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Rheinheimergenealogypages
including Reinhard, Rheinheimer, Shively, and Stout |
Jacob Rheinheimer (John's son, our great-grandfather)
Uriah Edward Rheinheimer (Jake's son, our grandfather)
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| Jake & Rachel Rheinheimer Wedding photo 1891 |
Brief bio:
1870: born on 27 Feb in Pashan, IN near Shipshewana, to John & Anna Rheinheimer
1891: at 21, married 23-year-old Rachel Sunthimer; had three sons within four years
1894: both caught typhoid fever, Rachel died in Dec at age 27
1898: at 28, married widowed sister-in-law Mary Sunthimer Johns, age 36. She died in 1932 from breast cancer.
1935: at 65, married widow Emma Hostetler, age 69. She died in 1946, age 79.
1947: age 77, married twice widowed Nancy Davidhiser, who outlived him by six years.
1951: died 2 May of a stroke. Buried in Shore Mennonite Church Cemetery, Indiana.
After marrying on 25 January 1891, Jacob and Rachel had three sons in quick succession:
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| Brothers Fred, Ira, Ed ~1896 |
John Frederick, b 14 Dec 1892
Ira J, b 11 Nov 1894
"Rachel had more spunk than her older sister and sang a beautiful soprano." In her youth she participated in church activities and spelling bees. She was the second child of six.
Despite the promising start of their marriage and family, death visited the tiny Amish Mennonite settlement in the fall of 1894 when Jake and Rachel had been married just under four years. An epidemic of a bacterial infection called typhoid fever gripped the community.
First, Jake's brother-in-law, Andy Sunthimer, (his wife's younger brother) died on 20 October 1894, at just 21. He left behind his wife and two children.
Next Jake fell ill and became unconscious. His wife, Rachel, was heavily pregnant with her third son, Ira, and gave birth to him on November 11 while Jake was still unconscious. Shortly after Ira's birth, Rachel also became sick with typhoid. Jake's mother-in-law died from the fever just five days after Ira's birth at age 50 and at some point, oldest son, Ed, also became ill.
On 4 December, Rachel succumbed to the disease at just 27 years of age. Jake eventually regained consciousness only to discover that his wife had died and was already buried, his youngest son had been born and given to neighbors, and his oldest son was also sick with typhoid fever.
A few weeks later, Jake's brother-in-law, 38-year-old Jacob Johns, died on Dec 30, leaving behind four children with Rachel's older sister, Mary. In just over two months, four members of the Sunthimer family - the grandmother, two of her children and a son-in-law - had perished from typhoid fever. An effective vaccination would be introduced two years later but it would be used mainly for the military.
Rachel Sunthimer Rheinheimer's obituary in the Herald of Truth, January, 1895
On the 4th of December 1894, near Pashan, Lagrange Co., Ind., of typhoid fever, Rachel Rheinheimer, aged 27 y., 5 mo., 22 d. She leaves a husband (who is also sick of the same disease, but is slowly recovering) and three small children, the oldest of which is also stricken with the same dread disease, and the youngest a mere infant only several days old. Truly this is a sorely afflicted family, but we remember that God doeth all things well. Services on the 6th at the Forks M. H. by A. Cripe and Y. C. Miller.
On the 4th of December 1894, near Pashan, Lagrange Co., Ind., of typhoid fever, Rachel Rheinheimer, aged 27 y., 5 mo., 22 d. She leaves a husband (who is also sick of the same disease, but is slowly recovering) and three small children, the oldest of which is also stricken with the same dread disease, and the youngest a mere infant only several days old. Truly this is a sorely afflicted family, but we remember that God doeth all things well. Services on the 6th at the Forks M. H. by A. Cripe and Y. C. Miller.
Sister, thou wast mild and lovely,
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| Rachel Rheinheimer's funeral program |
Gentle as the summer breeze,
Pleasant as the air of ev'ning
Pleasant as the air of ev'ning
When it floats among the trees.
Dearest sister, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But, 'tis God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal. --A. S. C.
Because Jake's three young sons were now motherless, they went to live with various relatives and friends. Edward went to live with his recently widowed 57-year-old maternal grandfather, Fritz Sunthimer, also in Pashan, IN. Two-year-old Fred lived with Sally Yoder. Baby Ira went to childless friends, Aaron & Amanda (Mandy) Yoder, who reared him to adulthood.
Because Jake's sister-in-law, Mary, had lost her husband, Jacob Johns, in December, she moved in with her father to keep house and help care for Ed. She brought along her 8-month-old daughter, Hettie, her only living child with Johns. (Their firstborn, Abbie, had died at 2.5 months.) According to Rachel Kreider, Jacob Johns' other children went to live with relatives of their mother, Malinda Mehl, Jacob Johns' first wife.
After his wife's death, Jake began several years of nomadic life. He sold all his possessions and went to Hopedale, Illinois for the summer of 1896 and worked as a hired hand for a farmer because he heard that wages were higher. By 1897 he was again living in Pashan - with his father-in-law, Fritz Sunthimer, his sister-in-law, Mary, and the two small children, Ed and Hettie.
1898
Jake’s step-daughter Hettie left home to work in Iowa. There she married Eli Plank on 9 Dec 1916 but died died just ten months later at age 23 (d 5 Oct 1917). Hettie left behind a 3-week-old daughter, Mary Catherine. So Mary (age 56) and Jake (age 47) traveled to Iowa to retrieve the baby and began rearing Mary's infant granddaughter.
A month later, Jake’s oldest son, Edward, 26, married 18-year-old Laura Reinhardt on 11 Nov 1917 in Kouts, Indiana. Ed and Laura lived with Jake and Mary for a month while their house was being prepared in Pashan, IN.
1935
1951
Four years later, Jake died of a stroke on 2 May 1951, age 81 years. He is buried in Shore Mennonite Church Cemetery, Shipshewana, Indiana. His fourth wife, Nancy, died on 3 Feb 1958, aged 84. She is buried in Clinton Brick Cemetery, Goshen, IN.
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| Historian Rachel Weaver Kreider in Pashan Cemetery, Indiana |
After his wife's death, Jake began several years of nomadic life. He sold all his possessions and went to Hopedale, Illinois for the summer of 1896 and worked as a hired hand for a farmer because he heard that wages were higher. By 1897 he was again living in Pashan - with his father-in-law, Fritz Sunthimer, his sister-in-law, Mary, and the two small children, Ed and Hettie.
1898
Jake, now age 28, and Mary Sunthimer Johns, age 36, married on 13 March 1898 and brought three of their four young children together. In their household west of Shipshewana Lake they were now rearing two of Jake’s three sons, six-year-old Edward and five-year-old Fred, and Mary Ann’s daughter, Hettie, almost four years old. (Three-year-old brother, Ira, stayed with his foster parents.) Although the three children were first cousins, they were reared as siblings. According to Rachel Kreider, Mary “was a big woman with a good heart.”
1899
Jake bought and farmed 40 acres of land and later added 50 more. He also had another 65 acre farm in Newbury Township. According to the book History of Northeast Indiana: LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb, Volume 2, “He acquired these properties through his long continued industry and good management and they represent practical financial independence.” He and his family attended nearby Forks Mennonite Church.
In 1971, Jake’s son, Ed, said this about his father, “Dad was never a church worker but he went to church regular. Later he went to Shore (Mennonite Church). He was classed as an honest man. He never said much about church but he quoted, If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
In 1906, when Jake was 36, his father died on Feb 12, age 66.
Rheinheimer, John - On Feb. 12, 1906, in Lagrange Co., Ind., of erysipelas and kidney trouble, John Rheinheimer, aged 66 Y., 6 M., 21 D. He was born in Germany on 22 July 1839. He is survived by two sons, two daughters and a number of grandchildren. Services were conducted at the Forks A. M. meeting-house by Y. C. Miller in German, and Samuel E. Weaver in English, from Luke 12: 39-40.
1909
Jake and his middle son, Fred, did not get along and sometime around 1909, the 16-year-old ran away to North Dakota, likely via train. Fred would eventually marry Gertrude Yoder and have 15 children, two which died as infants. The 1925 census shows 33-year-old Fred living in Union Township, Pierce County, ND with 26-year-old Gertrude, Timothy (8), Raymond (6), Jacob (4), Vivian (3), Walter (2) and Sadie (1).
Rheinheimer, John - On Feb. 12, 1906, in Lagrange Co., Ind., of erysipelas and kidney trouble, John Rheinheimer, aged 66 Y., 6 M., 21 D. He was born in Germany on 22 July 1839. He is survived by two sons, two daughters and a number of grandchildren. Services were conducted at the Forks A. M. meeting-house by Y. C. Miller in German, and Samuel E. Weaver in English, from Luke 12: 39-40.
1909
Jake and his middle son, Fred, did not get along and sometime around 1909, the 16-year-old ran away to North Dakota, likely via train. Fred would eventually marry Gertrude Yoder and have 15 children, two which died as infants. The 1925 census shows 33-year-old Fred living in Union Township, Pierce County, ND with 26-year-old Gertrude, Timothy (8), Raymond (6), Jacob (4), Vivian (3), Walter (2) and Sadie (1).
1916-17
Jake’s step-daughter Hettie left home to work in Iowa. There she married Eli Plank on 9 Dec 1916 but died died just ten months later at age 23 (d 5 Oct 1917). Hettie left behind a 3-week-old daughter, Mary Catherine. So Mary (age 56) and Jake (age 47) traveled to Iowa to retrieve the baby and began rearing Mary's infant granddaughter.A month later, Jake’s oldest son, Edward, 26, married 18-year-old Laura Reinhardt on 11 Nov 1917 in Kouts, Indiana. Ed and Laura lived with Jake and Mary for a month while their house was being prepared in Pashan, IN.
Laura Rheinheimer would later write that her new stepmother-in-law, Mary, was very protective and possessive of baby Mary Catherine and would not let others care for her. "Grandma Mary seemed to like me to do all her housework but I didn't dare do anything to that precious grandchild of hers."
Laura also wrote that she was provoked at her father-in-law Jake when he came to their farm to help out. "He chewed tobacco and thought it was funny when he handed (tobacco to) my two oldest boys (Floyd and Howard) and they made ugly faces."
Jake continued to farm and breed Belgian horses for members of the community. On 29 March 1918, his youngest son, Ira, was drafted into the military for World War I, stationed in France.
Laura also wrote that she was provoked at her father-in-law Jake when he came to their farm to help out. "He chewed tobacco and thought it was funny when he handed (tobacco to) my two oldest boys (Floyd and Howard) and they made ugly faces."
Jake continued to farm and breed Belgian horses for members of the community. On 29 March 1918, his youngest son, Ira, was drafted into the military for World War I, stationed in France.
1932
Mary Catharine was 15 when her grandmother, Mary, who had reared her since she was three weeks old, died of breast cancer on 27 Oct 1932 at age 71. Floyd L. Rheinheimer, remembers seeing the open wound on the breast of his step-grandmother when he was around 11. His sister, Lila, was age 5 and also remembered seeing the uncovered 2" round bubbling wound on her left breast. She said it "smelled to high heaven." Lila reported that they seldom visited their grandfather and step-grandmother but when they did, the curtains were drawn to keep the house cool. When Mary died, Jake was 62 and had been married to her for 34 years.
Rheinheimer.--Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Frederick and Rachael (Miller) Suntheimer, was born July 5, 1861; died Oct. 27, 1932; aged 71 y. 3 m. 22 d. On Feb. 15, 1891, she was married to Jacob Johns. To this union were born 2 children (Abbie--who died in infancy, Hettie--who died in 1917). Her first husband died Dec. 30, 1894. On March 13, 1898, she was married to Jacob Rheinheimer. She leaves her beloved companion, 3 step-sons (Edward, Shipshewana, Ind., John Frederick, York, N. Dak., Ira J., Elkhart, Ind.), 1 step-daughter (Mrs. Samuel E. Weaver, Goshen, Ind.), 1 granddaughter (Mary Catherine Plank) who was taken into the home at the age of 3 weeks, and a host of relatives and friends. In her youth she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized in the Mennonite faith which she kept until the end. Sister Rheinheimer was afflicted with cancer for 3 years. "Mother dear, your wish is granted; Sorrow, pain and grief are o'er. By the grace of God we'll meet you Over on the peaceful shore." Funeral services at the Forks Church.
1933
When Jake's third son, Ira, came home from World War I in 1919, he was ill from the effects of breathing in mustard gas while stationed in France. Despite his sickness, he met and married Anna Hostetler on 08 June 1921. Ira and Anna eventually moved to southern California so Ira could be treated at the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital. They had three children, Donald, John and Shirley. Toward the end of his life, Ira could barely speak above a whisper from the effects of being gassed. He died at age 39 on 11 Dec 1933, his daughter Shirley's fifth birthday.
Rheinheimer.--Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Frederick and Rachael (Miller) Suntheimer, was born July 5, 1861; died Oct. 27, 1932; aged 71 y. 3 m. 22 d. On Feb. 15, 1891, she was married to Jacob Johns. To this union were born 2 children (Abbie--who died in infancy, Hettie--who died in 1917). Her first husband died Dec. 30, 1894. On March 13, 1898, she was married to Jacob Rheinheimer. She leaves her beloved companion, 3 step-sons (Edward, Shipshewana, Ind., John Frederick, York, N. Dak., Ira J., Elkhart, Ind.), 1 step-daughter (Mrs. Samuel E. Weaver, Goshen, Ind.), 1 granddaughter (Mary Catherine Plank) who was taken into the home at the age of 3 weeks, and a host of relatives and friends. In her youth she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized in the Mennonite faith which she kept until the end. Sister Rheinheimer was afflicted with cancer for 3 years. "Mother dear, your wish is granted; Sorrow, pain and grief are o'er. By the grace of God we'll meet you Over on the peaceful shore." Funeral services at the Forks Church.
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| Jake's youngest son, Ira, married Anna Hostetler in 1921 |
When Jake's third son, Ira, came home from World War I in 1919, he was ill from the effects of breathing in mustard gas while stationed in France. Despite his sickness, he met and married Anna Hostetler on 08 June 1921. Ira and Anna eventually moved to southern California so Ira could be treated at the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital. They had three children, Donald, John and Shirley. Toward the end of his life, Ira could barely speak above a whisper from the effects of being gassed. He died at age 39 on 11 Dec 1933, his daughter Shirley's fifth birthday.
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| Jake & Emma Rheinheimer |
Three years after his second wife Mary's death, Jake, age 65, married widow Emma Jemima Hooley Hostetler, age 69, on 14 Dec 1935. Emma was the widow of Jake Hostetler. She told Jake he had to quit chewing tobacco before she would marry him, which he did. Ten years later Emma died of a heart attack in April 1946.
Rheinheimer - Emma Hostetler, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Yoder) Hooley, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., Oct. 13, 1866; aged 79 y. 5 m. 26 d. Last February 5 she became seriously ill, during which time she was anointed and was much improved. She was able to attend church service and her grandson's wedding during this time. On the Sunday morning preceding her death she had a heart attack but grew better again; then Tuesday evening she retired as usual and in several hours passed peacefully away. She was united in marriage Dec. 17, 1883, to Jacob Hostetler, who preceded her in death 16 years. To this union was born one daughter, Effie Ann - Mrs. Milton Kauffman, Middlebury. On Dec. 14, 1935, she was united in marriage to Jacob Rheinheimer.
Surviving are her companion, her daughter, one half sister (Libbie - Mrs. Jacob Miller, Topeka), one step sister (Susie - Mrs. Ira Zook, Norfolk, Va.), one brother (Joseph Y. Hooley, Shipshewana), and one half brother (Jacob Hershberger), 2 step sons (Fred and Edward Rheinheimer, Shipshewana), 5 grandchildren, 24 step grandchildren, 15 step great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding her in death are 2 brothers (Enos and Menno), 2 sisters (Anna - Mrs. Joe Troyer, and Matti - Mrs. Will Hartzler). She was a faithful member of the Forks Mennonite Church for 50 years. Grandma was always a kind and loving Christian, and during her illness she remained cheerful. Her companionship will be deeply missed and her ever-ready smiles shall linger with us. Funeral services were held at the Forks Mennonite Church, April 12, by Percy Miller and Early Bontrager. A note in her Bible suggested II Cor. 5:1-13 to be used as the Scripture, and Rev. 21:4 as the text, for her funeral services. Burial was made in the Bontrager Cemetery. Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXIX, No . 5 - April 30, 1946, Page 110, 111
Surviving are her companion, her daughter, one half sister (Libbie - Mrs. Jacob Miller, Topeka), one step sister (Susie - Mrs. Ira Zook, Norfolk, Va.), one brother (Joseph Y. Hooley, Shipshewana), and one half brother (Jacob Hershberger), 2 step sons (Fred and Edward Rheinheimer, Shipshewana), 5 grandchildren, 24 step grandchildren, 15 step great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding her in death are 2 brothers (Enos and Menno), 2 sisters (Anna - Mrs. Joe Troyer, and Matti - Mrs. Will Hartzler). She was a faithful member of the Forks Mennonite Church for 50 years. Grandma was always a kind and loving Christian, and during her illness she remained cheerful. Her companionship will be deeply missed and her ever-ready smiles shall linger with us. Funeral services were held at the Forks Mennonite Church, April 12, by Percy Miller and Early Bontrager. A note in her Bible suggested II Cor. 5:1-13 to be used as the Scripture, and Rev. 21:4 as the text, for her funeral services. Burial was made in the Bontrager Cemetery. Gospel Herald - Vol. XXXIX, No . 5 - April 30, 1946, Page 110, 111
1947
22 months after Emma’s death, Jake, now aged 77, married twice widowed Nancy Jane Springer Davidhiser, age 74, on 20 Nov 1947. Nancy was the widow of John Springer (d 1910) and Jacob Davidhiser (d 1918).
22 months after Emma’s death, Jake, now aged 77, married twice widowed Nancy Jane Springer Davidhiser, age 74, on 20 Nov 1947. Nancy was the widow of John Springer (d 1910) and Jacob Davidhiser (d 1918).
1951
Four years later, Jake died of a stroke on 2 May 1951, age 81 years. He is buried in Shore Mennonite Church Cemetery, Shipshewana, Indiana. His fourth wife, Nancy, died on 3 Feb 1958, aged 84. She is buried in Clinton Brick Cemetery, Goshen, IN.
Rheinheimer, Jacob, son of John and Anna (Miller) Rheinheimer, was born Feb. 27, 1870, two miles east of Emma, Lagrange Co., Ind.; departed this life May 2, 1951, as the result of a heart condition; aged 81 y. 2 m. 5 d. He lived near Shipshewana, Ind., all his life except five years during the time he lived at Middlebury, Ind. He was married four times. In 1891 he was married to Rachel Sontshimer (Suntheimer); in 1898 to Mary Johns; in 1935, to Emma Hostetler; and in 1947, to Nancy Jane Davidhizer, who survives him. Also surviving are 2 sons (Ed and Fred, both of Shipshewana) and 1 step-granddaughter (Mrs. Mary Catherine Nisely, Millersburg, Ind.), for whom he had provided a home since her childhood. One son (Ira), 5 sisters, and 3 brothers preceded him in death. Other survivors are 23 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren. For sixty years he was a member of the Shore Mennonite Church and faithful in attendance when health permitted. Funeral services were held at the Shore Mennonite Church by the home ministry. Gospel Herald - Volume XLIV , Number 23 - June 5, 1951 page 550
What kind of man was Jacob Rheinheimer? Here are some phrases used by people who knew him.
"Coarse, said what he felt, rough, opinionated." - Amishman Levi Jones, Shipshewana, born 1914
"Very stern and demanding. He wanted this done and that done." - Howard Rheinheimer, grandson
"We never went to Grandpa Jake’s very often. He never smiled and I don’t think he was a happy man." - Lila Rheinheimer Mishler, granddaughter
"Coarse, said what he felt, rough, opinionated." - Amishman Levi Jones, Shipshewana, born 1914
"Very stern and demanding. He wanted this done and that done." - Howard Rheinheimer, grandson
"We never went to Grandpa Jake’s very often. He never smiled and I don’t think he was a happy man." - Lila Rheinheimer Mishler, granddaughter
(Jake Rheinheimer’s fourth & final wife)
Rheinheimer, Nancy Jane, daughter of J. P. and Fannie (Hostetler) Miller, was born in Lagrange County, Ind., May 17, 1873; passed away at the home of a grandson, Charles Cocanower, Jr., Elkhart, Ind., Feb. 3, 1958; aged 84 y. 8 m. 17 d. In September, 1895, she was married to John C. Springer, Hopedale, Ill., who preceded her in death in 1910. To this union were born four children, two preceding her in death. In 1914 she was married to Jacob Davidhizer, who died in 1918. In 1947 she was married to Jacob Rheinheimer, who passed away in 1951. Surviving are two daughters (Esther - Mrs. Charles Cocanower, Sr., Aibonito, P. R.; and Alma - Mrs. Titus E. Miller, Pueblo, Colo.), a daughter- in-law (Mrs. Lela Springer, Elkhart, Ind.), a foster brother (Noah Christner, Minier, Ill.), 3 stepsons, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She accepted Christ in her early years and was received into the Mennonite Church, in which she remained a faithful member until death. She was a member of the Prairie Street Church, Elkhart, Ind., for more than forty years. Funeral services were held at the Prairie Street Church, Feb. 5, in charge of Howard Zehr. Burial in the Clinton Brick Cemetery, Goshen, Ind. Gospel Herald - Volume LI, Number 9 - March 4, 1958 - pages 213 - 215
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