. However, he engaged in mercantile pursuits with an uncle at Lipstadt. In 1865 he followed his tutor to America, settled in Philadelphia, and obtained a situation with a manufacturer and importer of yarns and notions, and within a year was made traveling salesman. Five years later he became European buyer for his house, and in that capacity traveled throughout much of the world. In 1875 he began business on his own account under the firm name of R. Blankenburg & Co. In this venture he met with unique success and much prosperity, and in 1909, after incorporating under" the same title, he retired from active management, retaining a directorship. His business qualifications were of the highest type. He had become a naturalized citizen in 1870 and soon appeared active in public affairs as a friend of the people and the implacable foe of the organization, which as early as the Centennial had its grip firmly established on the city of his adoption. Throngs of people were visiting the Centennial on complimentary tickets on Sundays, while the public was denied admittance. The injustice of this, especially for the working ...