Reusch, Ferdinand

Submitted by Mike Miller

Ferdinand Reusch, builder. In a city whose growth has been as rapid as that of New Orleans in the last few years, the importance of the line of industry in which Mr. Reusch is engaged can not be overestimated. To the contractor and builder in effect, conjointly with the architect, belongs the task of imparting to the city that appearance of solidity, wealth, refinement and comfort which at once stamps its citizens as progressive and enterprising. Some of the handsomest and most substantial buildings of the Crescent City have been erected by the members of the Reusch family, such as the Grunewald hall, Riceborn hardware building, the Montgomery building, the one occupied by Lehmann & Abram, the Lane cotton mills, as well as others, all of which were built by Ferdinand Reusch, the father of the subject of this sketch, who came to the United States from Germany when a young man and finally located in New Orleans where he became a very prominent builder and was held in high esteem in business circles. He is still living and is enjoying the fruits of his labor in former years. Ferdinand Reusch, whose name is at the head of this sketch, was born in this city September 15, 1861, and learned his trade under his father's direct supervision, with whom he afterward became associated, and since his father's retirement, 1887, he has continued the business alone and has met with extraordinary success. He assisted his father in building the Southern university and has just completed the Runkle, McCloskey and Cluverius buildings. He also erected the Fazende residence and General Behan's, George Denegre!s, F. L. Gordon's and Dr. Blane's residences, Grant's business building on Camp street, Rice & Horter's on Common street, and now has in process of erection the handsome residence of R. B. Schudder, which will be one of the finest in the city. From his commencement in business his exceptional business qualities, his reliability and promptness in carrying out his undertakings, and the liberal methods he has adopted in dealing with the public, have secured for him a wide recognition and an influential patronage. He is an agreeable and popular gentleman and his generous disposition, honor and faithfulness to his friends have won him a host of friends..

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 496. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.