E. J. Richter, Napoleon, O.

This is what I have so far on E. J. Richter, the older brother of Lydia and Zilla Richter.
Erich J. B. Richter
b. 8 Jan 1854 in Germany...immigrated to USA about 1880 or 1881
d. 24 Apr 1939 in Napoleon, Henry, Ohio
m. 12 Dec 1882 in Henry County, Ohio to Ida Caroline Hilgendorff

Ida Caroline Hilgendorff
b. 30 May 1861 in Napoleon, Henry, Ohio
d. 20 Aug 1947 in Napoleon, Henry, Ohio

Erich and Ida's children:
Bertha M. (1888-1978)
Walter Edwin (1891-1986)
Meta C. (1894-?)
Eda Lydia (1897-1974)

According to the 1900 US Census, Erich and Ida had 6 children but only 4 were living at that time.  They lived in Napoleon, Ohio and Erich's occupation is sign painter.

At the time of the 1910 US Census they are still living in Napoleon, Ohio with three of their children, Walter (18), Meta (16), and Eda (12).  Bertha was married so she was living with her husband at that time.

The 1920 US Census still shows Erich and Ida are living in Napoleon, Ohio and only Eda (21) is living with them.  Walter and Meta were each married and on their own by then.  Erich's occupation is sign painter.  His daughter Eda is a bookkeeper.

The 1920 US Census has a column titled "Whether able to speak English."  This column is marked "yes" all the way down except for three people.  It was blank for a baby and one older person, and when it gets to Erich, there is an "X".  I would think that he did speak English after living in the US all these years, but I guess it is possible that he did not.  If it is true that he did not speak English, Ida probably spoke German as a second language, as her father was a German immigrant.  But it could just be that Erich had a very heavy German accent and the census taker was having a hard time understanding him.

Erich's death certificate shows that the principal cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis.  It lists his occupation as painter.

Erich and Ida are buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Napoleon, Ohio.