Biography of Charles Raut, pages 922 / 923.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana. Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Charles Raut, senior member of the firm Charles Raut & Son, dealers in boots 
and shoes, Auburn, was born in the northern part of Prussia at Rothmanshagan, 
July 31, 1837, a son of Charles and Charlotte Raut.  In 1854 his parents 
came to America, and soon after landing in New York City, started for 
Indiana, arriving in De Kale County, June 10. They located in Union Township 
on the present site of Waterloo, where they built a shanty.  They afterward 
bought land two miles from Waterloo, of which they made a farm. Our 
subject’s first work in this county was on the Lake Shore Railroad, then 
being built.  The following October he came to Auburn and worked as  
journeyman at the shoemaker’s trade, which he had learned in his native 
country.  He was employed by John Rickel seven years, and then worked a time 
on his father’s farm.  In the fall of 1861 he returned to Auburn and worked 
at this trade, and the next spring formed a partnership with his brother 
Frederick in the boot and shoe business, the firm name being F. & C. Raut.  
In February, 1865, they sold out their store, and in the latter part of 
year opened a harness-making establishment under the same name, selling 
their business in 1867.  He then engaged in farming till 1872, when he 
again came to Auburn and worked at this trade, and in 1878 formed a 
partnership with Isaac Hague, under the firm name of Hague & Raut.  In 
February, 1884, his son, Clarence H., became the successor of Mr. Hague, 
and the firm name was changed to Charles Raut & son.  Mr. Raut was married 
Aug. 27, 1860, to Emeline Hoover, of Waterloo.  They have had five children 
two of whom are living---Clarence H. and Ulysses S.  Three died in infancy.  
Mr. and Mrs. Raut are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com