REPP, Anna Maria 1833-1907

REPP, RICKERT, MICHEL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/5/2012 at 00:06:49

[Waterloo Daily Courier - Tuesday, November 05, 1907]

MRS, REPP DIED
LAST EVENING

Aged Lady Succumbs from Complication of Diseases.

Resident Here Nearly Forty Years and Well Known

Mrs. Anna Maria Repp, one of the older residents of Waterloo, died last night at 11:40 o'clock at her home, 635 Walnut Street, from the ravages of old age and a complication of diseases.

The deceased had been a resident of Waterloo since 1869, when she came here from Bremer County with her husband, who followed blacksmithing as a business. In all the years spent practically in the same neighborhood, Mrs. Repp attracted a large number of friends, who appreciated her worth and who fully realized the good work she did. She was not an active member of any church, but she lived the Christian life quietly. Her private charities were numerous and many a family will miss her and her well placed benefactions. At the time of the erection of the hospital she was a liberal contributor.

The maiden name of the deceased was Anna Maria Rickert and she was born in Hessen, Germany, on September 6, 1833. After the death of her mother, the father, John Rickert, emigrated with the family of seven children to America. They located near West Sand Lake, New York, on a farm. The family landed in America in 1846.

She was married to Nicholas Repp, then engaged in the blacksmith business in that state. In the year 1858 the husband disposed of his business and the family came west, locating in Bremer County, where a farm was purchased. For more than ten years the husband and wife labored on the farm, sharing the privations and the pleasures that came to them. In addition to caring for the farm, Mr. Repp did all the blacksmith work for his neighbors and gradually the small farm was extended, a number of acres being added from year to year. In 1869 the couple decided to come to Waterloo and the move was made, the husband engaging in business as a blacksmith.

Mr. Repp died on November 15, 1876.

Since that time Mrs. Repp has lived unostentatiously in the city, doing the good that her hands found to do. For the past twelve years a niece, Miss M. Louisa Michel, has cared for Mrs. Repp and has been her constant companion. A sister, Mrs. Catherine Michel, is the sole survivor of a family of seven children and is a resident of Westfield.

Arrangements for the funeral are not completed, awaiting the arrival of relatives from New York.

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Item 2

[Semi Weekly Reporter - Friday, November 08, 1907, Waterloo, Iowa]

WROTE OWN OBITUARY

REALIZED DEATH WAS NEAR, SO
WROTE LIFE STORY FOR
HER RELATIVES

HAS LIVED HERE 38 YEARS

Was Born in Germany, But Was One
of Iowa's Earliest Settlers - Had No Children

Realizing that she was soon to die, and that her relatives would wish to be familiar with her life history, Mrs. Anna Repp, 635 Walnut Street, wrote an account of where she was born, where she had lived and of other principal events in her life history. The expected death of this woman came at 11:40 Monday night after she had been, confined to her bed less than two weeks and relieved her of her suffering from asthma and other complications.

In Mrs. Repp's account of her life, she says: "I was born in Groszindern Graszheizogthum, Hessen Darnstadt, Germany, on September 6. 1833, and came to. this country, with my father, three sisters and two brothers Sep temper 6,1846." The lady then told of the family settling at West Sand Lake, New York, and it was there that she was united in marriage with Nicholas Repp on October 16, 1852. Her maiden name was Rickert.

The couple came to Iowa in 1858 and settled in Bremer County, where they lived for eleven years. In 1869 they came to Waterloo and have resided here ever since. The husband died a number of years ago and his body was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery. He wife will be place beside his remains in the same lot.

No children were born to this union and the only immediate relative of Mrs. Repp is her sister, Mrs. Catherine Michel, who resides in Westfield. A niece. N. Louise Michel, has resided at the Repp home for the past twelve years and has cared for the elderly woman during her declining years.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed as yet, but the funeral will be either Thursday or Friday. A man will be sent from Chicago to conduct the funeral according to the peculiar religious belief of this woman.

HUSBAND WAS PROMINENT

Nicholas Repp, husband of the lady was very well known in Waterloo and was among the first promoters of the city. He built one of the largest buildings of the early days on the corner where the Security Savings Bank is now located and although that has long since been torn down it was then looked upon as quite a block.

He was born in Germany and while there learned the blacksmith's trade. Upon arrival in New York he entered business for himself, but in 1858 sold his shop and came with his wife to Bremer County. There he bought a forty acre farm on which was located a log house, barn and stock. The entire purchase represented only $900 and afterwards grew to be very valuable. He acquired twenty acres more a few years later and then moved to Waterloo. He he engaged in his old business of blacksmithing and conducted a shop where the French hide and feed store is now located. His death occurred November 15, 1876.

He had a wide circle of friends and he is remembered by most of Black Hawk County's early settlers.