70 Attend Haus Reunion July 4
(Newspaper article, 1927) |
....
Nearly 70 relatives of the Haus family attended the annual reunion held at the William Kilcher farm, three and one-half miles southeast of Lawler July 3.
.... Members attending were from Charles City, Lawler, Waucoma, Hawkeye, Sumner, Richfield, Waterloo and Traer.
.... A picnic dinner was served at noon on the lawn underneath large oak trees.
.... A program had been arranged but had to be omitted on account of the rain early in the afternoon.
.... Albert Haus, Waterloo, was elected chairman, Margaret Haus, secretary. The next meeting will be held the first Sunday in July, 1928, the place to be decided later.
....
An adventurous history surrounds the founding of the Haus family in this country by Mr. and Mrs. John Frederick Haus. He was born in Pommerania, Germany, May 27, 1834 and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
.... His wife was Minnie Moldenhauer, who was born April 18, 1832. Seven children were born to this union: Herman, Bertha, Albert, Emma, Henry, Mary; and Margaret, of which four survive.
.... Hearing of America and its advantages, the couple emigrated in 1886 (1866). The voyage was severe and lasted eleven weeks. The ship was propelled by sail, and leaked so badly that men had to pump out the water by hand.
.... Herman grew sick with measles, had a relapse and died at sea. He was buried in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It was with difficulty that the mother could be prevailed upon to leave the water in which all that was mortal of her son had been consigned.
.... With the then only child, now Mrs. Bertha Kilcher, they settled near Ossian, Iowa. After a year, they moved to a farm in Stapleton township, Chickasaw county. Here the other five children were born. Survivors of this generation are: Mrs. Bertha Kilcher, Waucoma; Albert, Waterloo; Margaret, and Mrs. Emma Chandler, Waucoma. There are 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
.... Being much interested in this country, John Haus became a citizen as soon as he was allowed to take out naturalization papers. He took his full share in public affairs, being both school director and church deacon for many years.
.... In early days, McGregor was his only market place. They experienced many mishaps going thither because of the poor roads and bridges. Once he crashed through the Turkey river bridge at Waucoma while crossing with a load of wheat.
.... As the result of an accident, Mr. Haus' death occurred when he reached the age of 57 years. His wife survived him 16 years, dying December 28, 1907 at the age of 75. Their farm is now owned by William Winter. The Stapleton
cemetery is located within its boundary.
Article Retrieved By Donna Gruendler.
Contributed and Transcribed by Gail Murphy
Click Here For Haus Photograph
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