Iowa Old Press

The Sumner Gazette
Sumner, Bremer co. Iowa
Thursday, January 21, 1915

Around town.
-Rev. H. Bredow was a business caller at Waverly tuesday.
-Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Fay of Fredericksburg were in town yesterday.
-John G. Muellor and son of Charles City came the first part of the week for a short visit with relatives and friends.
-Miss Gertie Lease returned to Fayette Tuesday.
-W.C. Blume was over from Tripoli last Thursday.
-Miss Emma Barts of Westgate was a Sumner caller yesterday.
-Aug Wilkening called on friends in Waterloo Sunday evening.
-Mr. and Mrs. Gus Platte were in Tripoli between trains Tuesday afternoon.
-Mrs. Vickery and daughter went to Decorah Saturday evening to visit over Sunday.
-Mrs. Geo. Haag went to Oelwein Tuesday afternoon for a few days visit with her daughter, Mrs. Ray.
-Miss Helen Koehler, from Grafton, Iowa, who had been here visiting relatives, went to Oelwein Tuesday afternoon to visit at the Jim Ray home.
-Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Dyer of this city were guests last Thursday at a seven o'clock dinner at H.B. Hough's in Oelwein.
-H.J. McConkey came over from near Frederika Friday afternoon to attend the dairy train meeting, remaining over night the guest of his mother, Mrs. J.J. McConkey. He found Saturday a wet day to get home in, but got there just the same.
-Mrs. Hubert Baxter from West of Westgate was a guest for about two days of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Harris, accompanied by her three children. The little folks had a nice time with grandpa and grandma while Mrs. Baxter was enjoying the pleasure of having dental work done.
-Mrs. Chas. Hausner came up from Oelwein for a visit with relatives.
-Mrs. Becker went to New Hampton for a few days visit with relatives.
-Mrs. Maurer of Readlyn retuned home Saturday afternoon, after a visit here with relatives.
-Mrs. Ross, who has been visiting at Frank Wescott's, went to Hampton Saturday afternoon.
-Mrs. Henry Rochow went to New Hampton Monday to visit her daughter Mrs. McCann.
-Marguerite and Burnita Parrott went to Tripoli Saturday afternoon to visit relatives and friends.
-Charles Thompson returned to New Hampton Monday morning after a visit with home folks.
-Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Berg went to Cedar Rapids Sunday for a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Shores.
-Mrs. Paul Gardner, of New Hampton came Tuesday for a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Tibbitts.
-Earl Dean of Lamont came Saturday afternoon to visit his brother Frank and family.
-Dr. True West of Staples, Minn. is making his parents a visit, and taking his degrees in Masonry. Saturday night he took the first, Tuesday night the second, and next Tuesday night expects to take the third, making the record time for this lodge in the short time devoted to taking degrees. He has the help of his father, Masonic Instructor, F.M. West, and is devoting the time of his vacation exclusively to preparation.
-Miss Edna Lowe returned to her home in New Hampton Tuesday afternoon after a visit here with relatives and friends.
-Mrs. W.D. Purdy, of Fredericksburg, came down Tuesday evening to visit Mrs. Will Krause, Mrs. J.J. McConkey and others.
-Mrs. Ralph Countryman and son, Fex, returned to their home near Fredericksburg Friday afternoon after a visit with the lady's sister, Mrs. Ed Ladwig.
-Mrs. Christ Theisinger is visiting her sisters in Waverly. Has been there since Tuesday.
-A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Volker last thursday, mother and child doing fine, and Emil - more than fine.

The Late John Hoth Was Hero of Two German Wars
The late John Chas. Frederick Hoth, second child of John Hoth and his wife Sophia (nee Wieding) was born on the 16th day of Sept. 1844 at Muessow, Germany. When he was scarcely 7 years of age his mother died, however by a second marriage of his father the following year he got a stepmother, who according to his own testimony cared lovingly for him, as well as for the rest of the children. From his 14th year on hehad to earn his own living and to support himself by hiring to the neighboring farmers. When 20 years old, he enlisted in the German army where he served 8 years in the 42d Infantry regiment at Stettin. During these years the war of 1866 came on and consequently he had to go to the front and fight. On account of his bravery he got a medal of honor.

After the war was over he returned home where he was married to Miss Louise Duwitz, on the fourth day of Oct. 1866. This union in the course of years was blessed by 12 children, 7 sons, and 5 daughters, of whom however the youngest son died at an early age.

When the war of 1870 broke out, the deceased was again called to the front, and under the renowned general Von Werder, fought in the easter and south eastern part of France. At Dijon and Belfort he earned a second medal of honor, which he used to wear on all special occasions in his life afterwards with great pride. Two years after the close of the war he emigrated with his family and settled in Clayton Centre, Ia. After having rented several farms near Lawler and Hawkeye he subsequently came to Sumner where he bought a farm 4 miles west of town. Here he celebrated his silver wedding on Oct 4th, 1891. In the night of Oct. 27th, 1897, the night following the 50th anniversary of her birthday, his beloved wife died very suddenly from a stroke of appoplexy. The deceased remained single for about 9 years, when on Aug. 30th, 1906, he was married to Mrs. Louise Boeckman, who now survives him as his widow.

The deceased had a very stong constitution and until of late years enjoyed very good health. Two accidents several years ago however caused him much pain and distress. On Nov. 10th, 1911, he fell from a draywagon while hauling flour for Wilharm & Lauterbach, and broke his arm above the wrist and in April two years ago he accidently suffered a fracture of one of his ribs. About a year and a half ago his strength began to fail and the patient slowly pined away. A malignant cancer in or on his stomach sapped his vitality to an alarming extent and resisted all medical efforts which were made to relieve the sufferer. In consequence thereof, he died last thursday noon, Jan. 14, 1914 [sic 1915], near 1 o'clock. His age was 70 years, 6 months and 27 1/2 days. He leaves to mourn, his widow, 6 sons namely, William, Charles, Herman, John, Albert and Henry, and 5 daughters namely, Minnie, wife of Mr. John Schroedermeier; Lizzie, wife of Mr. Gust Lauterbach; Mary, wife of Wm. Ladwig; Alvine, wife of Mr. Bert Burr; Bertha, wife of Mr. F.J. Wilharm. May he rest in peace.

Beloved Young Woman Reposes in Last Rest
Many people had been watching the brave fight for life being made by Miss Alta Hunt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hunt, who passed into her eternal rest 10:30 Thursday, Jan. 14, 1915, at the home of her parents northwest of town. Miss Hunt had always appeared in good health, so when it became known in the fall that she was to undergo an operation for relief of internal disorders, one of which was appendicitis, her friends were surprised and shocked. Her illness began the latter part of October, and the first operation was followed by another. Naturally she was of a hopeful and cheerful disposition, and bouyed up by these characteristics and by loving care she was hopeful and patient to the end. Alta was a charming young woman, whose friends were limited only by her acquaintanceship, and she will be greatly missed in the neighborhood as well by parents and other kindred.

May Alta Hunt was born in Bremer County, Iowa, July 15, 1892, and she was therefore aged 22 years, 5 months and 29 days at the time of her death. The funeral was held last Saturday at Finnell chapel, and burial made in the Mentor cemetery. The obsequies were largely attended, although a downpour of rain was falling at the time. The officiating pastor was Rev. B.P.S. Busey, of the U.B. Church, and the choir was composed of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Dyer, W.E. Davis and Mrs. P.A. Smith, Mrs. A.H. Moment at the organ. The deceased left to mourn her death, father and mother, four borthers and three sisters, and grandparents, as she was a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hunt of this city. During the past weeks many evidences of affection have been tendered by friends, and the neighbors did everything they could to be of help to the sick girl and to her parents, and the family have asked the Gazette to say for them that these kindnesses will ever be held in grateful remembrance.

Banks Township News - by our regular reporter
-Goerge Dallenbach spent Sunday at Fred Pratt's.
-Laurence Traeger delivered oats in Sumner Monday.
-Fred Messerer had the misfortune to lose a fine colt.
-A baby girl arrived at the home of Will Guenther, Jan. 12.
-Aug. Pagel delivered hogs at Westgate Monday.
-John Traeger delivered hogs in Westgate Tuesday at $6.40.
-Dennis Pratt installed a litter carrier for L. Traeger last week.
-Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Pratt were callers at F. Dallenbach's Thursday evening.
-Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Fridley and visiting relatives of Illinois, were entertained at the Fred Messerer home Sunday.
-Mr. Bernard Flanscha was an over sunday visitor at the Anderson home near Randalia.
-Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Notholm and son Elwin took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Dietel Sunday.
-Ed Gieseman passed away at his home southeast of Sumner, on Jan. 17, after a short illness following an operation for appendicitis.

Westgate Activities - by our regular reporter.
-Otto Hunter is on the sick list.
-Henry Littig was a sumner caller Friday.
-Will Reuber was an Oelwein caller Saturday.
-Martin Stwartz spent Sunday at the Fridley home.
-Clara Foxx is assisting Mrs. Frank Touring with her housework.
-The Willing Workers will meet with Mrs. Chas. Corbin Wednesday.
-E.M. Wheeler and son James were business callers in Sumner Friday.
-The Helping Hand will meet with Mrs. Chas. Conable thursday afternoon.
-Edna Edwards, of Oelwein spent the weekend with ther parents in Westgate.
-Mrs. Henry Broscha visited from Friday until Sunday with Mrs. Eggleson of Sumner.
-Lula Tift, of Oelwein, has been speind several days at the Will Obenchain home.
-Andrew Ritchie has rented his farm for the coming year to Claudis Harding, of Illinois.
-Misses Lucile and Margaret Kollman and Marjorie Coleman spend Sunday at the Broscha home.
-Mrs. Chris Severs left Friday for her home in Chicago after visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. Louis Linstrum.
-Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Branch, of Sumner, came down Sunday afternoon for a short visit with their son Julian and family.
-Mrs. Hubert Baxter went to Sumner Friday to have dental work done and then visited her parents Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Harris until Sunday.
-The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Lelland Baker died Tuesday afternoon and was buried Friday afternoon in Greenwood cemetery. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of their many friends.

News on Route No. 8 - by Wesley Furnum.
-H. Handover of Oelwein was a Sunday guest of No. 8 and family.
-D. Pratt recently put in a litter carrier in F. Dallenbach's barn.
-H.A. NaLean had the misfortune of losing one of his best horses recently.
-Wm Hoth assisted by his neighbors delivered hogs in Westgate.
-The baby of Mrs. and Mrs. V.R. Eggleson, that has been so ill for the past ten days, is getting along nicely.
-C.J. Maier, who has been seriously ill for sometime was reported last Wednesday as very low with little or no hope.
-F.O. Webb reports of the loss of their buggy horse. It was hurt last Tuesday so badly that it was necessary to kill it.

Bitter Creek Budget - by the Department Reporter
-Mr. and Mrs. Will Lewis were business callers in Hawkeye.
-Mrs. N. Proctor, of New Hampton, is here visiting among the Trewin families.
-Mrs. Lon Searles is enjoying a visit with her brother who came for a short stay.
-Mr. Will Patterson had the misfortune to have the end of one finger taken off recently.
-Mrs. Crowther, the old lady who had the paralytic stoke recently, is reported as being some better, and we hope for a speedy recovery.
-Mr. and Mrs. Will Broadbent in company with the former's mother, Mrs. Albert Broadbent, having departed for a months visit in "Ault" and other points in Colorado, among relatives and friends.

[transcribed by S.F., December 2008]

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