Henry John (probably Johann Heinrich originally) Riedesel was born in Germany on July 18, 1906 to Johann Friedrich Heinrich and Emma (Jacobsen) Riedesel. He was the first of eight children. While the family had roots two centuries earlier in Wittgensten, members of this branch moved around a great deal. His father was born in Paris and eventually brought most of his family to America after he had been here a few years.
The Ellis Island records show the family arriving on March 30, 1913 aboard the ship “Patricia” out of Cuxhaven. They lived in Oklahoma, among other places, before finally settling near Westfield, New York where much of the extended family still lives. On April 20, 1937 Henry married Marie Helbig. I am not sure where they first lived but some time before 1940 they settled near Westfield, New York.
Henry died April 17, 2003 in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Mary preceded him on December 6, 1990. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Cambria County.
