Saturday, October 4, 2008

Salem Cemetery Lot No. 45: George Risbeck, Owner


Salem Cemetery Lot No. 45, owned by George Risbeck, contains two tombstones marking five graves. The principal stone is a tall red granite obelisk with inscriptions on its north, west and south faces. The two inscriptions on the south face memorialize twin infant sons whose actual graves are marked by a small triple-arched white marble stone in a good state of preservation located a few feet south. The inscriptions here have been transcribed from north to south.

George's wife, Matilda J. Risbeck, was a daughter of Henry J. and Charlotte Selders, whose lot is located immediately east of the Risbeck lot.

In regard to family relationships among people buried at Salem, the late Clair O. Risbeck (a grandson of George and Matilda) in collaboration with the late John Berg reached an inaccurate conclusion regarding a relationship between the Risbeck and Schreck families that has caused a certain amount of genealogical mischief over the years. Risbeck and Berg concluded that George Risbeck's mother, whose surname was Redlingshafer but whose given name is open to doubt, was a sister of Wilhelmina Schreck, buried with her husband, John W., in Lot No. 36. That is not the case. Wilhelmina Schreck's maiden name was Kestner, not Redlingshafer (as Clair and John supposed).

So while George Risbeck was a cousin of undetermined degree of other Redlingshafers and Redlingshafer descendants buried at Salem, he was not related directly to John W. and Wilhelmina (Kestner) Schreck.


RISBECK FAMILY STONE
North Face
LEROY S.
JAN. 10, 1881
NOV. 1, 1904 (Actually 1903)

THE DEATH OF LEROY RISBECK

Drs. Barnes, Buzzard and Yocom went to Russell last Monday afternoon to assist in conducting a post mortem on the body of Roy Risbeck, son of John Risbeck (sic., should be George Risbeck), of Benton township. The young man had been in poor health for about six months and was in Russell receiving medical attention when death unexpectedly came. Drs. Buzzard, Nelson and Lawrence of Russell were also present at the examination, which revealed the presence of tubercular meningitis. The interment was at Salem last Tuesday. (The Chariton Herald, 5 November 1903)

RISBECK FAMILY STONE
West Face
GEORGE
DEC. 13, 1836
JUNE 17, 1916

MATILDA J.
JULY 13, 1843
JUNE 5, 1903

OBITUARY: GEORGE RISBECK
George Risbeck Passes Away

George Risbeck, son of John and Anna Risbeck, was born December 15th, 1836, in Bavaria, Germany, near Nuremberg. At the age of twelve years he came with his parents to Pennsylvania. In 1850 they came to Iowa, remaining two years, then he returned to Pennsylvania and lived there until 1868, when he permanently settled in Lucas County, Iowa. He was married to Matilda J. Selders, April 25th, 1871, who died June 5th, 1903. To this union were born six children, Ethel A. Cox, of Cincinnati, Iowa; John M., of near Chariton; Harry C. and Chas. H., both of whom died in infancy; Leroy S., who died in 1903, and James Lloyd, of near Russell. He also leaves to mourn his departure, one brother, James R., of Brownsville, Pa., and four half brothers, all of Pennsylvania, and a host of friends.

Having accepted Christ as his personal Saviour a few weeks ago, he became resigned to his Lord's will. He departed this life June 17th, 1916, surrounded by family and friends, aged 79 years, 6 months and 2 days.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. E.L. Stone, from the Salem M.E. church Monday at 10 a.m., and the remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery. (The Chariton Herald Patriot, 22 June 1916)


OBITUARY: MATILDA (SELDERS) RISBECK

Matilda J. Selders, a daughter of Henry and Charlotte Selders, was born July 13, 1843, in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and died at her home near Russell, Lucas county, Iowa, June 5, 1903, aged 60 years, 1 month and 8 days. At four years of age she removed with her parents to New Florence, Westmoreland county, where she lived until 1867, when the family came to Lucas county. April 25, 1871, Miss Selders was married to George Risbeck. They were the parents of six children. Two sons, Charles H. and Henry C. died in 1876. The others are Mrs. Ethel Cox, near Corydon, John M., near Russell, Leroy S., in Denver, Colorado, and James L., of Russell. The funeral services of Mrs. Risbeck were held from the home where many sympathizing neighbors assembled and followed the remains to their last resting place in the Salem cemetery. (The Chariton Herald, 11 June 1903)

DEATH NOTICE: MATILDA (SELDERS) RISBECK

Mrs. Matilda J. Risbeck, wife of George Risbeck, of Benton township, died at the family home on Friday, June 5, 1903, in her 59th year. She was a daughter of Henry Selders and born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Iowa with the family more than thirty years ago. The deceased leaves a husband, three sons and one daughter to mourn her loss. The funeral took place on Sunday at 10 a.m. Rev. Johnson of Russell conducting the solemn ceremonies. (Chariton Patriot, 11 June 1903)


RISBECK FAMILY STONE
South Face
HARRY C.
SEPT. 12, 1875
APR. 17, 1876

CHARLEY H.
SEPT. 12, 1875
AUG. 9, 1876

TWINS' ORIGINAL STONE
North Inscription
CHARLEY H.
DIED
Aug. 9, 1876
Aged 8Ms. & 27Ds.
South Inscription
HARRY C.
DIED
Apr. 17, 1876
Aged 4Ms. & 5Ds
Twin Children of
GEORGE & M.J. RISBECK


No comments: