SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Simon Reineking, Page 270

SIMON REINEKING was one of the prominent characters in the early settlement and improvement of Herman Township.  he was born in Langenholzhausen, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, May 19, 1824.  In his native land he received a good education, but after coming to the United States acquired his knowledge of English through contact with the early settlers using that language.  In 1847 he came to this country with his father and mother, Frederick and Mary (Bilstein) Reineking.  A sketch of this worthy couple will be found in connection with the record of William Reineking.

    At the Mission Church, in Herman Township, were married in October, 1850, Simon Reineking and Catherine Wehrmann.  The lady was born in Thefenhausen, which is situated about three English miles from the birthplace of her husband.  The date of her birth was January 3, 1821.  In 1847, she and her brother came with the thirteen families that emigrated from Lippe-Detmold and settled in the town of Herman.  Four years later her parents, Carl and Marie (Malthauf) Wehrmann, joined their children in this country.  The mother survived only three weeks after coming here.  The father spent the last four years of his life at the home of Mrs. Reineking.  Of their eight children, five came to the United States, but only two are now living:  Henrietta, wife of Fred Sandman, who lives in Nebraska; and Mrs. Reineking.  Mr. and Mrs. Wehrmann were much beloved for their many excellencies of character.  They are among the founders of the Reformed Church, to which they gave liberally.

    Soon after marriage, Simon Reineking located on his farm on section 21, which is now owned by his son August, and on which the father spent the rest of his life.  He was an active Republican in politics, and for two years held the position of Township Treasurer.  Both he and his wife were zealous workers in the Reformed Church, and to the upbuilding of the Mission House gave both labor and money.  On the 7th of April, 1893, Mr. Reineking was called from among the living.  His wife, who was a true helpmate for her husband, still survives and makes her home with her children.  Mr. Reineking was a very successful farmer, leaving his family well provided for.  In connection with agricultural pursuits he was engaged in the manufacture of cheese for twenty hears, beginning in 1873.  Those who knew Mr. Reineking will remember him as a man given to deeds of kindness and ever ready to assist in any enterprise calculated to be of benefit to the people.  He left a family of six sons:  Simon, who is a land agent in Neillsville, Wis.; Frederick, in the dairy business at Appleton, this State; Henry, August and Conrad, who are farmers of Herman Township; and John, a physician and surgeon of Hortonville, Wis.

    Henry Reineking, the third in order of birth in the above family, was born on the old homestead October 19, 1855.  His entire life has been spent on the farm, working in the fields in the summer months and attending the district schools in the winter season.  November 1, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Maeuser, a native of this county, and a daughter of William and Augustina (Becker) Maeuser, who came from the Rhine Province, Germany, in 1853, and settled in Herman Township.  Her father died September 5, 1886, and her mother December 15, 1892.

    Mrs. Reineking is one of twelve children, of whom seven are living.  She has become the mother of four children:  Rudolph, Clara, Alvina (who died in infancy), and Marcus.  Mr. and Mrs. Reineking are members of the Reformed Church, and in politics he is a Republican.  His farm, consisting of eighty acres, is fertile and well improved, and its owner is recognized as an industrious and thrifty agriculturist.