KAUTZ, Heinrich C. (1856-1939)

KAUTZ

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 7/13/2008 at 11:13:16

Tama Co. Genealogical Society obituaries

H.C. KAUTZ DIED FRIDAY AT AGE 82
5 Girls, 28 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren

In the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fred Schultz of Tama at 7 o'clock Friday evening occurred the death of Heinrich C. Kautz, retired farmer well known in Tama and the community south of here. Mr. Kautz died from infirmities of old age. He was taken ill in June. For seven weeks before his death he was bedfast.

Two of his daughters from a distance came to help care for him during his illness, Mrs. Clyde Crabtree of Pocatello, Idaho, was here for two months, and Mrs. Clifford Bidwell of Sandpoint, Idaho, was here for five weeks.

Heinrich Christian Kautz was a son of Detleff Kautz and Catharine Hasselman Kautz. He was born in Germany September 10, 1856, and died while a resident of Tama, Iowa, Sept. 1, 1939, having reached the age of 82 years, 11 months and 22 days.

Mr. Kautz received his education in the old country. In 1882 he was married there to Annie Cook, the marriage taking place in Ploen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

In 1884 he and his wife and daughter, now Mrs. Schultz, came to this country, settling first in Delaware, Pennsylvania where they lived for two years. Then they moved to Chicago and resided there until 1894. Mr. Kautz worked at his trade of stone mason.

In 1894 they came to Tama county and farmed as tenants on several farms south of Tama. In 1908 they purchased a farm from Wm. Schmidt in Columbia township. Mrs. Kautz died in 1914. Mr. Kautz left the farm and moved to the city of Tama in 1915, and made his home with his daughters. He finally sold the farm.

Mr. Kautz was a devoted and active member of the Lutheran church and since its organization here was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran congregation.

Since living in town, Mr. Kautz was a familiar figure in the downtown district. He enjoyed being downtown, meeting old and young friends and discussing current events. A kindly man of friendly disposition, Mr. Kautz had many friends. He like people and was happy in seeing them do well and never had an unkind word for any one. His sterling qualities of character and high ideals of citizenship won him a position of high esteem in the community in which he was so well known.

Mr. Kautz's interests centered in his home and family and his work. He was everything that a husband and father could be, and his happiness came to him from the sacrifices he could make for his loved ones. As a farmer Mr. Kautz was counted among the successful farmers of the south Tama community and there he was held in the same high esteem which was his share in the city of Tama.

Mr. Kautz is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Fred Schultz, Mrs. Fred Sieck and Mrs. George Beadle, all three of Tama, Mrs. Clyde Crabtree of Pocatello, Idaho, and Mrs. Clifford Bidwell of Sandpoint, Idaho. Two sons died in infancy. A daughter, Mrs. Emma Schultz, died Dec. 31, 1923, and another daughter, Mrs. Anna Norris, died June 12, 1921.

Surviving also are twenty-eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Mr. Kautz was the youngest in a family of six children, he having four brothers and one sister. He was the only one of the family to come to this country. All of his brothers and sister died in Germany.

The funeral was held from St. Paul's Lutheran church, Rev. I.J. Deines, the pastor officiating. St. Paul's choir sang "Jesus Give Me Rest" and "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling."

The pallbearers were grandsons, Clyde and Orrie Schultz, John Sieck and Henry Sieck, Willard Beadle, and Ralph Schultz.

The flowers were in charge of granddaughters, Leona Walz, Zelma Shuler, Evelyn Bidwell, and Loretta Norris.

Interment was in Maple Grove cemetery.