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Richard Meuth Richard Meuth at the Meuth Hill Monument erected in honor of the first German, Catholic settlers in the Rockne/String Prairie area. Richard was the oldest member of the Rockne community where he lived all his life until his death on February 18, 2003.
Richard Pete Meuth, born Jan 1, 1907 died February 18, 2003, at the age of 96, inherited longevity from his ancestors. His great-grandfather was 94 at the time of his death and his father lived to be 86. Among other relatives celebrating longevity is his surviving sister, Freda Kadura, age 90, brothers Adolph, 92, and Bill age 83. Richard Meuth, is a descendant of Johann Meuth and Sophia Wagner who lived in Würges, Germany. They had 12 children born in Germany and eight of those children immigrated to Texas between 1846 and 1850. Richard’s great grandfather, Johann "John" Peter Meuth and his wife, Elizabeth Defield, arrived at the Port of New Orleans on the SEA LION on June 10, 1850. In 1856 their eighth child, Peter Meuth, Sr. was born. Peter Meuth, Sr. born March 27, 1856 died January 18, 1951 at the age of 94. He married Catharine Defield and their first child was Peter "Pete" born in 1877. They had nine more children. Peter "Pete" Meuth Jr. born September 20, 1877, died November 29, 1963, married in 1904 Theresa "Tracy" Matjeka . Richard Pete was the first of six children. Richard Pete Meuth married Catherine "Katie" Klaus, born August 28, 1911, died an untimely death January 13, 1965. They had 11 children and the youngest was nine when her mother died. Richard was a farmer and rancher and enjoyed planting, plowing and harvesting until age 93. He was a quiet man respected by everyone in the community and loved by his large family. He also was a devout catholic and reportedly wore out the prayer book that he used daily. |
