John Christ Repp

John C. Repp

John Christ Repp, son of Albert and Annie (Otto) Repp, was born at Stoewen, Posen, Germany, March 8th, 1846, and died at his home in Roberts, Illinois, May 30th, 1927, aged 81 years, 2 months 22 days. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church in infancy and after receiving instruction in the parochial school renewed his covenant in confirmation at the age of fourteen years.
In his young manhood days he worked on the farm of his parents. When he was twenty-two years of age he was called to serve in the German army. He entered military training in 1868 and served until 1872. He had just completed his three years of training when he was called for the Franco Prussian War and he was in the army of occupation that marched to Paris. He was in several of the major actions of the war. Sedan, Metz, and others which stand out in history. His military service was in the heavy artillery and the continual cannon roar impaired his hearing which has grown worse as the years have passed.
At the close of the war he left his native land to make his home in America. He first came to Joliet where he worked as a day laborer for fourteen years. In 1886 he came to Roberts where he has lived since. Soon after coming to Roberts he met Mrs. Emilia Warnke who had recently came from Germany, and whom he married November 16, 1889.
To Mr. and Mrs. Repp were born four children. Mrs. Edward Kietzman, Mrs. Henry Garrels, John Repp and August Repp, all of whom reside at Roberts. He also had six step children four of whom are living. These are Mrs. William Kietzman and Rudolph Warnke of Gilman, Ernest Warnke and Mrs. Samual Ebert of Roberts. Mrs. Charles Ringeisen and William Warnke are deceased. Besides these he leaves ten grandchildren and nineteen children of his stepchildren who looked upon him as a grandfather.
He had planned for a trip to Germany last year but owing to the condition of his health he did not undertake it. He had influenza and later suffered rheumatism. Death was caused however by a cerebral hemorrhage from which he lingered two days but never recovered consciousness.
The funeral services were held at the Lutheran church in Roberts, Wednesday afternoon, June first at two o'clock, Rev. Henry Fischer, the pastor, officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery.
Mrs. Repp was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors. His affliction, deafness, kept him from forming acquaintances. This also kept him from using many of the talents which he possessed. He was a man of ability, integrity, industry, and was a successful farmer. He was probably one of the best educated men in Lyman Township. In performing his service of patriotism for his country his sacrifice was great as regarding his own personal ambitions. He continued his line of study for his own gratification and although prepared as a teacher in his native land, his affliction kept him from following that vocation. Although having performed faithful service for his native country, he became a patriotic citizen of his adopted country after arriving here.

--Roberts Herald.  9 June 1927.