City Directories and History: 1908 – Mr. Morris Cobb, – 1917 – J.J. Rauch, 1922/23 – A.L. Blake, 1933 – Hazel E. Bryant, 1946 – NA
We begin our little tour of “early” Rock Hill on the southeast corner of Elm Avenue (the southern extension of Railroad Avenue, or Trade Street) and Moore Street. On this corner was built the large two-story residence where lived Mr. Charlie W. Frew and his wife, together with Charlie Cobb, Morris Cobb, and their mother, who was Mr. Frew’s sister “Maley.” Mr. Frew was one of the leading merchants of Rock Hill at that time. His home was called “High View,” and was built in 1885 on one of the highest points in the town. A wrought-iron fence surrounded the property, with an arched gate at the entrance. Featured in the ironwork of the arch (more than eight feet in height) were the name “High View” and the date of its construction, 1885. [Information furnished via the Robbins – White Tour Booklet]
The Rock Hill Herald on Aug. 17, 1918 reported, “Mr. A. Law Blake of Greenwood has decided to operate a laundry in Rock Hill and has leased the building formerly occupied by the Crescent Steam Laundry. In Oct. of that year Mrs. A.L. Blake has arrived from Greenwood to join Mr. Blake who is engaged in business here. At present they are at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Parker. Later they will occupy the Johnston Street residence now occupied by J. Rauch and family.”
The Herald reported on Nov. 11, 1918 – “J.J. Rauch and family have moved from Johnston Street where they have lived for several years to the residence on Park Avenue recently vacated by Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Henderson.”
Also see additional information on other Rock Hillians who made a difference under the picture column – the MORE INFORMATION link.
————
JOHN J. RAUCH – Rock Hill City Manager 1939-1947
Written and contributed to R&R by P.M. Gettys, 2015
John Junior Rauch was born on February 16, 1884 in rural Saluda County, South Carolina. He was the youngest of several children of John Christian Hope Rauch, a farmer, and Sara Martin Wyse Rauch. By 1900, John’s mother was not listed in the Census, so she must have died by then.[1] After attending the schools in the Corinth community of Saluda County, John attended Clemson College, graduating with a degree in textile engineering in 1906. After graduating, he went to Massachusetts to further study textile management.[2]
Rauch returned to South Carolina in 1907 and began a series of positions within the textile industry in which he gradually assumed more responsibility. He began in Rock Hill with a position with the Victoria Mill, then became a superintendent with the Cohasnet Cotton Mill in Fingerville, South Carolina in 1911. From there he went to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to become a supervisor of the carding department of the Southside Cotton Mill. Rauch returned to Rock Hill in 1914 and remained here for the rest of his life. His position was as general overseer of the Victoria Cotton Mill, where his first position had been in 1907. Later, he became Superintendent of the Victoria Mill, a
position he held until 1939.[3]
While Rauch lived in Rock Hill the first time, he married a local girl, Iva Hull. Iva was born in Rock Hill on December 23, 1885, the daughter of Joseph J. Hull and Susan Boyd Hull. Her father was the founder and editor of the Rock Hill Herald.[4] The couple, who were married in 1908, appear in the 1910 Census in Rock Hill. They had three children, Susan Wyse Rauch, born about 1911, John Rauch, Jr., born about 1914, and Elizabeth Rauch, born about 1917. In 1918, the couple lived at 126 Johnston Street. John registered for the World War I draft that year and is described as tall, with a stout build, brown eyes, and brown hair.[5] Tragedy struck the family when Iva died on January 30, 1919, leaving John with three small children. Rock Hill was in the midst the world-wide influenza pandemic of 1918-1919, and there were over a dozen new cases reported each day in the city during this period.[6] Iva was sick for several days before she died. She was only 32 and was a member of St. John’s Methodist Church. She was described as “a woman of attractive personality and amiable character and had a host of friends.”[7]
In 1920, the family was living at 319 Park Avenue, where John would live for most of the rest of his life. A housekeeper, Hannah Neal, was living with the family to care for the children.[8] John remarried in 1922. His second wife was Miss Laura Warden Bailey, who was nine years his junior, having been born on September 27, 1893. Laura was educated in the Greenville city schools, graduated from Winthrop, and did post-graduate work at Peabody College in Nashville and Teachers College in New York. She had a career before her marriage, teaching home economics at Meredith College in Raleigh and later in the Winthrop home economics department, also serving as a demonstration agent.[9] The couple had four children, William B. Rauch, Laura J. Rauch, J. Henry Rauch, and Robert J. Rauch.[10]
In addition to his duties at the Victoria Mill, John was active in the civic life of the community. The family belonged to Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, where John served as an elder. He was elected to the Rock Hill City Council in 1931, serving several terms. He served on the board of First Federal Savings and Loan Association from 1941-1947, and as a Director of the Victoria Cotton Mill beginning in 1930.[11] Laura was active at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, was a member of the Amelia Pride Book Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution.[12]
In August 1939, City Manager Tom Marshall announced his resignation. The City Council, which included Mr. Rauch, received at least twelve applications for the position over the next few weeks.[13] It is not known what procedure the council used in reviewing the applications. At a special meeting on October 5, Mayor Erwin Carothers asked for nominations for the position of City Manager. Councilman Poag nominated Councilman Rauch, and he was elected unanimously with an annual salary of $4,800.[14] Rauch resigned his position on the City Council and assumed his new office on November 1. He also resigned as Superintendent of the Victoria Cotton Mill, a position he had held for 29 years.
Rauch had been on the City Council since 1931, so he obviously had a full knowledge of the City’s departments, policies, and finances. He also had a broad knowledge of the business and industrial community in Rock Hill. A few days after his selection, he took time with the Herald to clear up confusion over the pronunciation of his name. He said that it was to be pronounced “ROUK” sounding like a row (a minor argument) with a “k” on the end.[15] This was not the only confusion with his name. In various U. S. Census reports, the family name is spelled “Ranch,” “Ranck,” and “Roach,” and in one his middle name is stated as “Junious” instead of Junior.
Rock Hill was facing some major projects at the time Rauch took office. The Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Company (the Bleachery) was in the middle of a major expansion, and a water bond was being promoted by the City to provide improvements in the water supply to support this expansion and the growing demands of City residents. Mayor Erwin Carothers in a speech to the Altrusa Club made the case for this bond and stated that the city’s water usage had almost doubled since the original plant was constructed when the Bleachery came to Rock Hill in 1929.[16] This project would comprise a major component of the work Rauch would be doing. The City had already hired an engineering firm, Robert & Company of Atlanta, for the waterworks project.[17]
Another challenge was to continue working to improve the City’s finances. The Depression years had been difficult, with the City struggling to collect taxes and fees from citizens at a time when many had lost jobs or were underemployed. The City often had to borrow funds at the end of the year to meet year-end bond payments and payrolls. Rauch, having run a large cotton factory, began working to stabilize the finances and implement strict controls. It was helpful, of course, that the grip of the depression was beginning to loosen, and that major projects such as the Bleachery expansion would bring growth and new jobs. Within two years, the United States was gearing up for World War II, bringing more economic expansion. During the Rauch years, he gradually improved the finances so that at the end of each year there was usually a surplus to buy war bonds or undertake some other form of savings.[18]
After serving in the position for eight years, Rauch submitted his resignation in May, 1947. His letter stated “I have a very deep feeling of sadness, because of the wonderful cooperation I’ve had from Council and the bonds of friendship and loyalty have been so firmly entrenched, that the separation is not, by any means, easy for me.”[19] At his resignation, Mayor Erwin Carothers stated “I’ve worked with J. J. Rauch as a member of the city council and as city manager…I’ve never known a man more conscientious and more devoted to his duty. He is as honest as the day is long and has great ability. I regret his leaving more than I can say.”[20]
Rauch had been offered the position of City Manager in Greenwood at a significant salary increase. This job did not last long, however. Within just over two years, he had resigned that post, and it was reported that there was significant disagreement between the Mayor and City Council over the direction and organization of the city government. Rauch had maintained his home on Park Avenue in Rock Hill, and he returned here.[21]
- J. Rauch died on April 22, 1955 at the York County Hospital. The funeral was at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. Laura Rauch lived for many years after her husband’s death, dying at the age of 93 at the Presbyterian Retirement Home in Summerville, S. C. The Rauchs are buried at Laurelwood Cemetery.[22]
At the death of Mrs. Rauch in 1986, survivors were listed as follows:
Daughters Mrs. Albert Grabb of Aiken, SC
Mrs. L. A. Stapleton of Decatur, GA
Mrs. C. B. Barnwell of Orangeburg, SC
Sons William Rauch of Rockledge, FL
Robert Rauch of Lancaster, CA
John Rauch, Jr. of Fort Pierce, FL
This list includes children from both marriages of Mr. Rauch.
There were nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation was at the home of Dorothy S. Rauch, 1098 Evergreen Circle in Rock Hill
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
[1] U. S. Census, 1900.
[2] Herald, April 22, 1955.
[3] Textile career information from the obituary in the Herald, April 22, 1955.
[4] Herald, January 31, 1919.
[5] World War I Draft registration, September 12, 1918.
[6] Herald, January 31, 1919.
[7] Ibid.
[8] U. S. Census, 1920.
[9] Herald, December 22, 1986.
[10] U. S. Census, 1930, 1940.
[11] Herald, April 22, 1955.
[12] Herald, December 22, 1986.
[13] Herald, August 30, 1939.
[14] Rock Hill City Council Minutes, October 5, 1939.
[15] Herald, October 9, 1939.
[16] Herald, October 21, 1939.
[17] Herald, October 3, 1939.
[18] Herald, May 12, 1947.
[19] City Council Minutes, April 12, 1947.
[20] Herald, May 12, 1947.
[21] Herald, November 8, 1949.
[22] Herald, December 22, 1986.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: