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.

3 comments

    • Lee Kallenberger on January 11, 2012 at 9:23 pm
    • Reply

    Apparently George Rueck must have lived in the Lincoln City area. I can find very little about Wecoma except it was incorporated into Lincoln City Or in 1955.
    Lee Kallenberger

    “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. “

    1. Thanks for the information. I could not find anything about Wecoma either.

  1. dear Karen

    if you would like, i can translate those letters for you
    living in the Netherlands 18km from the German border
    that language is easy for me

    best
    Onno Rueck

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