Thorman, Katherine (Mrs. Max), 1850-1939

THORMAN, FETZ

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 19:00:44

From the Alton Democrat, December 15, 1939:

AGED GRANVILLE RESIDENT EXPIRES
MRS. THORMAN PASSES AWAY AT GRANVILLE
89 Years Old; Had 80 Great Grandchildren

Mrs. Catherine Thorman passed away at her home in Granville on Friday evening Dec. 8 at 7:30 o’clock at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 18 days. She was taken sick only a week previous to her death which came peacefully and without remorse, for she had been a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic church and a member of the Christian Mother’s society for a number of years.

Deceased was born January 19, 1850, at Bollendorf, Luxemburg (Europe), the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fatz of Chicago. At the age of 19 she accompanied her parents to this country. She was married to Max Thorman on January 11, 1870 and for several years the couple made their home in Chicago. Later they moved to Granville where they farmed for several years. Mr. Thorman passed away on February 18, 1910.

This union was blessed with ten children, six boys and four girls, namely, Nic of Montana; John and Crist. of Granville; Joe, Wilmont, Minn.; George and Henry (deceased); Mrs. Nic Ahles (Marie), deceased; Mrs. John Miller (Kate) of Woonsocket, S.D.; Mrs. John Lammers (Mathilda); and Mrs. Nic Schwebach (Anna) both of Granville. She is also survived by 57 grandchildren and 80 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday morning at 9 o’clock at St. Joseph’s church, in charge of Rev. Zeno Reising. Interment was made in St. Joseph’s cemetery. The church was crowded with sorrowing friends and relatives. Pallbearers were her six grandsons: John Schwebach, Max Thorman, Vincent Lammers, Leonard Thorman, Leo Ahles, Leo Thorman.

Those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. Kate Miller of Woonsocket, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Joe Thorman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ahlers of Adrian, Minn.; Mrs. Milburn Johnson and daughter of Sioux City, Mr. and Mrs. John Schwebach and son Merlin of Paullina, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Feller of Maryhill, Mrs. George Clayton of Paullina, Nic Ahles of Gilbertsville, John Everhard of Adrian, Mr. and Mrs. Henry De Vries of Ashton, Mr. and Mrs. Max Thorman of Sutherland.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate (informant Chris C. Thorman) has Katherine Thorman, widow; born Jan. 19, 1850 in Germany; father Henry Fetz, mother’s name not known; resident of the U.S. 72 years and of Granville 61 years; died at 7:30 p.m. December 8, 1939; causes myocardial insufficiency, onset 12-4-39, and hypertension, onset 1929; buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Granville.

Her FindaGrave.com page also spells her name Katherine Fetz Thorman; spouse Maximillian Thorman (1847-1910); nine of her children are listed. There is a photo of her headstone (“Mother 1850-1939”).

The 1900 U.S. census has her as Katherina Thorman, born Jan 1851, married 30 years, immigrated from Germany in 1869.

The passenger list for the ship Leocadia on Ancestry.com shows Heinrich Fetz (52), his wife Margareta (48), and their children Peter (24), Catherine (18), and Palles[?] (10), ethnicity Prussian (German), arriving at the Port of New York on May 26, 1869.