Mrs. Rosa Ruemmele, Army Widow

In the historical collections of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center, is a carte de visite of Mrs. Rosa Ruemmele, taken by R.E. Weeks, a very early Sandusky photographer. According to her death certificate, Rosa Senn Ruemmele was born in Switzerland on November 1, 1846. Her father’s last name was Senn, and her mother’s maiden name was Verna Rule. U.S. Census records indicate that Rosa emigrated to the United States in 1854. Records on file at Erie County Probate Court list November 14, 1867 as the date of Rosa Senn’s marriage to Joseph Ruemmele. The chapter about the “German Element” in the History of Erie County, Ohio, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, (D. Mason, 1889) stated that members of both the Ruemmele and Senn families were associated with the publishing of German newspapers in Erie County, Ohio. During the Civil War, Joseph Ruemmele was a musician in Company H of the 72^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Sadly, Joseph Ruemmele died on November 5, 1871 at the age of 28 years and 9 months. He was buried at Oakland Cemetery. He left behind his widow Rosa, and their young son.

For several years, Rosa and her son resided in Sandusky with her brother, John Senn. Civil War Pension records, available at FamilySearch show that Rosa Ruemmele received a widow’s pension, based on her husband’s military service during the Civil War.

Mrs. Rosa Ruemmele passed away on August 28, 1929, at the age of 82. She was survived by a son, a grandchild, and four great grandchildren. Mrs. Ruemmele was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sandusky. Her obituary, which appeared in the August 29, 1929 issue of the Sandusky Register, stated that Rosa Ruemmele had been a faithful member of St. Mary’s Church, and the Mother and Altar Society of that parish. Rosa left her native Switzerland and made a new home in the United States. She showed courage in the face of adversity, as she faced widowhood at a very young age and life in her adopted country as a single woman.