The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-07-26
:. RIETBROCK DEAD
A Former Kenoshar, Who Had
Gained Fame as an Attorney in
Milwaukee, Dies on Monday
LOYAL TO OLD SCHOOL TIES

Fred Rietbrock, of Milwaukee, one
of the most loyal and enthusiastic of
the members of the Kenosha High
School Association, and a man known
to many of the earlier settlers of Ke-
nosha, died at the home Of his
daughter at Athens, Wis, on Mon
day. Mr.. Reitbrock was s67 years of
age. The funeral will be held from
the late residence in milwaukee on
Thursday afternoon under the aus
pices of the Old Settlers club of Mil
waukee.
Fred Rietbrock, a member of the
firm of Rietbrock & Rietbrock, law
yers, Milwaukee, was born in New
Munster, in this county. IN 1882
After primary education insthe pub
lie schools of Kenosha, he entered the
law department Of the University of
Michigan, where he finished with
honors.
Realizing the breadth and oppor-
tunities Of the legal field in Milwau-
kee, Mr.. Rietbrock went to Milwaukee
shortly after his graduation. He en-
tered into the. firm of Johnson, Riet-
brock & Halsey, building up large
and lucrative practice for many years,
until the death of Mr.. Johnson and
the election of Mr.. Halsey to the cir
cult court bench, when he continued
the law business with his brothers.
He was district attorney of Milwaukee
county one term and chairman of the
Milwaukee Democratic county COM
mittee for some years.
With his business intuitiveness, he
early foresaw the possibilities of Mar
athon county, with the result that he
is considered the upbuilder of one of
the most prosperous counties in the
northern portion of the state. From
| a tree-covered wilderness, neither till
able nor productive, through his en-
couragement and financial aid, it is
now a well-popnlated dairy center.
One of the greatest agents in the
of the Abbotsford and Northeastern
railroad, spur line, fifteen miles in
| length, built by Mr.. Rietbrock in 1889,
opening up this territory.
| He was one of the best known dairy
men in the country, being the owner
cattle in the northwest. He was an
active participant at every meeting
Of the State dairymen and an intimate
friend and co-worker of Dean Henry,
of the Agricultural school.
He was great philanthropical
worker, being very liberal to charity
and being particularly interested in
the welfare of farmers in the northern
county. He was we'll versed upon all
topics and was a member of the last
reciprocity convention at Chicago,
representing this state. In addition
to his legal connec tions, he was in
terested in number of public utili-
ties at Athens, Wis, and was said to
have owned $4,000 to 10000 acres of
land at different times.
He was a member of many clubs
and societies and was at one time a
member of the Milwaukee Sharp
Shooters society, the Calumet club,
Germania society, Pine Lake Yacht
club, Alumni association ofaKenosha,
and the University Of Michigan,
American Guernsey Cattle club, West
ern Guernsey Breeders association,
Wisconsin Dairyman's association,
National Livestock association, and
kindred other associations. He was
vice president of the Milwaukee Old
Settlers club He was president of
the Rietbrock Land and Lumber Co.,
Abbotsford and Northeastern rail
road, Athens Electric Light and Power
Co., Athens Printing Co., treasurer of
Ceres Roller Mills Co., and was also a
stakeholder in the First National bank
of Wausau, Marathon County Tele-
phone Co., Athens Brick and Tile Co.,
Athens Telephone Co., Bank of Ath-
ems, Central Park association, and
other minor enterprises.