Ralph Orzben Reigel1,2,3,4

Family Chart
ID# 3917, (1875 - 1957)
FatherBenjamin Franklin Riegel5,6,7 (25 Jan 1850 - 6 Jan 1931)
MotherEsther Matilda Gann5,6,7 (21 Mar 1854 - 11 Dec 1920)

Key Events:

Birth: 14 Feb 1875, Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania8,9,10
Marriage: 25 Dec 1896, View, Clark Co., Washington, Edith Jennie Roberts (3 Jan 1876 - 18 Apr 1956)11,12,13
Death: 4 Jun 1957, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., California14
Burial: 7 Jun 1957, Oakwood Memorial Park7
ChartsDescendants of Jacob K. and Christiana Ohl Riegel
AncestryThe Reigel Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     
Ralph Orzben Reigel
courtesy Denise Roberts
Ralph Orzben Reigel was born on 14 Feb 1875 in Lycoming Co., Pennsylvania.8,9,10
     He moved to Missouri with his parents in late 1875 or early 1876.
     He moved to Kansas with his parents about 1885.15 He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Kirwin, Phillips Co., Kansas, in the household of his parents.16
     He moved to Clark Co., Washington Territory, with his parents about 1892.17,18,19
     Ralph married Edith Jennie Roberts, daughter of Adin Roberts and Sarah Jane Hodge, on 25 Dec 1896 in View, Clark Co., Washington, with Rev. A. Roberts (probably the bride's father) officiating.11,12,13
     Ralph and Edith lived in Clark Co., Washington for a time after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chelatchie, Clark Co., Washington, enumerated 20 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned it's farm, mortgage free. Their daughter Sara was listed as living with them.20
     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 1905.21,22

Homesteading in Oregon's High Desert --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Ralph applied for a homestead of 160 acres in Arrow, Lake Co., Oregon, on 19 May 1908. Under new homestead provisions enacted in Feb 1909, he submitted a supplemental application on 11 Mar 1913 to increase the size of the grant to 325 acres.23,24 (See Map.) In developing their homestead, the family built a 20 by 30 foot home, with a 12 by 16 foot "L" and a 10 by 12 foot cellar. They apparently kept livestock, as they built a 24 by 28 foot barn, and an 8 by 10 foot chicken house. They erected fencing for the garden, a hog lot, and over a mile and a half of barb-wire fencing of fields. They dug two wells, one 27 feet deep, the other shallower. He valued these improvements at $1,000, while his two witnesses valued them at $1,050 and $1,100.25
     But homesteading in the bleak area of south- central Oregon seems to have been very difficult, as seen from the results of the family's first five years of farming. In 1910 they planted 2½ acres of oats, and harvested nothing. The following year 10 acres of rye yielded one ton of hay. In 1912 plantings of an acre of rutabagas, 3 acres of wheat, and 12 acres of rye produced only 7 tons of hay. In 1913 25 acres of rye yielded 12 tons of hay, apparently a high point. The next year 20 acres of rye were planted, along with 4 acres of alfalfa, 4 of wheat, and 12 of barley, all to harvest 1½ tons of hay. The family lore that they "nearly starved" during this time seems not far from the mark.26,27
     The failure of farming to thrive was not for lack of trying new techniques. In the spring of 1912 the local newspaper posted an announcement by Ralph that plowing out sagebrush by the use of a traction engine and a 10-share gang plow would be tired in the Silver Lake and Christmas Lake valleys the following fall.28
     The family did have a vegetable garden of about ½ acre each year, and operated a small store and post office, apparently in their home. Edith was postmistress of Arrow, Oregon, from 21 May 1910 until 8 Oct 1915. At least part of the time Ralph worked elsewhere, as he reported in the 1910 census he was a sawmill engineer, and was not out of work in the previous year.29,30,31
     They completed a house on their homestead in Nov 1908, and occupied it 28 May 1909.32 They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Silver Lake, Lake Co., Oregon, 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.33
     Ralph served as clerk of the local school district during his time there. In Apr 1912 his district received $414 in apportionment from the county, and $275.40 the following spring.34,35
     The patent formalizing the homestead grant, giving them title to the land, was issued on 29 Apr 1915.36 They apparently didn't live there long after the patent was issued, as Edith was replaced as postmistress in Oct 1915.37
     Ralph and Edith sold the homestead property 10 Dec 1918 to Henry M. Johnson of Portland, Oregon, for $3,000, having already moved to Terrebonne.38

Moving On From the Homestead --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     The family moved to Deschutes Co., Oregon, probably before 1917. Ralph registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at Terrebonne, Deschutes Co., Oregon, reporting he was a farmer.39
     Ralph and Edith appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Terrebonne, Deschutes Co., Oregon, 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.40
     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., Oregon.41 Ralph and Edith appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Ashland, Jackson Co., Oregon, 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.42
     Ralph inherited, with his siblings, their parents' 20 acre farm. On 24 Oct 1931 he, Forest, and Ida ceded to Frank the five acres nearest his farm. In 1938 and 1939 the three brothers transferred their interests in the remaining 15 acres to Ida.43,44

Moving to California --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Ralph and Edith moved to California by 1931. Ralph and at least some of his sons lived and worked in various areas of northern California, mainly working in the fruit orchards. By Jan 1931 they were in Maxwell, Colusa Co., but later moved farther north. The family was living in Orland, Glenn Co., when Ralph and Edith's granddaughter, Elizabeth, was born in Jul 1932. They were still in that area at least until late 1941.45,46,47,48
     Ralph and Edith 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.49 They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Dunnigan, Yolo Co., California, 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 1935.50
     Ralph seems to have regarded his primary occupation as a steam engineer, or operator of steam engines. In the 1900 and 1910 censuses he reported that he was a sawmill engineer, and in 1930 as a stationary engineer. He owned small sawmills while he lived in Ashland. But he was engaged in agriculture for much of his life. His homestead application in 1915 lists various crops attempted, and on the 1920 census he reported his occupation as farmer.51,52,53,54,55,56 In 1940 Ralph reported his occupation as laborer on a ranch, but that he had been out of work six months. He reported he had worked 32 weeks the prior year, earning $482.50
     Ralph and Edith moved to Santa Cruz Co. about 1944.57,58,59 They appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Santa Cruz Co., California, at 990 Capitola Rd., 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.60
     Ralph and Edith 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.57,58,61 They and Bennie moved to 1037 17th Ave. about 1954.62,63 Ralph and Edith were living there at the time of their deaths.64,65
     Ralph was an avid fisherman in his later years, taking his small boat out in Monterey Bay even after he lost a leg from complications of diabetes.66
     His wife died on 18 Apr 1956 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., California.67
     Ralph died on 4 Jun 1957 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., California, at age 82.14 He was buried on 7 Jun 1957 in Oakwood Memorial Park.7

Children:
     Children with Edith Jennie Roberts:

Citations

  1. [S98] Benjamin Reigel Family Bible, shows name as Ralph Orzben Reigel.
  2. [S682] Ralph Reigel Family Bible, shows name as Ralph Osborne Reigel.
  3. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows name as Ralph Orzben Reigel.
  4. [S1393] B. F. Reigle household, 1885 Kansas State Census, Phillips Co., Kansas, Kirwin, shows name as Ralph Reigle.
  5. [S98] Benjamin Reigel Family Bible.
  6. [S65] Marriages of Clark County, Washington, FHL microfilm 1206366-8, Family History Library, extract of marriage record of Ralph O Reigel and Edith J Roberts.
  7. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death.
  8. [S98] Benjamin Reigel Family Bible, shows date.
  9. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows date and state.
  10. [S150] Ralph Reigel household, 1900 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows month, year, age 25 and state.
  11. [S688] Ralph O. Reigel and Edith J. Roberts, marriage record, Application, filed 9 Dec 1896; Certificate recorded 30 Dec 1896, shows date, town, county, state, and minister.
  12. [S150] Ralph Reigel household, 1900 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows married, 3 years.
  13. [S674] Ralph O. Reigel household, 1910 U.S. Census, Lake Co., Washington, shows married, for 13 years.
  14. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows date and place.
  15. [S1393] B. F. Reigle household, 1885 Kansas State Census, Phillips Co., Kansas, Kirwin, shows Forest, Frank, and Ida all born in Missouri, and that the family, including William, had moved to Kansas from Missouri.
  16. [S1393] B. F. Reigle household, 1885 Kansas State Census, Phillips Co., Kansas, Kirwin.
  17. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 18:78-9, David Hurt to B. F. Reigel, deed, 25 Mar 1893.
  18. [S65] Marriages of Clark County, Washington, FHL microfilm 1206366-8, Family History Library, shows Ralph was married 25 Dec 1896 in View, Clark Co., Washington.
  19. [S170] Benjamin Franklin Riegel, Certificate of Death, shows lived in registration district 38 yrs.
  20. [S150] Ralph Reigel household, 1900 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington.
  21. [S165] Adin Ralph Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows born in Idaho.
  22. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Application dated 19 May 1908 shows resident of La Center, Clark Co., Washington, R.F.D. No. 1.
  23. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Application dated 19 May 1908 for ¼ section, additional application dated 11 Mar 1913 for 165 acres.
  24. [S615] Reigel, land patent, 29 Apr 1915, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Land Office, shows acreage, and description by range and township. Map provided by Oregon/Washington office of BLM places it about 5 miles north and 3 miles east of Silver Lake, in Lake County.
  25. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Final Proof, Testimony of Claimant dated 23 Feb 1915; Final Proof, Testimony of Witness Walter C. Buick, same date; and Final Proof, Testimony of Witness Claud M. McCall, same date.
  26. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Final Proof, Testimony of Claimant dated 23 Feb 1915 shows crop history, and lists improvements; Testimony of Witness by two witnesses, same date, state essentually the same facts.
  27. [S614] Interview, Elizabeth Robasciotti, 4 Sep 2003, said she had been told the family "nearly starved" while living on the homestead.
  28. [S6475] "Oregon Sidelights," The Oregon Daily Journal, 1 Apr 1912, article reprinted from the Silver Lake Leader.
  29. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Final Proof, Testimony of Claimant, dated 23 Feb 1915, mentions garden, small store and post office, and lists improvements, which do not include a separate building for the store/post office; Testimony of Witness by Claud M. McCall, same date, states he sees the family twice a week or oftener when he stops for his mail.
  30. [S970] Skelton, "Re: Naomi Constance Wynne #3909," e-mail to author (100), 11 Mar 2006, citing Julie Kidd, Postmaster Appointments for the State and Territory of Oregon 1847-1971 (Portland: Oregon Territorial Press, 1998), pg 106, shows Edith Reigel was appointed postmaster at Arrow 21 May 1910 and a new person was appointed 8 Oct 1915, and the office was closed effective 28 Feb 1918.
  31. [S674] Ralph O. Reigel household, 1910 U.S. Census, Lake Co., Washington, shows occupation as sawmill engineer, working for wages, and no unemployment in 1909.
  32. [S677] Ralph O. Reigel, General Land Entry Files, 28 Apr 1915, National Archives and Records Administration, Final Proof, dated 23 Feb 1915, shows date the home was completed, date of occupancy, and that Ralph lived there continuously until that date.
  33. [S674] Ralph O. Reigel household, 1910 U.S. Census, Lake Co., Washington.
  34. [S6063] "Lake's School Fund," Lake County Examiner, 25 Apr 1912.
  35. [S6064] "School Fund Apportioned," Lake County Examiner, 8 May 1913.
  36. [S615] Reigel, land patent, 29 Apr 1915, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Land Office.
  37. [S970] Skelton, "Re: Naomi Constance Wynne #3909," e-mail to author (100), 11 Mar 2006, citing Julie Kidd, Postmaster Appointments for the State and Territory of Oregon 1847-1971 (Portland: Oregon Territorial Press, 1998), pg 106, shows Edith Reigel was replaced as postmaster of Arrow 8 Oct 1915, and the office was closed effective 28 Feb 1918.
  38. [S6062] Deeds, Lake Co., Oregon, 56:613, Ralph O. Reigel and Edith J. Reigel to Henry M. Johnson 10 Dec 1918.
  39. [S6055] Ralph Osborn Reigel, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
  40. [S153] Ralph Reigel household, 1920 U.S. Census, Deschutes Co., Oregon.
  41. [S6065] "Parent-Teachers at Terrebonne Elect," The Bend Bulletin, 15 Jan 1920.
  42. [S1839] Ralph Reigel household, 1930 U.S. Census, Jackson Co., Oregon.
  43. [S8720] Loose Probate Papers, Clark Co., Washington, no. 5600, Benjamin F. Reigel and Esther Matilda Reigel combined estate, Order Approving Final Account and Decree of Distribution, 14 Aug 1931, shows the four children received equal undivided shares in the property.
  44. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 218:26-7, Ralph O. Reigel, Forest E. Reigel, and Ida May Angell to Frank W. Reigel, quit claim deed, 9 Nov 1931: 258:230-1, Frank W. Reigel to Ida May Angell, quit claim deed, 29 Jun 1938; 274:520-1, Forest E. Reigel to Ida May Angell, quit claim deed, 9 Oct 1939; and 274:520-1, Ralph O. and Edith Reigel to Ida May Angell, quit claim deed, 9 Oct 1939.
  45. [S170] Benjamin Franklin Riegel, Certificate of Death, shows Ralph as informant, with an address of Maxwell.
  46. [S884] Deeds and Mortgages Clark Co., Washington, 218:26-7, Ralph O. Reigel, Forest E. Reigel, and Ida May Angell to Frank W. Reigel, quit claim deed, 9 Nov 1931, shows Ralph's signiture notarized 24 Oct 1931 by a Colusa Co. notary living in Maxwell.
  47. [S175] Ralph O. Reigel, "Birth Date and Place of Frank William Reigel", notarized in Glenn Co., California.
  48. [S614] Interview, Elizabeth Robasciotti, 4 Sep 2003, said her parents drove from Orland, where they lived, to Oregon for her birth, and that Ralph lived in Orland "to the war years." Said that Ralph and sons worked in fruit orchards during that time.
  49. [S6249] Great Register, California, 1938, Yolo Co., Dunnigan precinct, Reigel, Ben R. and Mrs Doris.
  50. [S4456] Ralph O. Reigel household, 1940 U.S. Census, Yolo Co., California.
  51. [S150] Ralph Reigel household, 1900 U.S. Census, Clark Co., Washington, shows occupation as sawmill engineer.
  52. [S674] Ralph O. Reigel household, 1910 U.S. Census, Lake Co., Washington, shows occupation as saw mill engineer.
  53. [S153] Ralph Reigel household, 1920 U.S. Census, Deschutes Co., Oregon, shows occupation as farmer.
  54. [S1839] Ralph Reigel household, 1930 U.S. Census, Jackson Co., Oregon, shows occupation as engineer, industry as "stationary."
  55. [S1501] Interview, Monna Rae Wardell, 30 Jul 2008, said that her grandfather owned small sawmills in Ashland, recalling a story that a cousin had died in an accident there.
  56. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows occupation as steam engineer.
  57. [S6249] Great Register, California, 1944, Santa Cruz Co., Branciforte Precinct No. 4, Reigel, Ralph O. and Mrs. Edith J.
  58. [S683] Edith J. Reigel obituary, , shows she was a resident of Santa Cruz since 1944.
  59. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows he had lived in city 13 yrs. at his death 4 Jun 1957.
  60. [S12568] Ralph Reigel household, 1950 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz Co., California.
  61. [S6143] Polk's Santa Cruz City Directory, 1950 pg 270; and 1953 pg 189.
  62. [S6143] Polk's Santa Cruz City Directory, 1954 pg 254.
  63. [S6155] Adin Ralph Reigel obituary, Santa Cruz Sentinel-News, shows Ben living in Santa Cruz.
  64. [S166] Edith J. Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows address, city, county, state.
  65. [S167] Ralph Orzben Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows address, city, county, state.
  66. [S1501] Interview, Monna Rae Wardell, 30 Jul 2008.
  67. [S166] Edith J. Reigel, Certificate of Death, shows date and place.
  68. [S682] Ralph Reigel Family Bible, shows them listed as if parent and child.
  69. [S2876] Sadie Mat Hall, Application for Account.
  70. [S48] Stuart, Family File "reigel2.FTW," 6 Dec 1998.
  71. [S609] Roberts, "Adin Roberts Lineage."
  72. [S2869] Bennie Roland Reigel, Application for Account.
  73. [S165] Adin Ralph Reigel, Certificate of Death.
  74. [S2873] George F. Reigel, Application for Account.
  75. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Juanita Reigel Silver, Soc. Sec. No.543-20-6489.