Caroline Mae Sailer was born on October 22, 18741, in Bennington, New York, the first child of Jacob Sailer and Magdalena Kreib. Her early years were likely spent in Attica, New York, where the family lived in 1880202. However, by 1891, Jacob and family had moved to Buffalo, where he opened a saloon203,204. On April 18, 1893, Caroline married John Frederick Richter at the German Lutheran Church in Buffalo12. John was born on August 21 1866, at Buffalo, New York, the son of Frederick Richter and Caroline John40.
John and Caroline settled in Buffalo, where their children were born and where John worked as a house painter44,207. Shortly after 1905 and before 1910, there was a breakup of the Richter family. According to family members, Caroline ran off with a traveling minstrel by the name Ritchie, as part of a vaudeville act. She took three of her children with her, namely Gertrude, Dorothy and Dustin, who were also part of the act. The remaining children were placed with Caroline's aunt, Margaret Baumgartner and her husband, Henry. The whereabouts of John Richter is not known, until his death in Buffalo on October 31, 191112. John died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
The children of John and Caroline are:
Fourth Generation
| i. | John Frederick Richter | John was born on December 189344. John married (1) Beatrice Stengel, and (2) Betty _______. |
| ii. | Gertrude Helen Richter | Gertrude was born on July 20, 189518, and she died on June 6, 1985 18. Gertrude married Alma Judson Moffet. |
| iii. | Edna Florence Richter | Edna was born on November 12, 189718, and she died on October 9, 1986 18. Edna married William J. Breck. |
| iv. | Alvin Ernest Richter | Alvin was born on May 17, 189936, and he died on October 27, 194918. Alvin married (1) Viola Heichberger, and (2) Bebe Schuler. |
| v. | Mildred Elizabeth Richter | Mildred was born on May 27, 190118, and she died on March 11, 1999 18. Mildred remained single. |
| vi. | Dorothy Richter | Dorothy was born on March 6, 190418, and she died on November 19, 197918. Dorothy remained single. |
| vii. | Dustin Steven Richter | Dustin was born on January 28, 190618, and he died on January 1, 197118. Dustin married Pearl May Hoffman. |
The details of Caroline's travels in vaudeville are largely unknown. Our only glimpse is from the 1910 U.S. Census, when Caroline was living in Detroit, Michigan, with her three children, having changed her name to Ritchie208. They are all listed as actors. Then, in 1913, Caroline married Scott L Martin in Omaha, Nebraska40. Scott was born on August 24, 1881270, apparently in Scotland210. In 1920, Scott and Caroline were living in Fremont, Nebraska, where Scott worked for the railroad209. With them were two of Caroline's children from her first marriage (Dorothy and Dustin Ritchie) and a 5 year old son, Jack Martin. Finally, by 1930, Scott and Caroline were living in Buffalo, New York, where he worked as an auto repairman210. The Census lists Dorothy Ritchie and Jack Martin as members of their household. Caroline died on November 8, 1943, in Buffalo30, and Scott died on November 29, 1973, in Alameda, California270.
The child of Scott and Caroline is:Fourth Generation
| i. | Jack E. Martin | Jack was born on January 15, 1915270, in Nebraska40, and he died on November 12, 2004, in East Farmington, New York270. |
John Frederick Richter:
John Frederick Richter was born in December 189344, the first child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Fred grew up in Buffalo, initially with his family. Then, when his mother left to join a vaudeville act, Fred lived with his aunt, Maggie Baumgartner40. As a teenager, he left and went to sea for a time, according to a family member40. In the 1910 Census, John is listed with his aunt, working as an usher in a movie theater206.
On March 10, 1913, John married Beatrice Stengel40. Beatrice was born in January 1894, the daughter of Edward Stengel and Helen _______211. Sometime after this marriage, however, Fred abandoned his wife and disappeared. The 1920 U.S. Census shows Beatrice living with Edward and Susan Sailer and working as an office clerk183. This suggests that Fred left Beatrice relatively soon after their marriage.
Years later, Fred was visited by family in New York City, and in the 1940's, he showed up in Buffalo, visiting a niece40. Fred had remarried to a lady named Betty.
Fred had no children.
Gertrude Richter [Ritchie]:
Gertrude Helen Richter was born on July 20, 189518, the second child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Apparently, her name was changed to Gertrude after she left Buffalo with her mother to join a vaudeville show40. Gertrude performed a sword dance in the show40. In 1910, she was living in Detroit, Michigan, under her new surname, Gertrude Ritchie, along with her mother and two younger siblings208.
On January 25, 1913, Gertrude married Alma Judson Moffet in Omaha, Nebraska40. Alma was born on November 27, 188836, at Shenandoah, Iowa., the son of William Z. Moffet and Catherine M. Leadingham. In 1910, Alma was living in Fremont Nebraska with his half brother, William Adair, and working in a nursery212. Alma and Gertrude are next found living in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1920213, with the first of their 8 children, where Alma was working in a foreman in a nursery. Again in 1930214, the family was living in St. Joseph, and Alma was working in a flower nursery. The family later moved to Gustine, California. Alma died there on May 28, 195536, and Gertrude died on June 6, 198536.
Edna Richter:
Edna Florence Richter was born on November 12, 189718, the third child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Edna grew up in Buffalo, initially with her family. Then, when her mother left to join a vaudeville act, she lived with her aunt, Maggie Baumgartner40. On April 10, 1919, Edna married William J. Breck, of Buffalo40. William was born on January 7, 189340. William and Edna continued to live in Buffalo, where William worked as a plumber in a pluming shop215.
William died in Buffalo on December 14, 195140, and Edna died there on October 9, 198618. They raised two daughters.
Alvin Richter:
Alvin Ernest Richter was born on May 17, 189940, the fourth child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Alvin grew up in Buffalo, initially with his family. Then, when his mother left to join a vaudeville act, he lived with his aunt, Maggie Baumgartner40. In 1919, Alvin married Viola Heichberger40. Alvin and Viola settle in Buffalo, where Alvin initially worked as a clerk in a drug store173. Soon, however, he became an employee of the Post Office. In 1930, Alvin and Viola were living in Elma, New York, and he was a mail carrier. Alvin and Viola had three children.
At some time after 1930, Alvin moved to California, where he married Bebe Schuler. Bebe was born on February 10, 1903, in Kentucky36. It is not known what happened to Viola. Alvin's death certificate records that he lived in Los Angeles for 4 years, suggesting he moved to California about 194536. While in Los Angeles, he worked at an electric motor company40. Alvin died in Los Angeles, California on October 27, 194936, and Bebe died there on October 15, 198036.
Mildred Richter:
Mildred Elizabeth Richter was born on May 27, 190118, the fifth child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Mildred grew up in Buffalo, initially with her family. Then, when her mother left to join a vaudeville act, she lived with her aunt, Maggie Baumgartner40. Mildred continued to live in the Buffalo area throughout her life. She worked in the office of a local department store and later for the Erie County Water Authority40. Mildred died on March 11, 199918. At the time of her death, Mildred was living in Orchard Park, New York. She remained unmarried.
Dorothy Richter [Ritchie]:
Dorothy Richter was born on March 6, 190418, the sixth child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Dorothy's early years were spent with her family in Buffalo, New York. Then, her mother left to join a vaudeville act and took Dorothy with her, along with two other siblings40. In 1910, Dorothy was living in Detroit, Michigan, under her new surname, Ritchie, along with her mother and siblings, performing in vaudeville208. In 1920, she was living with her mother and step-father in Fremont, Nebraska, where she was attending school209. Dorothy continued to live with her mother and step-father when they moved back to Buffalo210. She worked there as a legal secretary. Finally, Dorothy moved to California, perhaps after the death of her mother. She died in Sacramento, California, on November 19, 197918,36. Dorothy remained unmarried.
Dustin Richter [Ritchie]:
Dustin Steve Richter was born on January 28, 190618, the seventh child of John Richter and Caroline Sailer. Dustin's early years were spent with his family in Buffalo, New York. Then, his mother left to join a vaudeville act and took Dustin with her, along with two other siblings40. In 1910, Dustin was living in Detroit, Michigan, under his new surname, Ritchie, along with his mother and siblings, performing in vaudeville208. In 1920, he was living with his mother and step-father in Fremont, Nebraska, where he was attending school209.
On September 12, 1929, Dustin married Pearl May Hoffman at Fremont Nebraska40. Pearl was born on March 17, 190918, in Garfield Township, Nebraska, the daughter of Herman Hoffman and Bertha _______216. Dustin and Pearl initially lived in Fremont, where Dustin worked as a bookkeeper for a local laundry217. Dustin and Pearl later moved to California.
Dustin died on January 1, 197118, in Ed Dorado County, California, and Pearl died on August 2, 200418. At the time he was living in Reno, Nevada.
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