Charles Weller Shurtz1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 18974, (1872 - 1938)
FatherFrederick J. Shurtz2,4,1 (1832 - 18 May 1892)
MotherSarah Elizabeth Riegel2,1,5 (20 Mar 1842 - 27 Nov 1920)

Key Events:

Birth: 18 Aug 1872, Lockport, Michigan6,7,8,9
Marriage: 3 Jun 1894, Albany, Gentry Co., Missouri, Ella May Grubb (24 Apr 1874 - 14 Jan 1898)10,11,12
Marriage: 30 Mar 1901, York, York Co., Nebraska, Emma Grace Kaufman (4 Apr 1879 - 3 Feb 1960)13,14
Death: 3 May 1938, Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa15,16
Burial: 5 May 1938, Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa17,18
ChartsDescendants of Jacob K. and Christiana Ohl Riegel
AncestryThe Reigel Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Charles Weller Shurtz was born on 18 Aug 1872 in Lockport, Michigan.6,7,8,9
     Charles moved to Iowa about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.4 He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, in the household of his parents.19

Opening a Bakery in Albany, Missouri, --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     The local newspaper in Albany, Gentry Co., Missouri, reported on 12 Jan 1894 that the Shurtz brothers had arrived from Shenandoah to open a bakery. Which brothers were included is not stated, but we know Harry was there because on 1 May it was reported that he stepped on a board with a nail that penetrated nearly thorough his foot, and on 8 June Charles was reported to be living there, as the senior member of the firm of Shurtz Bros. Harry seems to have returned home soon afterwards as he was back in Shenandoah by 1895.20,21,22
     Apparently they, or at least Charles, did open a local business, as an ad in Dec 1895 announced "All kinds of fruits and candies at Shurtz's." And in 1899 Charles was called the former proprietor of the City Bakery and Restaurant.23,24
     Charles married first Ella May Grubb, daughter of Allen W. Grubb and Margaret Ann Murphy, on 3 Jun 1894 in Albany, Gentry Co., Missouri, at the residence of the bride's parents, with Rev. William W. Burks officiating.10,11,12
     Charles and Ella moved 25 miles away to King City in Jun 1897, when Charles purchased the Columbian Restaurant there.25,26
"Local ads" including three from Charles' Columbian Restaurant
from King City Chronicle 25 Apr 189827
Charles immediately began running a series of "local ads" in the weekly newspaper in that town. Local ads were typically two-line simple text statements, intermixed in a column with short news items about local people or events. He ran these ads weekly until the death of his wife in Jan 1898, then intermittently after that.28
     His wife died on 14 Jan 1898 in Albany, Gentry Co., Missouri.29,30 On 6 May 1898 the local newspaper reported that Charles had sold the Columbian Restaurant to Joe Frederick "this week."31
     There is a perplexing report in the local paper on 1 Apr 1898. It says "Mrs. Imel of St. Joe is a guest of her sister, Mrs. Shurtz." The only known Mrs. Shurtz in town had died three months before, so it seems the reference should have been to Charles. "Mrs. Imel" could refer to Charles' aunt Violetta who was living in St. Joseph at that time, or to her sister-in-law or either of two daughters-in-law who also lived in that city then. But it seems most likely that the news item was largely confused, and it was Violetta visiting her bereaved nephew.32
     Charles, spent some months in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, then stopped by Albany in Feb 1899 to visit friends on his way back to Shenandoah.33 He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, in the household of his mother.34
     Charles evidently maintained close ties to his late wife's family after her death, as he returned to Albany in Oct 1899 to visit the family when his former father-in-law was terminally ill.24
     Charles married second Emma Grace Kaufman, daughter of Philip Kaufman and Rachel Melvina Fagin, on 30 Mar 1901 in York, York Co., Nebraska, with Rev. George J. Chapman officiating.13,14
     Charles's older brother Harry was working at a bakery in 1895, and operating a cafe and bakery in Shenandoah by 1900. Charles and his brother Wilmer were also bakers there in their older brother's shop.35,36,37,38,39,40,41

Moving to Nebraska --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Charles and Grace moved to Nelson, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska, before 1910. He and his brother John were operating a restaurant/bakery there by 1910.42 Charles and Grace appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nelson, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska, enumerated 25 Apr 1910, reporting they rented their home. His younger brother John was listed as living with them.43
     Charles and Grace moved to Omaha by 1912, when they were living at 1106 South 10th St. They changed their residence frequently over the next six years, in most cases being listed as rooming or boarding. Addresses included 1013 South 11th St. in 1913, 1421 24th St. and 318½ South 20th St. in 1915, 2019 Harney St. in 1916 and 1917, and the Elms Hotel in 1918.44
     After coming to Omaha Charles worked as a baker for a number of years for William D. Vodric, who owned a bakery at 213 South 20th St. He worked there until about 1918.45 By 1920 Charles opened his own bakery at 2301 Leavenworth St., in partnership William Gemmer. That business lasted until at least 1923.46,47
     Charles and Grace appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska, at 408 South 24th St., enumerated 9 Jan 1920, rooming at the home of Elwood Moore and his family with six other roomers.48 About 1921 they moved to 2324 Harney St., then by 1925 to 412 South 24th St., to 1721 Davenport about 1926, then to 1811 Chicago by 1928.49
     After his bakery closed Charles worked for a time at the restaurant owned by George H. Hansen, a block up the street at 2402 Leavenworth St.50 About 1926 Charles opened his own bakery again, calling it the Carter Lake Bakery, at 1518 Locust St.51,52
     About 1929 Charles and Grace moved to 216 North 17th St., and were variously reported in 214, 216, and 218 for the remainder of their time in Omaha. It is not clear whether they actually moved between the nearby houses or whether these were errors in the city directory.53 Charles and Grace appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska, at 214 North 17th St., enumerated 10 Apr 1930, reporting that they were renting their home, apparently half of a two-family house, for $28 per month.54

Losing His Bakery --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     He operated his bakery until about 1933, when it came under the ownership of John B. Gurler. After that he worked as a laborer until he and his wife left Omaha.55
     Charles and Grace moved back to his home town of Shenandoah, Iowa, about 1936, where they lived until his death.56 Charles worked there as a laborer in a chicken hatchery, apparently the one operated by his brother Harry.57,58,59,60,61,62
     Charles died on 3 May 1938 in Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, at age 65.15,16 He was buried on 5 May 1938 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa.17,18

Children:
     Children with Ella May Grubb:

  • Frederick A. Shurtz63 (abt 1896 - abt 1896)
  • Elmer M. Shurtz64 (14 Jan 1898 - 18 Jan 1898)

Children:
     There were no children with Emma Grace Kaufman

Citations

  1. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death.
  2. [S4758] Charles Shurtz, Return of Births in County of St. Joseph.
  3. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa, shows name as Charles W. Shurtz.
  4. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa.
  5. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa, shows him as the son of her husband.
  6. [S4758] Charles Shurtz, Return of Births in County of St. Joseph, shows date, town, and state.
  7. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death, shows date, town, as Three Rivers, and state.
  8. [S4754] F. Shurtz household, 1880 U.S. Census, Fremont Co., Iowa, shows age 7 and state.
  9. [S4851] Charles W. Schultz household, 1910 U.S. Census, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska, shows age 37 and state.
  10. [S4857] Charles W. Shurtz and Ella M. Grubb, Marriage License, shows date, town, county, state, and officiant.
  11. [S4861] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 8 Jun 1894, shows date, town, and at her parents' home.
  12. [S4871] Ella M. Shurtz grave marker, shows her as his wife.
  13. [S4864] Charles W. Shurtz and Emma G. Kaufman, Marriage Record, shows date, town, county, state, and officant.
  14. [S4851] Charles W. Schultz household, 1910 U.S. Census, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska, shows married 9 years, his second marriage an her first.
  15. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death, shows date, town, county, and state.
  16. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 64866088, Charles W. Shurtz, shows date and includes tombstone photos showing year.
  17. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death, shows date, town, state.
  18. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 64866088, Charles W. Shurtz, includes tombstone photos.
  19. [S4755] Frederick Shurtz household, 1885 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Shenandoah.
  20. [S4859] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 12 Jan 1894.
  21. [S4860] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 18 May 1894.
  22. [S4861] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 8 Jun 1894.
  23. [S4884] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 27 Dec 1895, same ad ran the week before.
  24. [S4883] "Home News," Albany Weekly Ledger, 6 Oct 1899.
  25. [S5101] "Personal Mention," The King City Chronicle, 18 Jun 1897, shows him as new proprietor.
  26. [S4862] "Obituary," Albany Weekly Ledger, 21 Jan 1898, shows she was from King City.
  27. [S5002] "H. F. Shurtz & Sons," The Beloit Daily Call, 24 Jun 1919.
  28. [S5102] "Additional Local," The King City Chronicle, 25 Apr 1898.
  29. [S4967] "Obituary," The King City Chronicle, 21 Jan 1898, shows date, city, and at father's home.
  30. [S4871] Ella M. Shurtz grave marker, shows date.
  31. [S5105] "Local Gatherings," The King City Chronicle, 6 May 1898.
  32. [S5106] "Local Gatherings," The King City Chronicle, 1 Apr 1898.
  33. [S4901] "Home News," Albany Weekly Ledger, 10 Feb 1899.
  34. [S4759] Sara E. Shurtz household, 1900 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa.
  35. [S5072] Sara E. Shurtz household, 1895 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Shenandoah ward 1, shows occupation as __kery, with the beginning cut off in the tight binding.
  36. [S4759] Sara E. Shurtz household, 1900 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows Harry's occupation as bakery & restaurant, and Charles' as baker.
  37. [S4760] Wilmer A. Shurtz household, 1900 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows his occupation as baker.
  38. [S4915] John Shurtz card, 1905 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Shenandoah, shows occupation as work in restaurant.
  39. [S4914] Harry Shurtz card, 1905 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Shenandoah, shows occupation as restaurant & bakery.
  40. [S6018] "Death of Wilmer Shurtz," Shenandoah World, 4 Sep 1906, shows he was in business with Harry, learning the baking trade from him.
  41. [S4783] "Funeral Held in Shenandoah for Mrs. W R Bening's Father," Clarinda Herald-Journal, 18 Sep 1941, shows he was a cafe owner and a baker.
  42. [S4851] Charles W. Schultz household, 1910 U.S. Census, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska, shows Charles' occupation as baker, with "partner" written above, and industry as restaurant, and John's occupation as restaurant and something obscured, and industry as restaurant with "partner" written above.
  43. [S4851] Charles W. Schultz household, 1910 U.S. Census, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska.
  44. [S4853] Omaha Directory Co.'s Omaha City Directory, 1912 pg 801; 1913 pg 832; 1914 pg 816; 1915 pg 798; 1916 pg 898; 1917 pg 742; and 1918 pg 819.
  45. [S4853] Omaha Directory Co.'s Omaha City Directory, 1912 pg 801; 1913 pg 832; 1914 pg 816; 1915 pp 798, 892; 1916 pg 898; 1917 pg 742; and 1918 pg 819.
  46. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1920 pg 828; 1921 pg 836; and 1923 pg 943.
  47. [S4848] Elwood Moore household, 1920 U.S. Census, Douglas Co., Nebraska, shows occupation as proprietor, industry as bakery.
  48. [S4848] Elwood Moore household, 1920 U.S. Census, Douglas Co., Nebraska.
  49. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1921 pg 836; 1923 pg 943; 1925 pg 856; 1926 pg 776; and 1928 pg 837.
  50. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1925 pp 379, 856.
  51. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1926 pp 167, 776; and 1933 pg 690.
  52. [S4849] Charles Shurtz household, 1930 U.S. Census, Douglas Co., Nebraska, shows occupation as proprietor, industry as bakery.
  53. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1929 pg 666; 1931 pg 768; 1932 pg 707; 1933 pg 690; 1934 pg 720; and 1935 pg 773.
  54. [S4849] Charles Shurtz household, 1930 U.S. Census, Douglas Co., Nebraska.
  55. [S4854] R. L. Polk & Co.'s City Directory of Greater Omaha, 1934 pp 179, 720; and 1935 pg 773.
  56. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death, shows he had lived in town 2 years.
  57. [S4764] Sarah Shurtz household, 1920 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows occupation as poultry man, industry as raising poultry2.
  58. [S4960] Polk's Shenandoah (Iowa) City Directory, 1930, pg 125, shows name of firm and partners.
  59. [S4889] John J. Eischeid household, 1930 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows occupation as owner, industry as hatchery.
  60. [S4890] Harry T. Shurtz household, 1940 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows occupation as proprietor, industry as Shenandoah Hatchery.
  61. [S4855] Charles Weller Shurtz, Certificate of Death, shows occupation as laborer, industry as chicken hatchery.
  62. [S6022] "Harry T. Shurtz Dies," Shenandoah Sentinel, 15 Sep 1941, shows he sold the hatchery to his partner.
  63. [S4873] Frederick A. Shurtz grave marker, Greenwood Cemetery, his tombstone is next to hers.
  64. [S4863] Local news, Albany Weekly Ledger, 21 Jan 1895.