| Sources |
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Ludwig Metz
Memorial
Photos
Flowers
Edit
Share
Learn about removing the ads from this memorial...
Birth: Sep. 28, 1866, Russia
Death: Jan. 26, 1919
Dickinson
Stark County
North Dakota, USA
Ludwig Metz and Elizabeth Reiss were married in Rastadt, Russia. They along with Elizabeth's parents, sisters, and brothers traveled to the United States together. Elizabeth was pregnant when they started the journey to America. The trip by boat took 3 weeks, and she became sick and miscarried. The baby was buried at sea. They arrived in New York by ship (the SS Gellert on Jun. 3, 1892 at Ellis Island. They came by train to Dickinson in the fall of 1892. They stayed in Dickinson during the winter while the men scouted for land to homestead. At that time you could get 160 acres to homestead. After you built a house and lived on it for 5 years, the land was yours. They had the opportunity to acquire another 160 acres if they tilled it, planted some trees, and worked it for 5 years. In order to encourage settlement the Northern Pacific R.R., which was moving west, would sell land for a few cents an acre.
While working for the Northern Pacific Railroad, Ludwig Metz staked out his homestead (S. 14, T. 140, R. 97), and bought a horse, an oxen, a plow, and other homesteading necessities. Elizabeth and her younger brother Tom built a sod house, and started working the farmstead. Ludwig would come home once a month or so. Ludwig worked for the railroad for several years. Elizabeth's parents had a homestead 1 mile southeast of them (S. 13, T. 140, R. 97), so they were close. Ignatz Ries was an only child and had considerable money when coming to the United States, whereas Ludwig Metz was penniless.
Elizabeth tells of the first winters. They were ill prepared for the cold, snow, blizzards, and prairie fires. The native prairie grasses were 3 feet tall when they arrived. Elizabeth told of having a one room long sod cabin. They kept the cows, chickens, and livestock in the cabin during the winter to keep them from freezing or getting covered with snow. There were very few trees in that part of the country, but there was a lot of coal which was used for fuel.
Years later, Ludwig bought another 180 acres for a total of 500 acres. Ludwig loved partying with his neighbors and homemade liquor. When he passed away in 1919, he was in debt. Elizabeth stayed for two years and farmed with her daughters, but could not reduce the debt. She then moved with her daughters into her parents’ house, the Ignatz Ries home, and took care of her mother and father for several years. She later bought a home of her own, with the help of her 4 younger daughters.
Metz, Ludwig, Farmer, S. 11 & 14, T. 140, R. 97, P. O. Dickinson. Mr. Metz was born in Russia in 1865 and settled in Stark County in 1892. He is married to Lizzie Reis; they are the parents of ten children (data gathered in 1913, from the STANDARD ATLAS OF STARK COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA, 1914).
Family links:
Parents:
Adam Metz (1828 - 1910)
Maria Josephia Shaefer Metz (1823 - 1868)
Spouse:
Elizabeth Reiss Metz (1875 - 1952)*
Children:
Mary Joseph Metz (1893 - 1894)*
John Metz (1895 - 1968)*
Christine Metz Staudinger (1897 - 1977)*
Ruth Metz (1898 - 1996)*
Kate Ann Metz Koffler (1900 - 1984)*
Barbara Metz Reisenauer (1902 - 1982)*
Rose K. Metz Anderson (1903 - 1984)*
Mary Ann Metz Clapper (1905 - 1983)*
Elizabeth Metz Kooren (1907 - 1943)*
Henry Metz (1908 - 1920)*
Siblings:
Marian Metz Klug*
Catherine Metz*
Steve Metz*
Salomea Metz Obrigkewitsch (1848 - 1934)*
John Metz (1856 - 1938)*
Anna Metz Kessel (1859 - 1943)*
Peter Metz (1862 - 1905)*
Ludwig Metz (1866 - 1919)
*Calculated relationship
Burial:
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Dickinson
Stark County
North Dakota, USA
Plot: 3. A. 4. 5
Maintained by: Robert Kooren
Originally Created by: High Plains
Record added: Jan 27, 2013
Find A Grave Memorial# 104252047
|
1866 - 1919 (52 years)