Vitzthum, Casper, 1820-1894

VITZTHUM, IVERSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, March 10, 1894:

Mr. John Vitzthum received the sad news on last Saturday of the death of his father at Rock Island, Ill. The serious illness of his wife prevented him from attending the last sad rites paid to the departed parent. Mr. Vitzthum will have the heartfelt sympathy of all in his sorrow. We are pleased to state that Mrs. Vitzthum has somewhat improved.—Rock Valley Sun.

From the Rock Valley Register, March 2, 1894:

Late last Saturday J. C. Vitzthum received the sad intelligence that his father Dr. Vitzthum of Davenport, had died very suddenly. Owing to the serious illness of his wife he was unable to be present at the funeral. Mr. Vitzthum hopes to be able to leave for his former home the first of the week.

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RESEARCH NOTES

John Casper Vitzthum’s obituary (posted separately) includes research showing his parents as Casper Vitzthum (1820-1894) and Anne E. Iverson Vitzthum (1835-1905), and a sister as Elinor M. Vitzthum (1862-1916).

Iowa will and probate records on Ancestry.com include probate files for Dr. Casper Vitzthum in both Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, although the main action seems to have been in the Scott County district court. Both show him as dying February 24, 1894, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, where his will was probated. His will (in German and translated) gives his residence as Davenport; his wife as Anna Vitzthum, nee Iverson, of Badersheben[?], Schleswig Holstein [Germany]; leaves her their house in Moline, Ill., all cash and other assets on deposit in three Moline and Davenport banks, and a life insurance policy; and specifies that he be cremated. The file lists his heirs as Anna Vitzthum, residence Davenport, Iowa; John Vitzthum, age 24, residence Rock Valley, Iowa; Elonora[?] Vitzthum, age 28, residence Davenport; and Mamie Fulkerson, age 27, residence Fremont, Nebraska.

The Davenport Daily Leader, Feb. 28, 1894, has the following brief note about his funeral: “The Moline Grove, U.A.O.D. [United Ancient Order of Druids?] of which Dr. Casper Vitzthum was a member for the past twenty-two years have charge of his funeral today as he requested. About twenty-five or thirty members are in attendance.” No obituary was located (the newspaper appears to be incomplete for the days following his death.)