My Genealogy Hound

DAVID RECK, retired farmer; P. O. Gettysburg, Ohio. Christian Reck, the father of David, was born in Littlestown, Penn.; was married to Sophia Buker, who was born in Pennsylvania; nine children were born to this union, six boys and three girls. Mr. and Mrs. Reck spent their days in Pennsylvania; he died about the year 1806; she died about the year 1820. David, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, born within seven miles of Gettysburg, on the 14th day of October, 1803; was left an orphan when only 3 years old; lived with his mother until he grew to manhood, working on the farm, taking care of his mother until she died, and attended subscription school whenever the opportunity presented itself, and by close application acquired a good common-school education. Was united in marriage with Miss Ann Maria Lightner, in Adams Co., Penn., on the 5th day of January, 1826; she was born in Maryland on the 14th day of July, 1800; he followed farming during his residence in Pennsylvania; on the 14th day of October, 1839, he started with his family in a two-horse team for the West, bidding farewell, perhaps forever, to friends, old acquaintances and his native country, to seek a home in the Far West, where nature’s stillness reigned supreme, only broken by the howling of the wolf and the whoop of the red man; on the 14th day of November, just one month from the time of starting, he with his little family arrived in Darke Co., Ohio, locating about one and a half miles east of where Gettysburg now stands; rented a tract of land and commenced the task of clearing up a farm; remained here about three years, during which time he lost his wife, a sad misfortune. On the 23d day of August, 1841, the messenger of death entered this peaceful and interesting family, removing from earth to heaven, the mother of the family, after an illness of eleven days. In 1842, he bought 154 acres in Van Burden Township, where he resided until 1877, after which he sold his farm, and is now living with his children. Six children were the fruits of this union, of whom five are living, viz., Levy, born on the 22d of November, 1826; Sophia, born on the 20th of February, 1829; Franklin, born on the 18th of January, 1832; William, born on the 10th of February, 1835; Ann Maria E., born on the 24th of March, 1838; Amos, born on the 28th of December, 1841, and on the 23d of March, 1876, left his body and has gone to join his angel friends. Mr. Reck is a member of the Presbyterian Church, connecting himself with the organization in 1874.