John Henry Raap
John Henry Raap | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Lüdingworth, Kingdom of Hanover |
| Died | April 23, 1897 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, wholesale liquor entrepreneur |
| Known for | Wholesale liquor enterprise in Chicago |
John Henry Raap (August 1, 1840 – April 23, 1897) was a prominent Chicago businessman in the 19th century, known for his wholesale liquor enterprise.
Early life and career
Raap was born in Lüdingworth within the Kingdom of Hanover and moved to Chicago with his family in 1854. While attending night classes to prepare for a commercial career, he worked at a brickyard. At 18, in 1859, he opened a grocery shop on Milwaukee Avenue with an initial investment of $50, which he successfully sold two years later. During the Civil War, he joined Chicago’s volunteer military forces but was discharged after seven months due to health issues.
Following this, Raap managed a general merchandise store in Dunkel's Grove (present-day Addison, Illinois) for two years before relocating back to Chicago in 1864. He ventured into the flour and feed industry on Milwaukee Avenue and eventually incorporated this into his wholesale liquor operations. By 1870, Raap had erected a three-story brick structure known as Raap's block to accommodate his growing business. Establishing himself as one of Chicago’s leading German entrepreneurs, he expanded into saloon ownership and became an importer and wholesaler of both domestic and imported wines and spirits by 1874. Additionally, he served as Captain in the State Militia from 1873 until 1877.
Raap was central to a significant legal dispute following a confrontation with his brother-in-law, policeman John H. Dilcher. After Raap assaulted Dilcher near his saloon, authorities arrested him without a warrant. Raap filed suit for assault, battery, and unlawful detention; the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in his favor, determining that the officers had exceeded their lawful authority in retaliation.
Personal life
Raap’s first marriage was to Sophia Sohle. By 1870, his real estate holdings were valued at $30,000 with personal assets amounting to $10,000. Sophia passed away in 1871. In 1872, Raap acquired a burial plot at Graceland Cemetery where he reinterred the remains of his father and Sophia; his mother’s remains were moved there in 1878. He wed Helena Hannah Gilow from Grim, Prussia, in 1873. The couple had five children: John Henry Jr. ("Hank"), Tillie L., Robert R., Ernst E., and Pearl Frances; three other children, including twins, died during infancy. In 1879, Raap constructed a grand three-story Second Empire residence in Chicago's Wicker Park, now recognized as a local landmark and one of the neighborhood’s largest mansions.
Raap actively participated in various social groups such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Sons of Hermann, the Central Turner Society, Teutonia Maennerchor, and the Chicago Rebekah Society. Politically aligned with the Republican Party, he wielded considerable influence but never pursued elected office.
Death
In March 1897, G. H. Braunschweig—collector and agent for Raap’s company—was charged with embezzlement. Raap pressed charges of embezzlement and forgery against Braunschweig, who threatened suicide if legal action proceeded. The alleged misappropriation amounted to $2,300 according to Raap; Braunschweig admitted to $1,500 but claimed Raap owed him $400 in wages.
On April 23, 1897—the scheduled date for the hearing—Braunschweig sought to settle by offering assets worth $2,000; Raap declined cash settlements but was open to accepting Braunschweig’s residence as compensation, which Braunschweig refused. Attempts by Braunschweig to arrange meetings with Raap and his lawyer Joseph O'Donnell failed to reach an agreement.
At 8 a.m., Braunschweig arrived at the liquor business office where Raap’s sons Robert and Henry worked. After being served with a capias by Deputy Sheriff Phillip Salomon at 8:45 a.m., Braunschweig requested a private discussion with Raap. Inside Raap’s office, Braunschweig fatally shot him in the head before taking his own life.
The incident was ruled a deliberate homicide. Raap was interred at Graceland Cemetery. Following his death, his sons John and Robert assumed control of the family enterprise.