Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

John Rehrig

The first illness that confined 93 year old John Rehrig to his bed was his last illness. He passed away in December 1922 after living in Kansas for nearly 65 years. Mr. Rehrig with his first wife, Ellen homesteaded near Scranton, Kansas, in 1857.

Mr. Rehrig, a blacksmith, emigrated from his birthplace, Coblenz, Germany when he was 17 years old. He first settled in Troy, New York, where he met and married Ellen Burkhardt. When their second child was just a baby, they decided to go west and grow up with the country. The Rehrig’s settled on a claim in the Highland neighborhood near Scranton. At that time, Lawrence was their nearest trading point which was three days by ox team.

During the early years, Mr. Rehrig often had to leave his family to run the homestead while he went to Kansas City to work as a blacksmith to earn money to buy what wasn’t raised on the farm. He also spent slack seasons working as a freighter with ox teams between Kansas City and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Later, he established a blacksmith shop on the Santa Fe Trail which was just a few miles from his home.

In 1883, the Rehrig’s sold their claim and were preparing to move to a ranch in Wabaunsee County when Mrs. Rehrig became ill and died within a few days. Two years later, Rehrig married Eliza Miller, a widow with six children. With a combined family of eleven children, they continued to farm and ranch in the Waubaunsee County area.

Mr. Rehring was prominent in the affairs of the district in which he lived. He served one term in the legislature in the early 1890’s being elected on the Populist ticket.

Despite his apparent stalwart health, he had suffered for many years with lung trouble which prevented him from serving in the union army during the Civil War. However, he did serve with neighbors in a company of home guard which was called out to repel an invasion of Missouri by the forces of the Confederate General Price who were threatening Kansas City.

Rehring retired from farming and ranching in about 1902 and moved to Burlingame. Two years ago, being almost blind, he moved to Topeka to be near some of his children. He was survived by his eleven children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Source:
“Pioneer’s First Illness In 93 Years Is His Last,” Topeka Capital, December 29, 1922.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.