Jacob Rueck in Oregon

Jacob Rueck farm, Clackamas County, Oregon.

The story of the Jacob and Regina (Gross) Rueck family continues in Oregon. Jacob Rueck Sr. sold his farm in Van Wert County in 1884 and most of the family moved to Oregon.

Family members that moved to Oregon: Jacob and Regina, Johann George, Jacob Jr., Catherine “Katie”, David, Regina, and Carl. Fred moved on to Kansas and changed the spelling of his surname to Ruck. Christine stayed in Ohio.

I located Jacob Rueck Sr. and his children in Barlow, Clackamas County, enumerated in the 1900 US census. Regina passed away in 1889 and Jacob Sr. was living with three of his children. Jacob Sr. was listed as a widower. His date of birth was December 1828 and he was 71 years old. Others in the household were David (son), 31; Regina (daughter), 29; Carl (son), 27; Rosa (grand niece), 16; and Emma (grand niece), 14.

The 1900 census also tells us that Jacob, David, Regina, and Carl immigrated in 1880. All but daughter Regina were naturalized. All of the men were farmers and Jacob owned his farm with no mortgage. (1900 US census, Barlow, Clackamas, Roll 623_1345:3A, ED 79)

David, Carl, Jacob Jr, Jacob L, & Regna (Rueck) Rueck

Jacob Rueck Jr. was enumerated just four households away from Jacob Sr. in 1900. Jacob Jr. was single, age 43, born May 1857. According to this census he immigrated in 1881. He was naturalized and owned his farm with no mortgage. (1900 US census, Barlow, Clackamas, Roll 623_1345:3A, ED 79)

John George Rueck, another son, was living in Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, in 1900.  Their family consisted of John G., 44, head; Mary M., 36, wife; and children Rachael, 7; Augusta, 5; and Isaac C., 3. John George was a farmer and owned his farm without a mortgage. (1900 US census, Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, Roll T623_1345:20B, ED 86)

Catherine “Katie”, daughter, marred Dietrich Harmes about 1887 and they were also living in Macksburgh. They lived fairly close to her brother John George. In the Harmes household were “Detrich”, 49, head; Katie, 32, wife; children Alma, 12; Julia, 10; Waldene, 8; Grover, 7; Katie, 5; Lily, 3; and Herman, 10 months. Dietrich was born in Germany and immigrated in 1872. He was a farmer and owned his farm without a mortgage. (1900 US census, Macksburgh, Clackamas, Oregon, Roll T623_1345:19B, ED 86)

David (1868-1956) and Regina Rueck (1870-1957), brother & sister

Where is Clackamas County, Oregon, located and why did the Ruecks move there? I found some information about the area on the Clackamas County website. The county is in north central Oregon and is one of the counties that make up the Portland metropolitan area. The county has a lot of timberland and includes Mt. Hood and the Mt. Hood National Forest. Barlow is the smallest town in the county. The town of Canby is nearby and letters sent to Christine years ago were postmarked Canby. Most of Clackamas County is rural and some of Oregon’s richest farmland is in the area surrounding Canby.

Between 1883 and 1888 three railroads were constructed in Oregon which created a trade and a population boom. Many immigrants moved to Oregon at the end of the 19th century, period of Oregon’s industrial expansion. Many Germans sought the urban jobs but apparently the Ruecks were more interested in farming.

Who were the grand nieces living with Jacob Sr.? Check in next week to find out.

2 comments

    • Joyce Layman on October 1, 2012 at 7:03 pm
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    Hi I found this link and I was wondering are you related to the Rucks? My great,great grandfather was Jacob Rueck married to Marie Regina nee Gross.

    Any pictures or info, tombstone info / pictures would be appreciated. We live in Oklahoma and Jacobs son John Fredrick was my great grandfather.
    Thanks, Joyce

    • Joyce Layman on October 1, 2012 at 7:21 pm
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    Sorry I realized after I looked farther we had talked.

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