Henry Rabe

Johann Heinrich (Henry) Rabe was born to Johann Heinrich Christoph Rabe and his wife Anna Catarina Ripke, on the 9th of October 1848, in Oldendorf by Hermannsburg, province of Hannover, Germany. His mother evidently has the name Marie as she was called C. Marie Ripke on some papers.

'Henry' and his wife Anna K.M. Jungmann (Youngmann), who was born 12 December 1855 in Germany, arrived on U.S. soil on 2 August 1883. It was a sad journey as they had recently lost the last of their young children before sailing. They arrived in Henry Co., shortly thereafter and signed a declaration of citizenship intent in October of that same year. I have been told they settled originally on a farm on Bunke Rd. near Florida, Ohio, where most of their children were born. On 25 August 1888, Henry was granted his rights as a new citizen of the U.S. by Probate Judge, Michael Donnelly.

In October 1893, Henry purchased land from Gabriel Shafer -- eighty acres for the sum of $3450.00. This farm is still in possession of the Rabe family, and occupied by George and Emma Rabe. It is located in Section 16, on Co. Rd. 10, between Rd. D. and E. Southwest of Hamler.

Seven children were born to this couple after coming to the U.S.

George Christoph, born 12 February 1884, married Frieda Meyer in 1908. Their children were; Alfred G. born 1909, married Pauline K. Meyer in 1931 and live in Okolona; Lora E. born 15 February 1912, married Edmund Rohrs in 1932, they live in Napoleon; George born 2 June 1915 married Emma Badenhop in 1937 and live on the Hamler farm. George Christoph died 21 October 1948. Frieda remarried in later years to John Bostelman and died 28 December 1968, both buried at Hope Lutheran Church cemetery.

Fritz Heinrich Wilhelm (Bill) my grandfather was born 29 December 1885 by Florida, in 1911 he married Clara Witte, and after living with his father for a period of time, moved by R.R. Train along with her parents to Gladwin Co., Mich., where they had purchased land. To this union were born; Fred (my father) born 11 August 1912, Hamler, Ohio. He married E. Adeline Aspell on 10 April 1937, they have 2 children, and 6 grandchildren. They recently moved to their retirement home 1 mile west of Pinconning, Mich.; Martha born 1 August 1915 Rhodes, Mich., married J. Arthur McComb, lives in Midland, Mich.; Paul G. born 11 September 1923, married Leona Bryan in 1948 and lived in Midland. Paul passed away on May 3, 1976 after a short fight with Cancer; Frieda born 5 April 1926, married Frank Brown in 1946, live in rural Midland, Mich.; Jeanetta C. born 12 November 1931, married Ted Lueders in 1955, live in rural Midland, Mich. Bill died 13 Sept. 1952, Clara died 8 January 1971. Both are buried in Hope Lutheran Cemetery at Rhodes, Mich.

Herman born 2 March 1888, married Emma Precht in 1909, and lived by Liberty Center. Their children were; Rudolph born 18 December 1909, married Auguste Gebers, living by Liberty Center; Louise born February 1911, married Clem Hoffman; and Julia born ca. 1915, married Ed. Meyer in 1935. Herman died 27 January 1949. Emma died 10 August 1949. They are buried at Forest Hill, Napoleon.

Emma Marie born 14 November 1889, married Herman Meyer in 1909. Their children were; Herbert born 1911, married Frances Diemer; Paul born 1912 married Edith Roddy; Arthur born 1915, married Margaret Eschedor; Esther born 1917, married John D. Baldwin; Frederick 0. born 1919, married Evelyn Grimes; and Elnora born 1921, married Francis Powell. Emma is still living at this writing. She has been a very active senior citizen, bowling twice a week when she was 86 years young. She has finally begun to slow down some.

Theodore born 3 August 1891, died at the age of 1y 1m 3d, of Whooping cough. It is believed that he is buried in the Brinkman cemetery, no stone.

Otto H. born 8 August 1893, married Miss Emma Meyer in 1916, she is the daughter of H. H. Meyer. Their children; Julius born 1917, married Rose Oeder; Louise born 1919/20, married George Gobrogge; Harold born 1922, married Gertrude Bauer. All of this family are residents of rural Pinconning, Mich. Otto died 16 May 1949.

Anna Marie Doris born 6 June 1895, married Arthur Koppenhofer in 1916. Their children; Melvin born 1917, married Valeta Huner; Norbert born 1919, married Dorothea Bunke; Arthur Jr. born 1924, married Loretta Dietrich. Anna died 12 July 1974, Arthur in March 1965. Both are buried at Hope Lutheran, Hamler.

The mother of this group died at the age of 41 years, leaving a 2 year old child for older sister Emma to help raise. Henry lived on, raising his family, farming and keeping his children in the Christian Faith attending Hope Lutheran Church. He passed from this life in 1914 at the age of 65. He, along with many of this family, rest in the Hope Cemetery.

Additional information - to a brief paragraph submitted by Julia Meyer appearing V. 1 p. 359.

Submitted by: a great granddaughter - Mrs. Barbara Rabe Curtindale