The particular branch of the Reich family of Amsterdam, New York, under consideration, have been in the United States since 1870, although William Reich with two sisters came earlier, but they settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and are of the same family. The family is native to Germany, and of all the men and women from the land of thrifty habits who have sought the hospitable shores of the United States, none have more worthily earned the success that has attended their efforts than the Amsterdam family.
(I) The Reich family in Germany are of Bavaria, native to Underfronken, near Wertzburg, the capital of that small political division. Dr. Reich, after the custom of his locality, not only ministered to the ailments of his patients, but shaved the faces of all who desired. He was widely known for his skill as a surgeon and performed many surgical operations. He died at age of forty-eight, but not before he had married and reared a family.
(II) Casper, elder of children of Dr. Reich, was born in Birkenfeld, Underfronken, Bavaria, about 1825. He spent an active industrious life, and died at age of seventy. He never left Bavaria, but his brother William and two sisters emigrated to America, settling at St. Louis, Missouri, where they engaged in market gardening for the St. Louis market. Casper Reich, however, remained at home, where he was a prosperous grocer, adding to the usual grocery line. He also conducted a lumber yard and was something of a wholesale merchant as well. He married Rosanna Hildebrand, born in the town of Heilerchanstadt, Prussia. She died ten years previous to her husband's death, which occurred in 1893, after having accumulated a goodly estate for the time and place. Children:
- Francis, born 1844; became a farmer and still lives in his native town; married Barbara Steicherwalt, who died, leaving two children.
- George, see forward.
- Catherine, born 1851; married Johann Kluspies; they live on the old Reich homestead in Bavaria and carry on the business much as did her father, Casper; he is the present postmaster of the village; they have four children.
(III) George, son of Casper and Rosanna Reich, was carefully reared, and after receiving all the educational advantages the town afforded was sent to Ludwig Institute, Wertzburg, where he completed his studies. He then served three years at wood turning, followed by two years apprenticeship at cabinet making, becoming an expert wood engraver and cabinet maker. His mechanical skill has stood him in good service, although he has not followed it constantly as a business. In 1870 (then twenty-two) he embarked at Bremen on the steamship "Breman" for the United States. He worked for a year in New York City at his trade. In 1871 he settled permanently in Amsterdam, New York, and for five years worked constantly at his trade of cabinet maker. In 1876 he began business as a merchant, and for thirty years, until 1906, he continued in business and accumulated a competence that enabled him to retire and enjoy the comfortable home he had purchased in Amsterdam on Guy Park avenue. Here he is spending a quiet life, his diversion being the making of decorative art furniture, which are remarkable specimens of skill and beauty. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Turners, and is an honorary member of the Arion Society. He is an ardent Republican, and he belongs to the Scott Club. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, being an original member of St. Joseph's, serving on the building committee and contributing liberally both to the erection and support of that church.
He married in Amsterdam, New York, April 21, 1874, Mary C., born in that city, April 21, 1854, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Ebersole) Wendling, both born in Alsace, when it was a part of France. Their families had long been resident of the town of Barr, Alsace. They were married there and after the birth of one child, 1854, they took passage from Havre, France, landing in New York, but proceeded at once to Amsterdam, New York, where Jacob worked at his trade of shoemaker until his death at the age of forty-two, May 18, 1874. Jacob Wendling was the son of Andrew Wendling, who lived and died in Barr, Alsace, France. His wife was Theresa Ebersole. Catherine (Ebersole) Wendling, wife of Jacob Wendling and mother of Mrs. George Reich, was the daughter of Jacob and Catherine Ebersole, lifelong descendants of Alsace, where Jacob was a market gardener. He lived to be eighty-two, Catherine, his wife, sixty-nine. They had four children:
- Sophia, died young.
- Ameil, eldest son, was a bookkeeper; came to the United States, where he died of lonesomeness and homesickness; he was a "Stranger in a strange land," and mourned for friends and native land until his heart was broken literally.
- A second son, Jacob, Jr., resides in Barr, the old home, now German territory.
- Catherine, above mentioned.
Catherine (Ebersole) Wendling makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. George Reich. She was born January 6, 1833, yet is remarkably active in mind and body. She is the mother of five children, among whom were:
- Johanna, died at fifteen;
- Jacob, died at twenty-two;
- Julia, born in Barr, October, 1854, wife of Abraham Van O'Linda [Van Olinda?] and has a daughter Edna.
Mr. and Mrs. George Reich are the parents of six children, comprising the fourth generation in the United States:
- C. Arthur, died unmarried, March 17, 1903, aged twenty-seven.
- Walter, born July 29, 1883; educated in Amsterdam public schools and at Troy Polytechnic Institute; is an electrical engineer; since August, 1907, he has been assistant superintendent of the General Electric Company works at Schenectady, New York; married Alice Macauly, and has a son George (2), born July 13, 1908.
- Frank, born 1885, died aged twenty-one.
- Laura, died in infancy.
- Willie, died aged three.