Franz Xaver REIS

   Another name for Franz was Francis Xavier REISS.

  General Notes:

A query was posted on the Prussia maillist on Nov. 4. Otti Sauer answered the query with a link to the German IGI collection. Francis and most of his siblings were found in baptismal and marriage records for a Catholic church in Attendorn during the years 1808-1848.

Franz Xaver Reis was born on 17 December 1814. Sponsors at his baptism were Franz Racemacher zu Ahausen and Maria Anna Lennemann (nee Teipel) zu Habbicke. He married Elisabeth Ducro on September 27, 1838 at Attendorn. Franz was the 9th of 11 children, the 5th male. Search of the IGI found a marriage entry for an Elisabeth Ducro in Koblenz Stadt, Rheinland, Preussen. A marriage between a Franciscus Reiss and Elisabeth Ducro was found in Koblenz Stadt on 2 September 1838. It was in Liebfrauen Katholisch church. This ceremony was 25 days before the one in the Attendorn Roman Catholic church. It is possible that Franz met Elisabeth while apprenticed in Koblenz and they may have had a ceremony in her church before going to Attendorn for one in his home church. According to a researcher at the Lecanto Family History Center, it is more likely that the Koblenz entry represented the posting of the banns of marriage in the bride's home church and was mistaken for the marriage date by transcribers. Francis and Elisabeth lived to Olpe Stadt after their marriage. Their son, Emmerich was born in Olpe Stadt (1841), which is the county seat of the Kreis (county) Olpe and on the south shore of Biggesee. According to the Olpe Stadt records ordered on microfilm and viewed on December 3, 2003, Emmerich was baptized at St. Martin Church.

According to an email from Oliver Haase received on December 30, 2003, research of "Heimatstimmen des Kreises Olpe" (Homelands Voice of the County of Olpe) from the year 1848: "In the Year 1846 the Waltchmaker Franz Xaver Reis, 31 Years old, with his wife Elisabeth Duoro (sic), 33 years old, and son Emmerich, born 31.07.1841..." Since only Emmerich is mentioned in the emigration notice, it is presumed that their two daughters, Elisabeth and "Female" had both die prior to 1846.

Franz Xaver made application to emigrate to the United States on March 18, 1846, 10 days after his mother sold the estate "Gut Listernohl" where Franz grew up. He received final approval to emigrate on 30 March 1846. Search of Immigration records on Ancestry.com failed to find any date of arrival in New York or any record of naturalization.

On November 3, 2003, based on a tip found on the NYC-Roots maillist, I searched Brooklyn and Manhattan city directories online at AncestryPlus. I found an 1890-91 Lain's Brooklyn Directory listing for a Francis Reiss and a Francis J. Reiss at 166 Hope Street, Brooklyn. The 1881 Lain's Brooklyn Directory lists a Francis Reiss, jeweler, at that address. The Wilson's Business Directory of New York City, 1859 and 1860 list a Francis Reiss at 36 Third Av. On December 9, I searched the microfilms of the 1855-1859 and 1861-1864 Trow's Manhattan Directories. For the year ending May 1, 1856 and beyond, there are listings for Francis Reiss, jeweler, at 36 3rd Avenue. The 1859-1866 Trow's Manhattan Directories (viewed at AncestryPlus) also have listings for a Francis Reiss, jeweler, living at 36 Third Av. This is the same address given for the birthplace of a Frank Reiss, son of Emerich and Elizabeth Reiss on January 31, 1866.

This is the same Francis Reiss who was living in Manhattan in 1860 (1860 Federal Census) with wife Elisabeth and sons Emery and Adolph. Francis and the two sons were listed as born in Prussia. Francis and Emery were identified as jewellers. Elizabeth is listed as born in France. However, in the 1880 census, both parents of E. Joseph are listed as being from Prussia.

According to Muster Roll Sheets acquired from NARA, Francis Reiss (aka Reise), age 46, served a three month enlistment (July 14, 1861-Oct. 23, 1861 as a First Lieutenant with Capt. Devin's Independent Co., NY State Militia Cavalry. The Company Muster-in Roll stated that he joined the unit in New York. The value of his horse was $115 and horse equipment, $25. (signed by "Hathaway") The August 31 Muster Roll stated in the Remarks: " Furnished Horse & epuipments and full dress uniform, which "were valued by the Mustering officer." (Signed by "Magee") When he was discharged, the Remarks stated "Due U.S. for 1 saddle blanket." (Signed by " E.B. Thompson). NARA indicated that any other pages that existed were not reproduceable. There is no indication on the muster rolls that Francis participated in any battles. Francis never filed for pension. Francis Reise is enumerated in the 1890 Veterans Schedule, living at 166 Hope St. He was erroneously identified as having served as a private with the 20th Regiment.

No evidence has been found that Francis was ever naturalized although his service in the Civil War would have expedited the process.

Francis has not yet been found in the 1870 census. It is believed that he was still in Manhattan at that time since he appears in the 1869-71 Manhattan City Directories. Manhattan directories for the years 1867-1871 were searched at the Family History Center on December 9, 2003. For the year ending May 1, 1869, Francis was listed at 51 Canal St. For the year ending May 1, 1870, he was at 19 Hester St. For the year ending May 1, 1871, his business address was 51 New Canal and his home at 94? Seventh St. The first Brooklyn directory reference to Francis was found in Lain's 1872 Brooklyn Directory. He was living at 156 Hope Street. Emmerick was also living at that address. At that time both Francis and his son were identified as jewelers.

In the1880 census records, Francis "Raiss" is listed as the head of household with E. Joseph, Mary Elizabeth and grandson Francis at 166 Hope St. It is believed that that it was Frank's mother (Mary E.) and grandfather (F.X.) who were the baptismal sponsors for Mae Reiss in 1891.

Francis lived with his grandson's family until his death in 1894 at age 76. The Coroner's Certificate of Death dated 6 March 1894 states that he died at 166 Hope Street (2nd floor) in the 15th Ward of Brooklyn. Cause of death was Bright Chronic Rhematism, Valvular heart disease and Pulmonary Oedema. His birthplace is listed as Germany and his occupation as watchmaker. There were 8 families living in the house. The Coroner's name was Joseph M. Creame, MD. Francis was buried at Calvary Cemetery on 8 March 1894. Undertaker was John R. Pouk (?), 135 Union Av.

I have not found anyone in the 1870 or 1880 census records that would appear to be Adolph, the son of Francis and Elisabeth. An Adolph J. Reiss agt appears in Brooklyn City Directories in the early 1900s. Since no age is found in the directories, it icannot be determined if this is the son of Francis and Elisabeth.

  Events

• Baptism, 19 Dec 1814, Attendorn, , NW, DEU. christening, Attendorn, Westfalen

• Fact 2: Fact 2, 2 Sep 1838. IGI notice of marriage, Liefrauen Katholisch, Koblenz, Rheinland

Franz married Elisabeth DUCRO, daughter of Wendel DUCRO and Elisabeth GLEID, on 27 Sep 1838 in Attendorn, , NW, DEU. (Elisabeth DUCRO was born calculated 14 Mar 1812, died on 5 Jun 1867 in New York, USA and was buried on 6 Jun 1867 in Queens, Queens, NY, USA.)