Looking for maiden name of Dora Rabe b. 1849, who was the apparently recent widow of Joseph Hecht (to whom she had been married for 7 years as of the 1900 census in Leroy, Benton Co, IA, living with elderly Frank and unmarried Milo HECK). My husband recalls his step-grandmother (Dora's daughter Ida S. Hecht, b. 1889 Belle Plain, Benton Co, IA) saying that her parents "came" from Belgium...probably meaning that they lived in and/or sailed from Belgium, as all other information says they were both born in Germany.

Dora had three older children (one identified as William Rabe b. about 1885) and two named Hecht born in Iowa. There is another Joseph Hecht family in IA at about the same time, but I do not think this could be the same man.

Ida S. Hecht married an ATHEY in Iowa and eventually came to CA before 1920. I am getting a good bead on this branch of the ATHEY (ATHY, ATHA) family back to Basel/Basil ATHEY b. 1773 or 1774 in Prince William or Prince George Co, VA. His descendants moved westward through OH, IN, and IA, lots staying in IA and at least one branch winding up in CA. I have quite a lot of information on various Atheys' spouse's lines.

Please help or redirect me if you can. Thanks.