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Nick Klein, (or possibly his older brother, Joe), from last week’s story, also partnered with Joseph Rauen as agents for Empire and Jackson cars. The ads were only published in the local paper in 1915 & 1916, but there is no way of knowing how long the partnership actually lasted. The Empire was an American car manufactured from 1910 - 1919. The Jackson was produced from 1903-1923.
Joseph Rauen was born in Spring Grove in 1865 and was 20 years older than Nick. As a young man, he worked as a rep for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. His territory was Spring Grove and the surrounding area where he would sell and repair the machines. But with the advent of the automobile, he launched a new career selling and servicing cars.
A small Spring Grove Post Office building once stood between 8008 and 8004 Blivin Street and was newly minted as “Rauen Motor Sales” when the post office moved in the late teens. By 1919, in addition to Jacksons, Joseph was selling Oakland Six and Pontiacs along with Goodyear tires and accessories out of this building.
In 1929 he opened a new show room and service station in McHenry at the corner of Front and Main Streets, but also continued his sales and service in Spring Grove. He was well-known throughout the northern part of McHenry County as an "experienced automobile man".
But in 1936, on the afternoon of the 4th of July, Joseph was accidentally killed at the corner of Main Street and Wilmot Road. The roads were dirt at that time, but cars could still get up some speed. A Ford Coupe being driven south collided with a Whippet Sedan going east. The impact threw the second car toward the roadside where Joseph was spending the afternoon cutting weeds with a scythe. Unconscious, he was taken to a doctor’s office in Richmond and died two hours later. He had many broken bones and never regained consciousness.
The community was deeply shocked and his many friends mourned the passing of the 71-year-old bachelor. Funeral services were held at St. Peter Church. He was buried next to his parents, Hubert & Gertrude, in St. Peter Cemetery on Main Street.
Story by Laura Frumet
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