- History of Winona County Page 843 Portrait and Biographical Record. 1913
John B Rivers was born in Luxembourg, June 16, 1840, son of Michael and Margaret (Adam) Rivers, who came to America in 1854, and settled on a farm in Winona county in 1855. John B. was brought to Winona County in 1855 and lived with his parents in Rollingstone Township, until he enlisted. In 1866 he purchased a farm in the town of Norton which he operated until 1872. In that year he entered into business in the village of Rollingstone. This business has been successful in all the years that have followed. The store is still in 0peration, and is conducted the Mr. Rivers and his son Matthew. They handle a general line of merchandise, and are known for the honest dealings and straightforward methods. Mr. Rivers has been postmaster at Rollingstone for twenty-seven years. Previous to this he was assistant for ten years. He has been a member of the village council of Rollingstone and was its first president. He is a director and on of the founders of the First State Bank of Rollingstone. He belongs to John Ball Post, G. A. R. and is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Rivers is a veteran of the Indian campaign. In March 1856, he enlisted in Co. K., 48th Wis. Vol. Inf., and was stationed at Fort Lyon, Colorado, protecting the frontier against the Indians. He was mustered out at Madison, Wis., and with his honorable discharge in his pocket, returned home to take up the normal duties of life. John B. Rivers was married October 29, 1866, to Anna Heber, daughter of Nicholas Heber. This union has been blessed with five children, John H., Matthew, John P., Elizabeth and Josephine. Josephine married Louis Koutsky and they have one son, Aloysius.
|