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William Bash Reep

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William Bash Reep

Birth	:	18 Apr 1813 Parkers Corners, Butler County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death	:	8 Feb 1883 Hardin County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Cottage Cemetery, Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.4049988, -93.3133011
Description	:	Father is Henry Isaiah Reep born 1786 in Fairview, Bulter PA and died 9 Sep 1854 @ the same. Mother is Franzina Otterman born 2 Mar 1796 in Fairview, Butler, PA and died 19 Aug 1871 at the same. Reeps Travel from Butler to Chickasaw Counties Among the prized possessions of Mrs. Pearl Mossman, Eldora, Iowa is an old document written in a beautiful German script: Wilhelm Riep was born April 18, 1813 and was baptized in the Lutheran faith by the Honorable Mr. Schnee. Witness was their neighbor George Spangler and his wife Gertrude (Ring). The... Read More	Father is Henry Isaiah Reep born 1786 in Fairview, Bulter PA and died 9 Sep 1854 @ the same. Mother is Franzina Otterman born 2 Mar 1796 in Fairview, Butler, PA and died 19 Aug 1871 at the same. Reeps Travel from Butler to Chickasaw Counties Among the prized possessions of Mrs. Pearl Mossman, Eldora, Iowa is an old document written in a beautiful German script: Wilhelm Riep was born April 18, 1813 and was baptized in the Lutheran faith by the Honorable Mr. Schnee. Witness was their neighbor George Spangler and his wife Gertrude (Ring). The child was born in Parker Township, Butler County, Pennsyl- vania. Read and live according to Psalms 16:22 and 112. On the back written in his own hand, are the birthdates of William Reep’s children: Lewis (Sept. 27, 1840), Henry (Sept. 11, 1842), Mary Ann (Sept. 11, 1844), William Isaiah (Aug. 17, 1846), Amos Timothy (May 19, 1849), Sarah Jane (Sept. 2, 1851), Lavinah (May 2, 1854), Fannie (June 17, 1857), and Hannah (Dec. 17, 1860). William B. Reep, the son of Henry and Fannie Otterman Reep, grew up in Butler County, devoted his life to farming, and on Nov. 19, 1839, married Jane Lexington Titus who was born March 11, 1817 in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. In 1854 the family decided to move westward. While William was busily packing the wagon for the journey, his wife was busily getting slips of her favorite plants, among them currant bushes, mulberry bushes, and flag root (Iris). She wrapped them in cloth, buried them in a box of sand, and made sure they were kept just “so damp” throughout the trek westward. The family traveled to the Ohio River where they hired a boat to cross the river. The man who owned the boat told them of a Seth Thomas clock that he wanted to sell. William, knowing how much his wife would like a clock, bought it for her. Below the face of the clock is a mirror, the only one the family had for many years. The clock is still ticking the time away in the Mossman home. By the time, the family reached the Mississippi River they were warned that the ice was ready to break up, but William, used to taking chances, decided to cross. He was anxious to get settled before spring planting. The ice was spongy and the mules’ hoofs cut deeply into the ice as they crossed…safely. William settled his family in Davenport, Iowa for a brief time, then Rock Island County, Illinois, then LeClaire, Scott County, Iowa and finally in Chickasaw County, Iowa (1866) where his brother Solomon Reep and family had settled in 1856. In 1869 William decided to move his family further southwest to Tipton Township, Harding County, Iowa. However, by that time they had accumulated a flock of sheep and a herd of cattle. They had two wagons, one pulled by tow oxen and the other by a horse and oxen. It was a long hard journey. The older children walked the more than 100 miles and drove the cattle and sheep. The older boys took turns taking night watch. During the day the “night watchers” would try to sleep as the wagon bounced over the prairie. There were no roads, just trails through the long prairie grasses. Prairie wolves were numerous and the cries of wild cats were heard in the timbers as they passed through. They arrived safely at their new farm, which was on the edge of a stand of timber by the South Fork, 18 miles from the village of Iowa Falls. William and his family immediately set to work building a log house, breaking up the timber, sod, and planting small patches of corn. One of the children’s tasks involved chasing deer and cranes away from the crop. They also helped with the livestock. Sarah Jane and Fannie had a pet lamb that had been born in Chickasaw County and neglected by its mother. It became the girl’s responsibility, and on the trip to Hardin County, they took turns carrying it through the long prairie grass. The lamb usually stayed close to home but one day it ventured into the open prairie. Suddenly a dark shadow appeared and before the little lamb could find protection, it was lifted up into the air. The girls were washing the noon dishes when their father called to them. They rushed outside just in time to see their bleating lamb flying through the air in the talons of an eagle. They were heartbroken. Later they learned that a pair of eagles had a nest on the rock cliffs on the Iowa River 20 miles away. William and Jane Reep remained on the 160-acre homestead until their deaths. Jane died March 25, 1875, and William died February 8, 1883. Both were buried at Cottage Cemetery, several miles from their home. The old Reep homestead, now owned by William’s great granddaughter Mrs. Elsie Sisam, still stands. Under the layers of more recent siding, one can still see the original log structure. Around the house, one can still enjoy the Pennsylvania mulberry bushes and flag root that were so carefully planted there over a hundred years ago. The above information is based on the stories Sarah Jane Reep Mossman related to her children, to her grandchildren, and to her daughter-in-law Pearl Mossman, who wrote it down for all Reeps…this entire package was provided by Lucille Lettow of Cedar Falls, Iowa (9/10/79). Contributor: Emily (49545974)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Bash Reep's memorial?
William Bash Reep's memorial is located at: Cottage Cemetery, Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA.
When did William Bash Reep death?
William Bash Reep death on 8 Feb 1883 in Hardin County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Bash Reep's memorial?
Latitude: 42.4049988
Longitude: -93.3133011

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Jane Lexington Titus Reep

(1818 - 1875)

Siblings

Children

Lewis N Reep

(1840 - 1862)

Mary Ann Reep Barnhart

(1844 - 1911)

William Isaiah Reep

(1846 - 1917)

Amos Reep

(1849 - 1922)

Sarah Jane Reep Mossman

(1851 - 1929)

Lavina Reep Taylor

(1854 - 1877)

Hannah Reep

(1860 - unknow)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Cottage Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4049988, -93.3133011

2. Tipton Norwegian Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3753014, -93.3458023

3. Bahr Cemetery
Buckeye, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4380380, -93.3417480

4. Lincoln Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3964005, -93.2542038

5. Sherman Cemetery
Sherman, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3718987, -93.3664017

6. Buckeye Cemetery
Buckeye, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4508018, -93.3843994

7. Boylan Cemetery
Hubbard, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3321991, -93.2806015

8. Northlawn Memory Gardens
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4854200, -93.2678700

9. Point Pleasant Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3422012, -93.2311020

10. Rough Woods Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3582993, -93.2091980

11. Tipton Grove Cemetery
Hubbard, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3102989, -93.2557983

12. Hubbard Cemetery
Hubbard, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2994003, -93.3005981

13. Oakwood Cemetery
Owasa, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4500008, -93.1731033

14. Jackson Township Cemetery
Owasa, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4219017, -93.1572037

15. Hardin County Home Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3978004, -93.1524963

16. Radcliffe Cemetery
Radcliffe, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3231010, -93.4353027

17. Saint Mark Catholic Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5267000, -93.2701500

18. Union Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5280342, -93.2704773

19. Pleasant Chapel Community Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3156013, -93.1883011

20. Alden Cemetery
Alden, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5218000, -93.3864500

21. Friends Cemetery
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5222015, -93.2375031

22. Kidwiler Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4571991, -93.1492004

23. Bethany Cemetery
Hamilton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3683014, -93.4916992

24. Eldora Training School Cemetery
Eldora, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3558000, -93.1291000