Fred Renfer (1871 - 1947)

Born 25 Dec 1871 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

Husband of Marguerite Ellen Nį-amą́nįwįga (Rave) Renfer — married 3 Jun 1901 (to 14 Dec 1934) in Pender, Thurston, Nebraska, United States

Descendants

Died 14 Apr 1947 at age 75 in Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kecia Alaniz [send private message]

Biography

Fred Renfer was Pennsylvania Dutch. Education: Rose Renfer Ayers stated that her father had told her that he finished the 8th grade, but didn't mention any name of a school or where. Fred has a medium, stout tall frame. He had dark features and a light complexion. Religion: He never mentioned belonging to any church or of any form of religion. Fred never objected to his wife, Marguerite, going to peyote meetings. Fred understood most of the Winnebago Indian language but he didn't speak it, just used a few words. So if anyone talked about him in Winnebago, he understood what was being said about him. Fred did speak German and said it was low German. Cause of Death: Fred had heart trouble. On the morning of April 14, 1947,10:00am., Oliver, Fred's son, was shaving Fred and Oliver was half finished shaving him when Fred complained that he didn't feel well and wanted to lie down. Fred laid down and Oliver was waiting so he could finish shaving him. Mae, Fred's oldest daughter, told Oliver she'd have Rose, another daughter, finish shaving him when Fred felt better, as we thought Fred was sleeping, so Oliver left. Genevieve, granddaughter, was doing the dishes in the kitchen and then suddenly had a funny feeling and decided to check on Fred, grandpa. Upon reaching the bedside, I realized something was wrong. Then I didn't accept death. My mother, Mae, daughter of Fred, both knew right away what was wrong. Fred probably passed away soon after lying down on his bed. Occupation: Ringling Bros for 12 years. Farmer and his side line was gambling (cards). Fred lost his wife's (Marguerite) land due to his gambling. Nickname: Tootsie. Fred use to say to his oldest daughter, Mae, "Hi Toots." As time went on Mae use to refer to her dad as "Tootsie". From Toots to Tootsie and the name remained with Fred and he didn't have any objection to the name most of the Winnebago people knew and called him "Tootsie". He was also called Fritz. I, Genevieve (oldest and 1st grandchild of Tootsie) became interested in Family trees so I wrote to Aunt Rose (My mother's youngest sister) regarding Fred's family and what information she knew of them. This is what she wrote to me in a letter of February 1973. Aunt Rose stated she'd tell what was told to her by Fred (Dad). Louise Armell, (relative of Marguerite) and from her mom, Marguerite. Rose said that after her father (Fred)'s illness, due to heart trouble, he had to stay in bed for a long time. At night Rose and Dad (Fred) would visit and they talked a lot. Fred didn't or would not mention his folks, only that he had a strong dislike for his stepmother. It seems Fred's mother died when Fred was about 8 years old and Fred's dad (Rudolph) remarried soon after his first wife's death. Fred didn't mention any full or half sisters or brothers. Fred and his stepmother didn't get along and at the age of 15/16 he joined the Ringling Brothers Circus. This is when Fred met and became friends of Bill Graves. It seems Bill Graves was in an orphanage until he was 12/13. The orphanage Bill Graves was at closed down and the children were being transferred by train to another location. When the train slowed up for a town, Bill Graves jumped from the train and from then on was on his own and made his way the best way he could. Bill Graves never knew who he was or even if Graves was his real name. Some how both men met and since Fred and Bill had no place to go, they stayed in Sarasota, Florida where the circus had winter quarters. A lot of the other performers stayed too and would work at their acts. With time on their hands, Fred and Bill made friends with the performers and learned to do many things with the performers but Fred and Bill never performed themselves with any acts. Fred and Bill cared for the circus animals. Fred finally worked himself up to foreman of putting up and tearing down the Big Top (tent) which was done in a very short time. It's been stated that the circus people were asked to show the Army how to put up and tear down tents.

Sources

• Personal recollections of Kecia (Alaniz) Mapp, 23 Dec 2020.

This is a letter delivered by Teala Walker to the Alaniz children in Winnebago, NE after our naming ceremony on July 23, 1999. Author Genevieve Lowry Johnson. (Retyped; November 8, 2002 by Kecia Alaniz Mapp) Note: words in italics have been modified by correcting the spelling.

• Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908. State Library and Archives, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska. Thurston County, Nebraska, Record #353, 4 June 1901, p. 519.
• 1910 Federal Census Place: Winnebago, Thurston, Nebraska; Roll: T624_857; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 0207; FHL microfilm: 1374870; Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 16 January 2021), memorial page for Fred Renfer (25 Dec 1870–14 Apr 1947), Find a Grave Memorial no. 11489840, citing James Rave Cemetery, Winnebago, Thurston County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by kmapp (contributor 46799577) .