1895
Wilford Woodruff
George Q. Cannon Joseph F. Smith
Lorenzo Snow Francis M. Lyman John W. Taylor
Franklin d. Richards John Henry Smith Marriner W. Merrill
Brigham Young, Jr. George Teasdale Anton H. Lund
Moses Thatcher Heber J. Grant Abraham H. Cannon
John was a man small in stature. He was 4 feet , 9 inches and weighed 125 pounds and of excellent health in his later life. His personality was impressive to his fellow man; His eyes were brown and his hair was brown in his youth. During the early days he had a large handlebar mustache. In later life his hair had a beautiful shade of white that seemed very shocking and still needed thinning at 86 years of age. He possessed a strong religious nature and when once convinced of the correctness of his position and the righteousness of his decision he stood fast to his rights. He was known for his keen sense of humor. His love for his family was strong and the love for his wife stood just as strong at his death as at his wedding day. His concern was always for his family and for his religion. He was a man to be relied upon for promptness, dependability and promises kept.
His devoted wife, Elizabeth, who was 21 years his junior in age, was 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighed about 135 pounds. She was of good health until the last few years. She had hazel eyes and very dark hair. She was always cheerful and never lost her temper or was cross but always pleasant. She was a good mother to her children. She had a nice personality and liked by everyone she knew. She was a hard worker and worked out 3 days a week until the last baby was born and she was taken ill. Her children and her man were her first concern, they always came first in her life. She loved her flowers and always had a beautiful garden which attracted buyers although she did not have a trade of it. Some girls would come 2-3 times a week for the beautiful flowers. She was an old-fashioned lady and dressed in older clothes including high button shoes.
During John’s life he was a ward teacher, Sunday School teacher, on the Genealogical committee and in the German organization in charge of arranging cottage meetings.
He visited the temple frequently; doing a great deal of the work for his ancestors. He always attended to his church duties and meetings regularly until ordered at the age of 85 by his doctor to refrain from attending which was not to his delight.
JOHN’S FAVORITE HYMN
O MY FATHER
O MY FATHER, Thou that dwellest in the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain Thy presence, and again behold Thy face?
In Thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside;
In my first primeval childhood, Was I nurtured near Thy side.
For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection of my former friends and birth,
Yet oft-0times a secret something whispered, “You’re a stranger here.”
And I felt that I had wandered from a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call Thee Father, Thro’ thy spirit from on high;
But until the Key of Knowledge was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav’ns are parents single? No! the tho’t makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal, Tells me I’ve a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence, When I lay this mortal by, Father,
Mother, may I meet you In your royal courts on high? Then at length,
When I’ve completed All you sent me forth to do, With your mutual
approbation Let me come and dwell with you.
JOHANN ADAM RUECKERT
CHAPTER II EARLY LIFE
“I , John Adam Rueckert was born in Hochbach, Kreis, Mittlefranken, Bavaria, Germany on September 27, 1866. My father was a big strong man and my mother was middle-sized. My family consisted of six boys and two girls. My sister Babetta was born one year before me, so she was the oldest one in the family.
My parents told me, when I was born I was not healthy. I had the English Rickets.” It is a bone disease.
When he was old enough to walk, he couldn’t. His legs were not strong enough to hold him. One day someone told his mother to bathe him in wine. This she did and after some time, he did walk. The wine was to strengthen his body and legs. He was six years of age before he could walk. Previous to walking, Dad would scoot on his seat.
As children, they had to break rock. This rock was used in the making of roads. “When I was about 5-6 years of age, my brother Fritz and I went on the lake. I broke through the ice. I sent Fritz home to get some help. It was very hard to hold on the ice with my fingertips until assistance came.” It was quite a distance for Fritz to run. Dad surely had great strength in his fingers for a boy of six years.
“One time I went with my father to Burgbernheim and I fell off the wagon and one wheel ran over my head.
My body was developing very slow, but as I turned 17 years of age, I remember, there was a change took place in my body. When I was eleven years of age, I became very sick. The doctor gave me medicine but I did not take it. My mother wanted me to take the medicine. She said, “When the doctors ask me about you, I don’t know what to say.” I threw the medicine away, and said that I took it. My condition got more serious. I knew my very self that I was near death. My parents, my brothers and sisters, stood by my bed with folded hands. I saw my body, my parents, brothers and sisters that proves to me, that my spirit left my body for a while.
After I got well, at the age of about 12 years, I had a wonderful dream. I will never forget this dream. I dreamed I was in a beautiful land. The scenery was beautiful. Everything was green and nice. I saw lions, snakes, tigers, and bears but there was no hostility among them. I saw children playing near the tigers.
In Germany, the doctors made their visits every two years free of charge just to check on his patients.
I started school at Burgbernheim in 1873 but because I was very slow in developing, my father sent me to the Real-Schule at Rotenburg, by Steinach at 12-13 years of age. I graduated in 1880 from this school.”
He was trained to do clerical work and he had perhaps the best formal education of anyone in the family.
“Later I was sent to the Judge’s home in Windsheim as a writer for the courts in Windsheim. From Windsheim I went to Nurnberg. I wanted to get a job there but I could not find one because I was too small and weak and no one would hire me so I was forced to learn the trade as a painter. From 1886 until 1891, I was a driver for the Gotenhofer Brotfabrik, (bakery), under Kanalstrasse #1, by Nurnberg. Then I went home and helped my father in his grocery store until we immigrated to America.”
When he grew up his parents wanted him to become a Lutheran Pastor. Because he was a small man, his parents thought hard labor would be too much for him. This was not to his liking and he got a job delivering bread for a bakery.
John was a backward boy with the habit of hanging out in inns and pool halls with his brothers. They played cards and drank beer although he could not smoke because he could not stand tobacco.
On Sunday afternoons, Dad would go for walks and, as usual, would end up in the beer parlor for a glass of beer. Dad would take the coasters from his beer glass and slide it across the table to someone else, just for a little excitement. This would always end up in “Feud” of “Ruckus”. So we can see John Adam Rueckert was just a typical young man, out for a little adventure and fun.
In the year of 1875, my father sold his ranch in Hochbach and we moved to Lanthuven Steinach. In 1876, we moved to the village of Steinach. Here my father built a house and a barn and they lived there until they moved to America in 1896.
John and his family were devout Lutherans and were very religious. Through the efforts of his brother Leonard the message of the gospel of the restored church was told to them.
May 16, 1895, John and his mother was baptized and confirmed together by Elder Heber Merrill. “Another wonderful episode happened when I and my mother was baptized. It was about noon, between 3 and 4 o’clock when two stars were shining in the heaven above us.” This gave them the assurance that everything was all right, that the Lord was really pleased.
They sold everything when he was 30 years of age, and still unmarried, John started out for the United States of America on September 16k 1896 with his parents. They sailed on September 24, 1896 on the Ship S. S. City of Rome from Glasgow, Scotland. The ships in those days were very slow moving. It took four weeks to get to New York City. They arrived on October 11, 1896. On this particular journey, the sea was very rough and the ship was tossed fiercely. As they were sailing on the ocean, his Dad said, “Why did we old people ever leave our home? Why do we want to go to America? When the ship goes down I will open my mouth real wide so I will drown quickly.” Johann Andreas was 59 and Margarette was 54. In 1896 they didn’t have such beautiful ships. He died two months later of exhaustion. The trip was just too much for him (Hilda Rueckert Baker)
George Rueckert met them in New York and came with them to Salt Lake City, Utah by railroad. They arrived at 6 o’clock in the morning on October 11, 1896.
When Franz was so ill, Brother Schleckman came to visit. Franz had typhoid fever and was not allowed anything to eat but could drink. Brother Schleckman asked Franz how he felt. He answered, “I feel better but am so hungry.” Brother Schleckman gave him a slice of dry bread. The doctor came next morning. He entered the door and looked at Franz and said, “For heaven's sake Franz, what did you do?” Of course Franz said he had eaten. The doctor said there was nothing more he could do for him. Franz lost all his blood while going to the bathroom. Dad picked Franz up in his arms and carried him into his room and put him to bed. Franz died in Dad’s arms. (Hilda Rueckert Baker)
Death of family members were recorded as follows:
Andreas Rueckert Exhaustion 1896
Barbara Haaf (Babette) Typhoid Fever 1897
Franz Julius Rueckert Typhoid Fever 1897
Fredrich Rueckert 1897
Between the years 1896-1897 work was very hard to get, because business was very poor, and under these circumstances, it was hard to make a living. About this time John started a milk business. Grandmother and Dad bought a cow and sold the milk for 5 cents a quart. Dad walked more than twenty blocks just to sell one quart of milk. They hardly knew where the next meal came from. When his other brothers came to the United States the business was divided among them.
Dad wrote his brother, Johann Friedrich Rueckert, a letter. At the time he was in the army in Germany. My father did not know that he was ill. Dad told of the deaths in the family. The shock was too much for him. He died March 22, 1897. (Hilda Rueckert Baker)
After awhile, Dad and his mother rented the Speir’s farm at 1726 South 700 West. Although not being able to speak English, Dad always went to church and bore his testimony in his native tongue. His mother died on August 8, 1900 of Gastritis. While George lived at 17th South 6th West in the old Smith home and Ludwig lived at the bend of the river at 17th South 10th West.
“After I was here a few years, I went to Patriarch John Smith, and had him give me a blessing. He gave me some wonderful promises, which all were fulfilled, thru my obedience to God’s laws.” This blessing was always considered as a true treasure and a standard by which he lived.
In 1902 he sold his business which was just getting prosperous to answer a call for a mission to his native land, Germany.
A Missionary Blessing
Pronounced upon the head of Elder John Adam Rueckert in the Salt Lake Temple Annex,
March 12, 1902, y President Seymour B. Young.
Brother John Adam Rueckert, we, your brethren, ordain you a seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and seal and confer upon you all the keys, power and blessings pertaining to this high calling in the holy Melchizedek Priesthood.
And we send you forth and set you apart for a mission to Germany, and pray that the spirit of this mission may rest upon you that it may fill your heart with power and with wisdom and with faith and with new light and new intelligence; that you may study the Gospel and learn all of its glorious principles, by reading the word of the Lord and listening to the words of the servants of the Lord; that, whenever you have opportunity, you may gain knowledge and strength and power by becoming acquainted with the things of God which have been given for the benefit of his children.
We say unto you, dear brother, go forth and bear a faithful testimony, and fear not to declare unto the people that Joseph Smith was and is and ever will be a prophet of the living God; that he came to fulfill a grand mission; that he ushered in the last dispensation of the fullness of times, and that the people are listening to the message which he delivered, in every part of the earth where it has been preached, and those who are honest are gathering out and are becoming identified with the church known as the Church o Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and although they have been a persecuted people, yet the Lord owns them and is blessing them, and the honest in heart are being warned in all the civilized nations of the globe, and the Gospel is being carried to other parts of the world and, in due time, the missionaries will go to every land and clime to declare the principles and truths that the Prophet Joseph Smith introduced to the earth.
Now, dear brother, hear a faithful witness of all these great truths and the Lord will be with you and enable you to comprehend your native tongue that you shall be able to speak it fluently and well, and you shall be able to leave with your people a testimony that shall be a warning unto them for all time to come, and the honest shall rejoice exceedingly, and the wicked shall turn away, but it shall be a witness against them in the days that are to come, and your words shall come up against them before the bar of our Heavenly Father, if they obey not the truth.
Now we send you forth and seal upon you this mission and this high calling to be a seventy, and we devote you to the service of the Master and say unto you, go in peace and, in the due time of the Lord, return again in safety. All of these blessings we seal upon you in the authority of the Holy Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Martin S. Lindsay, Reporter.
JOHANN ADAM RUECKERT—CHAPTER III—STORY OF HIS MISSION
John received his mission call on March 3, 1902 and was ordained a Seventy on the same date by Seymour B. Young. He spent ten days in the mission home and then left Salt Lake City, Utah on March 13, at 7 o’clock.
(Excerpts henceforth are from the journal of Johann Adam Rueckert’s journal kept of his mission from 1902 to 1904. It was written in the German language and his daughter Hilda translated it into the American language. All he wrote will be inserted with quotation marks.)
“13 March 1902 at 7:00 o’clock in the morning left the Salt Sate. 14 March in the evening, we arrived in Omaha. 15 March we arrived in Chicago at 10 in the morning. 16 March in the evening we arrived in Boston Hotel, at the Bradford House.”
On the 17th of March, he located The Bradford house and looked up the shipping agent for the details of his voyage and then returned to the house The next morning he went sightseeing in the state capitol of Boston and saw the courthouse, University and the various parks and wonderful monuments including the George Washing monument.
“17 March we went to look for the ships office, and after that we went to our room after awhile we went to Charles Town, and looked up the ships docks. Then seen the city and county building. 18 March went sightseeing. 19 March it was a rainy day, so I went to the store and bought things for the journey although it rained the whole day. 20 March left Boston, on the ship Pomentraelth.
29 March at 7:00 o’clock in the morning, we arrived in Liverpool, England. At 2 p.m. We left Liverpool. In the evening in Crimpsbuhl (Crimps Bueshl) we went on the ship. 31 March at 7:00 o’clock arrived in Hamburg.”
“1 April at 7: o’clock in the morning left Hamburg and arrived in Berlin at 4 o’clock.” This town had a population of 324,000. This city is the largest city in Germany with a population of 1,517,999 in 1902.
“3rd April at 8:00 o’clock left Berlin, in the evening at 7:30 p.m. arrived in Nurnburg. 4th and 5th April we did a lot of visiting.”
Here he started his mission duties on the 4th and 5th by making visits so some of the 142,000 people living in this city.
“6th April held my first meeting, in the evening did some more visiting. 7th April at noon l left Nurnburg at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon arrived in Marktbergel, and visited many friends.”
After visiting a few friends for the next few days he went on to Bergtshofen arriving at 2 o’clock two days later he left for Steinach.
In Steinach he made a lot of visits including the Lutheran minister who had been his minister in the past. Upon this visit the minister asked him if there was anything that he had taught him that wasn’t true.
John told him that he appreciated all that the minister had taught him pertaining to religion but he then told him about the restored church.
The minister answered, “Joseph Smith is nothing but a swindler and a horse thief.”
John asked him how he could say such a thing without knowing the man.
The answer was that is what was written in the papers and said by the people.
John said that they got in quite a heated argument over this subject so he thought it better to leave.
“10 April at noon, we left Marktbergel, at 2:00 o’clock we arrived in Bergtshofen. 12 April left Bergtshofer and arrived in Steinach, there we did a lot of visiting. 14 April left Steinach, in the evening at 7 p.m. We arrived in Nurnburg.”
Up till this time John and made 35 visits and 21 of these homes he talked about religion.
“28 April had made 35 visits and spoke about the Gospel. 29 April spent the morning on Dalling Strasse and they had a funeral. In the afternoon looked for a place to hold a meeting in the forest. In the evening at 8:00 o’clock held a Bible class.
“30 April we went visiting, at noon had something to eat at Sister Storika, and in the afternoon wrote in my Journal.”
He then attended a farewell for Sister Miller, from Munich, at the home of Sister Ruoe and Sinrenkers.
1st May in the morning visited the Brethren, in the afternoon visited Herr Herman Meier. In the evening visited with Sister Behr.”
That afternoon he saw Sister Miller to the train and returned home to study.
2nd May in the morning visited the Brethren, in the afternoon visited Herr Herman Meier. In the evening visited with Sister Behr.
One of the many missionary experiences John Adam Rueckert5 had while on his mission in Germany. On this particular day, Dad and his companion held a cottage meeting at the home of Sister Behr. On this particular day, Dad and his companion held a cottage meeting at the home of Sister Behr. At this particular time, Mormonism was forbidden in Germany.
The meeting had commenced, when two officers came to Sister Behr’s home. Sister Behr invited these two gentlemen in. They looked around then asked, “Where is your leader?”
One of the sister4s spoke and said, “We don’t need a leader. We are just a friendly group of people that like to get together to talk over our problems.
While the officers were questioning the people about their leader, Dad touched his companion's shoulder and quietly went behind the stove, out the door, and down the steps. As they were going down the stairs, more officers were coming up. Dad said, “Guten morgen, Merrn Schoene morgen.” Meaning, Good morning gentlemen, a very nice morning.
They replied “Ja, eine schoene morgen.” Meaning, Yes, a very fine morning.
After getting outside, Dad said, “Let’s hurry, they will be after us.” In the meantime, the officers noticed that two people were missing, and the seats were vacant. Again they were questioned about their whereabouts. The officers went out to find them but, of course, Dad and his companion were nowhere in sight. The Lord really helps those who are trying to live His commandments and furthering His work here upon this earth. (retold by Hilda Rueckert Baker)
3rd May visited Fraulein Beier and spoke with Herr Stauffer about the Gospel, also handed out 2 tracts.” The next day he visited with Hernon Stauffer and spoke about religion and delivered 2 tracts. “27 July 1902 held a meeting 50 people were present. All the time the police were watching and wrote down the names of those attending.” On August 3,l he held testimony meeting in nearby forest and on September 4, John baptized 4 persons including Christian Schlerf and her daughter. On the 28th he held 4 meetings in Stuttgart in the nearby state. On October 5, John held a meeting in Nuremburg. “10 November 1902 Elder Hertzig and Elder merchant were deported from Koenigreifh, Bayern.” In the county of Bayern, they did not have any freedom of religion. It was not allowed to teach Mormonism. Even then while he was there he held 193 meetings, 102 bible classes, 37 Sunday Schools, and 11 priesthood meetings. He sold 164 books and made 397 visits. Elder Hersch was present to the meeting on December 15. During 1902 John confirmed 6 people on August 4, September , and October 4. During 1902 John baptized 4 persons on September 4.
On February 14, 16, and 175h the mission conference was held in Stuttgart, Württemberg, Germany. March 5, John baptized 8 persons, confirmed 1 and was in Amberg for March 15. On May 14, 1903 John baptized Brother and Sister Schreiner, whose son is Alexander Schreiner, well-known organist for the Latter-Day Saints tabernacle.
“20 Sep. held a Sunday School. 4 policemen came and wrote down names of those attending.”
On one particular Fast Sunday, Dad held a Fast and Testimonial meeting in the Black Forest in Germany. As the Saints were gathering they gave Dad their Fast and Tithing contributions. He, in turn, wrote their names and the amount of their contributions in a ledger, which was the custom in those days. As he was writing, all of the sudden, someone said, “Police.” There, sure enough was an officer coming towards them. In those days Mormonism was forbidden in Germany. Dad told the Saints to depart but not to run. If questioned as to what they were doing here. Just say you were enjoying yourselves by going for a walk when you heard this preacher and listened to what he had to say. The Saints did what they were told. The policeman questioned Dad as to what he was doing here. He replied, “Collecting tithing and fast offerings and preaching.”
The officer said, “You know this is forbidden. I will have to take you with me.”
The officer asked, “Where do you live?”
“Nurnburg,” Dad replied.
“Your occupation?” asked the officer. Farmer was the reply given. “There are no farmers in Nurnburg. I will have to take you somewhere else.” I do not recall the name.
Dad said, “No one knows me there. Take me to Nurnburg and I will go with you.”
The officer looked at Dad and said, “One of these days we will get you.”
Dad replied, “One of these days you will get me. Well, here I am, take me.” The officer turned and walked away. The Lord works in a mysterious way his wonders to perform. Dad was a great missionary. (Hilda Rueckert Baker)
“7 Dec 1903 Received a letter from the State Magistrate in Nurnburg, stating all meetings are forbidden, and punishable, to pay a fine.”
During his mission John received money from home as follows:
June 20 dollars Oct. 53.75 dollars
July 20 dollars Apr 20 dollars
Sep 10 dollars Aug 25 dollars
This was all the money received to maintain him in the mission field. Through the goodness of the people and the help of the Lord he finished a full mission.
Most of the time he worked alone as can be seen on accompanying chart of his meetings and visits.
During John’s mission he baptized 47 persons, 31 were confirmed; 951 visits; 2474 tracts distributed; 193 meetings were held, 126 bible classes ; 37 Sunday Schools and 13 priesthood meetings were held.
He met many friends and had wonderful companions, two of which said at his funeral:
“My first meeting with Brother Rueckert was about 50 years ago at Nurnberg, Germany, where he was a missionary. John was a peculiarity all his own. He was witty; he had a keen sense of humor, peculiarity all his own. He was devout, yet reasonable. He was diminutive in stature, but big in soul, in loyalty, in love, and in his friendships. To John, as to me and all of you, there are certain things that are very sacred. I have heard him bear his testimony so many times in Germany. It happened I presided over the Germany Mission, and I saw him many times. There, at the time they had their testimony meetings, John would tell them, time and time again, that he knew that the Gospel was true an without it his life wouldn't be worth living. It was all consuming for him. “ (Heber Q. Hale.)
“As I got acquainted with missionaries and we assembled in Conference, Brother Rueckert came from Nurnburg to our meetings. It gradually got around, and was told to me that he was the best Elder in the district' for his work and success in bringing people into the church. It appears that he had great success in bringing people into the Church in the place where he labored. He was called the best missionary in the district. I saw that he was sincere.” (Preston Nibley)
John Adam Rueckert came home 21 April 1904 on the S. S. Cretic at the age of 37 years. Elizabeth, Ludwig and Christine Schlerf came to America on 19 May 1904 on the S. S. Cretic. Christine was 47 years old, Elizabeth was 16 years old and Ludwig was 10 years old.
BAPTIZED DURING MY MISSION FROM APRIL 1, 1902
September 4, 1902 Anna Amalie Wollrab
Anna Margaretha Feulner
Christine Schlerf
Elisabetha Schlerf
March 5, 1903 Georg Feulner
Georg Feulner
Johann Endrefs
Kunigunda Endrefs
Eva Elisabetha Koles
Kunigunda Schmidt
Margaretha Enser
Anna Wolbrab
April 9, 1903 Johann Christian Schmidt
Georg Koles
Otto Schilling
Babetta Endrefs
Johanna Helena Schooben
Johanna Wilhelmina Wolbrab
May 14, 1903 Johann Christian Shreiner
Margaretha Schreiner
Friedrich Kreutzer
Katharina Kreutzer
Georg Kroutzer
Ludwig Fetzer
Anna Margaretha Wild
Anna Barbara Herrmann
Gertraud Hofmann
June 9 1903 Johann Stefan Enser
Johann Ferdinand Korber
Anna Barbara Korber
Johann Anton Pirner
Christine Pirner
Katharina Raum
July 13, 1903 Johann Mathias Goos
Sabina Regina Goos
Elisabetha Dietz
August 20, 1903 Georg Friedrich Weidner
October 1, 1903 Karl Johann Klaufener
Konrad Kreutzer
Kunigunda Kreutzer
Elisabetha Barb. Grauf
Margaretha Raithel
March 22, 1904 Johann Raum
George Adelmann
Friederich Schoberth
Margaretha Hutzler
Katha Hutzler
Mathilda Feulner
CONFIRMED DURING MY MISSION FROM APRIL 1, 1902
August 4, 1902 Cliferbutfir Wendell
September 4, 1902 Anna Margaretha Feulner
Christine Schlerf
October 4, 1902 Johann Wendell, Senior
Leonard Michael Wendell
Margaretha Wolbrab
March 5, 1903 Margaretha Enser
April 9, 1903 Georg Koles
Babetta Endrefs
Johanna Wilhelmin Walbrab
April 14, 1903 Franz Josef Schattle Oberndrenf
April 16, 1903 Elise Brunkner
May 14, 1903 Ludwig Fetzer
Friedrich Kreutzer
Katharina Kreut5zer
Anna Barbara Herman
Gertraud Hofmann
June 9, 1903 Johann Stefan Enser
Johann Anton Pirner
Anna Barbara Korber
July 11, 1903 Katharina Elisabetha Adeelman
July 13, 1903 Johann Mathias Goos
August 13, 1903 Anna Maria Bach
August 20, 1903 Georg Friedrich Weidner
October 1, 1903 Konrad Kreutzer
Elisabetha Barbara Grauf
December 10, 1903 Johann Michael Grauf
Marg. Babetta Hirschman
March 22, 1904 Johann Raum
Friedrich Schoberth
Katharina Hutzler
ORDINATIONS ON MAY 3, 1903
Konrad Hofman Priest Johann Endrefsals Deacon Georg Feulner Deacon
BABIES BLESSED
Johann Kreutzner October 1, 1903
DAILY REPORT OF MY MISSION 1902-1904
1902
3-30 Apr made 35 visits, gave out 35 tracts, held 3 meetings and 3 Bible classes.
1-31 May hand out 69 tracts, made 50 visits, held 5 meetings and held 4 Bible classes.
1-31 June made 42 visits, hand out 52 tracts, held 5 meetings and held 4 Bible classes.
1-27 July made 46 visits, hand out 79 tracts, held 4 meetings and held 7 Bible classes.
2 meetings conducted hisself.
28 July –28 Aug. Made 68 visits, hand out 94 tracts, held 4 meetings and held 4 Bible classes.
29 Aug.-1 Oct. made 64 visits, hand out 174 tracts, held 8 meetings, held 2 Bible classes conducted hisself. 1 Oct-26 Oct. made 35 visits, hand out 87 tracts, held 13 meetings, 5 conducted by hisself.
26 Oct-26 Nov. Made 36 visits, hand out 183 tracts, held 14 meetings, 8 conducted hisself.
26 Nov-23 Dec. made 36 visits, hand out 87 tracts, held 10 meetings, 4 Bible classes
23 Dec-24 Jan 1903, 32 visits, hand out 47 tracts, held 10 meetings, 3 Bible classes.
1903
24 Jan –25 Feb made 41 visits, hand 149 tracts, held 9 meetings, 4 Bible classes.
26 Feb-27 Mar made 32 visits, hand out 228 tracts, held 6 meetings, 4 Bible classes, and 4 Sunday school.
28 Mar-26 Apr made 29 visits, hand out 94 tracts, held 9 meetings, 4 Bible classes, 5 Sunday schools.
27 Apr-30 May, made 47 visits, hand out 217 tracts, held 7 meetings, 6 Bible classes and 4 Sunday schools, and 1 Priesthood meeting.
31 May-June 30, made 34 visits, hand out 72 tracts, held 7 meetings, 6 Bible classes, 4 Sunday schools, 12 Priesthood meetings.
1 July-28 July made 22 visits, hand out 93 tracts, held 5 meetings, 8 Bible classes and 4 Sunday Schools, 1 Priesthood meeting.
30 Jul-27 Aug made 34 visits, handout 56 tracts, held 6 meetings, 9 Bible classes and 4 Sunday Schools, 1 Priesthood meeting,
28 Aug –26 Sep made 17 visits, hand out 29 tracts, held 5 meetings, 4 Bible classes and 4 Sunday Schools and 12 Priesthood meetings.
27 Sep5-25 Oct made 28 visits hand out 60 tracts, held 9 meetings, 4 Bible classes, and 4 Sunday Schools, 12 Priesthood meetings.
26 Oct-24 Nov. made 27 visits, hand out 35 tracts, held 5 meetings, 4 Bible classes and 2 Sunday Schools, 1 Priesthood meeting.
25 Nov-25 Dec. made 18 visits, hand out 48 tracts, 6 meetings, 4 Bible classes and 2 Sunday Schools and 1 Priesthood Meeting.
26 Dec– 22 Jan 1904, made 13 visits, hand out 75 tracts, held 11 meetings, 89 Bible classes, 2 Sunday Schools, 1 Priesthood meeting.
1904
22 jan-26 Feb made 21 visits, hand out 77 tracts, 878 held 19 meetings, 9 Bible classes and 1 Priesthood meeting.
27 Feb-28 March made 34 visits, hand out 364 tracts, held 13 meetings, 8 Bible classes and 1 Priesthood meeting
29 March– I made 21 visits, distributed 80 tracts, held 6 meetings, and 4 Bible classes, also held 2 Sunday School classes, 1 Priesthood.
M
EETINGS HELD
EETINGS HELD
3 Aug. 1 Fast and Testimony meeting held in the Forest.
5 Aug 1 Bible class was held
10 Aug 1 held a meeting in the forest by hisself
12 Aug 1 Bible class was held
17 Aug 1 meeting held in Furth by hisself
19 Aug 1 Bible class was held
24 Aug 1 meeting held in the forest
26 Aug 1 Bible class and 1 Priesthood meeting
31 Aug meeting held in the forest by hisself
2 Sep 1 Bible class was held
7 Sep 1 meeting in the forest
9 Sep 1 Bible class was held
14 Sep 1 meeting held in the forest by hisself
14 Sep 1 meeting held in the evening
16 Sep 1 Bible class was held
28 Sep 3 meetings held in Stuttgart
29 Sep 1 Priesthood meeting was held
5 Oct 1 meeting in Nurnburg by hisself
7 Oct 1 Testimony meeting held in Furth. 1 Bible class was held
12 Oct 2 meetings in Nurnberg,. 1 conducted hisself.
14 Oct 1 Bible class was held
19 Oct 1 Priesthood meeting 2 meetings held, 1 conducted hisself
28 Oct 1 Bible class was held
2 Nov 1 Bible class was held
4 Nov 1 Bible class was held
9 Nov. 1 Priesthood meeting, 2 meetings conducting 1 hisself
11 Nov 1 Bible class conducted hisself
16 Nov. 3 meetings were held
18 Nov 1 Bible class was held
23 Nov 1 meeting was held
25 Nov 1 Bible class was held
30 Nov 2 meetings were held
2 Dec 1 Bible class was held
7 Dec 1 Priesthood meeting also 2 meetings were held
9 Dec 1 Bible class was held
14 Dec 2 Meetings were held
15 Dec 1 meeting was held, Elder Herzig was present
16 Dec 1 Bible class was held
21 Dec 2 meetings were held
28 Dec 1 meeting was held
1 Jan 1 meeting was held
4 Jan 2 meetings were held
6 Jan 1 Bible class was held
11 Dec 1 Bible class was held
13 Jan 1 Bible class was held
18 Jan 2 meetings were held.
20 Jan 1 Bible class was held
25 Jan 1 meeting was held
27 Jan 1 Bible class was held
1 Feb 2 meetings were held
3 Feb 1 Bible class was held
8 Feb 2 meetings were held
11 Feb 1 Bible class was held
15-16-17 Feb Conference was held in Stuttgart
18 Feb 1 Bible class was held
22 Feb 1 meeting was held
25 Feb 1 Bible class was held
1 Mar 1 Priesthood meeting was held and also 2 meetings
4 Mar 1 Sunday School and held also 2 meetings
11 Mar 1 Bible class was held
15 Mar 1 meeting was held in Amberg.
JOHANN ADAM RUECKERT—CHAPTER IV—FAMILY
Before John returned from his mission Sister Schlerf and her family immigrated to the states and to Utah.
When John returned to Utah from his mission he married Elizabeth Schlerf. John and Elizabeth’s wedding day was June 15, 1904 in the Salt Lake City, Latter-Day Saints Temple. John R. Winder officiated. Elizabeth was born in Nurnberg, Germany and reared in the Lutheran faith until baptized by John Rueckert. She was the daughter of Henry and Christine Schlerf.
John had rusty brown hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion. Elizabeth had real dark hair, gray-blue eyes and an olive complexion.
On June 17, 1905, the young couple was blessed with a darling baby son named Fredrich Adam. This fellow gave them great joy. The Lord had a mission in mind for him but sorrow followed because death took their son before he was 5 1/2 months old, on November 27, 1905. But the following year another lovely spirit so sweet and dear was born on August 2, 1906 and the little fellow was named Eugene Adam. John blessed his son on September 1, 1906. What a joy he brought this couple. The Lord permitted him to stay until August 16, 1935.
1908, the Lord sent another little angel. The young couple again had a baby boy on may 28 and named him Wilford Adam but he was only permitted stay a few weeks. Again death claimed the small baby on June 22, almost a month after birth. He also returned to his Heavenly father.
In 1909, John moved with his wife and baby Eugene to Hunter to take over the Fullner's farm for two years while the family went on a mission. Mr. Fullner was a convert of the church baptized by John while he had been on his mission. While John was in Hunter another darling baby boy was born on November 26, 1909. February l6, 1910 John blessed his son and gave him the name of John Adam Jr. He was their pride and joy and blessed their home with happiness. This lovely lady gave birth to the body of a beautiful girl but no spirit entered therein. Again the Lord had other plans. In Hunter, John was a hay farmer on the rented place.
In 1913, he decided to move to Reid, Utah, which is around Milford, Utah down Beaver way, against the wishes of the townspeople who learned to love this family. His bishop said this was a mistake but John had made a promise to a brother and he never went back on his word. When he came to Reid, he homesteaded 315 acres of land and built a house. Beaver is the county seat. Due to the lack of water the crops didn't mature and he lost everything he had.
In 1913, he returned to his own home at 1726 South 700 West and rented the home from Spiers. His occupation then was raising hogs, chickens, sugar beets, and grain to make a living with interesting happenings of getting settled in the ward and having to watch out for hobos and chicken thieves. Mom had a beautiful flower and vegetable garden. She took great pride in her flowers and her garden and her house.
On a beautiful June day, there came a lovely angel from on high with blonde hair and blue eyes. Leland Adam was born June 23, 923 but again his stay was also short. On
John was ordained a High Priest on Januayr1, 1923 and then was blessed again in May 13, 1928 with another son from the realms on high and was named Richard Adam. Richard was blessed on December 1, 1928 by Brother Hansen. He gave them joy and happiness to rear him. He was called Dick.
Soon after this the mother was taken ill and was ill for a very long time and died August 16, 1930 and buried on the 20th. Her death came after a great deal of sickness.
Dad and Mom were wonderful parents. They tried to bring us up right, to become good men and women and go do our duties in church. Mom was taken home at an early age of 43, leaving a family of seven children. Twenty-two years later Dad joined her. What a happy reunion that was in Heaven
Of this time it was said, at his funeral:
JOHANN ADM RUECKERT - CHAPTER V - LATER LIFE
He started into the dairy business and sold milk to Harris Jersey Farms. Sold as small as 3 gallons a day and high as 20 gallons for 11 cents to 14 cents besides feeding calves. He soon had 48 head of cattle and a nice team of horses Soon he sold to Steenblik and then to Burton Dairy with a gradual increase of pay. In 1940 he went into business for himself selling milk at 2 cents a gallon for milk and continued until 1945 when he was getting 40 cents.
On March 6, 1934, Eugene Adam married Emma Rose Kiesig at the Salt Lake County Court House. In 1935, August 16,k Eugene died at the Holy Cross Hospital of appendicitis. H held the office of an Elder at the time of his death.
On May 11, 1939, Albert Adam went to the North Central States Mission and returned on May 12, 1941.
In 1941, John sold 2 acre of property to the railroad that cut his property in half for $1600 and saved his property which he was about to lose.
November 8, 1942 John Adam Jr. was drafted into the Army and was discharged on January 8, 1944.
In 1945, John sold his dairy and later he sold 8 acres of property to the owner of Shamrock Taverns. About this time the family added on a basement and two rooms to the house.
In 1946, the second marriage of the Rueckert children took place at the Cannon Ward between Elisabeth Silvia and Ronald Jay Potter on February 28 and a first grandson was born on January 31, 1947 at the Latter-day Saints Hospital. The baby was named Jerry Jay.
In 1949, Albert Adam married Goldia Mary Miller in the Latter-Day Saint Temple. They were married by Robert D. Young.
Richard Adam was inducted into the army in October 1951. While in the army Richard was able to see his father's home land, Germany
John sold most of the rest of his property in 1950. Five acres to Frank Higley and t5 acres to John Jr.
A second grandson by the name of Albert Andrew was born on April 17, 1951 at the Latter-Day Saint Hospital to Albert and Goldia.
On January 19, 1952, Hilda Schlerf married Elmo Slater Baker in the Salt Lake Temple in a ceremony performed by Robert I. Burton.
April 1, 19522, a son was born to Elizabeth and Ronald Potter and named John Lewis after both his grandfathers.
In the spring of 1942 John called his family together, all but Richard who was in the service to say a goodbye and give them his blessing. On July 17 19523, John suffered a stroke and lost his speech and command of his body. During this illness John arranged most of his funeral service including the speakers, pallbearers, and dedicatory prayer.
Many times the Bishopric administered to John during his illness; always with the promises of very little pain which was true till the last.
John died in his sleep on November 4, 1952 at 11:35 p.m. and his services were held on November 7, 1952.
John Adam Rueckert lived to be 86 years of age. All of his life, he was small in stature, standing 4 feet 9 inches. He had brown eyes and olive skin. In his later years, he had thick white hair, and a large white mustache. He had a keen sense of humor, for which he was known. He visited the temple frequently, doing a great deal of work for his ancestors. He always attended to his church duties and meetings regularly, until at the age of 85, his doctor asked him to refrain from attending meetings. This decision was not to his liking and pleasure. John Adam Rueckert, 86, died at the Family residence, after a lingering Illness, Tuesday, November 4, at
11:15 P.M.
He was born September 27, 1886 in
Hochbach, Bavaria, Germany. A son
Of Johann and Margarette Rueckert.
He became a convert to the Church
Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints,
May 16, 1895 and immigrated to the
United States in 1896. He served
A mission from 1902-1904 in Germany.
He married Elizabeth Schlerf in the
Salt Lake temple on June 15, 1904.
She succeeded him in death 22 years ago.
He was a active member of the High
Priest quorum of Cannon Ward
Survivors include two daughters;
Mrs. Hilda Baker and Mrs. Jay Potter;
And four sons; John Jr., Albert,
Alma, Richard; three grandsons; and
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