(No Photo) - Louis RAINONE - A large stock of fruit, candy, cigars and tobacco can always be found in the store. He began business six years ago in a very small way at 117 East Third street.

Pg. 34 R.H. RAMSDELL, was born in South Rockford, Ill., in 1855. He came to Sterling in 1870. He was first employed in the brick yard of Peter Keller. He started in business for himself by purchasing the half interest of M.B. Fitzgerald in the east end brick yard in 1889. The new firm of Fitzgerald & Ramsdell, consisting of J.M. Fitzgerald and R.H. Ramsdell, continued six years when Mr. Ramsdell purchased the interest of his partner. He is an extensive contractor and the following are among buildings on which he has done the brick work: Columbia paper mill, English Lutheran church, The Keystone plant, McNeil's hardware store, Davis & Wilkinson's block, Johns' soda water factory, Frank Galt residence, Charter Gas Engine Co.'s building, Congregational church.

Pg. 34 W.L. REIGER: One of the cheapest places in Sterling where you can purchase almost an entire outfit for housekeeping purpses is at the "Bargin House" of Reiger & Loux, on Locust street. W.L. Reiger was born in Henry county in the year 1863 and came to Sterling when seventeen years of age. He was for many years employed by H.W. Moses, the poultry buyer, whose main office is at Geneseo, Ill. Mr. Reiger was afterwards for two years in the grocery business at Rochelle, just before his advent in Sterling. N. F. LOUS was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1845. He came to Sterling in 1864 and for years worked at this trade of carpenter and coach maker. He has been a farmer for twenty-four years that he has been west. The firm of Reiger & Lous was formed about two years ago, when the present premises occupied by the firm were leased. The premises are large and commodious and have been arranged especially for the reception of all kinds of house furnishing goods. At the "Bargain Store" you can find anything in the line of furniture in new and second-hand, stoves new and second-hand, and many other useful things needed by the family. It is the cheapest house in Whiteside county.

(No Photo) - Charles H. RICHARDSON, 121-153-125 West Third street, has been engaged in the farm implement business for himself for three years; he has been eighteen years in this line of business in Sterling.

Pg. 32 GEORGE M. ROBINSON (Biography) was born in the State of Ohio in the year 1854. The family came west and first located at Dixon, Ill., in 1856, where he lived until 1861, when he moved to this city. His first employment in Sterling was that of messenger boy for the Patterson bank in 1872. A few years later he secured the position of bookkeeper for the Charter Gas Engine Co., then known as the Williams & Orton Manufacturing Co. Mr. Robinson has been with this firm ever since, rising from one position to another until he reached the top of the ladder, that of president and treasurer.

(No Photo) - W.E. ROSE, maker and repairer of boots and shoes, located above The Standard office has been here since May 1885. He makes all kinds of foot wear, giving especial attention to shoes for cripples. He began the business at eleven years of age and is thoroughly experienced.

Pg. 31 ROBERT ROSENTHAL. This well known house occupies one of the best business locations in Sterling, in a building recently entirely remodeled and handsomely equipped under Mr. Rosenthal's direct supervision, with a stock of clothing, boots and shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods now, as always, one of the most complete in the city. The present proprietor located here in June, 1890. He has had a long experience in the trade, which he puts to good use in selecting a reliable stock of an attractive character.

(No Photo) ROURK Brothers. For the past two years have conducted a grocery store at 112 East Third street. They are both natives of the city and hold a good share of the trade in their line. A full stock of everything in their line is always to be found in their store. Prompt delivery is assured as they run two wagons for that purpose. The store room has been recently much improved and is one of the most desirable locations.

Pg. 25 LEVI R. RUTT, well known wagon manufacturer, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1845. He came west in 1864 and first located in Prairieville, Ill. Mr. Rutt came to Sterling in 1882. He was first engaged in the ice business, which he conducted for three years, then a livery stable and afterward a contractor in grading work. He opened his present shop two years ago. Mr. Rutt does general repair work of any and all kinds of wagons, carriages, machines, etc.

Illinois - "Our Way"