Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== A Standard History of Starke County, Indiana McCormick, Joseph N. - 1915 [260-263] GUS REISS. No more noteworthy illustration of the rewards attain- able through a life of honest industry and earnest perseverance could be found than that exemplified in the career of Gus Reiss, of Knox, now one of the most prominent and successful of Starke County's busi- ness citizens. Coming to this country a poor emigrant lad of sixteen years, without means and handicapped by a lack of knowledge of the English language and the business methods of his adopted land, he has so steadfastly and energetically persisted that today, in the full prime of manhood, he finds himself at the head of business and financial ventures of a most important character, and the possessor of a reputation for commercial ability and good citizenship that might well be envied by most men even after a life time of effort. MR. REISS was born at Rheinpfalz, near the River Rhine, Germany, July 5, 1868, and is a son of ALEXANDER and HELEN (SAMPSON) REISS, who now reside at their old home at Alsheim, Rheinpfalz, the father being eighty years of age and the mother seventy-six. During his active years the father was engaged as a farmer and winegrower, and is now retired with a generous competence. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Hebrew Church. MR. REISS served his regular time in the German army, as have his two sons: JACOB A., a wholesale linen dealer at Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, Germany, who is married and has one daugh- ter; and ALBERT, a clothier at Mannheim, Baden, Germany, who is mar- ried and has a son and a daughter. GUS REISS grew up at his native place and there received a good education in the public schools which he attended until reaching the age of sixteen years, at which time, to escape military duty, he de- cided to come to the United States. Accordingly, in 1884, he boarded the steamer Westerland, at Antwerp, and in August of that year landed at Castle Garden, New York. In spite of his handicaps, the youth even- tually found employment in a clothing factory, where he was given a salary of fifty cents a week, but after three weeks so favorably im- pressed himself upon his employers by his fidelity, industry and general ability that his salary was raised, and from that time on his advance was steady, he finally being given the position of assistant foreman. While with this concern MR. REISS applied himself so assid- uously to learning the clothing business that he became thoroughly familiar with every detail of every department, and to this he attri- butes the knowledge that has made him known as one of the best buyers in the country. The manufacturing, retail and wholesale prices are an open book to him, "from A to Z," and there is not a department of the business in which he cannot take his place and accomplish satisfactory results. In 1888 the youth who four years before had landed in this country without a dollar went to Winamac, Pulaski County, Indiana, and there engaged in the selling of goods for four years. He came to Knox in February, 1892, but after he had established himself here returned in the same year to Winamac, where he married Miss FLORA A. HAAS, who was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1878, and removed as a girl to Wina- mac with her parents, JACOB and SOPHIA HAAS. Her parents, natives of Rheinpfalz, Germany, became engaged in their native land, but were not married until MRS. HAAS came to the United States to join her husband who had preceded her to make a home. MR. HAAS has for years been a clothing merchant at Winamac, and has been very successful in his operations. His wife died in 1891 at the birth of their last child, who died also, and left three children: MRS. REISS, and two sons, the latter being JULIUS D., successor to his father in the Winamac busi- ness, who is married and has two sons and a daughter; and LEO A., who is manager of the finest store at Clinton, Oklahoma, is married and has a son and a daughter. When MR. REISS first came to Knox, in February, 1892. he estab- lished himself in a clothing business in the store adjoining the one he now occupies, but after two years, needing more commodious quar- ters, removed to the Castleman Building, in the next block. This was his location until 1902, when, his business having increased to large proportions, he erected his present structure, known as the REISS Block, on Main Street, in the center of the business district. This building, 43 by 100 feet, is 2 1/2 stories in height, and the top part is occupied by the REISS Opera House, which seats 800 people. In his store MR. REISS keeps a full line of the very best class of merchandise for men's and boys' wear. It has always been his policy to carry only the finest of goods, to price them reasonably and in every way to live up to his agreements with the people, so that his reputation has grown and extended until his name is synonymous with honorable dealing and absolute integrity. While this store has grown and extended its scope, MR. REISS has found it necessary to establish branches in order to meet the heavy demands of his patrons in other sections, and he now maintains establishments at North Judson, Starke County; Walkerton, St. Joseph County, and Nappanee, Elkhart County. All of these stores carry the same line of goods handled by the main house, and in them the same honorable policy is maintained. In addi- tion to his large mercantile interests, MR. REISS has found time to devote to other matters of importance. He has been a director of the Farmers State Bank since its organization under this name, was presi- dent of the water works and one of the organizers thereof, and was president of the Knox Metal Wheel Company. While he has not mixed in politics in any way, save as a democratic voter, he has not neglected the duties of citizenship, for he has been a member of the school board for twelve years, and during eight years of this time has served as its president. In every movement making for advancement, whether of a business, civic, educational or social nature, he has taken a most active and prominent part, and his associates therein have come to look to him for advice and leadership. Mr. and MRS. REISS are the parents of one daughter, SYLVIA LUCILE, who is nineteen years of age. She graduated from Knox High School in the class of 1913, taking the highest honors, and at present is a student at Bryn Mawr University, a young ladies' college near Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, the only institution of its kind whose gradu- ates are admitted to the universities of Europe direct. She is a young lady of many attainments, and her many friends at Knox and elsewhere testify to her popularity. MR. REISS has taken an active and interested part in fraternal work, and at the present time is a member of Knox Blue Lodge, No. 639, A. P. & A. M., and is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias here. He belongs also to the Chicago Chapter of the B'nai B'rith. The beautiful home of MR. REISS at Knox is located on the corner of Wash- ington and Heaton streets, and is one of the most attractive and sub- stantial residences of the city. ===========================================================================