The Peter Reichert Family

The history of the Reichert family in America began with the arrival of Peter, his wife Victoria, and their children from Baden-Baden, Germany, in the year 1854.

George and Lucretia weathered the crossing but the baby Joseph died shortly before they landed in New York and was wrapped in blankets and carried off the ship to be buried in American soil.

Peter brought his family to Henry County and bi,ilt himself a log house on the Sand Ridge Road.

The oldest son, George Francis, married Mary Ann Leaders on August 19, 1867, and they had ten children.

Joseph died at 23 and Charles died in infancy. Mary Elizabeth, born June 13, 1868, married Pete Hitts and lived on a farm outside Napoleon. Peter Henry (born June 1, 1876), Michael (born April 30, 1879), Anna Victoria (born September 13, 1883), Teresa Clara (born August 10, 1886), and "Jake" (Jacob Vincent - born June 18, 1888) all settled in Napoleon while Caroline (born April 27, 1873) moved to Toledo, then Idaho, Montana and eventually California. Frank settled on a farm in Fulton County.

The Reichert Brothers (Peter and Michael) Livery Stable flourished briefly (from 1907 to 1918) in downtown Napoleon on Perry Street beside the old canal. (See picture)

Peter who was elected Henry County Sheriff in 1916 was struck by the 3:47 mail train on April 13, 1917, in Liberty Center while taking a prisoner to jail. The train was 45 minutes late and making up time when the accident occurred.

"Jake" operated a dray service in Napoleon. It started as a horse drawn dray and then it was a truck service until his death in 1935. (See picture)

In 1918, Michael began selling cars for Frank Gullinger and later J. B. Sisk before opening a shoe repair shop next door to the former livery stable. His son Raymond repaired shoes for the people of Henry County from 1919 to 1967 when the building was torn down to make way for a modern Marathon gas station.

During the 48 years they were in business they sold Singer sewing machines, Atwater Kent radios, and more recently licenses for the State of Ohio.

Raymond's sister Marie after five years as a telephone operator went to beauty college, then opened a beautyshop in her home and has completed 45 years as a beautician.

Submitted by Raymond Reichert