J. ALFRED RUMMELE

(This is about the father of J. Alfred Rummele/J. Alfred is in the third
paragraph as "Alfred")

Edward H. Rummele, Sr., Chief Engineer of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western
Railway Company, formerly Superintendent of Construction for that corporation,
has been in charge of building the company's lines from the beginning of the
road.
Mr. Rummele is a native of Austria, born in Dornbirn, in the Tyrol, July 23,
1831. He is a son of John and Rosa (Sutter) Rummele. He was educated in his
native country, taking a course of practical instruction in civil engineering
under the direction of an elder brother, who was a civil engineer by profession.
He also learned the machinist's trade, at which he was employed for seventeen
years, six years of which time were spent in work in the shops. In 1864 he
emigrated to America, coming direct to Sheboygan, where he arrived July 6 of
that year. On locating in that city, Mr. Rummele engaged in mercantile business,
which he continued until 1871, when he engaged with the Milwaukee, Lake Shore &
Western Railway Company as Superintendent.
On the 4th of September, 1865, Mr. Rummele was united in marriage at Sheboygan,
with Miss Sarah Zierath, a daughter of William F. and Elizabeth Zierath. Mrs.
Rummele was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Sheboygan with her parents when
three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Rummele have four children, two sons and two
daughters: Alfred, the eldest, who married Miss Agnes Thompson, and is a jeweler
and watchmaker of Manitowoc, Wis.; Jennie; Edward H., Jr., who is engaged in the
jewelry business in Sheboygan; and Hilda. The three last named are all residing
at home.
In 1871, Mr. Rummele entered the service of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western
Railway Company as engineer and Superintendent of Construction of its various
lines and branches. That year he built from Sheboygan toward Milwaukee a distance
of twelve miles, and from Manitowoc westward. He built to Appleton in 1873, thence
to New London" in 1876, to Clintonville in the following year, and to Norrie in
1879. The next year he built the Wausau Branch to Wausau, and as far as Aniwa on
the main line. In 1881 he continued it to Sunset Lake, in 1882 to a point sixty
miles north, and the same year built a branch from Monica to Rhinelander. In 1883,
the road was constructed to Gogebic, Mich., and the following year three miles west
of Hurley, Wis. They also graded from Ashland east twenty-three miles, and on June
15, 1885, connected the tracks at Cadar. About the same time they built several spur
branches, and in 1887 completed the line to the northern terminus at Ashland. In
1889, the road was extended from Rhinelander northwest toward Hurley, a distance of
twenty-eight miles, being completed the next year to Hurley, a total distance of
seventy-four miles. A delay of about a year was caused by a difficulty in securing
the right of way across Indian reservations. In 1891, the road was extended from
Wausau to Marshfield, forty-one miles distant. From Watersmeet, Mich., the company
constructed a branch northward several miles, as an outlet to a number of sawmills
in that lumber region. Including sidetracks, this company has a total of seven hundred
and eighty-seven miles of track, the greater part of which has been built under the
direction of Mr. Rummele, who began with them in 1871 as Superintendent, and since
October 1, 1885, has held the responsible position of Chief Engineer.
The building of this line, with its several branches, has opened up to settlement and
made tributary to Milwaukee a large area rich in lumber and minerals, and possessing
many thousands of acres of valuable agricultural lands.
Many important towns have come into existence in consequence of the building of the
road, and consequently much employment has been furnished to laborers, and many
comfortable homes established. Sheboygan has derived much benefit, not only from a
rail communication with Milwaukee, but from a market northward and westward, and the
opening of communication with the great lumber and timber regions, from which a large
supply of raw material is derived, with which to feed her many important factories.
From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Rummele has led an active and useful life,
and has aided materially in the upbuilding and development of not only Sheboygan, but
of many other towns and a wide region of country. He is a man possessed of superior
ability and large experience in his profession, and of good executive ability in the
discharge of important duties. That he has proven himself capable and faithful, is
shown by his long retention in the responsible position he holds.
Socially, Mr. Rummele is a member of Sheboygan Lodge No. 13, I. O. O. F., and of Oak
Council No. 502, R. A. He is a man who enjoys in a marked degree, the confidence and
respect of his fellow-citizens, as well as of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances
throughout this State and Michigan.
**********
Since the above was written, a sad accident resulting in the death of Mr. Rummele
occurred, an account of which is taken from the Sheboygan Daily Journal;
"E. H. Rummele, late Chief Engineer of the Lake Shore Road, met his death at Parrish,
Saturday, September 2, 1893, in a heroic attempt to save the life of a child.
"Mr. Rummele was a member of a party of officials who were making an inspection of
the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Road, now known as the Ashland Division of the
Chicago & Northwestern. The special train was at Parrish, one hundred and ninety-two
miles north of Sheboygan, on a small branch of the road. The train was there slowly
backing up on a side-track, when two children were seen playing on the track. All the
officials were standing on the back platform, and they called to the children. One of
them got up and ran toward the slowly approaching train. Mr. Rummele, regardless of
danger, jumped from the platform, and in some unaccountable manner struck on his head.
The train ran several feet further, passing over him, but the child was saved without
injury.
"The nearest surgeon was at Antigo, forty-five miles away. The injured man was taken
to Summit Lake, where the doctor was brought by special train. But the injuries were
so severe that he died several moments after the arrival of the physician.
"His wife and children were informed of the sad accident, and were stricken with grief
upon receiving the news of his death. The remains were at once brought to this city,
arriving here at four o'clock yesterday morning. "He had been in the service of the
Lake Shore Road for many years, was well known all along the line, and greatly esteemed
as an engineer of ability and a man of high character."
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing
Co., Chicago" Pages 684 - 686
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[d. 12/22/1948 at St. Petersburg, FL]