Ruckdaschel family Germany to Iowa gen II

2. Johann R. 'John' Ruckdaschel

He was born in Weinsenstadt, Bavaria, Germany on June 21, 1844. He emigrated to America with his parents in 1853.

He married Louise Hackman in Garnavillo, Clayton Co. IA on February 14, 1867. Louise was born in Westphalia, Germany on June 2, 1846. They farmed in the Grand Meadow area for 2 years and then removed to near Staplehurst, NE.

John died January 28, 1914 in NE, at 69 years of age.

John R. Ruckdaschel & Louise Hackman had 11 children:

11.   i.     Ernest Ruckdaschel (1868-1941)
12.   ii.    Male Ruckdaschel (twin of Ernest 1868-1868)
13.   iii.   Louisa Ruckdaschel (1869-1944)
14.   iv.   Johanette Anna Ruckdaschel (1871-1940)
15.   v.    Johann Ruckdaschel (1873-1952)
16.   vi.   Marie Ruckdaschel (1876-1968)
17.   vii. Male Ruckdaschel (1877-1877)
18.   viii. Otto Ruckdaschel (1878-1956)
19.   ix.   Sophie Ruckdaschel (1879-1952)
20.   x.    John Herman Wilhelm Ruckdaschel (1885-1958)
21.   xi.   George Ruckdaschel (1888-1958)

3. Catharine Anna Ruckdaschel

She was born in Weinsenstadt, Bavaria, Germany on January 2, 1847. She emigrated to America with her parents in 1853.

She married Rev. Frederick Wilhelm Seifert in Garnavillo,Clayton Co. IA in 1866. Frederick was born in Germany on March 16, 1831. He was the son of Traugott Seifert and Rebecca Rekau. He emigrated to Elkport, Clayton Co. IA in 1858, where he was a school teacher. He froze his feet hauling logs and they had to be amputated. He was founder of the Zion Lutheran Church in Clayton Center, Clayton Co. IA.

Catharine died September 22, 1899 in Clayton Center, IA, at 52 years of age from hernia complications. Frederick died August 28, 1910 in Clayton Center, IA, at 79 years of age. He died on the day the church he founded was observing its 50th Jubilee. They are buried in the church cemetery.

Catharine A. Ruckdaschel and Rev. Frederick W. Seifert had 12 children:

22.   i.     Ernst Seifert (1867-1868)
23.   ii.    Anna Maria Seifert (1868-1953)
24.   iii.   Louisa Seifert (1870-1941)
25.   iv.    Marie Barbara Margaret Catherine Seifert (1872-1912)
26.   v.     Amelia Louise Anna Pauline Seifert (1874-1945)
27.   vi.    Sophia Line Anna Margarethe Seifert (1876-1947)
28.   vii.   Fredrich Wilhelm Christian Ludwig Seifert (1878-1958)
29.   viii. Otto Johann Herman Seifert (1881-1966)
30.   ix.    Laura Bertha Margarethe Seifert (1884-1963)
31.   x.     Catherine Anna Magdalene Seifert (1887-1955)
32.   xi.    Ernest Frederick Wilhelm Reynold Seifert (1889-1977)
33.   xii.   Carl Johannes Louis Seifert (1895-1895)

4. Dorothea Anna Ruckdaeschel

She was born in Weinsenstadt, Bavaria, Germany on August 8, 1849. She emigrated to America with her parents in 1853.

She married John Thoma in Postville,Allamakee Co. IA on February 16, 1870. Her brother-in-law, Rev. Seifert performed the marriage. John was born in Weinsenstadt, Bavaria, Germany on April 24, 1851 and emigrated in 1855/56. They farmed in Grand Meadow twp. Clayton Co. IA.

Dorothea died April 9, 1934 in Postville, IA, at 84 years of age. John died in 1934. I believe they are buried in the Postville cemetery.

Dorothea A. Ruckdaschel and John Thoma had 4 children:

34.   i.    John Mathias Thoma (1871-1944)
35.   ii.   Anna Catherine Thoma (1874-1960)
36.   iii. Wilhelm C. Thoma (1877-1942)
37.   iv. Friedrich J. Thoma (1879-1959)

5. Christian Ludwig 'Lant' Ruckdaschel

He was born on May 17, 1853 aboard the steamship carrying his parents to America. He was called 'Lant' because on the day of his birth, land was sighted. Lant is a German word for land. He settled with his parents near Clayton Center, Clayton Co. IA. He was confirmed on March 26, 1871 at Zion Lutheran Church, Clayton Center, IA

He married Katherina Poesch at the old Stone Church in Clayton Center,Clayton Co. IA on November 18, 1879. They were married by Rev. Seifert, his brother-in-law. Catherine was born in Clayton Center on June 19, 1857. She was the daughter of John Poesch and Katherine unknown. They farmed in Clayton Co. for many years before moving into the village of Postville in Allamakee Co.

Newspaper articles from the Clayton Co. Register/Journal; Elkader, IA:
December 1888: Chris Ruckdashl came over from Volga City to spend Christmas with his old schoolmates.
Nov 1897: Chris Ruktashel of Clayton was visiting his parents in town a few days this week
Feb 1898: Chris Ruktashel went to Guttenberg for a few days visit with his sister Mrs. C. J. Adams before leaving for Pipestone, Minnesota.

Chris & Katherina are found on the 1920 Federal Census, dist.15, Postville town, Jan 8, 1920 living on Military St.

50th Wedding Anniversary announcement from an undated Postville Herald newspaper clipping:
Lant Ruckdaschel & Wife Observe Golden Wedding
"Mr. and Mrs. Christ. Ruckdaschel celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary Sunday, November 17, 1929, at their home in Postville.........The children, near relatives and friends celebrated the occasion with an elaborate six o'clock dinner at the home, the tables being beautifully decorated with yellow chrysanthemums in honor of the event. Following the dinner the evening hours were passed most agreeably to all in playing progressive bunco.
All of the four children-Mrs. Ed Oldag, Fred Ruckdaschel, Walter Ruckdaschel and Victor Ruckdaschel-were present, to gladden the hearts of their parents on this auspicious occasion. Other relatives present were Mr. and Mrs. Elrie Ruckdaschel, John Ruckdaschel and Lenora, Mrs. Wm. Kluss, Miss Anna Thoma, Mr. and Mrs. Christ Poesch, Mr. and Mrs. Adolf Foels and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Thoma; and the following friends: Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Kugel and family, Mr. and Mrs. Will Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Dan McNeil SR...."

Christ Ruckdaschel wrote his will on August 30, 1929. He left his home and $5,000 to Katharina and the residue of his estate to his sons and daughter. His sons were named executors. The will was witnessed by Geo. N. Fay and Leo O. Beucher, both of Postville. The will was admitted to probate in District court of Iowa for Allamakee Co. by O.H. Fossum, clerk on April 16, 1940.

Katherina died February 27, 1932 in Postville,Allamakee Co. IA, at 74 years of age. Chris died March 9, 1940 in Postville, at 86 years of age. He was murdered in his home. The following front page news report appeared in the Postville Herald, Wednesday, March 13, 1940: "Officials are investigating the death of Christian Ruckdaschel, 86 year old retired farmer whose body was found by members of the Postville fire department Saturday evening about 7:30 o'clock in the living room of his home. Mr. Ruckdaschel was burned about the lower part of his body and a deep gash was fouund on his head. A three-sided stick of stove wood with blood on the sharp edge was found on the floor, leading officers to believe that Mr. Ruckdaschel was slain. A fire in the Ruckdaschel home was discovered by Mrs. H.D. Cold, who was passing by the house about 7:10 p.m. She ran next door to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Platt and Mrs. Birdie Durno, whom she notified. Mr. Platt turned in the fire alarm and in a few minutes the firemen responded. Considerable smoke filled the rooms of the house. Firemen found a couch which was on fire and it was dragged outside. Then they found Mr. Ruckdaschel lying over a chair in the parlor. Dr. M.F. Kiesau was called and after evidence of foul play was noted, county officials were notified. Sheriff John P. King, Deputy William Ryan and Coroner Charles Boyden of Waukon came to Postville to take charge of the case. A coroner's jury investigating the Christian L. Ruckdaschel case Tuesday afternoon, reached the following verdict: "We, the jury, find that Christian L. Ruckdaschel came to his death as the result of a fracture of the skull, caused by blows administered by some unknown person or persons."
The jury was composed of A.C. Webster, Wm.J. Klingbell and C.C. Sander. They reached their verdict after questioning nine men. Everett Cook, Milo Meyer and Arno Schutte testified in behalf of the fire department. Others who were questioned were Dr. Milton Kiesau, medical examiner; Fred C. Ruckdaschel and John A. Schroeder, the first two people at the scene of the fire; Sheriff John P. King, D.O. Bender of the Iowa Bureau of Investigation, and Louis Schutte, mortician."

Chris & Katherina are buried in the Postville cemetery. Near their grave is the tiny marker of their son J.R.

Christian Ludwig Ruckdaschel and Katherina Poesch had 6 children:

38.   i.   Johann Ernest Ruckdaschel
39.   ii. Ludwig Frederich Christian Ruckdaschel
40.   iii. Anna Catherine Ruckdaschel (1885-1885)
41.   iv. Walter Johann Christian Ruckdaschel
42.   v.   Victor Christian Ruckdaschel
43.   vi. Alma Louise Margaret Ruckdaschel

8. John R. Ruckdaschel

He was born in Clayton Co. IA on November 8, 1859.

He married Anna Knodt in Postville, Allamakee Co. IA on May 30, 1889. They were married by Rev. J. Gass at the home of her parents. Anna was born on November 17, 1867. She was the daughter of Carl Knodt and Margaret Sontag.

From the Clayton Co. Register/Journal, Elkader, IA August 1893: "John Ruckdaeschel of Grand Meadow had a valuable Norman colt shot either by a careless or malicious hunter one day last week and now warns parties from shooting on his premises."

John died January 24, 1939 in Postville, at 79 years of age. Anna died January 21, 1923 in Postville, at 55 years of age. They are buried in the Postville cemetery. Buried beside them are daughters Lenora and Flora.

John R. Ruckdaschel & Anna Knodt had 6 children:

45. i.   Lenora K. Ruckdaschel (1892-1977)
46. ii.   Flora L. Ruckdaschel (1894-1912)
47. iii. Esther Margaret Ruckdaschel (1896-1974)
48. iv. Ernst K. Ruckdaschel (1898-1952)
49. v.   John William Ruckdaschel (1903-1945)
50. vi. Herth Anna Ruckdaschel (1905-1981)

9. Anna C. Ruckdaschel

She was born in Clayton Co. IA on September 28, 1860.

She married William C. Dickman on November 9, 1886. They were married at the home of her parents by Rev. Seifert, her brother-in-law. William was born on August 8, 1861. He was the son of Friedrich Dickmann and Rosine Thoma.

From the Allamakee Democrat, November 1899: "William Dickman and family of Read Township, Clayton County, are up for a few days visit with Mrs. Dickman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Ruckdaechel, and other friends . . ."

Anna died May 28, 1922 in Garnavillo,Clayton Co. IA, at 61 years of age. William died September 1, 1939 in Garnavillo, at 78 years of age. They are buried in the Garnavillo cemetery.

Anna C. Ruckdaschel and William C. Dickman had 6 children:

51. i.   Amanda Catherine Rosina Dickman (1888-1988)
52. ii.   Adele Pauline Margarethe Dickman (1890-1969)
53. iii. Louise Anna Catharine Dickman (1891-1964)
54. iv. Erwin Friedrich Ernst Dickman (1893-1991)
55. v.   Otmar Johann Heinrich Dickman (1897-1979)
56. vi. Malinda Anna Pauline Dickman (1901-1989)

10. Margaretha Ruckdaschel

She was born in Clayton Co. IA September 22, 1865.

She married William Kluss in Postville,Allamakee Co. IA on October 18, 1893. William was born on July 16, 1861. They lived in Prairie du Chien, WI for a period of time. It was there that William accidently shot himself and died. Margaretha then moved back to Postville and lived with a daughter.

Margaretha died October 14, 1959 in West Union, Fayette Co. IA, at 94 years of age. William died April 15, 1909 in Prairie du Chien, WI, at 47 years of age.

Margaretha Ruckdaschel and William Kluss had 6 children:

57. i.   Eldo Ernest Kluss (1895-1967)
58. ii.   Helen Dorothy Kluss (1897-1972)
59. iii. Ruth Ann Kluss (1900-1918)
60. iv. Margaret Fredericka Kluss (1903-1988)
61. v.   Emma S. Kluss (1906-1919)
62. vi. Alfred Kluss

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