History of the Duttweiler Family

DUTTWEILER, SHIFF, TAYLOR, FLINSPACH

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/13/2006 at 19:18:11

Lockridge Times
October 8, 1936

History of the Duttweiler Family

A short sketch about our Grandparents and of their early life,
Is the history of Christian Duttweiler and Christina Shiff Duttweiler his wife.
Their married life began in Germany, and then they did contrive
To come across to New York and landed in 1835.
During the year spent in New York on October the 20th day
A little daughter Sophia was born and with them decided to stay.
They moved from New York to Ohio, lived there a few years, about three,
Where two little boys were added to this family circle we see.
On September 21st, 1838, Louis first saw the light of day,
And next his twin brother Jake arrived after three days delay.
The parents with their little family then came to Iowa,
And near Germanville in Jefferson County, they settled down to stay.
At the time of their coming to Jefferson County was quite new
Deer and wild turkeys were plentiful and Indians were here too.
Now Christian, another son was born, he for his father was named,
Then Sarah, a little daughter, their love and affection claimed.
Mary and Margaret, twins, came next, they were born the same day-
In the year of 1848 on the 20th of May.
A little son named Andrew, the next one we behold.
Then Catherine, the youngest, and the names all I've told.
Louis went to California with a bunch of other young men
He did not return and no one ever heard from him again.
As I go back in memory to my old Grandparent's home,
I see a five-room log house through which I loved to roam.
They must have built one room at first, and later built another,
And next built on an L kitchen for our dear old Grandmother.
There were two large rooms below with a stairway from each one,
Which led to two large bedrooms above, where we slept when day was done.
Each lower room had a fireplace, yes, even the kitchen too,
Where cheerful fire burned brightly all the long winter through.
The house had a long porch on the east on which was a nice rope swing,
Grandfather put it there for the grandchildren and we thought it was just the thing.
At one time the kitchen fire place was used in cooking their food,
But in my time Grandmother had a cook stove, large and new and good.
Out in the back yard a brick oven stood in which they used to bake,
But when I saw it, it was full of straw in which hens their nest could make.
I remember my Grandmother as kind and patient and neat,
Her house was always in order, she always had good things to eat.
She always had a nice garden of vegetables and flowers too,
And the largest pie plant I ever saw, in Grandmother's garden grew.
Grandfather loved to raise choice fruit and also work with bees,
The cellar had fine fruit and honey our appetites to please.
Grandfather wove blankets and comforts, all the family could use-
They were made in different designs, and many pretty hues.
In the year of 1880, on April the 18th day,
In the 79th year of her life, Grandmother suddenly passed away.
Then a daughter, Mrs. Mary Taylor, with her husband decided to come,
And live with Grandfather the rest of his life, there in his own home.
Grandfather lived until July 25th, of 1891,
When he too was called to go, and his life work was done.

- Mrs. Iowa Flinspach.