Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023
Valentin Bartholomäus Reis was born on January 11, 1795, in Biblis, Bergstraße, Hesse, Germany, son of George Bartholomäus Reis (1763-1838) and Anna Maria Freihaut (1771-1834).
Valentin’s grandparents were Johann Peter Reis (1742-1791) and Maria Elisabeth Seib Reis (1734-1785); Johann Jodokus Freihaut (1747-1796) and Sophia Elizabeth Mertz Freihaut (1748-1809). Valentin Bartholomäus Reis’ great-grandparents were Johann Reis (ca. 1700-1775) and Katherine Bergman Reis (ca. 1701-1782); Johann Heinrich Seit (1706-1774) and Maria Eva Fischer Seib (1716-1786); Johann Adam Freihaut (1702-1777) and Margaretha Eva Marsch Freihaut (1723-1785); and Johann Peter Mertz (1717-1772) and Maria Catherina Gansmann Mertz (1720-1781).
Valentin married Katharina Freihaut (1802–1867) on November 25, 1823 in Biblis, Bergstraße, Hesse, Germany. Valentin and Katherina had twelve children, including Bartholomäus Gottlieb, Valentine F., Elizabeth, Johann, Anna Maria, Michael, Elisabeth, Katharina, a stillborn child, Heinrich, Barbara, and George Reis.
Valentin, Katherina, and their family headed to America, from Le Havre, France to New Orleans, Louisiana on July 20, 1846. The Reis family then moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Valentin was a shoemaker for several years.
The traditional shoemaker would measure the feet and cut out upper leathers according to the required size. These parts were fitted and stitched together. The sole was next assembled, consisting of a pair of inner soles of soft leather, a pair of outer soles of firmer texture, a pair of welts or bands about one inch broad, of flexible leather, and lifts and top pieces for the heels. The insole was then attached to a last made of wood, which was used to form the shoe. Some lasts were straight, while curved lasts came in pairs: one for left shoes, the other for right shoes. The “lasting” procedure then secured the leather upper to the sole with tacks. The soles were then hammered into shape; the heel lifts were then attached with wooden pegs, and the worn out-sole was nailed down to the lifts.
The finishing operation included paring, rasping, scraping, smoothing, blacking, and burnishing the edges of soles and heels, scraping, sandpapering, and burnishing the soles, withdrawing the lasts, and cleaning out any pegs which may have pierced through the inner sole, according to “Shoemaking” in Encyclopædia Britannica.
Valentin had a knack for finding jobs that were essential to the communities in which he lived – and working as a shoemaker was no different. Making and repairing shoes, whether for work or dress, required skill and a whole array of specific tools. And in the 1870s, before the mass production of footwear, a town’s shoemaker could count on a steady stream of customers. And that is what Valentin did.
While Valentin was a shoemaker, Katherina took care of the children. It was a big job, but Katherina loved being closer to the children.
By 1860, the family moved to Shakopee, Minnesota. Within a few years, Katherina Freihaut Reis died on December 10, 1867. She was 64 years old. Katherina (also called Catherine) was buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Eagle Creek.
Valentin Bartholomäus Reis died on June 4, 1874. He was buried next to his wife at Calvary Cemetery, up the hill in Eagle Creek Township.
Bibliography
Patton, James. “Shoemaking.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 1902.