Elizabeth Isabel Rinehart Joles: A Mother’s Heartbreak

Elizabeth Isabel Rinehart, born in Pennsylvania in 1855, lived a life deeply intertwined with the traditions and challenges of her Romani heritage. The daughter of John Rinehart and Rachel Miller, Elizabeth was raised within a traveling community where family and connection provided stability amidst constant movement. By 1880, she was recorded as Isabel Hunt, (an error made by the census taker) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a single daughter in her father's household.

In September 1881, at age 26, Elizabeth married Ephraim Joles, a widower, in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. Ephraim was also part of a Romani band, and their union marked the blending of two families already accustomed to the itinerant lifestyle. Together, they hoped to build a future, but tragedy soon overshadowed their dreams.

Between 1883 and 1887, Elizabeth gave birth to six children. Tragically, each one died within their first year of life. Jenta Joles, the youngest, passed away on July 2, 1887, and was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The unrelenting grief of burying six children in just four years left Elizabeth to carry an overwhelming burden.

1. Laura Belle Joles was born in 1883 and died on 31 July 1883. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

2. Gelias Joles was born in 1884 and died on 24 August 1884. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

3. Isaac Joles was born in 1885 and died on 15 August 1886. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

4. Jenta Joles was born in 1887 and died on 2 July 1887. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

5. Mary Ann Joles was born in 1888 and died on 27 July 1888. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

6. Libby Joles was born in 1892 and died on 10 September 1892. The child was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.  

Despite her immense sorrow, Elizabeth remained devoted to her family and her Romani community. The losses did not sever her connection to her heritage or her husband, Ephraim, but the weight of so much tragedy must have been nearly unbearable. It was probably the tight-knit community that helped her endure the grief.

Elizabeth, affectionately known as Lizzie Belle, lived another 13 years after the death of her last child. On April 9, 1900, she passed away and was buried in Oakland Cemetery, near the graves of her children. Her life, shaped by the joys and devastations of motherhood, came to a close at the age of 45.

Elizabeth Isabel Rinehart Joles’ story is one of strength, resilience, and profound loss. Her experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by mothers in the 19th century, especially within transient communities. Her life was likely not an easy one given her lifestyle, but made even more unbearable by the grief no mother should have to endure.

Citations: 

Image - '''Memorial''': Find a Grave (has image)<br/>{{FindAGrave|156868904}} (accessed 18 November 2024)<br/>Memorial page for Laura Belle Joles (1883-31 Jul 1883), citing Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA; Maintained by KWH (contributor 48123018).

Laura Belle Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868904/laura-belle-joles

Gelias Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868931/gelias-joles

Isaac Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868956/isaac-joles

Jenta Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868794/jenta-joles

Mary Ann Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868823/mary-ann-joles

Libby Joles Burial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156868851/libby-joles