Wilhelm Guritz 1825-1900

In the family history research along the Guritz family line from my mother (Hermene Louise Guritz Indig), there looms the patriarch Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm (William) Guritz, the immigrant from Germany, from whom so many family members trace their lineage to. After all, he had a total of 18 children, from two wives. His 8th child from his first wife was Herman Guritz Sr., my great-grandfather. I have his pocket watch, which is a prized possession of mine. Herman Sr. had 8 children; the 5th was my grandfather, Herman Ernest Wilhelm Guritz, Jr. My middle name is Ernest, named after him. My grandfather Herman was born in 1898, so likely his own grandfather Wilhelm knew him as a baby, before Wilhelm passed away in 1900.

Wilhelm Guritz, date unknown (likely between 1860-1890)

Recently discovered data from ancestry.com reports that his parents were Heinrich Wilhelm Guritz, Sr. (birth unknown, death after 1834), and Caroline Sophia Wendt (born about 1795 in Germany, died 11 March 1879 in Beecher, IL). Below is text assembled from my mother's research, and distributed to many family members...

The earliest ancestors that we can trace are Wilhelm and Caroline Herre (Herran*) Guritz. They emigrated from Hessian, Germany to the United States in the early 1850's. Census records indicate that their first child was born in Illinois in approximately 1853. Wilhelm worked in a mill in Chicago for a number of years before moving to Washington Township, Will County, Illinois where he was engaged in farming. Wilhelm and his wife Caroline had ten children: William, Heinrich, August, Friedericka, Amelia (Mollie), Fred, Christian, Herman, Caroline (Carrie), and Peter. William, Henry, August, Friedericka, and Amelia stayed in the Beecher, Illinois area, whereas Fred, Christian, Herman, and Caroline moved to Jackson County, Minnesota. Peter died at the age of four months on February 14, 1870. The mother, Caroline, died on November 2, 1870 at the age of forty years. She was buried November 5, 1870 at St. John's Evangelical Church, in the Beecher, Illinois area. She probably died from complication of childbirth, when Peter was born. Peter is also buried in that cemetery. In the church records, the death of a Caroline Sophie Guritz, age 84, is noted on March 11, 1879, with burial at St. John's cemetery on March 13, 1879. She was probably the mother of Wilhelm and August Guritz. 

 

The Guritz family had settled in Washington Township, Will County, Illinois near Beecher. Beecher is a small rural town outside of Chicago, Illinois; their property was on the Illinois-Indiana border. Wilhelm Guritz also owned property in Lake County, Indiana. Beecher was a stop-over for many people traveling westward. Roads could only be traversed during the dry weather as the land in that area was one big peat marsh. There are many burial records of people who became ill by drinking the water in the area. 

 

After the death of his wife, Caroline, Wilhelm married a widow, Mary Schaper Miller on April 4, 1871 at St. John's Evangelical Church. Mary was born at Gross Nenndorf, Germany on November 16, 1839. She came to the United States in 1857, and worked near Monee, Illinois. She was married two years later to Simon Miller and they had one child. Her husband died suddenly. Family oral history states he was killed accidentally by a hayfork. Shortly after her husband died, her child also died. Wilhelm and Mary had eight children: Mary, Sophie, Louisa, John, Emma, Louis, Bertha, and George. Wilhelm died on February 16, 1900. 

Mary Guritz (formerly Schaper), date unknown, perhaps 1870s after marriage to Wilhelm

Here is text from a record of obituary of Wilhelm (aka William)...

William Guritz, Sr., one of Will County, Illinois well-to-do farmers, died at his home near Creamberg, Ill., Friday, February 16, 1900, after a brief illness at the advanced age of 75 years, 4 months and 19 days. He was a kind and loving husband and father, who did all in his power for his loved ones’ comfort and welfare. He was married twice, his former wife and two children going on before him. He was the father of eighteen children; ten boys and eight girls. To mourn his loss he leaves a wife and sixteen children and many grandchildren and other relatives to mourn his sudden departure. His funeral took place at the German Lutheran church near Beecher, Ill., on Tuesday, February 20, where Rev. J. Kock spoke comforting words to a large number of the deceased loved ones, relatives, friends and neighbors, who had gathered together to show their last tribute of respect to one who had won and maintained the respect of all. His remains were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery, there to remain until the morn of the great Resurrection. 

Our father he has left us 

Will walk with us no more 

Gone to meet some loved ones 

On that bright and shining shore 

Rest, dear father rest 

From pains and sickness. 

You fought life's battles bravely 

and victory now you've won 

We will miss you, sadly miss you 

Morning, noon and night, 

It's hard to say God will be done 

And yet we know it's right.

Here is text from a record of obituary of Mary...

The departed, Mrs. W. Guritz, nee Engel, Marie Sophie Schaper, was born at Gross Nenndorf, Germany, on Nov. 16, 1839 [other sources say 1838]. She received her schooling and religious training at the place of her birth, being confirmed on April 23, 1854. In 1857, she ventured the trip across and came to this country, where shortly afterwards she found employment near Monee. Two years later, she entered into holy wedlock with Simon Miller, which happy union was blessed with one child. Happy in her young motherhood, she was plunged into grief and despair by the sudden death of her husband. Somewhat recovered from this shock, she was again deeply touched by the passing of her only child. A few years later, proving herself and faith, she was married to Mr. Wm. Guritz, a father of nine children, 6 boys and 3 girls. Of these only the following 3 daughters are living; Rika, Mrs. Fred Wehrmann, Sr., of Beecher; Mollie, Mrs. Peter Lorenz, of Frankfort; Carrie, Mrs. Ernest Bergemier of New Ulm, Minn. Being all a true mother could and should be to these children of her chosen husband, she also became the mother of the following children: John and Louis, Beecher; George (deceased, 6 years ago); Mary, Mrs. Fred Foy, Fort Ripley, Minn.; Sophie, Mrs. Frank Rudolph, Belshaw, Ind.; Emma, Mrs. Henry Haseman, deceased( unintentionally, not mentioned on day of funeral); and Bertha, Mrs. Wm. Wilkening, Beecher. Always proving herself a true, loving helpmate and mother, faithfully and loyally sharing the tasks, joys and sorrows with her husband in rearing this large family. She was once more cut to the very deep of her existence by the death of her second husband in the year 1900. Trying to readjust herself after the death of her husband, she dwelled for three years just south of the home farm, located on the stateline, a little southeast of Beecher after which for two years she lived with her son, Louis, but finally, together with her daughter, Bertha, she made her home here in Beecher. For twenty years this home proved a haven of rest and peace to her. With the marriage of her daughter, Bertha, however she found it not pleasant to live alone and gratefully accepted the invitation to live the rest of her life with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs. Wm. Wilkining. It was in this home, from which she made occasional visits to her children, especially to her son, John, that she received such loving care and attention as she well merited. Always robust and rather well in spite of her advanced age, no alarm at first was felt when on Sunday morning she fell ill with a stomach and bowel trouble, so common at this time, but in spite of medical attention and skill and loving care, she failed to rally and was relieved of all pain and suffering on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 11 p.m., at the ripe age of 92 years, 9 months and 21 days. She leaves to mourn her departure the children already mentioned, twenty-one grandchildren, five great grand-children and a large host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from the home of Wm. Wilkening and continued at St. Luke's church, where Rev. G. Horst spoke in both German and English languages, touching feelingly upon the many sterling qualities of the departed. The Ladies' Aid, of which she was a member in good standing for many years, rendered two appropriate songs. The many beautiful floral pieces spoke of the high esteem in which the aged mother and grandmother was held by all who loved her. Burial took place at St. John's cemetery, each of Beecher. In the passing of this aged pilgrim, a true loving wife and mother, to whom home and children meant living, a faithful, loyal Christian, and true child of God, who found in her religion joy, comfort and strength, has gone to her reward.

Mary Guritz, date unknown, likely 1920s (colorized photo)