Person Page 1,898

Rachel Clara Shurtz was born on 23 Feb 1863 in Lewis Twp., Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6
     She generally used her middle name, Clara, rather than her first name.^2,15,16
     She moved to St. Joseph Co., MichiganG, about 1864 with her parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Margaret Ann Derr.¹⁷
     Her mother died on 18 Sep 1865, when Clara was 2 years old.^18,19 Clara appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Centerville, St. Joseph Co., MichiganG, in the household of her father and stepmother, Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.²⁰
     Clara moved to IowaG with her father and stepmother about 1880. She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa G, in the household of her father, and stepmother.²¹ She appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of her father and stepmother.²²
     She was a teacher before her marriage.²²
     Rachel married Hartley J. Setchell, son of Hartley Setchell and Amanda J., about 1893.^7,8,9
     Clara and Hartley moved to KansasG after their marriage. They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Logan, Phillips Co., Kansas G, enumerated 1 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home. Their children Fern and Fred and his children by his previous marriage, Hartley and Clara, were listed as living with them.²³
     Clara and Hartley appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Soloman, Graham Co., Kansas G, enumerated 3 May 1910, reporting that they owned their home. Their children Fern and Fred were listed as living with them, as wer his children Hartley and Clara.²⁴ They appeared on the 1915 State Census of Soloman, Graham Co., KansasG, reporting that they owned their home. Their son Fred was listed as living with them as were his children Hartley and Clara.²⁵
     Clara and Hartley appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Soloman, Graham Co., Kansas G, enumerated 25 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home. Their son Fred and his son Hartley were listed as living with them.²⁶ They appeared on the 1925 State Census of Soloman, Graham Co., KansasG, reporting that they owned their home.²⁷
     Her husband died between 1925 and 1930.^28,29
     Clara appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Soloman, Graham Co., Kansas G, enumerated 22 Apr 1930, with her step-daughter Clara was listed with her and shown as owner of the home. Also listed were Robert DeNune and Charles Bourland, farm laborers, described as lodgers.³⁰ Clara appears to have taken over operation of the family farm after the death of her husband.³¹
      By 1931 Clara moved to Denver, Colorado, to live with her daughter, at 5524 Montview.³² Clara appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado G, in the household of Fern and Roy D. Slagle, her daughter and her husband, at 2450 Julian St. She reported she had lived in the same city in 1935.³³
      By 1945 they had moved to 1723 Vine, Apt. 1-2G, where she lived with them until at least 1951.³⁴
     Rachel appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado, G in the household of her daughter Fern and her husband, Roy D. Slagle.³⁵
     Rachel died on 1 Nov 1954 at age 91.^10,11,12 She was buried on 2 Nov 1954 in Crown Hill Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Jefferson Co., ColoradoG.^13,14

Elenora Shurtz was born on 15 Dec 1868 in MichiganG.^4,5,6 She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Centerville, St. Joseph Co., MichiganG, in the household of her parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹³
     Elenora moved to IowaG about 1880 with her parents. She appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa G, in the household of her parents.¹⁴ She appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of her parents.¹⁵ She appeared on the 1895 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of her mother.¹⁶
     Elenora married John H. Eischeid, son of John Eischeid and Margaret Haas, on 20 Oct 1897 in Page Co., IowaG.^7,8,9
     Elenora and John appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, enumerated 4 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their son Mark was listed as living with them.¹⁷
     Elenora and John appeared on the 1905 State Census of 312 Valley Ave., Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, reporting their home was valued at $1,500. Their son Mark was listed as living with them.^18,19,20
     Elenora and John appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, at 312 Lowell Ave. G, enumerated 12 May 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their children Mark and Sarah were listed as living with them.²¹
     Elenora and John appeared on the 1915 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, presumably in the same household, although this census does not identify who was living together. He reported that he owned a home valued at $4,000. Their children Mark and Sarah were listed as living with them.^22,23,24,25
     Elenora and John appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, at 512 Elm St. G, enumerated 7 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their children Mark and Sarah were listed as living with them.²⁶
     Elenora reported her church affiliation as Congregational.²²
     Elenora with her husband and daughter, and her brother Harry, drove to Beloit, KansasG, to visit their half brother, Horace, and his family. They made the trip, in a Hudson automobile, in ten hours. According to Google Maps, the trip is now 225 miles and would take four hours.²⁷
     Elenora died on 20 Dec 1922 in Grant, Montgomery Co., IowaG, at age 54.^10,11 She was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG.¹²

Harry T. Shurtz was born on 22 Oct 1871 in Lockport, MichiganG.^4,5,6
     Harry moved to IowaG about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, G in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹³ He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁴
     His given name was Henry at birth, and recorded that way when he was a child. However as an adult he consistently used Harry in all contexts, including legal documents, and that name appears on his tombstone.^15,16,17,2,3
      The local newspaper in Albany, Gentry Co., MissouriG, 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.^18,19,20
     He appeared on the 1895 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his mother.²¹ He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his mother.²²

An Enterprising Businessman in ShenandoahG --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Harry was working at a bakery in 1895, and operating a cafe and bakery in ShenandoahG by 1900. His younger brothers Wilmer and Charles were also bakers in ShenandoahG, and John was working in a restaurant there, all presumably working in their older brother's shop. After they moved out of town Harry continued to own the cafe and bakery for many years.^{23,24,25,26,27,28,29}
     He appeared on the 1905 State Census of 101 Valley Ave., Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his mother, at 101 Valley Ave.^30,31,32 He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his mother.³³
     He appeared on the 1915 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG. This census does not identify households, but it appears that he was living with his mother since they appear on sequentially numbered cards.^34,35 He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his mother.³⁶
     Harry and his sister Elenora, with her husband and daughter, drove to Beloit, KansasG, to visit their half brother, Horace, and his family. They made the trip, in a Hudson automobile, in ten hours. According to Google Maps, the trip is now 225 miles and would take four hours.³⁷
     Harry T. Shurtz appeared on the 1925 State Census of 706 7th Ave., Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of John H. Eischeid, widower of his late sister, with their two children Mark and Sarah.³⁸ Harry appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his late sister Elenora's husband and their two children.³⁹
     Harry married Gertrude E. Trusler, daughter of John Trusler and Mary E. Farrell, on 14 Oct 1930 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, with Rev. James Pearson officiating. She was the widow of Alva Floyd White.^7,8
     Harry served as councilman in ShenandoahG for 16 years, a length of service not repeated by others in his lifetime. He was elected in 1898 and served until 1909, then from 1921 to 1924, and 1933 to 1935.^40,41
     In addition to the bakery and cafe, his business interests included brick yards.⁴¹ He was evidently retired from active business by 1910 as he reported his occupation as "own income." He owned many business properties, and was a director of the Security Trust and Savings Bank.^33,42 In the 1915 state census he reported his occupation as a merchant.^35,43
     By 1920 he was a proprietor of the Shenandoah Hatchery, a poultry hatchery, in partnership with Floyd F. Bloom. His brother Charles apparently worked for him there after he returned to ShenandoahG about 1936. In 1940 Harry reported that he had worked 72 hours the last week of March, and 50 weeks the prior year. He later sold that business to his partner.^{44,45,46,47,48,49}
     Harry and Gertrude appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa, at 511 West Valley G, enumerated 18 Apr 1940, reporting that they owned a home valued at $2,500, and had lived in the same house in 1935.⁵⁰
     Harry reported his church affiliation as Congregational.³⁸ He died on 15 Sep 1941 at his home at 311 West Valley, Shenandoah, IowaG, at age 69.^9,10 He was buried on 17 Sep 1941 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG.^11,12

A Troublesome Will --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Harry left a will which led to considerable litigation, including two suits that found their way to the Iowa Supreme Court. He left his estate in trust to his nephew, Mark Eischeid, from which his widow, Gertrude, was to received $50 per month for her lifetime from the income, and any additional amount the trustee judged needed for her comfortable support. The remaining net income was to be divided between Mark and his sister Sarah. At the death of the widow they were each to receive one-third of the estate, with the remaining third to be divided between his widow's daughters by her previous marriage, Beatrice and Audry White. However, the widow elected to take instead her widow's one-third share under the law, amounting to about $25,000.⁵¹
     The income of the trust was reduced by the one-third of the principal taken by the widow, from about $3,300 to about $2,200 annually. But since that election eliminated the monthly payments from income to the widow, Mark and his sister received only an 18½ % reduction in their share. The two step-daughters claimed some of that income should be sequestered so that all parties would receive an equal percentage reduction due to the widow's election. They filed suit to direct the trustee to do so, but the trial court denied their request. The state Supreme Court reversed that finding on 18 Oct 1949, but instead of requiring sequestration of the income directed that an additional amount be paid to the step-daughters when the trust was dissolved.⁵¹
     A separate case arose around the treatment of certain expenditures by the trustee. The will specified that taxes, assessments, and trustee's expenses were to be paid from the income, thus reducing the amount available to be paid to Mark and his sister. He contended that certain expenditures should be charged to the principal, and thus reduce the amount eventually payable to all beneficiaries, and applied to the probate court for authority to do so. The step-daughters objected, claiming all should be paid from income. The court decided only some should be and both parties appealed. The state Supreme Court decided the case on 6 Mar 1951, making some changes in the lower court ruling. Premiums of the trustee's bond, amounting to $1,406, were to be paid from income. The trustee argued that $142 in taxes on vacant lots should be paid from principal because they produced no income, but the court found that the language of the will required them to be paid from income. Likewise the court held that $460 in city assessments for curbs and gutters were to be paid from income. However the $600 cost of new furnaces for two dwellings that were untenatable when received by the trust, $85 for a new water pipe to another, and cost of installing an indoor toilet in another to meet city requirements, were all found to be payable from principal.⁵²

Charles Weller Shurtz was born on 18 Aug 1872 in Lockport, MichiganG.^4,5,6,7
     Charles moved to IowaG about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, G in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹⁷ He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁸

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

      The local newspaper in Albany, Gentry Co., MissouriG, 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.^19,20,21
     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.^22,23
     Charles married first Ella May Grubb, daughter of Allen W. Grubb and Margaret Ann Murphy, on 3 Jun 1894 in Albany, Gentry Co., MissouriG, at the residence of the bride's parents, with Rev. William W. Burks officiating.^8,9,10
     Charles and Ella moved 25 miles away to King CityG in Jun 1897, when Charles purchased the Columbian Restaurant there.^24,25 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.²⁷
     His wife died on 14 Jan 1898 in Albany, Gentry Co., MissouriG.^28,29 On 6 May 1898 the local newspaper reported that Charles had sold the Columbian Restaurant to Joe Frederick "this week."³⁰
     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.³¹
     Charles, spent some months in Mt. Ayr, IowaG, then stopped by Albany in Feb 1899 to visit friends on his way back to Shenandoah.³² He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his mother.³³
     Charles evidently maintained close ties to his late wife's family after her death, as he returned to AlbanyG in Oct 1899 to visit the family when his former father-in-law was terminally ill.²³
     Charles married second Emma Grace Kaufman, daughter of Philip Kaufman and Rachel Melvina Fagin, on 30 Mar 1901 in York, York Co., NebraskaG, with Rev. George J. Chapman officiating.^11,12
     Charles's older brother Harry was working at a bakery in 1895, and operating a cafe and bakery in ShenandoahG by 1900. Charles and his brother Wilmer were also bakers there in their older brother's shop.^{34,35,36,37,38,39,40}

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

     Charles and Grace moved to Nelson, Nuckolls Co., NebraskaG, before 1910. He and his brother John were operating a restaurant/bakery there by 1910.⁴¹ Charles and Grace appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nelson, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska G, enumerated 25 Apr 1910, reporting they rented their home. His younger brother John was listed as living with them.⁴²
     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 11^th St. in 1913, 1421 24^th St. and 318½ South 20^th St. in 1915, 2019 Harney St. in 1916 and 1917, and the Elms Hotel in 1918.⁴³
     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 1918.⁴⁴ By 1920 Charles opened his own bakery at 2301 Leavenworth St., in partnership William Gemmer. That business lasted until at least 1923.^45,46
     Charles and Grace appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska, at 408 South 24th St. G, enumerated 9 Jan 1920, rooming at the home of Elwood Moore and his family with six other roomers.⁴⁷ About 1921 they moved to 2324 Harney St.G, then by 1925 to 412 South 24^th St., to 1721 Davenport about 1926, then to 1811 Chicago by 1928.⁴⁸
     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.⁴⁹ About 1926 Charles opened his own bakery again, calling it the Carter Lake Bakery, at 1518 Locust St.G.^50,51
     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.⁵² Charles and Grace appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska G, 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.⁵³

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 OmahaG.⁵⁴
     Charles and Grace moved back to his home town of Shenandoah, IowaG, about 1936, where they lived until his death.⁵⁵ Charles worked there as a laborer in a chicken hatchery, apparently the one operated by his brother Harry.^{56,57,58,59,60,61}
     Charles died on 3 May 1938 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, at age 65.^13,14 He was buried on 5 May 1938 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG.^15,16

Edwin Willard Schurz was born on 18 Jul 1874 in Lockport, MichiganG.^4,5,6
     Edwin moved to IowaG about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, G in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹⁷ He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁸
     Edwin moved to Chicago, IllinoisG, by 1896.¹⁹ A Pennsylvania paper reported in Apr 1896 that he had returned to his parents' home town, MiltonG, to visit friends there.²⁰
     Edwin appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 25 46th St. G, enumerated 12 Jun 1900, boarding with Alice Morse and her sister, along with six other men and one woman, all with office jobs, including one lawyer.²¹

Establishing a Career with Cable Piano Company --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By 1900 Edwin was a stenographer. Sometime between then and 1910 he formed a relationship with Hobart M. Cable, Jr., for whom he worked the rest of his career. Hobart Sr. had been in the piano business with his brothers, and had than founded his own piano manufacturing business, The Hobart M. Cable Co., with a factory in La Porte, IndianaG. By 1910 he had died and Hobart Jr. had succeeded him as president of the company, and Edwin was working there as a clerk.^22,23,24
     Edwin appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 1438 G, enumerated 18 Apr 1910, lodging with H. M. Cable, his mother, sister, and her son and a Swedish servant. Cable, at 28, was the president of the piano factory where Edwin worked.²⁵
      About 1910 the company offices were moved to La Porte. Edwin, then an auditor for the firm, moved there as well, boarding at 1627 Michigan Ave.²⁶ He was treasurer of the company by 1913.^27,28,29
     His birth name was Edwin Willard Shurtz, and he seems to have used that spelling of his surname until he moved to Indiana sometime after 1900. About 1913 he seems to have adopted the spelling Schurz, which he and his family used thereafter.^{30,31,32,33,34,2,1}
     Edwin married first Mary Edith Morrison, daughter of Henry D. Morrison and Mary Naomi Ridgeway, on 17 Jan 1913 in La Porte Co., IndianaG.^7,8,9

The Tragic End of His First Marriage --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     On 18 Oct 1913, nine months after their marriage, Edwin was driving his Pierce-Arrow touring car carrying his wife Edith and three other women when he approached what was called the most dangerous railroad crossing in northern Indiana, four miles north of La PorteG. His view obstructed by a high embankment, he failed to see a freight train, with the engine pushing a box car ahead. The train struck the auto fatally injuring all four women. Edwin was reported as probably fatally injured, but managed to bring his wife to a farm house a half mile away where doctors were summoned, to no avail.^35,36
     His wife died on 18 Oct 1913 in La Porte, IndianaG.^36,37
      By 1918 was living at a fine home at 1311 Michigan Ave.G No record has been found indicating when he bought it, though is might be supposed it was with his first wife.
     Edwin registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at 1311 Michigan Ave., La Porte, IndianaG, reporting he was employed as an official at Hobart M. Cable Co. in La Porte.¹
     Edwin appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana, at 1311 Michigan Ave. G, enumerated 13 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, free of mortgage. Ella Schuny, a 52-year-old housekeeper, was listed as living with him.³
     Edwin married second Genevieve Newlin, daughter of Charles M. Newlin and Nancy Odenbaugh, on 26 Oct 1921 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MichiganG, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seal Reynolds, with Rev. William Samuel Hess officiating.^10,11,12

Starting Deluxe Products Corp. --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

      About 1929 The Deluxe Products Corp., a manufacturer of light weight castings, cast iron pistons, and steel oil filters, was formed. Hobart Cable was president and Edwin was secretary, while retaining their positions in the piano company. Edwin's new father-in-law, Charles M. Newlin, was comptroller.^38,39 Edwin held both the secretary and treasurer offices in both companies by 1938.^40,41
     Edwin and Genevieve appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of La Porte, La Porte Co., Indiana, at 1311 Michigan Ave. G, enumerated 19 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $20,000, and owned a radio. Their children Sara and Edwin were listed as living with them, as was Sarah Hostettler, a 30-year-old servant.⁴²
     Edwin and Genevieve moved to 1503 Indiana Ave.G by 1938.⁴³
     Edwin died on 10 Jul 1938, at his home, 1503 Indiana Ave., La Porte, La Porte Co., IndianaG, at age 63.^13,14 He was buried on 12 Jul 1938 in Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, IndianaG.^15,16

Wilmer A. Shurtz was born on 2 Mar 1876 in Moore Park, St. Joseph Co., MichiganG.^4,5,6
     Wilmer moved to IowaG about 1880 with his parents. He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Fisher Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, G in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹⁴ He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁵
     His father died on 18 May 1892, when Wilmer was 16 years old.^16,17,18 Wilmer appeared on the 1895 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his mother.¹⁹
     Wilmer married Cora J. Arnold, daughter of Francis Marion Arnold and Mary Lavina Smalley, on 10 Sep 1897 in Imogene, Fremont Co., IowaG.^7,8,9
     Wilmer and Cora appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage.² His mother and three of his siblings apparently lived nearby as they are listed as the preceding household.²⁰
     Wilmer's older brother Harry was working at a bakery in 1895, and operating a cafe and bakery in ShenandoahG by 1900. Wilmer and his brother Charles were also bakers there in their older brother's shop.^{21,22,23,24,25,26,27}
     Wilmer and Cora sold out and moved to Oklahoma CityG about 1902, where they remained for about a year.^28,29 They then moved to Wewoka, Indian TerritoryG.^30,31
     After moving to WewokaG he was involved with a brickyard. He sold out of that and took up baking again, working at the Wewoak Bakery. In Jan 1906 he was reported to be the "chief mixer of yeast foam and high patent flour" at Frederick's bakery.^32,33,34
     By 1905 they were well enough established that their comings and goings were reported in the local newspaper. In December of that year it reported they had gone to Kansas (but apparently it was actually Iowa) for a holiday visit. In Jan 1906 the paper reported he had returned from a visit to Shenandoah and was having the house painted and rooms papered before she returned. The following week it reported that Cora and her sister Ethel had returned, and on 23 Mar that Ethel had entertained a party of her friends at Cora's home.^35,33,36,37
     On 24 Aug 1906, a week before his death, the local paper reported that Dr. VanZandt said that Wilmer was "prostrated with an attack of typhoid fever." The same issue reported that Cora's father, Francis Marion Arnold, was visiting them.³⁸ He died on 2 Sep 1906 at his home in Wewoka, Indian TerritoryG, at age 30, of typhoid fever.^10,11,12 He was buried on 8 Sep 1906 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, after a funeral at his mother's home.¹³

John Frederick Shurtz was born on 12 Jul 1883 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG.^4,5,6 He appeared on the 1885 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his parents, Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel.¹²
     His father died on 18 May 1892, when John was 8 years old.^13,14,15 John appeared on the 1895 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his mother.¹⁶ He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of his mother.¹⁷
     He was working in a restaurant in ShenandoahG in 1905, presumably the one operated by his older brother Harry.^{18,19,20,21,22,23,24}
     He appeared on the 1905 State Census of 101 Valley Ave., Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, in the household of his mother, at 101 Valley Ave.^25,26,27
     John moved to Ord, Valley Co., NebraskaG, where he met his wife, to work in a bakery.²⁸ He then moved to Nelson, Nuckolls Co., NebraskaG, before 1910, joining his older brother Charles and his wife. He and his brother Charles were operating a restaurant/bakery there by 1910.²⁹ John appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Nelson, Nuckolls Co., Nebraska G, in the household of Charles and his wife Grace.³⁰
     John married Mary M. Francl, daughter of Frank Francl and Mary Rysavy, on 1 Jul 1911 in Ord, Valley Co., NebraskaG, with Rev. W. W. Kraupa, priest at the Catholic Church, officiating.^7,8
     John moved Lexington, NebraskaG, where he was also involved with a bakery. Mary joined him there after their marriage.^31,32 John registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at 1215 Washington, Iowa Falls, Hardin Co., IowaG, reporting he was employed as a salesman for company located in Omaha.¹
     John and Mary moved to Denver, ColoradoG, about 1919.³³ They appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado G, at 1440 York St., enumerated 13 Jan 1920, lodging in the home of Edwin J. Parker and his wife and son.³⁴
     John and Mary moved several times in the next few years. They were at 1531 Welton St. in 1921, rooming at 1445 Stout St. in 1922, and at 681 Grant St. in 1923. By 1924 they were living at 318 6th Ave.G, where they lived until 1926.³⁵
     In Denver, John worked as a baker at several places before getting his own bakery. In 1920 he was working for James Roberson, and the next year for Erdman Baking Co. He obtained his own bakery at 311 7th Ave. about 1923 and operated it until about 1928.^36,37
     He became an insurance salesman by 1930, working for Continental National Life Insurance Co. that year, and for Northwestern National Life Insurance Co. starting the following year.^38,39
     John and Mary moved to 2259 Holly St.G about 1927 and lived there until shortly before his death.^40,41 They appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Denver, Colorado G, at 2259 Holly St., enumerated 7 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $8,000 and did not own a radio.⁴²
     He returned to operating his own bakery in 1932, at 3226 E. Colfax St.G.⁴³
     John and Mary moved to 1640 E. 18th Ave.G about 1934.⁴⁴
     John died on 27 Aug 1935 in Denver, ColoradoG, at age 52, after a long illness.^9,10 He was buried in Catholic Cemetery, Ord, Valley Co., NebraskaG.¹¹

Cora J. Arnold was born on 2 Feb 1880 near Essex, Page Co., IowaG.^4,5,6 Cora appeared with her parents, Francis Marion Arnold and Mary Lavina Smalley, on the 1880 Federal Census of Independence Twp., Montgomery Co., KansasG, in the household of Russell Arnold and Jemina, her grandparents.¹⁴
     Cora returned to IowaG by 1895.
     Cora appeared on the 1895 State Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, in the household of Lewis Blackman, his wife and son, as a domestic.¹⁵
     Cora married Wilmer A. Shurtz, son of Frederick J. Shurtz and Sarah Elizabeth Riegel, on 10 Sep 1897 in Imogene, Fremont Co., IowaG.^7,8,9
     Cora and Wilmer appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Shenandoah, Page Co., Iowa G, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage.¹⁶
     Cora and Wilmer sold out and moved to Oklahoma CityG about 1902, where they remained for about a year.^17,18 They then moved to Wewoka, Indian TerritoryG.^19,20
     By 1905 they were well enough established that their comings and goings were reported in the local newspaper. In December of that year it reported they had gone to Kansas (but apparently it was actually Iowa) for a holiday visit. In Jan 1906 the paper reported he had returned from a visit to Shenandoah and was having the house painted and rooms papered before she returned. The following week it reported that Cora and her sister Ethel had returned, and on 23 Mar that Ethel had entertained a party of her friends at Cora's home.^21,22,23,24
     On 24 Aug 1906, a week before his death, the local paper reported that Dr. VanZandt said that Wilmer was "prostrated with an attack of typhoid fever." The same issue reported that Cora's father, Francis Marion Arnold, was visiting them.²⁵
     Her husband died on 2 Sep 1906 in Wewoka, Indian TerritoryG.^26,27,28 Cora, her father and her sister accompanied her husband's remains when they were returned to ShenandoahG. The doctor went with them to attend her because she was "almost prostrated by the death."²⁹
     Cora returned to ShenandoahG after her husband's death, where she was soon after stricken with tuberculosis. Not responding to treatment, she went to California in hopes that the change in climate would help. It did not, and she returned to her sister's home, where she died.³⁰
     Cora died on 25 Jan 1909 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG, at age 28, at the home of her sister, Mrs. William Gowing.^10,11 She was buried on 27 Jan 1909 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Shenandoah, Page Co., IowaG.^12,13