The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-12-20
Summons Came About Midnight
at His Home Here.
He Was 20 Years Old, Born In Ger
many, and Lived Here Since
1853.
WAS A VERY WEALTHY MAN.

| PdduCan Oldest ana most SuDStdn-
tial citizens died at 1850 o'clock
last night at his home at Fifth and
Ing n year or more, from kidney dis
ease.
Mr.. Rock was robust and energet-
ic until his health began failing last
year lie was i'll then only at times,
but several weeks ago he became so
feeble that he could not leave his
room. and FOR the past few weeks his
condition had been regarded as hope
less.
Mr.. Rock was conscious until a
short time before death, and his en-
tire family was about his bedside
when the summons came.
The deceased was born in 1885 In
Iesse Darmstadt, Germany, and was
the second of three children born to
John and Barbara Rock. His father
died in the old country in 1S4S, and
in 1S49 his mother with the three
children came to America and locat-
ed in Cleveland. o. The three chill
dren were Elizabeth. George and
John Rock, and the other two still
reside there
Mr.. Rock served three years in
Cleveland as a shoemaker apprentice,
and then went to Louisville, KY,
where he remained until 1857. He
was there married in 1856 to Miss
Catherine Seigel. who died here
ten years ago.
In 1858 Mr.. Rock left Louisville
and located at Lafayette. Christian
county. but shortly afterward came
to Paducah and entered upon the ca
reer which brought him wealth and
honor.
He first kept small shoe shop. but
by thrift. and honesty gradually ex-
banded his business. His first shop
was In the second story of building
that stood where DR.. John Bonds
drug store now is. at Third and Ken
lucky.
He afterwards moved down on
Broadway between First and Second
which was at that time the center
OF the business section. and subse-
quently moved TO 210 and 212 Broad
way.
His next place of business was at
321 Broadway, where he was still in
business at the time of his retire
ment several months ago. All in all
Mr.. Rock had been in business on
broadway nearly half a century.
His shoe business all these years
grew, both wholesale and retail He
was Industrious. honest and progress
sive to the right degree. AS his bus
mess prospered he looked about for
enterprises that were regarded as
good and safe. and was always one
of the leading citizens in progressive
moves of all kinds. He was one of
the organizers of the Paducah Fur.
niture company, and at the time OF
MS death was big stakeholder in
the company, In the Paducah Water
company, the Mayiield Water compa-
ny the Carbondale Coal company. of
Carbondale. Ky, the Cohankus com
pany, the American German Nation
al bank. and other concerns He was
regarded as a very wealthy man.
probably being second to the wealth
lest In Paducah. 1t is estimated that
his estate is worth about $500. goo.
His first residence in Paducah was
In the small house at Jefferson street
and the railroad crossing, in tri-
angular yard. Later he moved to
Jefferson street between Fifth and
Sixth. between Major Blooms resi-
dence and that of the late DR.. Joe
Thompson, and years ago erected his
present home at Fifth and Monroe
streets.
Several months ago when his
health became so bad that he could
not properly look after his business
he sold II to Messrs. Ed. Bringhurst
and David Roger, who are now in
charge of it under the same firm
name.
Mr.. Rock was always a public spir-
tied citizen, and had probably done
as much as any other one man for
the upbuilding of the city. He had a
time or two been asked TO run for
mayor. but did not desire to enter
politics. He was always content to
live a quiet, simple life. surrounded
by his family and friends. He was
a good Christian, and was one of the
principal members OF the German