Person:Johann Reich (6)

ID #702 on the Family Tree.

For 17,500 guiden he took over his parents' farm, together with his fiancee, Anna Maria, born June 11, 1827, daughter of Matthaus Schwenk, farmer and mayor of "24 Farms".

In 1863 Johann Georg added a barn and living area to his house, and on Aug 4 of the same year, he bought the lower mill for 20,500 fl. from his mother-in-law together with the Israelite Isak LAndauer von Horb.

The deal didn't seem to have been a good one. The mill, which was leased to several tenants, was not profitable at all. Over the years, several parts of the house were sold. The part belonging to the Reich family -- which consisted of the building with attachments and about 40 Morgan of land -- was bought by the partner Landaur for 12,000 Marks.

Comparing the buying and selling prices, one can see that Reich's partnership was ill-fated. He indeed lost a fortune.

At the time of the death of his first wife, he was still well settled. According to the records from June 17, 1861: he owned 23,700 fl. and his debits were ,2070 fl. So he actually had 21,720 fl. in his possession. About half of the estate, including the house, was given to his children from his first marriage and was then purchased by his son Johannes from his first marriage on Jan 14, 1879 for 18,000 Marks. This son also bought the "Gbelsbachwiess" (grassland) from his father for 2,000 Marks, and later woodland that has been previously sold.

The father himself was ruined. The bad harvests of 1877-80 devaluated the land. The so far good prices for lumber decreased rapidly. Lumber became almost worthless. Johann Georg Reich's estate was auctioned off for very little money, 28,465 Marks altogether.

He didn't survive this catastrophe for very long. He had no strength left. When spring arrived -- after the severe winter of 1879-80 -- and the ice thawed, letting the farmers start working again, he -- a long-standing member of the village -- was buried on Sunday, March 7, 1880.

In 1896, the widow moved to Stuttgart, where she still lives.

[Chronicle of the Reich Family at Betzweiler - Mayor Jackle, November, 30, 1903]