Adolph died in 1914 at home in Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan. He was buried 7 April 1914 at Oakwood Maple Grove Cemetery in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan.

 

His obituary, printed in the Menominee Journal dated 11 April 1914 reads:

 

Adolph Kayser, a resident of this township for the past 27 years, died at his home on Saturday evening, April 4, of an acute attack of pneumonia. Mr. Kayser was born in Berlin, Germany on April 21, 1846, and was a veteran of the France-Prussia War of 1870-1871. He arrived in this country in 1882, landing in New York, and moved to Daggett in 1887, where he accumulated a large farm. He is survived by two sons, Otto and Max Kayser, and one daughter, Mrs. Henry Lucke. The funeral took place last Tuesday with internment in Kaltt's cemetery.

 

Pobate records showed Adolph to have: 1 mortgage, $2,200; 1 mortgage, $600; cash in bank $140. His estate went to his wife, Anna. Anna's signature and those of their children appear in the documents.

 

In 1920, Anna now 72 and listed as 'Annie', was living in Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan with her son-in-law, Henry B. Lucke, and his family. It shows that Anna, born in Germany, had immigrated in 1883 and was naturalized in 1890. Anna died of pneumonia almost three years later, 27 January 1923 in Daggett, Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan. She is buried at Oakwood Maple Grove Cemetery in Daggett. Her tombstone lists 9-12-1848 as her birth; 1-26-1923 as her death date.

 

Her obituary, printed in the Menominee County Journal (no date) reads:

Obituary. Anna Kayser, daughter of William Kuntze and his wife, Lizzie Fisher Kuntze, was born Sept. 12, 1847, in Berlin, Germany, and departed this life, Friday evening, Jan. 26, 1923, aged 75 years, 4 months, and 14 days. She was united in marriage to Adolph Kayser, at Berlin, Germany, Nov 7, 1869. With her husband, she came to this country 36 years ago, making her home in Daggett. Her husband preceeded her in death 9 years ago. She leaves to mourn the loss of a mother, friends and kind neighbors an only daughter, Mrs Henry Lucke; two sons, Otto and Max, all of Daggett, Mich; 18 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The funeral services were conducted from the home of Mrs. Henry Lucke of Oakwood, Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock by the Rev J.G. Bruner. Three appropriate hymns were sung with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baumler and Mrs. Schroeder of Chicago leading. She was laid to rest amid many beautiful floral arrangements in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Edward Pertizo was the funeral director.

 

 

Children of Anna Kuntze and Adolph Kayser:

i.         Adolf Emil Kayser, born 1 March 1870; baptized 11 March 1870 at the Berliner Dom, Berlin, Germany. The christening was witnessed by Franke, Kuntze and Strutz, J. (possibly Aunt Julie Kuntze Strutz). The service was performed by Heinrici.8

 

ii.         Wilhelm Richard Paul "Otto" Kayser, born 12 May 1872 in Berlin, Germany;9 baptized at Sophienkirche, Berlin.10 Otto married Laura Mary Bruso (Breaussu) 4 April 1894 in Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan. Their marriage record shows Otto Kayser was 22 and Laura Bruso, 17. He is listed as a farmer. She is the daughter of John Bruso. The mothers are not given, but John Bruso and Francis Bruso are listed as witnesses. They were married by J. Chas. Quay, Justice of the Peace.In 1900 they were residents of Holmes Township, Menominee County, Michigan. Otto was 28, supporting a family of five. Reported is his immigration date of 1881. In 1910, the family is still in Holmes Township. Married for 16 years, Otto is a 37 year old farmer, Laura a 32 year old mother of 8 children, 4 still living: Else, 15; Arthur A., 13; Henry M., 12; Anna F., 9 ~ all born in Michigan. Mother-in-law, Francis Bruso, age 60, is living with them. The 1920 census finds Otto, now 47, and Laura, 42, still in Holmes Township. Arthur (23), Henry (21), and Anna F. (18) are still living at home. Also in the house is Elsie Landre, a 16 year old maid; four laborers; and a partner, John Dolsky. In 1930 a researcher may have trouble finding the family for the last name is given as 'Karper.' Still in Holmes,11 Otto was 58, came to the US in 1883, a farmer, married at age 22; wife Laura is 53, her father was French Canadian. Otto died 9 April 1953 at home in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. He was buried 12 April 1953 in Stephenson Cemetery, Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan. His obituary, reported in the Menominee County Journal dated 17 April 1953, reads:

Daggett - A pioneer settler, Otto Kayser, 80, died at his home here. Born in Germany in 1872, he came to Daggett in 1886, and lived here since.

 

iii.         Elisabeth Bertha Dorothea Isabella Kayser, born 15 November 1873 in Berlin, Germany; baptized in the Zion Church 21 December 1873 at the Zionkirche, Berlin, Germany.12 Witnesses included Zimmerman Kuntze, Zimmerman Kayser, _?_ Loeve(?), and _?_ Nieke.

 

iv.         Max Otto Kayser, born 4 October 1875 in Berlin, Germany. He married Martha E. Baumler on 26 November 1898 in Talbot, Menominee County, Michigan. In the 1894 Holmes Township, Menominee County, Michigan state census, Max is shown at at 18 with his family. Max married in 1897, Martha Baumler, the daughter of Emil Baumler and Mary Kroll. The Michigan marriage record shows Max was 22 and Martha 17 at the time of their marriage. Both were born in Germany. By 1900, Max was living in Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan working as a sawyer. It shows also, that he immigrated to the US in 1896. By 1910, a 35 year old Max was married and the father of 8 children. He was living next to or across from Henry Lucke. Otto Kuntze, 21, was living with the family as a hired hand. The middle initials are provided for the 7 children still living at home in the 1920 census of Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan. Max was 43, owned his farm and had a mortgage. He immigrated in 1883 and was naturalized in 1890. Sometime around 1923, Max moved his family. On January 13, 1924 they resided at 427 North Springfield, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.In 1930 he and his family are residents of 4575 Fulton Street, Chicago and paying $45 per month rent for the house. Otto was 44, immigrated to the US in 1890, and working as a carpenter at a coach company. His wife, Martha, age 36, immigrated in 1905. Children at home were: Grace (18), telephone operator; William (20), a shipping clerk in a factory; Arthur (12); Eileen (7); and Mabel (6), born in Illinois. Eileen's birth certificate from Cook County, Illinois shows that Max was born in Berlin and mother, Martha, in Saxony. He is listed as a carpenter and Martha a housewife.Max died 27 June 1951 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois of chronic myocarditis. According to his death certificate, he lived at 118 North Lockwood Avenue, Chicago and was working as a carpenter. Max is buried at Oakwood Maple Grove Cemetery in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan.

 

v.         Martha Magdaline Kayser, born 3 March 1877 in Berlin, Germany and was probably baptized there in the Lutheran Church. In 1894 Martha was 17 and still living at home. She married Henry Bernard Lucke at home on 2 April 1898 in Menominee County, Michigan. Henry was a 29 year old German-born son of Carl Lucke and Minnie Scheel. They were residing in Nadeau Township at the enumeration of the 1900, '10, '20 and 1930 censuses of Menominee County, Michigan. According to the 1900 census, Martha immigrated to the US in 1881; but in the 1910 and 1930 censuses the year is reported as 1882. (She actually arrived in New York from Hamburg on 23 October 1882 on the ship Bohemia. She traveled with her mother and brothers, Max and Otto.)13In 1910, Martha was a 33 year old mother of 4 children, 3 still living. Martha died 29 December 1952 at home in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan from Cerebral Thrombosis. She suffered from Hypertension and Cardio Renal Disease prior to her death. Martha is buried at Oakwood Maple Grove Cemetery in Daggett, Nadeau Township, Menominee County, Michigan. Her obituary, reported in the Menominee County Journal (no date given) indicated that:

                           ...Martha, 75, of Oakwood, died in her home Monday at 7:30 p.m. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and lived in the Oakwood area for the past 70 years. She was a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

 

Julius Albert Harho Kuntze was born 20 August 1860 and baptized 4 November 1860 at the Berliner Dom, Brandenberg, Prussia. He married Marie Luise 'Clara' Gruber, daughter of Friedrich Carl Gruber and Johanne Luise Nitsche. Clara was born 7 February 1863 in Berlin, Prussia and baptized there at St. Nikolai Church. They immigrated to the United States in 1887.14 Julius signed a Declaration of Intent to become a US citizen on 13 October 1888 in Stephenson, Michigan. By doing so, he renounced his allegiance to the Emperor of Germany.15 In 1894 Julius, Clara, and their children were living in Stephenson Township, Menominee County, Michigan. They had been in the US for 7 years. Julius was a 33 year old carpenter; Clara, 31, the mother of 5 children and all living; Else, 9; Max, 8; Otto, 5; Anna, 2; Martha, 10⁄12. Also living with them was Louisa Gruber, 65.

 

Three more children were born to Julius and Clara by the time of the 1900 census,16 who reported then that they had been married for 18 years. They still lived in Stephenson Township, Menominee County, Michigan. Julius was 39, a farmer with his own farm free of mortgage; Clara, 37, a mother of 8 with 8 living; Else, 15, born in Germany; Max, 14, born in New York; Otto, 11; Anna, 8; Marthy, 6; Clara, 4; Luise, 3; and Julius, 5⁄12. The last 5 children all were born in Michigan.

 

Julius may have bought more land during the period 1901-1910 for, still in Stephenson Township in 1910,17 he owned his farm, but as opposed to the census of 1900, this time carried a mortgage. He and Clara had been married for 26 years. Julius was a 49 year old farmer, immigrated in 1884; Clara, 47, a mother of 9 with 9 living, immigrated in 1885; Otto, 21, worked as a laborer on the home farm; Clara, 14; Louise, 12; Julius, 10; and Emil, 7. Julius' name is given as 'Silas' in the Soundex.

 

In 1920, the family was living at 4445 Park Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.18 Julius was 59, working as a carpenter in a car shop; wife Clara, 57; Louise, 22; Julius, 19, working as an electrotype apprentice; Emil, 16, working as an electrotype helper. Also listed is Marie Ross, niece, age 15; and Charles Cox, roomer, age 22. Julius and Clara were born in Berlin and came to the US in 1887, being naturalized in 1893.

 

Julius died 15 May 1922 at Augustana Hospital in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. His death certificate19 indicates the cause of death to be a Chronic Perforated Duodenal Ulcer with a secondary cause being Post Operative Stress. (He'd had surgery just 10 days earlier.) Julius, working as a car repairer for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, was 61 years, 8 months, 25 days old at the time of his death. Personal information was provided by his wife, Clara. He was buried 18 May 1922 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois.

The 1930 census20 shows the widow Clara, now 65, living at 4445 Maypole Avenue. It has a value of $10,000. It is noted that she and her parents were born in Prussia Germany and that Clara was 22 at the time of her marriage. Living with her are daughter, Louise P., 32, born Michigan, a music teacher; daughter Martha Arnold, 36, age 21 at her marriage, born Michigan, a waitress in a restaurant; grandson Max Kuntze, 18, born Michigan, an assembler at the electric company; boarder Eric Sering, 33, born Prussia, came to the US in 1926, a machinist at a printing press; and grandson Edward Arnold, 10, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Michigan.

 

Clara died 20 December 1949 at 4544 North Monitor Avenue in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Her death certificate21 shows that had Arterial Sclerosis, the cause of death being Acute Cardiac Dilation and Chronic Myocarditis. She was 86 years, 10 months, 13 days old. Her father's name is given in error on the certificate as Herman Gruber. Personal information was provided by her son, Julius William Kuntze. Clara was buried 23 December 1949 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois.

 

Children of Julius Kuntze and Clara Gruber:

i.         Elsie (Elsbeth) Kuntze, born 8 July 1884 in Berlin, Germany; died 15 March 1975 in Wheaton, DuPage County, Illinois; buried 18 March 1975 in Ridgewood Cemetery, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois. On 7 August 1902 at the age of 18, Elsbeth married22 22-year old farmer, Paul Treslet Ross, Sr. in Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan. Paul was born about 1881 in Michigan of French Canadian parents, Dave Rossignault and Mary Vanlsourt. They are residents of Stephenson at the enumeration of the 1920 census. By the time of the 1930 census,23 they were living at 423 North Springfield Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Paul was 49, a carpenter in the building trade; Elsie 45, came to the US in 1884; daughter Clara, 22, a telephone operator; son Max, 19, a helper in an electrotype shop; daughter Lucille, 16, a telephone operator; son Paul Jr., 12; son Arthur, 11; daughter Betsy, 10.

 

ii.         Max Adolph Otto Horst Kuntze, born 16 May 1886 in New York City, New York; baptized 11 May 1890 at Holy Cross Church in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. It was witnessed by Adolph Kaiser and Robert Plutchak. Max married Mary (Marie) Alvinia Roberts on 6 July 1910 at Precious Blood Church, Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan. She was born about 1890 in Michigan. Her father was Canadian, her mother from Belgium.In 192024 Max and Marie were residents of Stephenson Township, Menominee County, Michigan. Max was 33, born in New York, and working as a US mail carrier; son Max R., 8; daughter Marie E., 6; son, Robert, 3-10⁄12. All children were born in Michigan. Also living in the home is father-in-law Napoleon Roberts, a widower, age 69, born in French Canada of French Canadian parents. The 1930 census25 revealed the family living in Daggett Township. Max is 43,born in New York, a rural mail carrier; wife Mary A., age 40; daughter Marie E., 16; son Robert A., 14; son Francis E., 8; son Joseph E., 6 ~ all born in Michigan (except Max).Max died 11 April 1970 at home in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. He was buried in the Stephenson Township Cemetery, Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan. His obituary reads:

         Max A. Kuntze, 83, of Daggett died Saturday evening in his home. He was born May 16, 1886 in New York and moved to the Daggett area in 1891. He served as a mail carrier from 1908 to 1951 and was the founder of the Daggett Bowling Alley. ...He was a member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

 

iii.         Otto Julius Emil Kuntz, Sr., born 13 March 1889 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan; baptized 11 May 1890 at Holy Cross Church in Daggett. The ceremony was witnessed by Anna Kaiser and Marie Plutchak. Otto was 21 at the enumeration of the 1910 Menominee County census. He is listed as a hired man at the Max W. Kayser household in Nadeau Township. (Was he counted twice?) Five years later, Otto married Florence Beatrice Frisque on 7 April 1915 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. Witnesses were Victor Frisque and Clara Kuntze.In 1920,26 they resided on Beechwood Road in Iron River, Iron County, Michigan. Otto was 30, working as a laborer in a lumber camp; wife Florence, 24, parents born in Belgium; son Otto, 11⁄12, born in Michigan. They lived next door to Gust Pluchak and near Robert Pluchak. The 193027 census has Otto and his family residing at 559 Yackley Avenue, Lisle Township, DuPage County, Illinois. Otto is 41, a millwright at Western Electric, shows he was married at the age of 26, and owned his own home valued at $4,500; wife Florence, age 34, married at age 20, father born in Belgium, mother in Wisconsin; son Otto, 11. A news item, posted in the 7 June 2001 issue of The Menominee County Journal reads:

 

60 years ago - June 13, 1941 Daggett - Bits & Pieces: Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kuntze have purchased the Otto Kayser farm and have already moved into their new home; Henry (Fritz) Kayser has taken over the Wadham station from Ross Fitzpatrick...

Otto died at his brother's home on 19 February 1954 in Daggett. He was buried 23 February 1954 in the Stephenson Township Cemetery, Stephenson, Menominee County, Michigan.

 

iv.         Anna P. Kuntze, born 18 September 1891 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. She married Herman (Allie) H. Rakenius in 1918. He was born about 1882 in Illinois, his father from Germany, his mother born in Illinois. They were residents of River Forest Township, Cook County Illinois at the enumeration of the 1930 census.28 Herman was 47 and working as a painter at the Journeyman level, age at first marriage was 37; Anna was 36, married 10 years, age at first marriage was 26; daughter Marguerite Elsie, 9. Anna died in 1943 at Delnor Hospital, St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois.

 

v.         Martha Emilie Louise Kuntze, born 9 September 1893 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. She was baptized in Daggett at the Holy Cross Church on 9 December 1893. Witnesses to the ceremony were Fr(au) Anna Wandelt geb(oren⁄born) Gruber, Fr(au) Adele Bartel geb(oren⁄born) Tieweck, and Fr(au) Louise, (unknown) Gruber. Martha married Jack Arnold in 1918. In 1930 Martha, 36, is shown living with her mother, Clara Kuntze, at 4445 Maypole, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. With Martha is her 10-year old son, Edward Arnold. Martha was buried 18 April 1974 in Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois following her death a few days previous.

 

vi.         Agnes "Clara" Julia Kuntze, born 23 September 1895 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. She was baptized in Daggett at the Holy Cross Church on 22 December 1895. Witnesses were Frauline Agnes Socha and Frauline Martha Kaiser. Clara married Werner (Van) H. Boevers on 20 August 1919. At the enumeration of the 1930 census, they were residents of 7113 Laurenview, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Werner was 34; Clara, 34; and daughter, June, age 9. Clara died in Hobart, Indiana but was buried on 4 August 1938 in Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois.

 

vii.         Louise Kuntze, born May 1897 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. She died 1938 in Hobart, Indiana and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois. Louise never married.

 

viii.         Julius Carl Wilhelm (William) Kuntze, born 6 January 1900 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. He was baptized 5 August 1900 at Holy Cross Church in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. Witnesses were Louisa Sauder and Anna Wandelt. Julius married Dorothy Josephine Lucke on 23 May 1922 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. They were residents of 219 Maple Street, Villa Park, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois at the time of the 1930 census.29 Julius was 30, working as an electrotyper in the printing industry; wife Dorothy J., 24; son Lloyd, 6. The 1931-33 edition of the Elmhurst, Lombard and Villa Park City Directory shows Julius and Dorothy were living at 219 E Maple. Julius was working as an electrician. He died 4 October 1974 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois. Julius was buried 7 October 1974 at Chapel Hill Gardens, Oakbrook Terrace, DuPage County, Illinois.

 

ix.         Emil Adolph Wilhelm Kuntze, born 8 July 1902 in Daggett, Menominee County, Michigan. He was baptized there 24 August 1902 at Holy Cross Church. Witnesses were C. Baumler, M. Kaiser, and Martha Kaiser. Emil married Hattie Louise Kayser in 1925, the daughter of Max W. Kayser and Martha Baumler (above). In 193030 Emil, Hattie and their children were living 4126 Overhill Avenue, Norwood Park, Cook County, Illinois. Emil was 26, owned a house worth $7500, married at age 21, worked as an electrotyper for Mang(?) Printers; wife Hattie, age 25, married at age 20; son Leroy, 3-11⁄12; son Harold, 4⁄12. Emil died 6 May 1978 in Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan. He was buried at Memorial Gardens, Utica, McComb County, Michigan.

 

Sources:

1. Kirchenbuch, 1600-1877. Evangelische Kirche, Dom Berlin. FHL microfilm #0070145.

2. Kirchenbuch, 1600-1877. Evangelische Kirche, Dom Berlin. FHL microfilm #0070151.

3. Glazier and Filby, Germans to America, Volume 42, page 109.

4. Glazier and Filby, Germans to America, Volume 44: August 1882-November 1882. Page 316.

5. Auswandererlisten, 1850-1934 Hamburg (Hamburg). Auswanderungsamt. FHL microfilm #0472910.

6. Letter in possession of Wayne Kuntze.

7. Census of Menominee County, Michigan, 1894. FHL microfilm #91532.

8. Kirchenbuch, 1600-1877. Evangelische Kirche, Dom Berlin. FHL microfilm #0070148, page 56.

9. Birth record provided in a letter dated 9 August 1996 by the Evangelisches Zentralarchive in Berlin, Germany.

10. Baptismal record from Sophienkirche, page 64. Received from Evangelisches Zentralarchive in Berlin, Germany.

11. 1930 Census of Menominee County, Michigan. T626-1011; ED 8; SD 2; call #38; sheet 3A; line #9.

12. Received in a letter dated 14 August 1996 from the Evangelisches Zentralarchive in Berlin, Germany.

13. Glazier and Filby, Germans to America, Volume 44: August 1882-November 1882.

14. Germans to America, 1875-1888. Manifest ID #60501.

15. Copy of document in possession of Wayne Kuntze.

16. 1900 Census of Menominee County, Michigan. Roll #T623-731; ED 152; SD 127; sheet 8B; line #78.

17. 1910 Census of Menominee County, Michigan. Roll #T624-664; ED 226; SD 12; frame 7401; sheet 9A; line #17.

18. 1920 Census of Cook County, Illinois. Roll #T625-355; ED 2225; SD 1; call #277; sheet 2A, line #26.

19. Death certificate in possession of Wayne Kuntze.

20. 1930 Census of Cook County, Illinois. Roll #T626-461; ED1026; SD 6; sheet 6B, line #62.

21. Death certificate in possession of Wayne Kuntze.

22. Menominee County, Michigan Court Clerk Marriage Records 1863-1918; Marriage Index 1870-1915. FHL #1017372, page 225.

23. 1930 Census of Cook County, Illinois. Roll #T626-458; ED1071; SD 4; sheet 16B, line #61.

24. 1920 Census of Menominee County, Michigan. Roll #T625-785; ED 282; SD 11; call #248; sheet 2A, line #18.

25. 1930 Census of Menominee County, Michigan. Roll #T626_1011-0590; ED 2; SD 2; sheet 2B, line #84.

26. 1920 Census of Iron County, Michigan. Roll #T625-773; ED 181; SD 11; sheet 2B, line #98.

27. 1930 Census of DuPage County, Illinois. Roll #T626-512; ED 38; SD 10; call #88, sheet 31A, line #30.

28. 1930 Census of Cook County, Illinois. Roll #T626-508; ED 2340; SD 6; sheet 28B, line #55.

29. 1930 Census of DuPage County, Illinois. Roll #T626-504; ED 2244; SD 4; sheet 5A, line #24.

30. 1930 Census of Cook County, Illinois. Roll #T626-508; ED 2340; SD 6; sheet 28B, line #55.