Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Heinrich Muters

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Descendants of Heinrich Muters

Generation No. 2

2. HENRY SR² MUTERS (HEINRICH¹) was born November 11, 1849 in Cincinnatti, Ohio, Hamilton County, and died July 19, 1920 in Spencer, SD. He married ANNA GERTRUDE CLEFISH July 04, 1865 in Guttenberg, Ia.. She was born February 12, 1844 in Colonge, Germany, and died January 14, 1915 in Spencer, SD.

Notes for HENRY SR MUTERS:
            Henry Muters Sr. and Anna Gertrude Clefisch
      Henry Muters Sr. is the oldest son of Heinrich Muters and Marie Mueller Muters. He was born on November 11, 1849 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Henry had three younger brothers: William born June 25, 1851, John Henry born November 27, 1853 and George born November 29, 1858. Henry's five younger sisters were: Emelia was born on December 30, 1855 and died on December 19, 1857. Alvina (Ella) was born June 15, 1860; Augusta born September 30, 1862, Pauline born March 26, 1866 and Lena born May 4, 1869. The family moved to a farm near Guttenberg, Iowa in 1855. On January 2, 1877, Henry's youngest brother George died at age nineteen.
      Anna Gertrude Clefisch was born near Cologne, Germany on February 2, 1844. She came
to the U.S. with her parents when she was nine years old. Her family lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when they first arrived in this country. Sometime later they moved to Guttenberg, Iowa where Henry and Gertrude met. They were married on July 4, 1865. At his time Henry was almost sixteen years old and Anna was twenty-one. Six children were born to this marriage: Henry Jr. born July 9, 1865; George H. born in 1867; Fred born March 24, 1869; Lydia born May 14, 1875; Edward Sr. born September 1877 and Augusta born November 11, 1880. All of their children were born in Guttenberg, Iowa.
      In October of 1881, Henry, his two brothers William, John Henry and their father Heinrich left Guttenberg to go west to homestead land in Dakota Territory. They found land to homestead and stayed there through the winter of 1881. They built temporary homes. These temporary homes were a combination of sod walls, with wood and sod for roofs. The interiors were often whitewashed and many crocheted rugs were made for the dirt floors. These houses while temporary, often served the early pioneers very well. They were warmed in winter with fireplaces, iron pot bellied type wood burning stoves as well as wood burning cook stoves. In the spring of 1982. The men returned to Iowa and brought their families to there new homes.
      Kenneth Mueters, grand nephew of Henry has told me about "Uncle Hank". Uncle Hank and Aunt Anna were kind gentle people and much revered by Kenneth. As a little boy growing up in Spencer, Kenneth used to love to ride the dray wagon with "Uncle Hank". This was a horse drawn wagon with a large wooden seat at the front of the wagon, from which the wagon was driven. My mother, Muriel Muters Townsend, also remembered them fondly.
      Anna died on January 14, 1915 at the age of seventy years and eleven months. Henry died on July 19, 1920 at age seventy years and eight months. They are buried in the south Spencer cemetery. Photo below is Mina Mueters, daughters Ora about 7, Lila about 3 and "Uncle Hank" 57 in 1906.                               July 1, 1993 O.T.


Notes for ANNA GERTRUDE CLEFISH:
Obituary - Anna Gertrude Clefisch was born near Cologne, Germany on February 12, 1844. When she was about nine years old, the family moved to the united States making their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later they moved to Guttenberg, Iowa. Here Anna was united in marriage to Henry Muters on July 4, 1865. this union lasted over fifty years. In the fall of 1881 they came to live on a homestead near Spencer and have lived in this area ever since. Four years ago, Mrs Muters suffered a stroke of paralysis from which she did not fully recover. about seven weeks ago she became seriously ill and was in critical condition since then; death releaving her of her earthly troubles on January 14, 1915 at 1:47 p.m. Her age was seventy-one years, eleven months and two days. The deceased leaves to mourn her death , her husband, Henry, four sons, Henry Jr., George, Tyndall, SD. Fred and Edward of Spencer and two daughters, Mrs. Lydia McGinnis and Agusta Hamilton, both of Spencer. Also two brothers, Arnold Clefisch of Spencer and John Clefisch of Guttenberg, Iowa survive her. She had seven grand children and three great grand children.
                  March 2, 1998 O.T.

More About HENRY MUTERS and ANNA CLEFISH:
Marriage: July 04, 1865, Guttenberg, Ia.

Children of HENRY MUTERS and ANNA CLEFISH are:

7.	i.	HENRY JR³ MUTERS, b. July 09, 1865, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. 1922, Assiniboia, Saskarchewan.
8.	ii.	GEORGE H MUETERS, b. 1867, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. May 01, 1932.
9.	iii.	FRED MUTERS, b. March 24, 1869, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. June 29, 1952, Spencer, SD.
10.	iv.	LYDIA MARIE MUTERS, b. May 14, 1875, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. January 27, 1936, Spencer, SD.
11.	v.	EDWARD SR MUTERS, b. September 25, 1877, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. April 27, 1952, Oklahoma City, Ok..
12.	vi.	AGUSTA MUTERS, b. November 11, 1880, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. September 08, 1942, Sioux Falls, SD.

3. WILLIAM² MUTERS (HEINRICH¹) was born June 25, 1851 in Cincinnatti, Ohio, and died March 12, 1923 in Spencer, SD. He married (1) MARY CLEFISH Abt. 1871 in Cincinnatti, Ohio. She was born April 23, 1853, and died January 08, 1902 in Spencer, SD. He married (2) MARY WELLS 1908 in Spencer, SD.. She was born 1861 in England.

Notes for WILLIAM MUTERS:
William Muters and Mary Clefisch and daughter Lena
      William Muters the second son of Heinrich and Marie, was born June 25, 1851 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved with his parents to Clayton county near Guttenberg, Iowa about 1855. He grew up there and met Mary Clefisch. Mary was born on April 23, 1853. They were married about 1871. They had one child Lena born July 15, 1872.
      William, age thirty, first came to Dakota territory in October of 1881 with his older brother Henry, aged thirty-two, younger brother John Henry, age twenty-eight and his father, Heinrich, age sixty. That fall and winter were spent filing homestead claims and building shelters for themselves and for their families. The following spring of 1882 they went back to Guttenberg Iowa, which is about four hundred miles. They returned with their wives and children to be among the early settlers in this area of Dakota Territory.
      William was a "cobbler" or shoemaker and had a shoe shop on Main Street of Spencer for many years. Kenneth Mueters remembers "Uncle Bill" as many people in Spencer called him, and took his shoes to him for repairs many times.
      The William Muters home is one of the oldest houses in Spencer. It is a wooden structure on the Main Street. It has had different uses over the years and is not used now. The house is still standing. It served as a restaurant operated by William's grand niece , Eva Burnham Burke, and her husband Ray. It was last used by a group of senior citizens who called it the Leisure Club and used it as a place to play cards.
      William's first wife Mary Clefisch died on January 6, 1908 at age forty eight. Their only daughter Lena Muters Duba Shoop died on December 6, 1914 at forty-two years of age.
      After the death of Mary Clefisch, William married again. His second wife's name was also Mary.

                  William Muters and Mary Wells
      William Muters and Mary Wells were married sometime after the death of William's first wife Mary. Mary Wells was a sister to George Wells who was a barber in Spencer for many years. George's wife was Sadie and they had several children. Dell Wells, known as "Turk" was the next to the youngest child of George and Sadie. For reasons unknown to me, William and Mary raised Dell. Dell became a self educated and self trained lawyer in California.
      Kenneth Mueters notes that, "Uncle Bill and "Aunt Mary" were wonderful people, particularly to the nieces and nephews and family kids."
      William died on March 12, 1923 and is buried in the south cemetery at Spencer, South Dakota. At this time nothing more is known of Mary Wells Muters. August 17, 1993 O.T.
      The house that was once owned by William Muters was torn down in August of 1997. It must have been over a hundred years old. Before it was demolished, I walked through it. There was nothing left that linked the house to "Uncle Bill." The walk through was a gesture of respect to him. My mother, Muriel Muters Townsend Moriarty was very fond of her Uncle Bill.
                        Orvie Townsend September 17, 1997.
Below is a photo of William Muters and his second wife Mary Wells Muters. The exact date of their marriage has not been verified; but it is believed to have been in about 1908. They would have been age 57 and 47 in 1908.

More About WILLIAM MUTERS and MARY CLEFISH:
Marriage: Abt. 1871, Cincinnatti, Ohio

More About WILLIAM MUTERS and MARY WELLS:
Marriage: 1908, Spencer, SD.

Child of WILLIAM MUTERS and MARY CLEFISH is:

13.

LENA³ MUTERS, b. July 15, 1872, Spencer, SD; d. December 06, 1914, Spencer, SD..

4. JOHN HENRY² MUTERS (HEINRICH¹) was born November 27, 1853 in Cincinnatti, Ohio, and died November 27, 1928 in Spencer, SD.. He married MARY ELIZABETH PEPPMULLER July 03, 1874 in Guttenberg, Ia., daughter of JOHN PEPPMULLER and JOHANNA BIEHLE. She was born September 20, 1853 in Guttenberg, Ia., and died 1941 in Spencer, SD..

Notes for JOHN HENRY MUTERS:
      John Henry and Mary Elizabeth Peppmuller
      John Henry, the third son of Heinrich and Marie was born on November 27, 1853 in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a child he became a member of the German Lutheran church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved with his family to Guttenberg in Clayton County, Iowa about 1885.
      John Henry and Mary Peppmuller were married on July 3, 1874 in Guttenberg. John was twenty years old. Mary born on September 20, 1853 was also twenty. John Henry came to the Spencer area in October of 1881 with his father, and two older brothers. After establishing themselves, they returned in the spring of 1882 to Guttenberg Iowa, about four hundred miles to the east, to bring their families and their belongings to Dakota Territory.
      The entire family party arriving in Dakota Territory consisted of eight adults and eight children. The eight children ranged in age from the oldest, seventeen years, to the youngest, one year and four months. The family consisted of Heinrich and Marie,their sons, daughters-in-law, and grand children; Henry and Anna Gertrude, their six children, Henry seventeen, George fourteen, Fred thirteen, Lydia seven, Edward five, and Agusta one year and four months; William and Anna and their daughter Lena ten; John Henry and Mary and their two children George seven and Louisa five.
      John Henry landed at Bridgewater with his entire possessions, on the twenty-eighth day of March 1882 having very little property and a nearly exhausted treasury. The homestead was located one and one half miles south and a half mile west of Spencer. Their first dwelling was an inconveniently constructed affair measuring twelve by sixteen feet, one story in height. In this the family made their home for many years, and yet while it was scarcely adequate to furnish meager shelter to themselves, they very frequently and generously divided accommodations, with those who passed their way at meal time or bed time. The homestead was near the Old Indian Trail between Flandreau and Yankton. They made many friends with the Indians. Louisa, who was later known as Lizzie has told her grandchildren about meeting and shaking hands with Chief Sitting Bull.
      For years, John and Mary struggled on against adversity. One time they almost gave up the battle. Finally the tide turned in their favor. In a few years they realized the beginning of prosperity. In place of the humble twelve by sixteen shanty stood a fine frame house, one of the nicest in the county. They developed a fine farm and were able to provide well for their seven children.
      My mother, Muriel, remembered John Henry as her colorful,kind, grandfather, who liked to whittle and had a fondness for horses. His favorite horse was Old Nance.
      John Henry and Mary had eight children, George Henry born August 14, 1875, and Louisa Mary "Liz" born July 17, 1877, were born in Guttenberg, Iowa. A son Louis died in infancy. John Peter born, may 26, 1883, Emmett Gustave born July 25, 1885 and Mary Laura "Mayme" born March 15, 1888 were born near Spencer when it was Dakota Territory. The last two children, Jessica Minnie born September 25, 1990 and Lloyd born June 24, 1897 were born after Dakota Territory became the state of South Dakota.
John Henry's obituary states:
      "Mr. Muters was a respected man in the community, who was looked up to for his honesty and trustworthiness. He was one of the old pioneers of sturdy stock, who came here to settle this wilderness, who together with his wife have done their share in the building up of this community. He was fortunate in having as a helpmate, a devoted wife who was his constant companion and guide. Mr Muters had been active until quite recently. About a year ago he began to fail and had been "failing" more or less ever since. For the past two weeks he had to stay in bed. On his 75th birthday, November 27,1928 he passed away. His maker came knowing that he had lived long enough. He has spent a useful life. He has worked hard, he has deserved a rest."
      After John Henry died, his son Lloyd farmed the homestead. Mary moved into Spencer where she shared a house with Agusta Muters Hamilton. Agusta Muters, was the daughter of Henry Muters, and the niece of John Henry.
      I, Orvie Townsend, remember Grandma Mary Muters, my great grand mother, as I visited her many times with my mother. My mother was particularly fond of her. Grandma spoke with a German accent and spoke in German when she did not want children to know what she was saying, I thought she was crabby, but mom assured me " that was just her way, she was a very kind and affectionate person".
      Grandma Muters made patchwork quilts and I recall that when she had her quilting frames set up, there wasn't much room left in her little combination living room and kitchen. It was a very "homey" place; I liked to go there. She had a couple of clocks that intrigued me as a child. One of them had a glass pane in the bottom, probably covering the pendulum. She liked to put a picture behind the glass. One time she put a picture in it that I had given to her. She had another that was a mantle clock that was a dark color and rather ornate. I have wondered where the clocks are today and if they still remain in the family.
      Mary Elizabeth Peppmuller died in 1941 at the age of eighty-eight. She is buried beside her husband John Henry, in the cemetery south of Spencer. The cemetery is about a half mile from their old homestead. Their farm buildings have been torn down. The only existing landmark today on the old homestead is a silo which was not there at the time John Henry and Mary lived there.
                              August 19,1993 O.T.

      The picture below was taken on February 29, 1928. From left to right they are John Henry Muters age seventy-four, who died in November of that year, John's wife Mary Peppmuller Muters age seventy-four, Alvina (Ella) Ryberg Peppmuller, age sixty-one. Ella was the second wife of William Peppmuller age seventy-six. To her right is William Peppmuller,brother of Mary. The farm photo from the thirties or early forties reveals a new barn and a tractor with tires in the machine shed.

More About MARY ELIZABETH PEPPMULLER:
Burial: South Spencer cemetery

More About JOHN MUTERS and MARY PEPPMULLER:
Marriage: July 03, 1874, Guttenberg, Ia.

Children of JOHN MUTERS and MARY PEPPMULLER are:

14.	i.	GEORGE HENRY³ MUETERS, b. August 14, 1875, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. February 14, 1923, Spencer, SD.
15.	ii.	LOUISA M MUTERS, b. July 17, 1877, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. November 26, 1968, Mitchell, SD..
16.	iii.	JOHN PETER MUTERS, b. May 26, 1883, Spencer, SD; d. December 19, 1971, Madison, SD.
17.	iv.	EMMETT GUSTAVE MUTERS, b. July 21, 1885, Spencer, SD; d. August 22, 1954, Spencer, SD.
18.	v.	MARY LAURA MUTERS, b. March 15, 1888, Spencer, SD; d. August 23, 1929, Montrose, SD..
19.	vi.	JESSICA MINNIE MUTERS, b. September 25, 1890, Spencer, SD; d. March 07, 1976, Mitchell, SD..
20.	vii.	LLOYD WILLIAM MUTERS, b. June 24, 1897, Spencer, SD; d. October 27, 1960, Mitchell, SD..

5. ALVINA² MUTERS (HEINRICH¹) was born June 15, 1860 in Guttenberg, Ia., and died November 29, 1948. She married CARSON WHITE July 03, 1877 in Glen Haven, Wisconsin. He was born March 18, 1856 in Garber, Ia., and died August 07, 1944.

Notes for ALVINA MUTERS:
      Alvina (Ella) Muters and Carson (Cars) White

      Alvina, who was better known as Ella, was the sixth child and the second daughter of Heinrich and Marie. She was born on June 15, 1860 in Guttenberg Iowa. Ella never moved to Dakota territory but visited in South Dakota. Carson White was born on March 18, 1856 in Garber, Iowa. Alvina and Carson were married on July 3, 1878 in Glen Haven, Wisconsin.
      Ella and Cars, had five children born to them:
1. Elsie Grace White was born December 19, 1879
2. Cora Dell White was born on December 9, 1882
3. Earl Leslie White was born on May 9, 1886
4. Harry Delmar White was born on February 18, 1889
5. Odda Hazel White was born on December 26, 1893
      The two daughters pictured with Ella are Elsie Grace White, known as Grace and Odda Hazel White, known as Hazel. Grace was married and her married name was Mallory. Hazel was married twice, the first marriage was to a man whose last name was Rothum, the second marriage was to Francis Roy Burnham. He was the son of Louisa Muters Burnham, who was Hazel's first cousin. Both of Hazels' marriages ended in divorce. Hazel died in Guttenberg about 1990.
      Further information about the family of Alvina Muters White and Carson White could most likely be found in the Guttenberg, Iowa area.

                  October 11, 1993 O.T.

More About CARSON WHITE and ALVINA MUTERS:
Marriage: July 03, 1877, Glen Haven, Wisconsin

Children of ALVINA MUTERS and CARSON WHITE are:

	i.		ELSIE GRACE³ WHITE, b. December 19, 1879.
	ii.		CORA DELL WHITE, b. December 09, 1882.
	iii.		EARL LESLIE WHITE, b. May 09, 1886.
	iv.		HARRY DELMAR WHITE, b. February 18, 1889.
	v.		ODDA HAZEL WHITE, b. December 26, 1893, Guttenberg, Ia.; d. Abt. 1991, Guttenberg, Ia.; m. FRANCIS ROY BURNHAM; b. January 27, 1909, Spencer, SD; d. October 21, 1989, Guttenberg, Ia..

Notes for FRANCIS ROY BURNHAM:
Frances Roy Burnham and Odda Hazel White
Frances, who was always known as "Roy", was the eighth child of the eleven children born to Dan Burnham and Louisa (Lizzie) Muters Burnham. He was born on January 27, 1909 on the family farm near Spencer, SD. And grew up there.
Roy married Odda Hazel White who was born on December 26, 1893. "Hazel" was his first cousin, once removed, and was several years older than Roy. They lived in Guttenberg Iowa, which is where Hazel was born and raised. No children were born to this marriage which ended in divorce. Roy left the Guttenberg area sometime after the divorce and married again. He returned to Guttenberg and died there on October 1, 1989 at the age of eighty. He is buried at the cemetery south of Spencer.
December 14, 1996 O.T.

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]