William Kauten (1883-1916)

KAUTEN, SCHWARTZ, BARTELS, KOME, BUTLER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 11/13/2007 at 11:57:46

William Kauten was born August 23, 1883 and grew to manhood on his father's farm north of Oelwein. In boyhood his mother died and with the father, brothers and sisters he continued living on the homestead until he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Swartz (Schwartz) on the 28th of January, 1907. Since then they have resided in Oran township. He was an earnest worker for home and religion and was taken in the prime of manhood from his loving wife and children. He left his pleasant home in the morning of June 15th in the best of cheer telling his wife he would get to the barn raising in time. They then worked at the building and had it erected and closed when shortly after 1 o'clock a wind storm struck the building and as the poet says, "The finger of God touched him and he slept" for so suddenly was he taken that those who witnessed can hardly explain. He was taken to his sorrowing family, his wife and three little boys.

He is survived by a wife and three sons Laurence, age 8; Henry, age 6; and Harold, age 4; a father, Peter Kauten of Oelwein; four brothers, Peter Kauten of Westgate; Joseph, Nicholas and John of Oelwein; four sisters, Elizabeth Bartels, of Alta Vista; Maggie Kome, of Fairbank; Katie Butler, of Lismore, Minn. and Susie Kauten of Rochester, Minn.; (preceded by) Annie Kauten who died during maidnhood and Barbara, Mary and Cornelius who died during infancy.

Deceased was a devoted Catholic and remains were intered in the Catholic cemetery at Fairbank, Iowa.

Oelwein Register - 21 June 1916