Peter Kauten (1849-1925)

KAUTEN, SCHMIT, SCHMITT, BARTLES, BUTLER, SCHUSTER, GROFF, GRAFF, WATRIN, SCHAEFER, KANE

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 1/18/2008 at 10:43:47

Peter Kauten was born in the village of Rommel in Belgium, on March 15, 1849. During early childhood he moved with his parents to Condorf, Luxemburg, where his mother died. Soon after the death of his mother, in 1866, the family emigrated to America settling in Dubuque.

Mr. Kauten worked as a day laborer in and around Dubuque for several years. Thus at an early age experiencing toil and hardships.

The family continued residing in Dubuque until 1869, when Mr. Kauten with his father and brother purchased a farm, northwest of Oelwein in Oran township.

Mr. Kauten was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schmit of Dubuque and resided on the farm which became their home.

To this union were born 13 children: Peter of Westgate, Joseph of Oelwein, Mrs. Harry Kane of Fairbank, Mrs. George Bartles, Nicholas and John of Oelwein, Mrs. Carl Butler of Lismore, Minnesota and Mrs. A. L. Schuster of Geddles, South Dakota.

Five children preceded him in death, Barbara, Cornelius and Mary who died in infancy, and Anna who died in 1899 and William in 1916. Mr. Kauten's wife and helpmate was taken in death in 1897, leaving to him the care of these little ones.

In spite of grief and hardships he worked to keep the family together. Some years ago Mr. Kauten retired from active life, making his home with his children, being at the home of his son Joseph, when on September 28, after a short but severe illness death came, and his pilgrimage was done here, to be resumed in the great beyond, having been fortified by the Sacraments of the Catholic church.

He leaves beside his children, 39 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, also one brother, John Kauten, two sisters, Mrs. N. Groff and Mrs. N. Schaefer of Oelwein. He was preceded in death by one brother, Cornelius and two sisters, Mrs. Joe Watrin and Mrs. J. P. Schmit.

His funeral took place on Wednesday, September 30 at the Sacred Heart church at Oelwein, of which he was a faithful member. Rev. M. L. Ambrosy officiating assisted by Rev. Hlpin of Fairbanks and Rev. Ormsby of Independence. His remains were laid to rest beside his wife in the Catholic cemetery - Fairbank.

Oelwein Daily Register - October 1, 1925