Alvin Curt Schutz

COATE, HART, HATTER, SCHUTZ

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/28/2006 at 19:49:10

Among the native sons of Madison county who have continued to reside here is Alvin C. Schutz, a farmer of Grand River township, who was born June 24, 1872, of the marriage of Andrew and Barbara Ellen (Hatter) Schutz. The father, who was born in Bern, Switzerland, on the 28th of February, 1830, farmed in that country previous to his removal to the United States in 1856. He settled in Ohio and there found work as a farm hand, during the winter months receiving merely his board and clothes. In 1858 he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, and entered the employ of Samuel Spurrier, a farmer. In 1866 Mr. Schutz became a resident of Madison county and purchased raw prairie land. He built a log cabin which served as the family residence and immediately turned his attention to breaking the prairie sod. When he came here there were but few settlers in his locality, but as the years passed the country grew in population and wealth and he shared the general prosperity. He became the owner of three hundred and seventy-five acres of land and his farm was one of the attractive places of the county, its orchard and grove of pine trees adding not a little to its value as well as to its pleasantness as a residence. Mr. Schutz resided thereon for forty-two years and its development and improvement was due entirely to him. He was an extensive stock-raiser and in the early days often drove stock to Des Moines. He raised Black Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs of good grade, from the sale of which he derived a handsome income. He was a member of the republican party, but had no political aspirations, although always willing to aid in any movement for the benefit of his community and county. Although he belonged to the German Lutheran church, he contributed to the support of all denominations. He passed away upon his homestead on section 20, Grand River township, on the 20th of December, 1910, and his demise was sincerely mourned.

The mother of our subject was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 9th of February, 1839, but in 1844 removed with her parents by ox team to Washington county, Iowa, whence eleven years later the family went to Keokuk, where they resided until 1866. In that year she became the wife of Andrew Schutz, and she proved a true helpmate, performing the many tasks that fell to the lot of the pioneer wives and mothers. Her courage and good cheer were qualities that. endeared her to all with whom she came in contact for although there was not only much hard work to be done but also many inconveniences and even privations to be endured in the early days, she accepted all as unavoidable in a new country and did her part nobly, thus aiding in laying the foundation of the present prosperity of the county. She passed away on the 23d of November, 1914, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Kivett cemetery in Grand River township.

Alvin C. Schutz was reared upon the home farm in Grand River township and in the acquirement of his education attended first the district schools and later the Macksburg high school. He assisted with the operation of the homestead until 1893, when he removed to Nebraska and took up land there. However after a short time he returned to Madison county and bought part of the home farm. He has, since lived continuously in Grand River township and his farm of one hundred and twenty acres is a productive and well managed property Since early boyhood he has been familiar with practical methods of agriculture" and his success is due in large measure to his thorough knowledge of all phases of farming and stock-raising.

In 1902 Mr Schutz married Miss Mabel E. Hart, who was born in Marshall county Iowa, a daughter of Charles and Olive (Coate) Hart, both of whom are living in Los Angeles, California, the father having reached the age of sixty-five and the mother of fifty-six years. He farmed during his active life and on coming to Iowa settled first in Benton county, later in Marshall county and then in Madison county. He owned valuable land and gained financial independence.After residing in this state for a number of years he removed to Kansas, but on account of ill health took up his abode in Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Schutz have three children: Alvin Doyle, born on the 21st of July, 1906; Charles Warren, born July 29, 1909; and Andrew Hart, whose birth occurred on the 16th of December, 1912.

Mr. Schutz is a republican and for five years was township trustee, proving a competent official. He is quite active in public affairs, participating in all movements that are calculated to advance the general welfare. Both he and his wife belong to the West Branch Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. He also holds membership in the Odd Fellows lodge, in which he has held all of the chairs, and in the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs and she has held all of the offices in that order. They conform their lives to high standards and their influence is always given to the side of justice, truth and progress.

Information taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller