Leonard Reist and Elizabeth Deitle's Family

Leonard Reist, son of Leonard, was born on July 6, 1851 at Guemar, Haut-Rhin, France. In the 1900 United States federal census return for Berrien County, Michigan, Leonard reported that he arrived in America in 1853. He died as a result of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of fifty-seven years, nine months and fifteen days at Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan on April 21, 1903. He was buried on April 23, 1903 in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor. Leonard was a grocer by profession.

Leonard arrived, with his parents, in the United States of American at the Port of New York on July 18, 1853. The family left Le Havré, France aboard the steamship The Florida, James G. Mills, Captain, which carried 512 passenagers. At the time of the family's departure, Leonard was four years of age.

On April 29, 1879, Leonard married at St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan to Elizabeth Deitle, daughter of Frank Deitle and Rose [family name unknown] . Elizabeth was born on April 10, 1858 at St. Joseph. She died on June 10, 1954 at Benton Harbor. She was buried on June 12, 1954 in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor. She was a member of the Altar Society for St. John Catholic Church.

Leonard and Elizabeth had eight children, all of whom were born at Benton Harbor.

  1. Bertha E. Reist was born on April 20, 1880. She died on January 7, 1962 at St. Joseph and was buried in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor on January 9, 1962. Bertha was a member of the Royal Neighbors. In 1920 Bertha worked as a folder in a local hosiery factory.

    Bertha married on January 10, 1905 at Benton Harbor to Frederick (Fritz) Herman Gess, son of Gottlieb Gess and Wilhelmine Bartz . Frederick, aka Fred, was born on November 1, 1879 at Reynolds, White, Indiana. The 1880 United States federal census indicates that his home was located in Honey Creek, Indiana. He died February 12, 1962 at Benton Harbor. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery. He was employed by the Whirlpool Corporation for thirty-nine years, retiring in 1930. According to various United States federal census returns, Fred worked as a ribber in a hosiery factory (1900), a knitter in a knitting factory (1910), a milling machinist in a tire factory (1920) and a factory laborer (1930).

    Fred's World War I draft registration card, which was dated September 24, 1918, tells us that his middle name was Herman, confirms his date of birth as given above, and tells us that he was employed as a spring maker for a trucking company. He was described as of medium height and build and had blue eyes and light colored hair. Fred and Bertha were living at 808 Broad Street in St. Joseph.

  2. Lena Reist was born on May 16, 1882. She died on September 27, 1964 at Benton Harbor.

    Lena married on January 3, 1917 at St. Joseph, Michigan to Harry O'Darrell, son of Alba O'Darrell. It appears from the marriage returns that his mother's maiden name was Clark. Harry was employed as a cutter for a novelty factory in 1920. Based on his age, thirty-eight, in the 1920 United States federal census, Harry was born about 1882. Harry appears to have served in the United States navy aboard the U.S.S. Pittsburgh during World War I.

  3. Leonard Reist was born on March 1, 1884. He died on April 17, 1953 at Benton Harbor.
  4. Frank Ernest Reist was born on July 29, 1886. He died on November 8, 1934 at Benton Harbor.
  5. John C. Reist was born on July 16, 1888. He died as the result of meningitis on October 29, 1901 at Benton Harbor. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor.
  6. Louisa J. Reist was born on December 3, 1890. She died on May 17, 1984 at Dowagiac, Branch, Michigan. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor. The return of births for Berrien County, Michigan records her name a Johannah L. Reist.

    Louisa married on October 23, 1914 at Benton Harbor to Frank Eugene Cryan, son of John Cryan and Mary Ann Carroll. Frank was born on July 8, 1881 at Stratford, Ontario, Canada. The year, 1881, is taken from the 1900 United States federal census and the 1891 Census of Canada. He died on April 8, 1956 at Benton Harbor. Frank was a meat cutter by profession.

    Frank's World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918 informs us that his given name was Francis Eugene, that he was born on July 8, 1883, that he had brown eyes and hair, that he was of medium height and slender of build and that he had only one lung. His occupation was that of a meat cutter for Barry and Cryan.

    Louisa and Frank had two children, both of whom were born at Benton Harbor.

  7. Agnes Marie Reist was born on October 30, 1894. She died on 19 May 1974 at Benton Harbor. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor.
  8. Margaret K. Reist was born on February 18, 1897. She died as a result of malarial fever and congestion of the brain on December 23, 1901 at Benton Harbor. She was four years, ten months and six days of age. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery at Benton Harbor. Her certificate of death recorded her name as Catherine M. Reist.

Sources

  1. The following United States federal census for:
  2. The following Canadian census for:
  3. The following editions of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan:
  4. The following editions of The Herald Press of St. Joseph, Michigan:
  5. The World War I draft registration cards for:
  6. Obituary for:
  7. Certificate of Death for:
  8. Return of marriages for Berrien County, Michigan for:
  9. Return of Births for Berrien County, Michigan for:
  10. History of St. Joseph by L. Benj. Reber, Page 109, Published under the Auspices of St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph, Michigan by A. B. Morse Company, St. Joseph, Michigan.
  11. Research undertaking by Mr. Lyle Kling of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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Written and Edited by Harry Gruss
Created August 31, 2009.

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