| A Collection of Kurtz Family Documents | ||||
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Web author's note: Jerome Sutton summarized several of the documents included on this page in his biographical sketch of Louise Vogel. You may jump to specific records by clicking the links on the right. |
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A Kurtz History from a handwritten letter of unknown origin
In 1893, Gustave and Louisa Kurtz left their home in Gunns, Austria with children, John and Joe Unger (children from a former marriage), Louisa, Gustave and Carl Kurtz, to come to America. The journey aboard the ship took about six weeks. Carl who was a baby, became ill with pneumonia and died. He was buried at sea. Louisa, the mother, was also seasick all the way. The family landed in New York, and came to Elkton by train. Anton Berghauffer, a cousin of Mrs. Kurtz, lived in Elkton. He clerked in a store owned by N. A. Schouweiler. This Mr. Schouweiler later bought a store in White, which was in existence for more than fifty years. The Kurtzs rented a farm 2 miles north and 1 mile west of Elkton. Fred E. Kurtz was born on this place in a very small house, which later became a chicken coop. He was born Oct. 4, 1893, the same year the family came to America. There was deep snow on the ground. Mrs. Kurtz had the child alone without the benefit of doctor or midwife. Mr. Kurtz was gone at the time to Oklahoma to look at free land and lost his return ticket, so he was delayed for quite some time. When Gustave Kurtz was a young man he walked (rowed crossed out) over a good share of Europe. He was a miller by trade. The family moved to a shack south of Pipestone for a time where Mr. Kurtz worked in a flour mill. But the methods of milling were so different from what he was used to that he did not stay long. The family then moved to a farm 1½ mi. south of Cazenovia where they lived until 1901. While living in Pipestone and Cazenovia, Mrs. Kurtz took in washing to augment the family income. Between 1894 and 1901, four more boys were born to Mr. And Mrs. Kurtz, namely Edward, William, Elmer and Theodore Roosevelt Kurtz. Mr. And Mrs. Kurtz bought a farm 6 miles east and 3½ miles south of White for $20 an acre, and moved there in 1901. This was the family home for more than 20 years. In 1902, little Elmer about 2 years old wandered away. It was thought he tried to follow his brother, Fred, who was herding cattle. The family and neighbors searched for many hours. Finally E. U. Kretsinger and a Mr. Spurior, while walking along the creek in the farm pasture, found his body in a deep pond there. He was buried Oct. 4, 1902, Fred’s 9th birthday. Fred tells about when the Berghauffers, (his mother’s cousin) and their children, Victor and Christina came to visit. It seems that Victor was quite an obnoxious boy. When anyone told him not to do a certain thing that was just the thing he did. One day when that family came to visit, and the children were outside playing, someone saw a bumble bee. Ed said to Victor, “Don’t bother that bee because they make honey and we don’t want it hurt.” Just then Victor grabbed the bee; it stung him and he screamed so loud that all the grownups came running out of the house to see what was the matter. Between screams he yelled, “The stinger went clear through my hand.” Anyway, Victor did not come to their house again.
From a Handwritten letter by Louise (Kurtz) Bain
I, Louise Kurtz, was born in Gunns, Austria, on the Danube River. I came with my parents to Elkton, South Dakota, when I was nearly four years of age. Father was a miller on the Danube as long as he lived in Europe. He farmed after he came to the U.S. I was one of twelve children. Mother’s Mother was a midwife and her father had a very good voice and he belonged to a quartette that sang for all the weddings and funerals and great occasions. His father was a teacher. My father’s father was a shoemaker. Mother’s maiden name was Fogel (meaning bird in the German language). Mother had two sisters. They married a Bower and Hoover. I taught country school for four years. I married Fred Bain. To this union 9 children were born. I was German and Fred was of mixed blood, German, French, Indian.
Father’s father had three boys and six girls. Katie Frigong was the name of one of the girls.
Excerpts from a letter by John Unger… Nov. 23, 1945
Dear Folks, [Gustav and Louise Kurtz] This is the day after Thanksgiving, Our Boulder relatives were at our house for dinner and supper…. …I have not heard from Harriet since September 15. I hope she is much better and that Lawrence is home by now. We do think and speak of all of you so often and hope that you will soon have all [the family home?] I am wondering if Irv is in the states yet, and Curtis… …[Remember when ?] took me home for Thanksgiving and our horse died on the way! Wasn’t it aweful and the next morning it was beautiful and we walked home and I shall always remember as we got over the hill and looked down into the valley and saw the new barn. Dad and Fritz, and even Louise were shingling the roof and mother had such a good dinner. That was a good many years ago. When I think back I feel as if it were just an eternity ago. And yet again it seems like last year. Do you realize that I have been continuously connected with schools and children and parents for forty-six years now. I am sure there are not many who have this record. It was not always easy when one realizes that I had to receive my training while teaching. But, Gee! I loved it and would be proud and glad to start out again at Ward like I did those years. …I was telling the folks here yesterday of the First Thanksgiving when we lived near Pipestone --- It was our first Thanksgiving in America, and that day was so bitter cold we were burning flax straw, and then my class-mates under Mrs. Hiller’s guidance brought out a load of coal, flour, pies, and other things. Gee, it was grand! And the following year when we lived near Cazenovia, they repeated again! Keller’s had not moved off of the place yet. I always felt so kindly to Ralph Hart, Warrington Brauer (?), Paul Brown, and Frank Loomis. Yes I would live through all of this again. Just think, we landed in Elkton, March 15, 1893, and I started to teach Oct. 5, 1898. I hope you don’t think this is boasting, I don’t mean it that way. I just want you to know that I am rather homesick at times and wish I could just sit down and talk to you. I hope that Norris’s folks are well, and I do think that James Norris is a very pretty name. Some day you and your grandchildren must have your pictures taken. Iva, Nancy said she just can’t think that you are a grandmother. You are so full of pep and as young as ever. I wish we could sit down again around your big table in your dining room and have some of those good dinners you always have. And how are the Kretsingers? Be sure to give them all of my love, and also the Millers. Are their boys home? I guess I am just thinking back this morning and my eyes are rather clouded and am quite near tears --- but that is just because I am homesick. … I hope you folks are all well and that we may hear from you soon. Give our love to everyone. Love, John
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