Otto & Johanna Rachuig Lang Family

I can't remember which of Johanna and Otto's grand-daughters sent these pictures to me because it was several years ago. (One of them wrote me recently and said Johanna's middle name wasn't Martha. I guess my genealogical records were mistaken.)

The couple in the upper-right picture are Herbert and Bessie Lange. (Herbert was Otto and Johanna's youngest child.) I think they appear again in the unlabeled pictures in the middle-left.

Frieda Elydia Lang was their middle child. (I wonder if my records have her name spelled incorrectly.) Her husband was Alma Lonzo Nail. The group picture in the lower right shows Johanna with her daughter Frieda, daughter-in-law Bessie, and her grand-daughters (Bessie and Herbert's children).

Johanna and Otto's oldest child Accue was killed in combat during WWI.

Richard Henry & Anna Kunkel Rachuig On Their 50th Wedding Anniversary

This picture shows Uncle Rich and Aunt Anna on their 50th anniversary. The date is November 11, 1956. I don't know the location, but I assume it's McAllen, Texas. Pat Walker told me they celebrated their 74th anniversary the year Uncle Rich died. Amazing.

Caroline Bernhardt Harmel

Pat Walker sent me this picture of Henrietta Bernhardt Rachuig's sister. The notation on the back was written by Caroline's great-niece (Pat's aunt), Frieda Rachuig Flair. As she says, she didn't know her grandmother Henrietta, so she fondly remembers her great-aunt as a 'substitute.'

I've posted pictures of Frieda in earlier entries. She's the young girl holding the reins in the picture of Richard Henry Rachuig's family taken at their home in Olney. (I think that's the location. Maybe Pat, Mike or Elizabeth will known.)

Anyway, I'm always glad to get pictures of people born in the 'old country' - in this case Posen.

Richard Henry Rachuig At 17

Uncle Rich's grand-daughter, Pat Walker, sent me this picture of him taken in 1897. You'll recall that I had posted a picture of his brother Frederick and mistakenly said it was of Uncle Rich. I'm glad we've finally corrected this.

Notice the wicker chair in this picture. It's very distinctive and appears in many of our family pictures. The photo studio in Clifton made good use of it.

Oscar and Ruby M. Rachuig Gloff, 1970s

These are pictures of Oscar and Ruby Gloff. Ruby was the oldest daughter of Rudolph and Huldina Rachuig. I think they are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. I can't be sure of the date, but I'll bet it was the early 70s. I can use some help in identifying the other people in the second photo.

(Update) Robert Rachuig sent a copy of the second picture to Helon Knudson, and she had some ideas about the people in it. Here's what she said:

Robert,

Aunt Ruby and Uncle Oscar were married February 23, 1932. They celebrated their 50th anniversary here at our home. I don't know the names of the girls to Oscar's right but I think they are his nieces. The couple with 2 children was the Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jerone Teichmiller, wife Kathy, son Nathan, daughter Kelly.

Do hope that helps some.

Unidentified Rachuigs - Help Identify Them

We have several photographs of unidentified people. I'll put up a few every once-in-a-while. Maybe someone can tell me who they are.

I'm reasonably sure the man on the left is a Rachuig. He looks familiar, and I may be able to identify him by searching other pictures. I assume the woman on his left is his wife. I have no ideas about the other man and two women.



I think this may be a photo of Johanna Rachuig Lange's family in New Mexico. I'm basing it all on the woman standing in front of the window. She looks like Johanna based on other pictures I've seen of her.



I can identify at least two people in this picture - maybe more if I get the original and use a magnifying glass. Selma Schulz Rachuig is the adult woman on the left standing sideways but looking at the camera. The adult woman standing to her left is her daughter, Hilda Rachuig Krueger. Will Krueger, Jr. and Dorothy Krueger Mansur should be two of the children.

Herbert Lang, Late 1970s

This is a photo of Herbert Lang, son of Otto and Johanna Rachuig Lang. He was born in 1901 and died in 1980, so this picture was probably taken in the late 1970s. One of his daughters or grand-daughters sent it to me several years ago. I have others of the Lange family which I will post.

Richard Henry Rachuig Family In Olney, Texas In Early 1920s

I am guessing a bit on this picture. (The original has no annotations.) I think this is Richard Rachuig's family at their home on Bitter Creek in Olney, Texas. Judging by the apparent ages of the children, the date must be somewhere around 1923. Maybe someone from Uncle Rich's branch of the family can clear this up.

The bottom picture is blurred, but the man holding the horse looks like Uncle Rich to me. I've seen him stand like that in other pictures.

The other people in the picture may be Kunkels.

Alice Odegaard Rockway

Robert Rachuig, grandson of Rube and Huldina Rachuig, sent me this picture a while back. It shows him and Alice Rockway, widow of Arnold C. Rockway, who was son of Gustoph Adolph Rachuig. (He anglicized the spelling of our family name.)

I remember that Robert would visit Alice whenever he visited Clifton. He said she was a sweet old woman.

We have few pictures of Gustoph Adolph's branch of the family. I wanted to post one - actually, I'd like to get photos of all branches posted eventually.

Frederick Julius Rachuig, 1897

Mike Chandler and his sister Elizabeth Egbert sent me this picture of Frederick Rachuig on horseback. The text on the right edge says the photographer was located in Gatesville. I presume that's the location although it could be Clifton. The annotation on the back indicates the date is 1897, just 2 years before he died.

Mike and Elizabeth have said he died from complications relating to diabetes. Another brother (Gustoph Adolph Rachuig) died from diabetes in 1932.

Richard Henry Rachuig's Oral Family History, 1968

(UPDATE) I got notes from Mike Chandler and Elizabeth Egbert who pointed out that the young man in picture below is not their grandfather, Richard Henry Rachuig. (I'm going to leave it here until I get another picture of Uncle Rich as a young man.)

This is actually Frederick Julius Rachuig, Richard's older brother. He was born on September 13, 1876 and died on March 24, 1899. He died very young and never married. He has no direct descendants. I'm glad we have pictures of him. Mike and Elizabeth have sent me another which is posted above. I think it's great.

Click the following link to view Rich Rachuig's family history. I've formatted it in simple text to avoid retrieval problems. It may not look pretty, but virtually everyone can read it without any problems.

He begins with a brief discussion of his parent's lives in Posen and their emigration to Washington County. He talks about their life in Clifton, but he also recounts how he and his brother Gus (August William, Jr.) traveled through West Texas and New Mexico to find a place to farm.

It is fairly long, but well worth reading.

Rich Rachuig's Family History.

Here is a picture of Uncle Rich as a young man, taken when he was 17 years old.

Youngest 4 kids of Alvina & Herman-circa 1930ish

Grandma and her Dandy

Young Alvina Rachuig

Alvina & Herman's Oldest 7 Kids-circa 1917-18

Here is another photo I acquired...the cutest photo of my aunts & uncles-LtoR: Albert, Annie, Frieda, Henry, Ott, Marie & baby Louise...guess my daddy Walt was a "bun in the oven."

Alvina & her kids - August 1942

Here is the photo of Grandma Alvina with her children that corresponds with the picture Herman posted of her with her grandchildren. Front-Frieda, Louise, Annie, Ott & Henry. Back-Walt, Alvina, Maria & Hubert

.

Mayme Rachuig Hause's Recollections

FOURTH OF JULY 1930-40 IN BOSQUE CO. TEXAS

On this Fourth of July some 50 to 60 years ago, my family would head for the Bosque Co. relatives for the wonderful 4th of July Picnics that were held. Many of the relatives looked forward to the cat fish that would be caught by the method of ‘knoodling. The Bosque River bed was of limestone, and many dark caves under the water, where these very big catfish lived and slumbered. Many of these fish lived to be very old as you can tell by the pictures below. The men usually wore heavy work type gloves, but some of the older men, would not wear them. The fish would be located, and the men would submerge and catch the fish by hand usually in the gills, if lucky. Many a scarred and scratched hand came up with the catch of the day. Usually this was done in the middle of the day, when it would be very hot, and the fish stayed in their ‘little cubby holes’.

Then the fish were strung on a long pole until the men felt that it was enough for the huge fish fry in the back yard of the Rube Rachuig’s on the Bosque River, or in town at Aunt Hilda Krueger’s home just outside Clifton, at the time. The men would clean the fish, and cut it into great slabs of fillets, and then the women would fry them in the old iron wash pot filled with boiling hot lard. It would fry to a crispy cornmeal coating on the outside, but deliciously cooked through and through on the inside. Of course, there was plenty of home made sauerkraut, potato salad, homemade dill pickles, fresh tomatoes, onions, slabs of fresh home baked bread, fresh churned butter from the farm, piled high in the butter dish, fresh yard eggs, jams and jellies from the orchard, home cured hams and bacon, canned vegetables from the garden and the goodies afterward of cookies, pies and cakes. MMM makes my mouth water even now. Can you imagine the daily work there was for farm families back then? Yet, their time was managed so well that they always were free, except for milking daily, on the weekends for family and church on Sunday and 84 domino parties with friends and family on Saturdays..

The men drank the favorite beverage of the German families, beer, some of the time it was home brewed and bottled. (Dad even put up his own beer during probation of the 1920 and early 30’s. Mother still had his capping device long after he died. One year, his batch of beer blew up and exploded all over the place.)Uncle Will Krueger, also provided home brewed grape wine and peach brandy. (Uncle Will never gave out his recipe for peach brandy before he died, which everyone loved to have before bedtime.) Nehi orange and strawberry, root beer and Grapette for the kids, and most likely tea, but the cold sodas were the preferred drink for the younger ones.

The younger cousins would all love to go down to the river to swim when we were out at the Rube Rachuig’s. Laughing and splashing around. Then back to the yard to play under the huge oak trees in the yard. It was always so shady and cool in the yard, as in those days there was no air condition, just the oscillating fans in the house to use at night.

Those were the good ole’ days and most all of them are gone now, but the memories flow back into my memory this Fourth of July in Texas 2009.

Julius Rachuig, Jack Belcher, Walter Rachuig, Hugo Schulz, Edgar Rachuig, and Bernhardt "Ben" Schulz.




Bubbie Rachuig-Sally Ann-Mayme Ruth-Uncle Walter Rachuig and catfish.







Fourth of July 1946 ‘Knoodlers’:

Mr. Bertelsen, Jack Belcher, Herbert Rachuig, Ed Rachuig, Will Krueger, Sr., Ivan Holz, Charlie Lamb and Walter Rachuig.

Aunt Huldina Ekkert Rachuig-Alvina Beyerstedt 1935.
















Rachuig ladies and friends 1935:

Huldina Rachuig, Hilda Krueger, Alvina Rachuig, Dorothy Krueger, Ruby Rachuig, Mildred Rachuig.















Dorothy Krueger-Mildred Rachuig 1935.


















Leonard Dave Rachuig, Unknown Rachuig, Mayme Ruth Rachuig, Dorothy Krueger, Sally Ann Rachuig, and Mildred Rachuig; in the Bosque River by Uncle Rube Rachuig's place 1934

August and Henrietta Rachuig's Grave Markers

Clifton Cemetery, Clifton TX

Kelly Family Visits Krueger Family - 1953

Charles, Sally [Rachuig], Chuck, and Bruce Kelly visited Will and Hilda [Rachuig] Krueger on their farm near Clifton TX in 1953.

Others appearing in the clip are Will Krueger Jr. and Jack, Evelyn[Rachuig], and Jerry Belcher.

Julius Rachuig, Morgan TX - 1953

Granddaughter Sally [Rachuig] Kelly, and her sons Chuck and Bruce, visit Julius Herman Rachuig on his farm near Morgan TX, 1953.

Rachuig Family in Sugar Land TX - 1953

Julius Herman Rachuig and descendents visit Mamie Adams Rachuig, late widow of Julius' son Herbert Albert Rachuig, in Sugar Land TX, 1953.

Alvina Rachuig Bernhardt

Alvina Rachuig Bernhardt with Grandchildern at the Ft Worth Zoo for a family gathering. Alvina, Max, Herman, Fred, Dorothy and Frances.

Herbert Rachuig with Grandsons, Bob Bass and Chuck Kelly

This is a picture of Herbert Albert Rachuig and his two oldest grandsons, Bob Bass and Chuck Kelly. The date must be mid-1950, possibly April 18th, which was Herbert's 44th birthday. The location is Warda, Texas (just south of Giddings). In April, 1951 Herbert died of injuries from an explosion at the Humble Oil pumping station at Warda.

Edgar and Herbert Rachuig As Young Boys

These are pictures of Edgar Herman Rachuig and Herbert Albert Rachuig cutting up in front of their parents' (Julius and Selma Rachuig) home on Hackberry in Clifton, Texas. The date must be around 1914. Their sister, Evelyn Rachuig Belcher, gave me this picture.

Julius Herman Rachuig Auto Business

This photo shows the interior of an automobile garage Julius owned and operated in Clifton, Texas in the 1920s. Julius is the man in the middle. I think the other two men are employees.

Theodore and Maria Rachui

(UPDATE) Mayme Rachuig Hause has explained to me that Theodore was the son of Johann Rachuy. (We believe Johann Rachuy and August Wilhelm Rachuig were brothers.) Maria's maiden name was Andraisemier. They settled in Marlin, Texas.

Otto Oskar Rachui (see below) was their son.

Emilie Rachui Schminke was Theodore's sister. You can find her obituary in an earlier entry on this blog. It's very interesting because all three branches of the family, Rachui-Rachuy-Rachuig, are mentioned in it.


Linda Rachui gave me this photo at the 2009 reunion. I don't have details on this couple, but I will post them when I receive some.

Oscar Otto Rachui and His Wife

(UPDATE) I got a note from Mayme Rachuig Hause explaining that Oscar Rachui was the son of Theodore and Maria Rachui. (See the next entry above.) Oscar was born on November 6, 1889 and died on October 3, 1935. His wife is Menna Wilhelmine Schroeder. They were married on November 11, 1915 in Marlin Falls, Texas. Menna ('Minnie") died on December 19, 1992 at age 95. (She married Paul B. Grams after she became a widow.)

Linda Rachui provided this photo at the 2009 reunion. I don't have any details on the couple. I hope Linda provides me some, so I can post them.

Charles A. Rachuig and Evelyn Elanora Rachuig Belcher

This is a photo of Charles A. Rachuig, son of Walter and Alvina Rachuig, and Evelyn Elanora Rachuig Belcher. This picture was taken at a Rachuig reunion in 1992 or '93. Evelyn was the sole surviving daughter of Julius Herman Rachuig and Selma Schulz Rachuig. Charles is her nephew, son of her oldest brother, Walter Alfred Rachuig, Sr.

The location is Immanual Lutheran Church in Clifton, Texas.

Caroline, A. W., and Ruby Rachuig

Robert Rachuig gave me this photo of his father and two aunts. From left to right they are: Caroline Henrietta Rachuig Viertel, August William Rachuig, and Ruby M. Rachuig Gloff. They are the three oldest children of Rube and Huldina Rachuig.

Leonard Dave Rachuig, Sr. in 1930

(UPDATE) Mayme Rachuig Hause has told me this photo was probably taken at Will and Hilda Rachuig Krueger's home on the east side of the Bosque River near Clifton, Texas.

Leonard Dave Rachuig, Sr. was the 6th child and 3rd son of Rube and Huldina Rachuig. The location must be their home in Clifton, Texas.

Robert Rachuig game me this photo of his uncle at the 2009 reunion.

Edwin Bewe and Winnie Rachuig

Robert Rachuig gave me this picture of his uncle and aunt at the 2009 reunion. Edwin Bewe Rachuig was the 2nd son and 4th child of Rube and Huldina Rachuig.

August William Rachuig and Lurlyne Coker Rachuig

Robert gave me this picture of his parents at the 2009 reunion. His father was August William Rachuig, 1st son and 3rd child of Rudolph 'Rube' Otto Rachuig and Huldina Ickert Rachuig.

The annotation says the picture was taken before their wedding, which occurred in November, 1935. The location appears to be the Clifton City Park.

Rube and Huldina Rachuig, 1950s

Robert Rachuig game me this picture of his grandparents when we met at the 2009 reunion. They are Rudolph 'Rube' Otto Rachuig and Huldina Ickert Rachuig. Rube was the 8th child and 5th son of August and Henrietta.

My mother and I think this picture was taken in the mid 1950s when Clifton celebrated it's frontier days. Notice Huldina is wearing a bonnet. My cousin Bob Bass and I (Chuck Kelly) visited during the celebrations with our grandmonter, Mamie Adams Rachuig. (We stayed with Jack and Evelyn Rachuig Belcher.)

Many of our male relatives grew beards, so they'd look like frontiersmen. We were just 5 years old and not used to men with beards. They got a big kick out of yelling 'BOOO' and chasing us around the house.

Newspaper Articles Covering Reunions, 1973

Emilie Rachui Schminke (Photo and 1952 Obituary)

Lanelle Schminke Sonntag provided me this photo and obituary of her paternal grandmother, Emilie Rachui Schminke.

Her obituary is a unique record as far as I can tell. It combines elements of the Rachui, Rachuig, and Rachuy families. Of course, her maiden surname was Rachui. (Notice she was born in Poland.) Her son's wife Hattie is a member of the Rachuig family. And, the Kalscheuers (poll bearer at her funeral) are connected to the Rachuy family.

Obituaries for Otto, Carl, and Louise Schminke

Fritz and Willie Schminke

Lanelle Schminke Sonntag gave me this photo her her uncles. Maybe Lanelle can give me more information. I have very few details about the Schminke family.

Julius, Richard, Rube, Johanna, Alvinah, and Lydia

We have a good collection of group pictures showing the children of August and Henrietta Rachuig over the years. I don't know what year this is, but it's definitely before 1958 (when Julius, the oldest child, died).

The location is no doubt Clifton, Texas, but I don't know precisely where.

This is another photo I got from Lanelle Schminke Sonntag at the 2009 reunion.

Rube Rachuig, Lydia Rachuig Lange Larson, Johanna Rachuig Lange, and Richard Rachuig

This is a photo Lanelle Schminke Sonntag gave me at the 2009 reunion. The date must be sometime in the early 1960s. I have no way of knowing, but the location may be Lydia's home in Clifton, Texas. Left to right: Rudolph Otto Rachuig, Lydia Martha Rachuig Lange Larson, Johanna Martha Lange, and Richard Henry Rachuig. All are children of August and Henrietta Rachuig.

August and Henrietta were very fond of the name 'Martha.'