Tombstone Tuesday–John E. Grieb

John E Grieb, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John E. Grieb, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

JOHN E. GRIEB
1869-1951

Johann Eberhard “John” Grieb, was born 27 August 1869 near Willshire, Ohio, the son of George “Michael” (1819-1903) and Barbara (Geisler) (1839-1929) Grieb. He was baptized at Zion Schumm on 23 January 1870, with Eberhard Zimmerman and Johann Bienz serving as his sponsors.

The Michael Grieb family in 1870: Michael, 50; Barbara, 30; Elizabeth, 2; and John, 11 months. This enumeration indicates that both parents were born in Germany. [1]

The Michael Grieb household in 1880: Michael, 60; Barbara, 40; Margaret E, 13; and John E, 10. [2]  

The 1900 census gives a little more information about the Michael Grieb family: Michael, 86, Maggie, wife, age unknown; Lizzie, 32; and John, 30. The couple had been married 32 years and she had given birth to 2 children, both of whom were living. Michael’s wife is shown as Maggie in this enumeration and the person being interviewed does not know her date of birth or her age. I assume this was his wife Barbara. They were both born in Germany, Michael immigrating in 1852 and Maggie [Barbara?] in 1849. [3] 

John’s father Michael Grieb died in 1903 and in 1910 John lived with his widowed mother and his sister Elizabeth near Willshire: John, 41; Barbara, 70; and Elizabeth, 22. This enumeration indicates that John was single, that he farmed, and that his mother was born in Germany and immigrated in 1850. [4]

The John Grieb household in 1920, shows John living with his widowed mother and his sister: John, 50; Barbara, 82; and Lizzie, 51. John’s occupation was farmer. [5]

John’s mother Barbara (Geisler) Grieb died 14 March 1929. She and her husband Michael are buried in row 8 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery and share the same tombstone.

John and his sister Elizabeth remained in the family’s home after her death and were enumerated in the 1930 census: John, 58; and Elizabeth “Lizzie”, 61. John’s occupation was farmer. No occupation is given for his sister Elizabeth. [6]  

John’s sister Elisabeth Grieb died 28 April 1938 and John lived by himself in 1940: John, 69, still listed as a general farmer. [7]  

John died at the Adams County Home, Rural Route Decatur, of a heart attack on 12 May 1951. He was 81 years old and had been at the County Home for two years. He was buried on the 15th, with Rev. P. Kuhlberg officiating at the service. [8]

John never married.

It was interesting, as well as challenging, to find the Grieb surname in the various census enumerations. Their name was spelled differently in just about every census. The footnotes below show are how Ancestry.com has the Grieb name indexed, to help others find the family in the censuses.

[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.436B, dwelling 104, family 105, Michael Croep; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 10 Jan 2020).  

[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.449B, family 119, Michael Greup; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.10, dwelling 181, family 186, Michael Greeb; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.3B, dwelling & family 60, John Grieb; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.4B, dwelling 88, family 89, John Grey; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.5B, dwelling 113, family 116, John Krieb; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.10B, home 211, line 75, John Krcib; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[8] Indiana Death Certificates, Coroner’s Certificate of Death, 1951, Roll 5, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, IN, John Grieb, 12 May 1951; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com. And, records of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio.

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