As I mentioned in my article, A Wealth of Knowledge and Information, today I am focusing on my Kautz side of the family tree.
Christian L. Kautz is my great-great grandfather. He was born in November of 1855 on the Kautz Family Farm in Dupage County to parents, John Jacob Kautz and Saloma Hansel.
On November 19, 1879, Christian married his first wife Emma Spates. The had two children, Henry and Albert. The photograph below is of Christian in 1885. Interesting to note, Christian had a photo taken of himself at least every ten years, if not five. While I appreciate it greatly, I wonder why he felt the need to take so many photographs of himself! However, the photographers mark at the bottom of this photo says “A. Spate”. Since his wife’s maiden name as Spates, perhaps there is a connection there.
In 1889, Emma died leaving Christian with two young boys. Family stories tell how he would often visit Emma’s parents and missed her dearly. During one of these visits, Christian met Anna Barbara Teiml at their neighbor’s house, and on July 1, 1890 he married her. This picture below is their wedding photo. I want to point out her black wedding dress which was the style at the time.
According to census records, Christian was a carpet layer, showing a family tradition. His son Charles and both of his grandson’s Raymond and William followed in his footsteps. Here, Christian is pictured with many relatives in about 1910. This picture is taken at their dining room table. Include in the picture are: (L to R) Christian Kautz, Henry and Frieda Kautz (Christian’son and his wife), Anna Teiml Kautz (Christian’s second wife), Charles Kautz and Helen Kautz (Christian’s children with Anna Teiml).
The picture below is of Christian and Anna’s house at 3400 Pierce Avenue in Chicago, date unknown. I’m assuming the picture was taken to show the snow storm. Perhaps the women looking out the window is his wife Anna?
Below are some photographs taken in approximately 1909. Both pictures are taken on the same day. Christian is pictured alone in the photograph on the left and with two of his sons in the picture on the right (L to R: Henry, Christian, Charles).
In this photograph (one of my favorites), Christian is shown with his daughter Helen in 1910 as she dressed for her Thanksgiving show at school. This photograph is taken in the backyard of Christian’s home at 3400 Pierce St.
The first photograph below is of Christian and Anna Teiml Kautz (not dated). The second, also undated is of Christian and is one of my favorites. This is how I picture him when I’m doing research on him.
This photograph, taken approximately 1919 is on the Kautz family farm. Including in the picture are: Christian, Lloyd (Christian’s son-in-law), Charles holding his oldest son Raymond, Mellie (Charles’ wife), Anna Teiml Kautz (Christian’s wife) and four neighbor children.
Christian died on November 5, 1920. He is buried with his family at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.
Next: Kautz Family Tree – Part III – John Jacob Kautz
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