Dec 13

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Hoffmann

Jacob Hoffmann, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Jacob Hoffmann, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The grave marker is inscribed: Jacob Hoffmann, Gest [died] 24 Jan. 1875, Alter [age] 52 J [years], 2 M [months], 2 T [days]. Text Eb 13.14.

The Family Register section of Zion’s old church records gives quite a bit of information about Jacob Hoffmann and his family:

Jacob Hoffmann was the son of Valentin and Catharina Hoffmann. He was born 22 December 1822 in Fechingen, Rhein-Prussia, Europe. He was baptized there and confirmed there in the year 1837.  In 1846 he married Caroline Hoffmann, daughter of Jakob and Margaretha Hoffmann.  Caroline was born 16 October 1823 in Fechingen. She was baptized there and was confirmed in 1838.  The couple immigrated to North America in 1849 and settled in Mercer County, Ohio. Their son Ferdinand was born 4 January 1847 in Fechingen. He was baptized there and confirmed in Mercer County.

Caroline died 18 July 1912 and she is also buried in row 6 of Zion’s cemetery. Ferdinand married Barbara Schott in 1867 at Zion. Barbara was the daughter of Michael and Catharine Schott.

There is also information about the mother of Jacob’s wife Caroline in Zion’s Family Register: Margaretha Hoffmann was born 20 November 1796 in Bibingen, Rhein-Prussia. She was baptized and confirmed there.  She married Jakob Hoffman in the year 1820. They had 9 children, 5 of them dead and 4 living at the time this was writing on 27 April 1863. In 1849 she and her husband Jakob immigrated to America and settled in Mercer County, Ohio. Jakob died 30 March 1863.

In 1860 both Hoffmann families were living next door to each other at Skeels Cross Road in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. Skeels Cross Road is about 4 miles south of Chatt.  [1860 US census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio; Roll M653_1009:358]

Dec 09

Dear Christine, Clara and Wavil, 1944

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob & Regina (Rueck) Rueck

Last Friday’s blog ended with the probing question, who were the two grand-nieces that were enumerated with Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck in the 1900 census.

The two grand-nieces, Rosa and Regina, were the daughters of Johann Georg Rueck and his wife Ida Emma Schewrel. Johann Georg Rueck (1858-1944) was Jacob Rueck’s nephew, the son of Jacob’s older brother Johann Georg.

Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck and family were not the only Ruecks that immigrated to America in the late 19th century.  Two of Jacob’s nephews also immigrated to America. They were the above mentioned Johan Georg Rueck and his brother Jacob [middle initial was either R or L]. Jacob [the nephew] married Jacob and Regina’s daughter Regina.

Yes, it is confusing. There were two married couples named Jacob and Regina Rueck. There was Jacob Sr and his nephew Jacob and there was Regina (Gross) Rueck and her daughter Regina (Rueck) Rueck.

Back to the grand-nieces. The 1900 census tells us when and where they were born. Rosa was born in Indiana in March 1884 and Emma was born in Oregon in May 1886. This gives us a good idea of when Jacob [the nephew] moved to Oregon. He would have moved some time between 1884 and 1886. Jacob [the uncle] and his family moved to Oregon about the same time, most likely in 1884. We know that families often traveled and moved together.

The following letter was written to my great-aunt Clara (Miller) Reef in 1944 from her aunt Regina (Rueck) Rueck. Regina was Christine (Rueck) Miller’s sister. Christine was Clara’s mother and she lived with Clara for quite a few years before she passed away.

Canby Oregon
14 June 1944

Dear Christine, Clara & Wavil,

At last I find a little time to write a few lines, but it is rather a sad letter for Uncle George Rueck passed away last Sat. morning. His heart has been giving him more trouble the last 5 or 6 months. The Dr. told Rose a month ago that he was in the last stage of his sickness, but he was up and around until the last 4 days.

I am glad to say the last few months he read his Bible dayly [sic]. Our Minister held the funeral services. I know we will always miss him when we go to Wecoma. Sister Katie could not go with us. Her leg is bothering so much lately. It is hard for her to get around.

How is Mother? I sure hope the warm weather will make her feel better and how are you feeling? Margaret and Christine both had the stomach fluh [sic]. I stayed with Christine a few days, for I had to go to the Dr. anyway. Then Margaret took sick so I had to hurry home. Of course garden and housecleaning had to wait but we have our garden pretty clean now. It is growing nice. The weather is nice and warm. The first cutting of the alfalfa hay is all in. They are starting on the canary Peas. This is such a slow job. The vines can’t handle them fast enough. The trucks are lined up sometimes for 2 or 3 hours, night and day work. There is not much news of the relatives. All are pretty well except for minor ailments. How are all of the folks in Ohio? I will try and write to Maggie and Carline soon too. So will close with love to all.

From Regina & family & Dave

David, Carl, Margaret, Christine, Jacob Jr. Rueck

Uncle George would have actually been Regina’s first cousin, her father Jacob’s nephew who is mentioned above. George lived in Wecoma. Since Regina was married to her first cousin (George’s brother), George would have also been her brother-in-law. Dave was probably Regina and Christine’s brother.

Some others mentioned in the letter: Rose was Uncle George’s daughter; sister Katie was Regina’s sister; Margaret and Christine were Regina’s daughters; Maggie and Carline were Christine (Rueck) Miller’s daughters.

Regina wrote a lot of letters to her sister Christine over the years. She wrote to Christine in German and to Clara in English. Unfortunately I can only read the English letters.

Dec 06

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob and Regina Rueck

Jacob and Regina Rueck, Aurora Cemetery, Marion County, Oregon

This is the tombstone of Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck. This grave marker is located in Section C of Aurora Cemetery, Marion County, Oregon. The grave marker is inscribed: RUECK, Jacob, Dec. 24, 1828-Jan. 23, 1918, Father; Regina, July 22, 1833-Feb. 8, 1889, Mother.

I am not sure when this tombstone photo was taken. You can tell it is old by looking at the vehicles in the background. This is the only photograph that I have of Jacob and Regina’s tombstone and it came from my great-aunt Clara (Miller) Reef. Clara was Jacob and Regina’s granddaughter and was the youngest child of Jacob and Christine (Rueck) Miller. Christine lived with Clara for several years before she died.

Also buried in Section B of Aurora Cemetery are Carl Rueck (1872-1933), Jacob Rueck (1857-1935), Jacob L. Rueck (1868-1941), Regina Rueck (1870-1951). Carl and Jacob [Jr] were brothers and Jacob L. and Regina were husband and wife. Regina was also the sister of Carl and Jacob [Jr].

Jacob (1828-1918) and Regina (Gross) Rueck (1833-1889)

Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck and their immediate family immigrated to America from Württemberg about 1880. Their family consisted of Johann George (1856-1925, married Mary Clowser), Jacob Jr. (1857-1935), Christina (1858-1945, married Jacob Miller), Friedrich (1860-1824, married Mary Prollock), Catherine “Katie” (1866-1955, married Dietrich Harms), David (1868-1956), Regina (1870-1951, married Jacob Rueck), and Carl (1872-1933). Jacob Jr, David, and Carl never married. Christine lived in Ohio, Fred lived in Oklahoma and the rest lived in Oregon.

Dec 02

Jacob Rueck in Oregon

Jacob Rueck farm, Clackamas County, Oregon.

The story of the Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck family continues in Oregon. Jacob Rueck Sr. sold his farm in Van Wert County in 1884 and most of the family moved to Oregon.

Family members that moved to Oregon: Jacob and Regina, Johann George, Jacob Jr., Catherine “Katie”, David, Regina, and Carl. Fred moved on to Kansas and changed the spelling of his surname to Ruck. Christine stayed in Ohio.

I located Jacob Rueck Sr. and his children in Barlow, Clackamas County, enumerated in the 1900 US census. Regina passed away in 1889 and Jacob Sr. was living with three of his children. Jacob Sr. was listed as a widower. His date of birth was December 1828 and he was 71 years old. Others in the household were David (son), 31; Regina (daughter), 29; Carl (son), 27; Rosa (grand niece), 16; and Emma (grand niece), 14.

The 1900 census also tells us that Jacob, David, Regina, and Carl immigrated in 1880. All but daughter Regina were naturalized. All of the men were farmers and Jacob owned his farm with no mortgage. (1900 US census, Barlow, Clackamas, Roll 623_1345:3A, ED 79)

David, Carl, Jacob Jr, Jacob L, & Regna (Rueck) Rueck

Jacob Rueck Jr. was enumerated just four households away from Jacob Sr. in 1900. Jacob Jr. was single, age 43, born May 1857. According to this census he immigrated in 1881. He was naturalized and owned his farm with no mortgage. (1900 US census, Barlow, Clackamas, Roll 623_1345:3A, ED 79)

John George Rueck, another son, was living in Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, in 1900.  Their family consisted of John G., 44, head; Mary M., 36, wife; and children Rachael, 7; Augusta, 5; and Isaac C., 3. John George was a farmer and owned his farm without a mortgage. (1900 US census, Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, Roll T623_1345:20B, ED 86)

Catherine “Katie”, daughter, marred Dietrich Harmes about 1887 and they were also living in Macksburgh. They lived fairly close to her brother John George. In the Harmes household were “Detrich”, 49, head; Katie, 32, wife; children Alma, 12; Julia, 10; Waldene, 8; Grover, 7; Katie, 5; Lily, 3; and Herman, 10 months. Dietrich was born in Germany and immigrated in 1872. He was a farmer and owned his farm without a mortgage. (1900 US census, Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, Roll T623_1345:19B, ED 86)

David (1868-1956) and Regina Rueck (1870-1957), brother & sister

Where is Clackamas County, Oregon, located and why did the Ruecks move there? I found some information about the area on the Clackamas County website. The county is in north central Oregon and is one of the counties that make up the Portland metropolitan area. The county has a lot of timberland and includes Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Forest. Barlow is the smallest town in the county. The town of Canby is nearby and letters sent to Christine years ago were postmarked Canby. Most of Clackamas County is rural and some of Oregon’s richest farmland is in the area surrounding Canby.

Between 1883 and 1888 three railroads were constructed in Oregon which created a trade and a population boom. Many immigrants moved to Oregon at the end of the 19th century, period of Oregon’s industrial expansion. Many Germans sought the urban jobs but apparently the Ruecks were more interested in farming.

Who were the grand nieces living with Jacob Sr.? Check in next week to find out.

Nov 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Fred and Mary Ruck

Tombstone of Fred & Mary Ruck, Zion Cemetery, Orlando, Oklahoma. Photo courtesy of Joyce Layman.

This is the tombstone of Fred and Mary Ruck, located in Zion Cemetery, about 2½ miles west of Orlando, in Logan County, Oklahoma. The gravestone is inscribed: RUCK, Mary, Nov 4, 1861-Feb 23, 1956; Fred, Aug 5 1860-Apr 10, 1924.

Johann Friedrich “Fred” Rueck was the fourth child of my great-great-grandparents, Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck. He was also the brother of my great-grandmother, Christine (Rueck) Miller.  Mary was the daughter of Michael and Eva (Maurer) Prollock.

Fred changed the spelling of his surname from Rueck to Ruck sometime before 1900.

Fred Ruck’s Obituary:

Fred Ruck was born in Steinback, Württemberg, Germany, August 5, 1860. He died at his home near Orlando, Oklahoma, at 3 p.m. April 10th, 1924, age 63 years, 8 months and 5 days.

He came to America with his parents in 1880 and settled in Ohio. He moved to Kansas in 1884 and was united in marriage to Mary Prollock the same year. To this union was born seven children, two of these preceding him in death.

In 1891 the family moved to Oklahoma and settled on a farm near Orlando, where he made his home until he departed this life.

Mr. Ruck was converted under the labors of Bro. Nannings and remained a true believer in Jesus Christ throughout his life. He was always ready and willing to give a helping hand at all times.

He leaves to mourn his departure a wife and five children, namely, Mrs. Katie Wait of Sawyer, Frank Ruck of El Dorado, Kansas, Mrs. Lena Frey, Fred and Marie Ruck of Orlando, also 11 grandchildren, four brothers and three sisters and host of relatives and friends. He endured his suffering patiently until the death angel called to his eternal reward. Mr. Ruck will be greatly missed by his many friends, having lived in this community for 33 years. He was a loving husband, father and friend. (Orlando Clipper, 18 April 1924)

Mary (Prollock) Ruck’s obituary:

Rites for Mrs. Mary Ruck, 94, pioneer of the Orlando community, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the United Evangelical Church at Orlando, Rev. E.A. Pauli officiate. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, west of Orlando. Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Ruck died Thursday morning at the home of her daughter Mrs. Lena Fry in Mulhall. In addition to Mrs. Frey, she is survived by two sons, Frank Ruck of Eldorado, Kansas, and Fred Ruck of Orlando and one other daughter, Mrs. Marie Scott of Orlando, 12 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. In 1883 she came to America and settled in Clay Center, Kansas. One year later she married Fred Ruck and they lived there until 1889, when they moved to Orlando, Oklahoma. (from an unidentified newspaper)

According to family information Fred and Mary knew each other in Germany and planned to marry each other later.

Fred & Mary (Prollock) Ruck, Frank & Katie.

Fred and Mary (Prollock) were living in Orlando, Logan County, Oklahoma, when they were enumerated in the 1900 census. Fred was 39 years of age and Mary 38. They were both born in Germany. At that time they had four children: Katie, 16; Frank, 14; Lena, 10; Fred, 6. Katie and Frank were born in Kansas while Lena and Fred were born in Oklahoma. This census shows that the couple had been married for sixteen years and that Fred immigrated in 1880 and was naturalized. Fred was a farmer who owned his farm without a mortgage. (1900 US census, Orlando, Logan, Oklahoma, T623_1339:6B, ED 144)

Fred and Mary had five children that lived to adulthood: Frank (1886-1965), Katie (1888-1947), Lena (1890-1975), Fred Jr (1893-1977), and Marie (1903-1982).

I have a copy of a letter written by Lena (Ruck) Dupy, granddaughter of Fred and Mary Ruck. She also lived in Oklahoma. The letter was written to my great-aunt Clara (Miller) Reef in 1995 and gives a little family history. I will share the letter sometime.

I want to thank my distant cousins Joyce Layman and Vic Keyes for giving me most of the above information as well as the tombstone photo. I recently met Joyce and Vic on-line.