from the Perry Mirror, Thursday, January 4, 1923:
"Pioneer Kansan Dies. Deceased A Father of Mrs. Charles Hoffman of Perry. The first illness that confined John Rehrig, 93, pioneer settler of Kansas, to his bed, was his last illness. He died at his home, 432 Buchanan St., Wednesday night, after being sick less than three weeks. He had lived in Kansas nearly 65 years. Mr. Rehrig, a blacksmith, emigrated from his birthplace, Coblenz, Germany, when he was 17 years old. Soon after his arrival at Troy, New York, he met Ellen Burhardt to whom he was married. They were the parents of 13 children, 5 of whom now are living. When their second child was a baby, they decided to come "West and grow up with the country." They settled on a claim in what now is the Highland neighborhood, near Scranton. At that time, their nearest trading point was Lawrence, which was three days' journey, by ox team, about the only means of transportation then. Leaving his wife and children and aged parents to look after the homestead, Mr. Rehrig went to Kansas City and worked his trade to earn the money to buy the few necessities the early settlers of Kansas die not produce on their own farms. Whenever he could get away from his work for a short time, Mr. Rehrig would walk to the claim to visit his family. During those early years, Mr. Rehrig spent the slack seasons freighting, with ox teams, between Kansas City and Santa Fe, N.M. A short time later, he established a blacksmith shop of his own at a station on the Santa Fe Trail, several miles from his home farm. 39 years ago, just after Mr. Rehrig had sold his claim and prepared to move to a ranch in southern Wabaunsee County, Mrs. Rehrig suddenly became sick and in a few days died. Two years later, Mr. Rehrig married Eliza Miller, a widow with 6 children. These, with five of the children of his first union, survive him, together with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Rehrig was prominent in the affairs of the district in which he lived. He served one term in the legislature in the early '90s, being elected on the populist ticket. Despite his apparent stalwart health, he had suffered for many years with lung trouble, which prevented his acceptance for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. At that time, he joined with a number of his neighbors in the formation of a company of home guards, which was called out to repel the Price invasion in Missouri when that Confederate general was threatening Kansas City. Mr. Rehrig retired from farming and ranching nearly 20 years ago moving to Burlingame. More than 2 years ago, the family moved to Topeka. Of late years, Mr. Rehrig had become almost blind, and it was with difficulty that he could get around. Children of Mr. Rehrig and his first wife, who survive him are Frances Hoffman, Anna Thompson, Phoebe Tower, Henry A. Rehrig, and August Rehrig. Children of the second wife of Mr. Rehrig, who, with her, also survive are Wylie Miller, George Miller, Ida Burkhardt, Emma Glines, Lulu McCluskey, and Victor Magovern. Funeral services at Scranton at 1 o'clock this afternoon will be in charge of the Masonic Lodge at Burlingame, of which Mr. Rehrig has been a member for more than 50 years. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery near Scranton."