Kintz, Commodore P.

KINTZ, WALKERBURGER, SIGNS, BUTTINGER, THOMPSON, MOREHEAD, COOL, DOWNS, GINGLES, SHRYOCK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/6/2009 at 16:07:47

Kintz, Commodore P.

It would indeed be hard to find in the annals of Jasper County a name worthier or better known than that of the sterling pioneer, the late Commodore P. Kintz. If great and beneficial results, results that endure and bless mankind, are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the history of this or any locality that may take their places above the hardy pioneers? To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its education, literature, culture and social joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers, and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Admit that as a rule but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendent possibilities that rested upon their shoulders, realizing but little the results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, accomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors. Mr. Kintz, being prominent among the honored pioneer element in the locality of which this history treats, achieved an incalculable amount of good, for he not only did what he could in the material development of the community, but he set an example for industry, integrity, unfailing honesty and kindness that is not frequently surpassed.

Mr. Kintz was born in Summit County, Ohio, December 1, 1841, the son of Joseph and Mary (Walkerburger) Kintz, the father born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1813, and the mother's birth also occurred in that state on May 2, 1812. They grew up and were married in their native State, and they emigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, before it was surveyed, settling seventeen and one-half miles from their nearest neighbor, having driven horses from Ohio to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where they were exchanged for oxen. They made their entry into Jasper County in 1845 and entered one thousand acres of land from the government near the present village of Clyde and here they set to work establishing a new home, underwent all the hardships incident to pioneer life, but with courage and perseverance they set about the task and succeeded, finally becoming leading farmers of the County and here they spent the balance of their lives, both being now deceased. There were five children in their family, as follows: John W., who lives at Colfax, this County; Commodore P., of this review; Mrs. Sarah Signs, now deceased; Mrs. Rebecca Buttinger, of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County; Susan lives at Colfax.

Mr. Kintz, of this sketch, was four years old when his parents brought him to this County. Here he grew to manhood, assisted with the work of developing the homestead and here he was content to spend his life. When the great Civil War began he offered his services to the Federal government, enlisting at Clyde, this County, in August 1862, in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he made a very faithful soldier in the Western army, from which he was honorably discharged, he having been practically incapacitated for service, having been attacked with measles, later contracting a severe cold. He at once returned home and resumed farming as soon as able.

Mr. Kintz was married on October 7, 1863, to Mary Ann Thompson, who was born in Ohio, April 4, 1844, the daughter of William and Margaret (Morehead) Thompson, a prominent family who came to Jasper County, Iowa, in early days and became well established there. There were eleven children in the Thompson family.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kintz, six of whom are living at this writing, all born in Clear Creek Township; they were named as follows: Mrs. Margaret Cool, born July 10, 1864, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Mrs. Sallie Downs, born October 10, 1866, lives in Clear Creek Township; Joseph W., born October 1, 1868, died at Fort Dodge, Iowa; Laura D., born October 24, 1870, died when nine years of age, in October 1879; Mary E., born January 10, 1872, is deceased; Mrs. Alta Gingles, born February 16, 1874, lives at the village of Collins, this County; Charles, born March 1, 1877, lives on the old home farm in Clear Creek Township; Pearl M., born July 16, 1879, is deceased; Mrs. Myrtie M. Shryock, born July 16, 1879, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Carl C. and Cloe A., twins, were born November 8, 1882, both dying in August the following year, the son on the 16th and the daughter on the 19th; Oley A., born July 27, 1885, was graduated from Drake University and is at present living in Des Moines.

In 1888 Mr. Kintz moved from the farm and turned his attention to the hotel business, first at Collins, then Rhodes, continuing thus until 1900.

Mr. Kintz was very successful in a business way and accumulated some splendid property and a competency, his estate, including a business house in Colfax, also one in Collins, together with a large, substantial and well furnished home in the latter town, and two hundred and seventy acres of choice, well-improved and productive land in Clear Creek Township, this County, also valuable land in South Dakota. In the early days the newcomers made the Kintz home their stopping place until they could locate and this name was one of the best known in this and adjoining counties.

The death of Commodore P. Kintz occurred on April 5, 1908, at his beautiful home in Collins, where Mrs. Kintz still resides. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church here, and he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the local lodge conducting his funeral, which was one of the largest this part of the County ever saw, for he was popular with all classes, having been a kindly, generous, honest and hospitable gentleman who believed in scattering sunshine about him as he went through life. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1319.