Ralph C. Ulrich

Notes:

Obit:
Ulrich, Ralph C., son of Christian and Elizabeth (Schertz) Ulrich, was born in Eureka, Ill., Nov. 19, 1904; died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the Eureka Hospital, May 19, 1973; aged 68 y. 8 m. On Dec. 25, 1928, he was married to Della Smith, who survives. Also surviving are one son (Roger Ulrich), one daughter (Carol Johnson), 6 brothers (Loren, Wilmer, Richard, Robert, Marvin, and Clayton James), 3 sisters (Lorene ? Mrs. Ezra Wagner, Reva ? Mrs. Wilbur Noe, and Mona ? Mrs. Camiel Schoonaert), and his stepmother (Mrs. Martha Ulrich). One sister (Elizabeth ? Mrs. Arthur Garber) preceded him in death. He was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on May 21, in charge of Robert Harnish; interment in the Roanoke Cemetery.

Family/Spouse: Della Smith. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Ulrich.--Christian M., son of David and Anna (Reeser) Ulrich, was born near Eureka, Ill., Jan. 29, 1879; departed this life May 6, 1945; aged 66 y. 3 m. 9 d. Death was caused by a malignant tumor. He suffered intense pain, especially the last week of his life, but he never complained. In his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church, remaining faithful to the end. On Jan. 7, 1904, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann Schertz, who preceded him in death in February, 1926. To this union eleven children were born: Ralph, Loren, Wilmer, and Clayton, of Eureka; Richard, Dayton, Va.; Lorene--Mrs. Ezra Wagner, and Reva--Mrs. Wilbur Noe, Chenoa, Ill.; Mona--Mrs. Camiel Schooner, Peoria, Ill,; Elizabeth--Mrs. Arthur Garber, Roanoke, Ill.; Robert, Pensacola, Fla.; and Marvin, in the Marianas. On March 9, 1930, he was united in marriage to Martha J. Garber, who tenderly cared for him during his illness. He leaves to mourn his departure, his widow, 11 children, 12 grandchildren, 6 sisters (Mrs. Barbara Schertz, Mrs., William Schrock, Mrs. E. E. Schertz, Mrs. John Harnish, of Eureka; Mrs. Amos Schertz, Falfurrias, Texas; and Mrs. Emma Schertz, Dewey, Ill.), 3 brothers (Peter, David, and Emmanuel, of Eureka), and many other relatives and friends. His father, mother, and one sister (Anna) preceded him in death. During his illness he expressed his readiness to meet his Saviour and often prayed that He would come and take him home. Funeral services were in charge of J. A. Heiser, assisted by Ezra B. Yordy. Burial was made in the church cemetery.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Church Cemetery

Christian married Elizabeth Ann Schertz on 7 Jan 1904. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Schertz and Elizabeth Gingerich) was born on 13 Dec 1883 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; died on 22 Feb 1926; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Ulrich--Elizabeth A., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Schertz, was born near Eureka, Ill., Dec. 13, 1883; died Feb. 22, 1926; aged 42 y. 2 m. 9 d. She united with the Mennonite Church in her youth, and greatly enjoyed the blessings of the Christian life up until the time her Lord called her home. On Jan. 7, 1904, she was united in marriage with Chris Ulrich, which union was blessed with seven sons and four daughters. She greatly enjoyed her home and family and was blessed with good health until about two years ago, when she had an attack of gall bladder trouble, from which she seemingly recovered, until about three weeks ago she was again stricken. Saturday morning, Feb. 20, she underwent an operation, from which she did not recover, passing away two days later. She leaves her loving husband, and children (Ralph, Loren, Wilmer, Richard, Lorene, Reva, Mona, Robert, Marvin, Clayton and Elizabeth). Her parents preceded her in death about ten years ago. Three brothers (Henry, Andrew, and Amos Schertz) and two sisters (Mrs. John Imhoff, and Mrs. Sam Stieder) remain; also many other relatives and a host of friends. She was a devoted Christian and kind, affectionate mother. She willingly accepted the summons of her Maker, altho desiring, too, to remain with her loved ones. She was dearly loved by all who knew her, her neighbors and friends having often manifested their appreciation of her life in many ways.
"Mother, thou hast left us lonely,
Sorrow fills our hearts to-day,
But beyond this world of sorrow,
Tears will all be wiped away."
Services were held at the Roanoke Mennonite Church by Ezra B. Yordy, and C.F. Derstine. Text, I Pet. 1:3, 4.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Church Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Highly Successful Farmer.
• USR1: Heart Attack

Notes:

Obit:
Ulrich. - David, son of Peter and Anna Ulrich, was born near East Peoria, Ill., July 29, 1850; died at his home in Eureka, Ill., July 7, 1934; aged 83 y. 11 m. 9 d. His parents had come to America from Alsace Lorraine, and were among the early settlers in this part of Illinois, arriving in 1838. From East Peoria the family moved to Deer Creek, where his mother died, when he was five years old. In his early youth they moved to the vicinity of Eureka, where his father purchased the farm now occupied by his son, C. M. Ulrich, and which is spoken of as the old home place. Oct. 22, 1874, he was united in marriage to Anna, daughter of Christian Reeser, who lived to the age of 103 years. To this union were born 11 children, all of whom survive. They are: Barbara Schertz, Eureka; Anna, at home; Christian M., Eureka; Emma Schertz, Cazenovia; Peter N., Eureka; Elizabeth Schertz, Falfurrias, Texas; Fannie Schrock, David, Ella Schertz, Emanuel. and Viola Harnish, all of Eureka. After marriage he farmed for thirty years in Woodford Co., living in the vicinity of Eureka and Metamora, from which latter place they moved to Garden City, Mo., in 1904, where he had purchased a farm. After living there for six years they returned to Woodford Co., locating south of Roanoke, remaining there until January, 1919, when he retired from the farm, moving to the home in Eureka where he passed away. In his youth he united with the Mennonite Church, in which he was a devoted and active member until his Lord called him home. For twenty-two years he served as a trustee of the Roanoke Mennonite congregation northeast of Eureka, of which he was one of the early members, and where he had his church home these many years. He enjoyed good health all his life, taking an active part in the farm life and other interests of the community. He was a loving father, devoted husband, congenial neighbor, and friend to all who knew him. In later years he often spoke of his appreciation that his children, and their families in general, had accepted his Savior, and he expressed his readiness to go to be with Him. Saturday evening he was seized with a heart attack, peacefully passing away about two hours later. All his children were at his bedside, except Emma Schertz, who was visiting at Fisher, Ill., and Elizabeth Schertz of Falfurrias, Texas, who also was not able to come to the funeral because of ill health. He leaves his younger brother (Samuel Ulrich of Nampa, Idaho), the only one remaining of a family of eight; his wife (who was his faithful companion for almost sixty years); 11 children; 46 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held July 11, at the home by Andrew Schrock and at the Roanoke Mennonite Church by Ezra Yordy. Burial in the church cemetery.


Farmed for 30 years. Lived near Metamora in Woodford Co., IL, except for six years in Missouri. Retired in Eureka, IL in 1919. Among the most respected citizens of Woodford Co., united with the Roanoke Mennonite Church in his youth, to which he was devoted and an active member until the Lord called him home. He was a trustee for 25 years. Often spoke how glad he was that he accepted his Saviour and expressed his readiness to go to be with Him.

David married Anna Reeser on 18 Oct 1874. Anna (daughter of Christian Reeser and Barbara Zimmerman) was born on 17 Dec 1854 in Muncie, Delaware Co., IN; died in 1941 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit:
Ulrich.-Anna, daughter of Christian and Barbara Reeser, was born near Muncie, Ind., Dec. 17, 1854; died at her home in Eureka, Ill., Oct. 12, 1941; aged 86 y. 9 m. 26 d. At the age of three she came to Woodford Co., Ill., in a covered wagon with her parents. The Reeser homestead was established along the Mackinaw River where she lived until her marriage to David Ulrich, Oct. 22, 1874. All their married life, with the exception of six years at Garden City, Mo, were lived in Woodford Co., in the vicinities of Eureka and Metamora. Having retired from the farm, they moved to Eureka in 1919. In 1934 her husband passed away. They were blessed with 11 children, all of whom survive the passing of their mother. They are: Barbara Schertz, Eureka; Anna, at home; Christian M., Eureka; Emma Schertz, Fisher; Peter N., Eureka; Elizabeth Schertz, Falfurrius, Texas; Fannie Schrock, David, Ella Schertz, Emmanuel, and Viola Harnish, all of Eureka. In her youth, she united with the Mennonite Church, in which she was a devoted and faithful member all her life. She enjoyed good health until she took sick about eleven months ago. She was very active and found much enjoyment in the duties of home life, and in association with her many neighbors and acquaintances. Much appreciated were the loving remembrances of friends and relatives shown to her during her illness. She especially loved the timber and the beauties of nature, visiting often the vicinity of her childhood home on the Mackinaw. She was a loving mother and grandmother to her 11 children, 47 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She also leaves 2 sisters (Mrs. Lena Plaag of Peoria, Ill., and Mrs. Barbara Ummel of Reeds, Mo.), and 5 brothers (Jacob of Albany, Oreg.; Peter of Seattle, Wash.; Sam of Goodfield, Ill.; and Ben and David of Congerville, Ill.). One sister and 4 brothers preceded her in death. Funeral services were held Oct. 14, at the home and at the Roanoke Mennonite Church conducted by Bro. Ezra Yordy, assisted by Bro. H. R. Schertz and Bro. Lee Lantz. Interment in church cemetery.

Notes:

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph + Elizabeth Gingerich. Elizabeth was born on 11 Apr 1847; died on 13 Feb 1917; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Her funeral card gives the year 1846.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish
• Immigration: 1831, NY
• Residence: 1831, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1837, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1868, Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, February 1904: "Feb. 8, 1904,
near Eureka, Ill., Bro. Peter Ulrich, aged 92 Y., 6 M., 28 D. He was born in Alsace, Germany, July 18, 1811, came to America in May 1831 and located in Ohio. He was married to Sister Annie Oyer, Sept. 1837. This union was blessed with seven sons and one daughter. He went to Illinois in September 1838. His companion preceded him to the better world Aug. 5, 1855. In 1858 he was married to Sister Barbara Zimmerman, who died April 5, 1865. From that time until he died he lived with his children. The deceased was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite church. He leaves six sons, one daughter, 51 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren. One son, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren preceded him to the other world. Funeral was held at the Roanoke M. H. Feb. 10. Services by Chris. Reeser and Andrew Schrock in German and John Smith in English from 1 Peter 3:3-5."

“In France Peter was drafted, but having religious convictions against bearing arms he asked his father for money and at age 18 came to America. His first place of residence was Butler Co., Ohio, where he lived for eight years. In 1837 he came to Illinois and settled near present East Peoria, the same year married Anna Oyer. He lived in this area for 18 years. After his wife's death Peter moved to Deer Creek and later to Eureka." ,

PETER ULRICH
"Farmer: P.O. Eureka, Ill. Was born July 12, 1811 in France. Son of Peter and Catherine Ulrich of France (father a weaver by trade.) He emigrated to America in 1831 with his sister Barbara. Was 44 days in making the trip. Landed in New York, here but a short time as Mr. Ulrich had the experience of someone stealing his hat.
They then went to Cincinnati, Ohio via canal, flat and steam boat. Eight days from New York to Cincinnati, Ohio. There he remained one year as a teamster, thence in the country at farming for seven years. In 1838 he moved to Tazewell Co., Illinois. He purchased 80 acres of land and commenced farming. Here five years. He then sold and rented farms near Peoria. He leased a farm for five years. His wife died August 5, 1855.

From Tazewell Co., he came to Woodford County and settled three and a half miles North East of Eureka. He purchased railroad land 200 acres. He sold and purchased the place he lived on in 1867, 178 acres of fine improved land and in 1868 he moved on the place.

His first wife was Anna Oyer from France. Married in 1837. Second wife was Barbara Zimmerman married in 1859. She died in 1864. Eight children.

Roanoke Mennonite Church
"The story is told of the meeting one Sunday...(when) the bishop, Christian Ropp, proposed the building of a meetinghouse and the congregation voted. It carried with only one dissent—that of Peter Ulrich (1811-1904), a settler of 1837 who came to the prairie in 1868. He said he would 'refuse to cross the door sill should the new church be built,' but he changed his mind and continued to be actively involved in the congregation." From Proceedings of the Conference-Tradition and Transition-An Amish Mennonite Heritage of Obedience 1693-1993 Copyright 1994 Illinois Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society.

Birth:
Near Hirtzbach (Haut-Rhin)

Immigration:
With sister Barbara and Joseph Litwiller

Residence:
Olio Township

Residence:
Purchased 178 acres in Olio Township

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Peter married Anna Oyer in Sep 1837 in Butler Co., OH. Anna (daughter of Joseph, Sr. Oyer and Catherine Schrag) was born on 29 Nov 1811 in Niderhoff, Moselle, FR; died on 5 Aug 1855 in East Peoria, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Cholera

Notes:

Buried:
Most probably at Guth Cemetery in Washington, Il.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Old age
• Immigration: 1839, New Orleans, LA
• Residence: 1847, Muncie, Delaware Co., IN
• Residence: 1857, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

A bit more about Christian Reeser, from Mennonites in Illinois by Willard H. Smith:

“Christian Reeser was an unusual person. He was born in Alsace in 1819 while Napoleon was still living and James Monroe was president of the United States; in 1923, at Eureka, Illinois, at age 103, he died when Warren G Harding was president. He arrived in the United States in 1839 by way of New Orleans, and located first in Butler County, Ohio. About 1847 he joined his brother John near Muncie, Indiana, and in 1852 he married Barbara Zimmerman. The wife had a good education for her day and complemented her husband well, for he had wide experience and much common sense but very little formal training. In 1857, at that time with three children, the couple moved to Woodford County, Illinois and settled on the Mackinaw River a few miles north of Congerville. The decision to locate in this area came largely because Reeser’s friend Nicholas Maurer was there and gave the new arrivals a hearty welcome. The Reeser farm on the Mackinaw remained the home of the family for many decades and became a historic landmark. For the fifty-six years of his ministry Christian Reeser served in the Roanoke congregation and community except for 1903-07 when he lived with a daughter in Missouri.” (pp 73-74)
Smith also notes that Christian Reeser voted for Lincoln in 1860 and 1864 but otherwise voted for every democratic ticket from James K. Polk in 1844 to and including James M. Cox in 1920. He was over 100 years old when he cast his vote for Cox. (p 417)
Christian Reeser’s great-granddaughter Ethel Reeser Cosco wrote a biography: Christian Reeser: The Story of a Centenarian. Smith used her work as a source.

At his death, he had 82 grandchildren and 101 great grandchildren.

Immigration:
to Butler Co., OH

Residence:
North of Congerville on the Mackinaw River

Christian married Barbara Zimmerman in 1852 in Muncie, Delaware Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“So, 169 years later, Christian and Catherine’s great-great-great-grandson remains on the land that they were no-doubt enthusiastic to have purchased in 1851. Eleven years earlier, in 1840, Christian had arrived in Peoria [IL] with a total financial portfolio of fifty cents.

“…their eight children …had a total of 43 children of their own. Those 43 had 134 children and they were the fourth generation. Now we have the tenth and possibly eleventh generation and have lost track of the names and numbers. Christian and Catherine Schertz would no doubt be astounded.”

Birth:
FAG gives Novemeber as the month

Buried:
Union Cemetery

Christian married Katharina Engel on 29 Jul 1841. Katharina (daughter of Jean George Engel and Magdalena Frei) was born on 15 Mar 1820 in Alsace, FR; died on 12 Jun 1896 in IL; was buried in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Union Cemetery