Theodore and Minnie Rauh and Their Texas Dairy Farm

Theodore Henry Rauh was born on April 6, 1881, making today his 142nd birthday. Theodore was the son of Adam and Margaret (Lang) Rauh and likely baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. Since he was born after the 1880 census and we cannot view the one taken in 1890, Theodore was almost 20 years old when he appears in his first census in 1900. It is also the only census entry in which we find Theodore living in Perry County. Theodore was 19 years old and working on his father’s farm in the Central Township.

Now, we will look at the woman who would become Theodore’s wife. Her name was Minnie Christina Meyer. I confess that I cannot hear the name Minnie Meyer without thinking of the Disney’s Magic Kingdom character named Minnie. Several documents say that Minnie was born in Illinois. Minnie was born on November 2, 1879, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hoffman) Meyer. Minnie’s father spent some time in Perry County, but did not remain there. Since Minnie was born before the 1880 census, we have the opportunity to find her in that years’ census. I think Minnie’s family was living in the Fillmore Township of Montgomery County where her father was a farmer.

I suspect that both of Minnie’s parents died before the 1900 census was taken. Minnie and her older brother, Walter, were living in the Henry Ochs household when that year’s census was taken. Not only was Minnie living in the Ochs household, that family was a neighbor to the Rauh family. I have highlighted both Minnie Mayer and Theodore Rauh in the image of that census entry below. So, it is no mystery how these two managed to become acquainted with one another.

Theodore Rauh married Minnie Meyer on July 28, 1901 at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. We can view the marriage license for this couple. I had to be a little careful because this was not the only Rauh/Meyer marriage that took place in Perry County in 1901.

Not long after this pair was married, they had a child in 1903, and that child was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Alva, Oklahoma. That child’s baptism record is found on the first page of that congregation’s baptism records. Along with the baptism record of Hilda Rauh is that of a child born to Martin and Emma Rauh, who also were Perry County natives.

Hilda Rauh baptism record – Zion, Alva, OK

Theodore and Minnie did not remain in Oklahoma for very long. When their next child was born in 1905, that son was born in St. Louis. The 1910 census shows the Rauh’s living in the Wellston municipality of St. Louis. There were 4 children in their household by that time.

When the last child born to Theodore and Minnie was born in 1915, that daughter was born in Texas. When Theodore had a World War I draft registration completed in 1918, his address was given as a rural route near Houston, Texas. It said his occupation was farming.

The 1920 census shows the Rauh family with 6 children. Theodore is called a dairy farmer.

The Rauh’s are next found in the 1930 census still living in Harris County, Texas. From census to census, the Rauh’s were living in different townships, but the same county.

Next, we can take a look at the 1940 census for this family. This time, Theodore is called a truck farmer, and there were a few young men living with them helping on the farm.

The last census we can view is the one taken in 1950. One of Minnie’s older brothers, William Meyer, was helping on Theodore’s truck farm.

Minnie Rauh died in 1959 at the age of 80. We can take a look at the Texas death certificate for her which says she died in a Houston hospital.

Theodore Rauh died in 1978 at the age of 97. In Missouri, we would not be able to view a death certificate from 1978, but for Texas, we can. This form says Theodore’s usual occupation was a dairy farmer.