The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-07-18
ERNEST REHKOPF
CALLED BY DEATH
Well Known Leather Man
Succumbs to Heart Disease
Had Been a Factor in Industrial De-
yelopment of Paducah for Many
Years.
ELDER IN FIRST PRESBYTERIAN


Mr.. Ernest Rehkopf, 60 years old.
one of Paducah's best known business
men and elder in the First Presbyter-
ianchurch. died this morning at 1:2O
O'Clock OF heart disease, after an ill
ness OF few hours at his home. 421
Washington street.
Mr.. Rehkopf was seized with an at
tack of heart trouble last winter and
his life was despaired of, but he re-
covered and was in fairly good health
though much broken with business
worries, and the acrimonious litiga-
tion growing out of financial reverses,
until yesterday morning, when he
again complained of a return of the
trouble. He was sitting up with the
family until 8 O'Clock last night, and
retired and went to sleep. About l
o'clock he awoke with a. scream, that
summoned other members of the fam
lily hastily to his bedside. Drs Henry
Dudley and d. G. Murrell were called,
but the last spark of life had depart
ed before their arrival.
Mr.. Rehkopf was a native of Ham
over. Germany, and at IA years he
came to this country and was ap-
prenticed in the tanning and leather
working trades. He resided in diff
ferent parts of the country working
at his trade, and when 81 years old
he came to Paducah, where he had
resided ever since
Starting in business for himself in
small way, his concern grew, until
II occupied two big buildings on South
Second street the collar factory on
Kentucky avenue and the Mechanics
burg tannery. Fire cost him vast
sums earlier IN his career, at one
time $4,000 worth of his property
being consumed without any insur-
anee, and other misfortunes attended
later efforts, but after each reverse
until the last, Mr.. Rehkopf, by indus
try and persistence managed TO re-
gain all that he had lost When
within a year his concern was forced
into bankruptcy, followed shortly by
involuntary proceedings, involving
his personal estate, the general pub
lie was surprised.
Mr.. Rehkopf employed large
number of skilled workmen during
his business career. and was factor
In the industrial development of Pa
ducah. His severe reverses at he
late period of his life were deplored
by many friends, who knew the man
intimately.
At the age OF % he was married
to Miss Annie Sleek, of this city. Be
sides his sister, Mrs. Caroline Cries
hieder, of st. Louis, who will arrive
tomorrow there are no other living
relatives. Mr.. Rehkopf began his
business career here when 23 years
old under the firm name of Rehkopf
& Johnson.
Besides his wife Mr. Rehkopf is
survived by four children: Mr.. John
G. Rehkopf the we'll known buggy
dealer. who was associated with his
father in BUSINESS Mr. Henry Reh-
kopf, a vehicle dealer. of Mem
phis; Mrs. Earl walters and Mrs.
Oscar Starks, OF TINS City. All the
children. with the exception of Mr..
Henry Rehkopf, were at his bedside
when Mr.. Rehkopf died.
The funeral viii be held tomorrow
afternoon at 1880 o'clock at AL
Washington street, the Rev W. e.
Cave, pastor of the First Presbyterian
church, officiating. The honorary
pallbearers will be: Messrs J. NJ.
Brunson, w. d. Cherry, George B..
Hart, T. A. Baker, L. NJ Rieke. w.
II. Rieke, Stanley Dubois, ]. A. Rudy,
and J. d. Mocduot. The active pail
bearers will be: Louis Kolb, Sr., Rus
sell Cobourn, Joseph ullman. Fred
Kamleiter, William Kraus and Mr..
Raumer.