Person Page 393

Edith Jennie Roberts was born on 3 Jan 1876 in Seward Co., NebraskaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Seward Co., Nebraska, G in the household of her parents, Adin Roberts and Sarah Jane Hodge.¹² She appeared on the 1885 State Census of Keya Paha Co., NebraskaG, in the household of her parents.¹³
     She moved to Clark Co., WashingtonG, about 1894 with her parents.^14,15
     Edith married Ralph Orzben Reigel, son of Benjamin Franklin Riegel and Esther Matilda Gann, on 25 Dec 1896 in View, Clark Co., WashingtonG, with Rev. A. Roberts (probably the bride's father) officiating.^7,8,9
     Edith and Ralph lived in Clark Co., Washington for a time after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chelatchie, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 20 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned it's farm, mortgage free. Their daughter Sara was listed as living with them.¹⁶
     Ralph reported he was a resident of La Center in his homestead application in 1908. But in the meantime they were in Idaho long enough for the birth of Adin there in 1905.^17,18
     Ralph applied for a homestead of 160 acres in Arrow, Lake Co., OregonG, on 19 May 1908.^19,20 They completed a house on their homestead in Nov 1908, and occupied it 28 May 1909.²¹ They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Silver Lake, Lake Co., Oregon G, enumerated 10 May 1910, living next to her brother Fred, and his family. Their children Sara, Bessie, Bennie, Adin, and George were listed as living with them.²²
     Edith was appointed postmaster for Arrow, OregonG, when a post office was established there 21 May 1910, operating from the small store and post office they kept at their home. She resigned when they were ready to move from the area, and was replaced by Charlotta Bement 8 Oct 1915. The office was closed and its function moved to Silver Lake three years later, 28 Feb 1918, when she resigned.^23,24
     Her father filed an application for a 160-acre homestead one mile south of theirs on 8 Nov 1913, occupying a home he built there later that month.²⁵
     The patent formalizing the homestead grant, giving them title to the land, was issued on 29 Apr 1915.²⁶ They apparently didn't live there long after the patent was issued, as Edith was replaced as postmistress in Oct 1915.²⁷
     Edith and Ralph sold the homestead property 10 Dec 1918 to Henry M. Johnson of Portland, Oregon, for $3,000, having already moved to TerrebonneG.²⁸
      The family moved to Deschutes Co., OregonG, probably before 1917. They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Terrebonne, Deschutes Co., Oregon G, at Redmond Terrebonne Road, enumerated 19 Jan 1920, reporting they were renting their home. Their children Bennie, Adin, George, and Juanita were listed as living with them.²⁹
      The family apparently estabished themselves in the community quicky, as only a few years later "a very pleasant reception" was held in their honor 9 Jan 1920 as they were about to move out of the community. By 1930 they had settled in Jackson Co., OregonG.³⁰ Edith and Ralph appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Ashland, Jackson Co., Oregon G, at 771 North Main St., enumerated 21 Apr 1930, reporting that the family owned a home worth $1,000, and a radio. Their son George was listed as living with them.³¹
     Edith and Ralph moved to CaliforniaG by 1931. By Jan 1931 they were in Maxwell, Colusa Co., but later moved farther north. The family was living in Orland, Glenn Co., when Edith and Ralph's granddaughter, Elizabeth, was born in Jul 1932. They were still in that area at least until late 1941.^32,33,34,35
     Edith and Ralph also lived in Dunnigan, Yolo Co., during part of this time. They were registered to vote in the general election of 8 Nov 1938 in Dunnigan.³⁶ They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Dunnigan, Yolo Co., California G, enumerated 25 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home for $5 per month. Their granddaughter Betty Dee was listed as living with them. They reported they had lived in Orland, California, in 1935.³⁷
     Edith and Ralph moved to Santa Cruz Co. about 1944.^38,39,40 They appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Santa Cruz Co., California, at 990 Capitola Rd. G, enumerated 21 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm. Their son Bennie was listed as living nearby, at 1000 Capitola Rd. and his brother Forest was listed as living on a trailer on that property.⁴¹
     Edith and Ralph and his brother Forest moved to 1715 Capitola Rd. shortly after that. He was living elsewhere by 1953 but their son Bennie was then living with them.^38,39,42 They and Bennie moved to 1037 17th Ave.G about 1954.^43,44 Edith and Ralph were living there at the time of their deaths.^45,46
     Edith died on 18 Apr 1956 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., CaliforniaG, at age 80.¹⁰ She was buried on 21 Apr 1956 in Oakwood Memorial ParkG.¹¹

Benjamin Franklin Riegel was born on 25 Jan 1850 in McEwensville, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6,7
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Turbut Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of his parents Jacob K. Riegel and Christiana Ohl.¹⁴
     Benjamin and his twin brother William were baptized on 1 Dec 1850 in Follmers Evangelical Lutheran Church, Turbot Twp.G, Rev. S. R. Boyer officiating. Their own parents acted as sponsors.^15,16
     His father died on 13 Sep 1857, when Benjamin was 7 years old.¹⁷ Benjamin appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Milton, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of Kilyan Dunkle and Mary Slote, neighbors of his family. His older sister Sarah was apparently living close by, as the family she was living with was listed preceding.¹⁸
     Benjamin appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Watsontown, Delaware Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of John Stitzel and Fannie and their five sons, where he is listed as a farm apprentice.¹⁹
     Benjamin was living in Watsontown, Northumberland Co.G, at the time of his marriage.²
     Benjamin married Esther Matilda Gann, daughter of John Gann Jr. and Rachel Kauffman, on 4 Feb 1873 in St. John's Reformed Church, Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PennsylvaniaG, with Rev. A. J. Heller officiating.^8,9
      According to one family story, Benjamin he was at "outs" with his family, so changed the spelling from Riegel to Reigel when he came west. However, various spellings of the surname are common in Pennsylvania, and the Reigel spelling appears on his marriage record. So the reason for the change, if it was conscious, is not clear.^20,2,21
     He apparently was a farmer throughout his life, starting as a "farm apprentice" in as Pennsylvania, and continuing that occupation as he moved west.^{22,23,24,25,26}

Moving West --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Benjamin and Esther moved to Missouri in late 1875 or early 1876 with their infant son Ralph. Benjamin bought a 99-acre parcel on the eastern edge of in Jackson Twp., Andrew Co., MissouriG, from Christian Alfred Gann on 12 Apr 1876. He paid $3,200, part in cash and part by agreeing to pay the balance due on a mortgage held by William Ferguson, dated 12 Apr 1869. The original loan was for $1,000, due in one year, at 10% interest. The amount still due was not specified.²⁷
     The seller appears to have been a distant cousin of Esther. He was from Union Co., Pennsylvania, the next county south of where she was born and raised. They were not a first cousins, but the ancestry of neither can be traced far enough to establish their actual relationship. He had come to Andrew Co. in 1868, and was joined by his father and at least one brother. It appears he was the connection that drew Benjamin and Esther to this area.
     Benjamin and Esther sold the property back to Christian on 23 Nov 1877, for reasons that are unknown. He paid them $2,500 and while it is not mentioned in the deed, he evidently also re-assumed responsibility for the mortgage as it was not paid off until 5 Jun 1883. It is unclear whether this amounted to the same or a different price than they originally paid.²⁸
     Benjamin and Esther seem to have remained in that county for at least a few months, as their second son was born there the following January. The family has not been found in the 1880 census, but it appears they moved about that time to Holt Co.G, the next county west, where their third son was born in 1881.^29,30 They apparently did not purchase propertly in Holt Co.G.³¹
     It seems likely that Benjamin's twin brother William joined them in Missouri sometime after1880, then moved with them to Kansas about 1885.³² They appeared on the 1885 State Census of Kirwin, Phillips Co., KansasG, Their children Ralph, Forest, Frank, and Ida were listed as living with them, as was his brother William.³³
     They were apparently renting their farm in Kansas since there is no record that they purchased property there.³⁴

Moving Further West --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Benjamin and Esther moved their family to Clark Co., Washington TerritoryG, about 1892.^35,36,37
     He was named an heir in the will of his mother, Christiana Ohl, dated 19 May 1891, but received nothing when she died because all the assets were used to settle debts.³⁸
     Benjamin purchased 20 acres, located about 3 miles northwest of La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG, on 21 Feb 1893, from David Hurt, for $350.^35,39 (See Map.) He and Esther took out a mortgage on their new farm on 13 Jun 1894, from the seller. It was for $300, at 10% interest, and was to be paid off by 13 June 1897. It was not actually repaid until June 1899, when his son Forest bought a nearby parcel, and a new mortgage for $800, at 8% interest, was taken on both properties. That mortgage was to be paid within 5 years, but was repaid sooner, on 23 Oct 1902.⁴⁰
     Benjamin and Esther appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 29 Jun 1900. Their children Forest, Frank, and Ida were listed as living with them.⁴¹ He and Esther appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 26 Apr 1910. Their grandson, Cecil Reigel, were listed as living with them.⁴²
     He took a mortgage on their farm on 20 May 1916 from O. T. Gradstad, for $200 at 8% interest. It was paid off 3 Dec 1918.⁴³
     He and Esther appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 20 Jan 1920.⁴⁴
     His wife died on 11 Dec 1920 in La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG.^11,45
     Benjamin appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, in the household of his son Frank his wife, Vera Mattie Baird.⁴⁶
     Benjamin died on 6 Jan 1931 in La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG, at age 80.^10,11 He was buried on 8 Jan 1931 in Mt. Zion IOOF Cemetery, La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG.^12,13
     Benjamin died intestate (without leaving a will). Letters of administration for were issued on 31 Jan 1931 to their son Frank for the combined estate of him and his late wife Esther. Their estates were declared to consist only of their community property, there being no personal property, and the annual rents of the real estate was less than $75 annually. A bond of $100 was required.⁴⁷
     An inventory of their estate was filed on 16 Feb 1931 listing only their 20-acre property, valued at $1,500.⁴⁸
     The first and final settlement of the estate was filed on 12 Aug 1931. The administrator reported that the heirs had paid the funeral expenses, expenses of last illness, and the costs of administration, and no claims had been filed. No inheritance tax was due the state because the estate was valued at less than $10,000. Distribution of the real estate to their heirs, their four children, was requested. The court approved the accounting, distributed the real estate to the heirs, and discharged the administrator two days later.⁴⁹

Esther Matilda Gann was born on 21 Mar 1854 in Oval, Lycoming Co., PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Oval, Limestone Twp., Lycoming Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of her parents, John Gann Jr. and Rachel Kauffman.¹²
     Her father died on 10 Jun 1869, when Esther was 15 years old.^13,14 She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Collomsville, Lycoming Co., PennsylvaniaG, in the household of her mother.¹⁵
     Her mother died on 15 Jan 1871, when Esther was 16 years old.^16,17
     Esther married Benjamin Franklin Riegel, son of Jacob K. Riegel and Christiana Ohl, on 4 Feb 1873 in St. John's Reformed Church, Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PennsylvaniaG, with Rev. A. J. Heller officiating.^7,8
     Esther was the only member of her immediate family to move west. All her siblings remained in Lycoming Co.G, save her brother John, who became an agent for the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Co. and lived in Norfolk, Virginia for many years. But some of her father's brothers were more adventuresome, moving to what was the frontier in their time. George moved to Ohio, and Andrew followed him then moved on to Iowa. Lewis, the youngest settled in Illinois.
     Esther and Benjamin moved to Missouri in late 1875 or early 1876 with their infant son Ralph. Her husband bought a 99-acre parcel on the eastern edge of Jackson Twp., Andrew Co., MissouriG, from Christian Alfred Gann on 12 Apr 1876.¹⁸
     The seller appears to have been a distant cousin of Esther. He was from Union Co., Pennsylvania, the next county south of where she was born and raised. They were not a first cousins, but the ancestry of neither can be traced far enough to establish their actual relationship. He had come to Andrew Co. in 1868, and was joined by his father and at least one brother. It appears he was the connection that drew Benjamin and Esther to this area.
     Benjamin and Esther sold the property back to Christian Alfred Gann on 23 Nov 1877, for reasons that are unknown. He paid them $2,500 and while it is not mentioned in the deed, he evidently also re-assumed responsibility for the mortgage as it was not paid off until 5 Jun 1883. It is unclear whether this amounted to the same or a different price than they originally paid.¹⁹
     Esther and Benjamin seem to have remained in that county for at least a few months, as their second son was born there the following January. The family has not been found in the 1880 census, but it appears they moved about that time to Holt Co.G, the next county west, where their third son was born in 1881.^20,21
     It seems likely that Benjamin's twin brother William joined them in Missouri sometime after1880, then moved with them to Kansas about 1885.²² They appeared on the 1885 State Census of Kirwin, Phillips Co., KansasG, Their children Ralph, Forest, Frank, and Ida were listed as living with them, as was his brother William.²³
     They were apparently renting their farm in Kansas since there is no record that they purchased property there.²⁴
     Esther and Benjamin moved their family to Clark Co., Washington TerritoryG, about 1892.^25,26,27 She and Benjamin appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 29 Jun 1900. Their children Forest, Frank, and Ida were listed as living with them.²⁸
     She and Benjamin appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 26 Apr 1910. Their grandson, Cecil Reigel, were listed as living with them.²⁹ She and Benjamin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of La Center, Clark Co., Washington G, enumerated 20 Jan 1920.³⁰
     Esther died on 11 Dec 1920 in La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG, at age 66.^9,10 She was buried in Mt. Zion IOOF Cemetery, La Center, Clark Co., WashingtonG.¹¹
     Esther died intestate (without leaving a will). Letters of administration for were issued on 31 Jan 1931 to their son Frank for the combined estate of her and her husband Benjamin, after his death. Their estates were declared to consist only of their community property, there being no personal property, and the annual rents of the real estate was less than $75 annually. A bond of $100 was required.³¹
     An inventory of their estate was filed on 16 Feb 1931 listing only their 20-acre property, valued at $1,500.³²
     The first and final settlement of the estate was filed on 12 Aug 1931. The administrator reported that the heirs had paid the funeral expenses, expenses of last illness, and the costs of administration, and no claims had been filed. No inheritance tax was due the state because the estate was valued at less than $10,000. Distribution of the real estate to their heirs, their four children, was requested. The court approved the accounting, distributed the real estate to the heirs, and discharged the administrator two days later.³³