You're welcome - and that's a great story!
Your dad's grandparents (Peter and Charlotte, is that right) immigrated along with his parents and siblings in 1879:
Peter Reiswig 28
Charlotte Reiswig 24 [ family tree gives her maiden name as Maria Charlotte Holdenbein ]
Johann age 4
Caroline age 3
Leohard 11 months
Catharine 1 month
Ellis Island opened in 1892 which explains why they didn't go through Ellis Island, but the jewels part might be correct (I hope so, lol). That would be an efficient way of carrying family wealth along to the New World. Good luck and happy hunting!