A Life Across Changing Times: The Journey of Louisa Christina Rentschler
From Victorian Philadelphia to the Dawn of Women's Rights: One Woman's Story Through America's Social Evolution
My Great Grandmother, Louisa Christina Rentschler, was born on April 3, 1868, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Georg "George" Rentschler and Katherine Faerber. Her early life was marked by the cultural and social dynamics of the late 19th century, a time when women began to experience gradual changes in their rights and societal roles.
Louisa was baptized shortly after her birth on June 18, 1868, at the Salem-Zion United Church of Christ in Philadelphia. The 1870 census recorded her as a two-year-old living in Philadelphia, indicating a stable family environment during her formative years. By 1880, at the age of 12, she was living at 2221 North Front Street, Philadelphia, where she likely received a basic education typical for girls of her social standing at the time.
Louisa married William Menges on June 24, 1891, but their marriage ended in divorce on December 6, 1894. This divorce occurred during a period when divorce laws were beginning to evolve, although they were still restrictive, often requiring grounds such as adultery or cruelty.
The following notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer on December 7, 1894 provides the clue that Louisa was the plaintiff in the divorce, since her name is listed first. It was unusual in that time for the wife to be granted a divorce.
On May 31, 1899, she remarried to Benjamin Franklin Hampshire, with whom she had five children: Benjamin Franklin Hampshire (1900-1992), Louise "Bebe" Hampshire (1901-1968), Ralph George Hampshire (1903-1905), Lillian Edith Hampshire (1906-2000), and Edith Hampshire (1908-2004).
Louisa was Benjamin’s second wife. He had been married previously and had six children with his first wife. At the time of their marriage, his two youngest daughters, Clara and Anna, were a part of their household.
Louisa and Benjamin lived in Philadelphia, and had a summer home in Andalusia, Bucks County. Louisa's life spanned significant historical events, including the women's suffrage movement and the gradual evolution of women's rights in the United States. During her lifetime, women in Pennsylvania gained increased rights, notably the right to own and manage property independently, which began with legislation in the early 18th century and evolved through the 19th century. By 1872, married women were granted control over their earnings, marking a pivotal shift in their economic independence.
Louisa Christina Hampshire passed away on December 21, 1936, at the age of 68, due to cardiovascular hypertension disorder. She was buried on December 23, 1936, at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. Her life reflects the challenges and transformations faced by women during a time of significant social change, as they navigated the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and emerging rights in a patriarchal society.
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Great description of the issues affecting women in the mid to late 19th century.