Vlotho, John Sr., 1860-1944

VLOTHO, VLOTHE, DITTMER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/6/2012 at 21:29:24

PIONEER RESIDENT OF IRETON PASSED AWAY ON AUGUST 5

John Vlothe, Sr., long time resident and pioneer of Sioux county, passed away at his home in Ireton, Iowa, at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, after nine weeks of illness caused by old age.

He was born on a farm near Guttenberg, Clayton county, Iowa, on September 23, 1860. He was one of a family of six children and a twin brother of the late Fred Vlothe of Pasadena, Calif., a former businessman of Ireton. Their parents the late C. H. and Anna Vlothe of this place. He was baptized and confirmed in the old Ceres Lutheran Rock church which is located north of Guttenberg, Iowa.

In the year of 1882, he came west, later returning to Guttenberg to get his bride. On the 26th day of February, 1884, he was united in marriage to Augusta Dittmer, daughter of the late Gustave and Ricke Dittmer. Later in March of that year they moved to a farm 3 miles east of Ireton which he purchased later and claimed as his old homestead. To this union four children were born. The two oldest preceded their father in death. The living are John Vlothe, Jr., and Mrs. Lenora Reid, both of Ireton.

In the spring of 1907, which was shortly after the death of their second oldest son, William, Mr. and Mrs. Vlothe retired from farming. They moved to Ireton and located in the home now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Johnson. In the spring of 1908, they purchased the William Day residence, which was his home until his death.

Mr. Vlotho was an early member of the St. John's Lutheran church, which was adjoining his farm on the south, joining in the spring of 1884 and being an active member until he moved to Ireton in the spring of 1907. At that time he joined the St. Paul's Lutheran church and was a faithful member up to his death.

While on the farm, he was one of the first members and founders of the German Farmer's Mutual Insurance Association of Sioux, Plymouth and Lyon counties. He was one of their agents until this last spring, when blindness overtook him, causing him to retire. He was also a charter member and director of the Reading Township Telephone association which was started in the year of 1904 and is now one of the leading enterprises of this community. He was a member of the Ireton board of education at the time that the present Ireton High school building was built. He also served on the town council for more than ten years and later became mayor. He was mayor for several terms. Mr. and Mrs. Vlotho celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 26.

Those left to mourn his loss, besides his widow, are one son, John, Jr., one daughter, Mrs. Lenora Reid, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, one sister, Mrs. Kate Darling of Pasadena, Calif., who is 92 years of age, and many other relatives and friends.

He reached the age of 83 years, 10 months, and 13 days. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the house and 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran church, with the Rev. H. W. Krieger officiating. The remains were laid to rest on the family lot in the Pleasant Hill cemetery at Ireton.

The honorary pall bearers were Henry Benit, Herman Mellies, Martin Moeller, Joe Jones, J. A. Lindenman, and H. L. Vander Hamm. The active pall bearers were Oscar Vander Hamm, Paul Beimers, Herman Schiebout, Martin Twillman, Elge Degen, and Fred Dirks.

Out of town guests were John W. Becker, Clayton, Iowa; Mrs. Fred Maantueffel, Sacred Heart, Minn.; John and Amelia Rausch, and Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Rausch of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hehwieler and Sena of Chester, S.D.; Mrs. Wm. Gienapp, Madison, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Siders, Hartford, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hilton, Hartford, S.D.; Mrs. Art Salberg and Richard of Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. Lee Keough, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Vander Hamm, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Art Kallsen, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Fikse, Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Vlotho, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Eilts and Cletus, all of Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. Grover Heideman, Colton, S.D.; John Linnan, Maurice; and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dirks, Chatsworth.

Source: Hawarden Independent, August 10, 1944.

Note that this obit presents his surname as both Vlotho and Vlothe. Obits in other newspapers, as well as his tombstone in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, give it as Vlotho.

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A similar, shorter obit is published in the Alton Democrat (Aug. 10). It adds that he was mayor of Ireton for several terms, later being defeated by the break of a tie vote with the present Mayor Holtdorf.

A similar, shorter obit was also published in the Sioux County Capital (Aug. 10)

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Also, in the LeMars Globe-Post (August 10):

JOHN VLOTHO IS BURIED TUESDAY
Pioneer Ireton Resident Succumbs Following Brief Illness

Ireton, Ia. (Special): John Vlotho, 84, former Ireton mayor, died at his home here late Saturday following several weeks sickness. He was a pioneer of this section and farmed in the early days. Coming here from Scott county in 1881, he has made this community his home since. He and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last February. He is survived by his widow and two children, John Vlotho Jr., and Mrs. Lenora Reid, both of this community. There are eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Rev. W. H. Krieger will officiate. Burial will be made in the family plot in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

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From the Sioux County Capital, November 16, 1944:

Estate of John Vlotho, deceased

The estate is subject to the inheritance tax.

Total estimated value of the estate is $66,894.12 with indebtedness of $1,000. The bulk of the estate is in real estate, cash in Security Savings Bank, Ireton, $2,866.12 and accrued rent on 2 farms $1717, and U.S. Bonds $1,901.00.