Tombstone Tuesday–Michael J & Barbara (Geisler) Grieb

Michael J & Barbara (Geisler) Grieb, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Michael J and Barbara (Geisler) Grieb, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

GRIEB
Michael J
Grieb
Geboren
Den 26 Jan 1819
Gestorben
Den 11 Feb 1903

Barbara
Grieb
Geboren
1839
Gestorben
Mar. 14, 1929

Grieb, Michael J Grieb, born 26 Jan 1819, died 11 Feb 1903; Barbara Grieb, born 1839, died 14 Mar 1929.

Michael Johann Grieb was born 26 January 1819 in Gerabronn, Wuertemberg, according to Zion Schumm’s records. Michael’s wife Barbara Geisler was born in Germany in 1839, according to her tombstone, but on her death certificate, her date of birth is unknown and her age is about 90. [1] Her death is not recorded in Zion Schumm’s records at all. I do not know the names of the parents of either but Barbara Geisler may have had siblings living in the area.

Michael immigrated in 1852 and his wife Barbara immigrated in 1849. [2] 

This may be Michael Grieb in the 1860 census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County: Michael, age 40, born in Wuerttemberg, real estate value $500, indexed as Michael Creep on Ancestry.com. [3]

Michael Greib married Barbara Geisler on 9 January 1867 at Zion Lutheran, Schumm, according to the church records and Van Wert County Marriages. In the church record his name is shown as George Michael.

Michael and Barbara had two children after their marriage, Elizabeth, born in 1867, and John, born in 1869.

The Michael Grieb family in 1870: Michael, 50; Barbara, 30; Elizabeth, 2; and John, 11 months. This enumeration also indicates that both parents were born in Germany. [4]

The Michael Grieb household in 1880: Michael, 60; Barbara, 40; Margaret E, 13; and John E, 10. [5] 

The 1900 census gives more information. The Michael Grieb family in 1900: 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. [2] 

Michael Grieb died of a bladder infection on 11 February 1903. He was 84 years and 25 days old and was buried on the 13th, according to the church records.

In 1910 and 1920 widow Barbara Grieb lived with her two single children, John and Elizabeth, near Willshire. In 1910: John, 41; Barbara, 70; and Elizabeth, 22. This enumeration indicates that Barbara immigrated in 1850. [6] The Grieb household in 1920: John, 50; Barbara, 82; and Lizzie, 51. [7] John’s occupation was farmer.

Barbara (Geisler) Grieb died in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, from a cerebral hemorrhage, on 14 March 1929. She was buried on the 17th. [1]

John and his sister Elizabeth remained in the family’s home after their mother’s death. [8] 

Daughter Elisabeth Grieb died 28 April 1938 and son John Grieb died 12 May 1951. John is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm.

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Van Wert County, Barbara Greb, 14 Mar 1929; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-95WJ-9K52?i=2794&cc=1307272&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AX8PV-CNM : viewed 11 Jan 2020).

[2] 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). [note: Barbara’s name may have been Margarethe Barbara and she may have been called Maggie in this census. The christening name of their daughter “Elizabeth” was Margarethe Elizabeth.]

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.426, dwelling 1081, family 1075, Michael Creep; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ : viewed 3 Feb 2020).

[4] 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).  

[5] 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).

[6] 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).

[7] 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).

[8] 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).

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