The Ernest R. Schroeder Family

Ernest "Robert" Schroeder, son of Christian Schroeder and Dorothea Becker Schroeder, was born on March 12, 1852. On March 6, 1884, he married Anna Joost Tipke, born Jan. 12, 1859. Her parents were "John" Hans Hinrich and Wilhelmina Bremer Joost. They purchased a farm in Section 29 of Ridgeville Twp. on August 29, 1884, and proceeded to make that their home and farming their occupation.

Anna's sons, George and Theodore Ripke, stayed with them, and later on, her father and brother Hermann made that their home also. They built a new home, about 1891, and made many other improvements. Robert and Anna had four children: Bernhardeane "Deane," born Aug. 7, 1885; Clara Maria, born Jan 13, 1888; Martha A., born Sept. 19, 1891; Ida, born Dec. 23, 1896. The children went to the nearby 8th grade Schroeder School, and the family attended the St. Johns Lutheran Church.

Anna's brother Hermann made himself as useful as he could in his crippled condition, and passed away on Oct. 23, 1891.

Her son George Ripke was born in Paola, Kansas, on Nov. 3, 1878. When he was 16 years old while working in the woods with his stepfather, a large limb fell and hit him on the head. All kinds of medical treatments were given but the accident seemed to have started an epileptic condition. Later he was in the state hospital at Toledo, off and on for some time. Shortly before his death he contracted tuberculosis and passed away on Jan. 24, 1912.

Theodore Ripke, born in Paola, Kansas, Jan. 4, 1881, married Meta Sundermann on Nov. 23, 1905, and lived just east of Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, on the Ridge Road. They had six children: Clara, Edwin, Ernest, Arnold, Carl, and Olga.

Theodore passed away on July 3, 1966, and Meta passed away Sept. 19, 1971.

Berhardeane "Deane" married Rudolph Kruse, and lived in Sec. 32 of Ridgeville Township. They had one child, Morris. Deane passed away Jan. 9, 1965. Rudolph passed away December 24, 1963.

Clara married George Hoffman December 15, 1912, and lives in Sec. 13 of Ridgeville Township. They have four children: Margaret, Lucille, George J., and Arthur W.

Martha A. had a normal early life, but from age 16 on was confronted with a continuing illness and passed away on April 9, 1914.

Ida married Herbert Reinking on June 27, 1920. At first they lived on the Robert Schroeder farm and then moved to Fulton County. They have 2 children, Robert and Luther. Herbert died Feb. 20, 1975.

Robert and Anna purchased a home in Ridgeville Corners and enjoyed most of their retirement years there. Robert passed away on Oct. 17, 1938, and Anna on Nov. 20, 1950.

Submitted by Morris H. Otte