MANTZ FAMILY
By Theodore Foster Mantz
It is not known for sure just when the Mantz family came to America. One of the
descendents, Jonas, says his great, great grandfather Mantz came from Germany. This
would put them into the country in the early 1700's. The name Mantz was also spelled
Mans, Mants, Mantz, Montz in many of the early records, not doubt because whoever
was recording the name would spell it as it sounded to them. Not many people could
read and write.
According to old court house records in Philadelphia, there were manifests of two ships
that came to port with Mantz passengers. The 'NANCY', mastered by William Wallace,
and the 'FRIENDSHIP' mastered by Henry Beach landed at Philadelphia, September 20,
1738. The 'NANCY' listed a Casper Mans, age 20, and a J. Casper Mantz. The
'FRIENDSHIP' listed another Casper Mantz. The routes these ships came were from
Rotterdam to Dover, England to Philadelphia.
The ship 'MARY', mastered by John Gray, came from Rotterdam to Cowes, England, to
London, England to Philadelphia, arriving September 26, 1732 showed a Michael Mans
on List 'A', Hans Michel Mants on List 'B', and Hans Michel Mantz on List 'C'. It is not
known if these are the same person.
There are many other ships that need to be checked, but it is possible that one of these
men could be the great great grandfather Mantz.
Also at the Courthouse in Philadelphia are records showing a Magdel Mantz, a female,
age 29. This record also states she was among " fifty-four Palatines and Switzers
(Switzerland) who with their families making in all one hundred seventy six persons,
imported here in the ship 'MERCURY' of London, William Wilson, Master, from
Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, England."
Henry Mantz was born in 1795 in Northampton County,
Pennsylvania to Henry Mantz, Sr., and a Miss Probot
(found to be Brobst), according to microfiche of old Pennsylvania records. He
had four brothers, Christian, Daniel, Jacob and John,
and two sisters, Polly and Kate.
Nothing else is known of his parents, brothers or sisters as of this time.
Jacob married an Elizabeth Gerber. They had a daughter Abilona born August 25, 1816 West Pen, Schuylkill County, PA. She married Elias Beltz about 1839 in Schuylkill County. Son William Edwin was born September 29, 1833.
Henry married Hannah Miller about 1815 in Northampton County. Hannah's great grandparents were from Switzerland.. Henry was a farmer. At that time in Pennsylvania, the name Montz was used and there was a town named Montz, named after the family, as there were a lot of relatives in the area.
After they married, Henry and Hannah moved from Northampton County across the Blue
Mountains to Carbon County, settling about four miles south of Summit Hill on a farm.
While living near Summit Hill, the following children were born, Belle in 1816, Viola in 1818, and Jonas was born July 23, 1821.
Around 1823, Henry moved his family to Schuylkill county. There over the next seventeen years the rest of their known family was born. They were Lucy Ann born May 13, 1824, Daniel born August 29, 1826, Mary Elizabeth born 1828, Nathan born May 15, 1831, Wilson born September 23, 1838 and Moses born May 24, 1840. They had nine children all together, with Belle and Viola dying in infancy.
Henry worked for about twenty years for a large coal mining company as a carpenter.
He repaired the tracks for them and lost his foot in an accident. In 1856, Henry and
Hannah, with a couple of the children that was not married yet, caught the train to Iowa.
They left Tamagua, PA the day Buchanan was elected President, and landed at Iowa
City, as that is as far as the train went. Their son, Jonas, had moved his family to Iowa a
year earlier and met them at the train. He hauled their things by wagon about fifty miles
to South English, Iowa.
At present, there is not much known of all the children of Henry and Hannah. The
following information is taken from notes of an interview of Jonas Mantz, September 22,
1915 given to his grandson, Theodore Foster Mantz at Audobon, Iowa. Jonas was ninety-four years old
at this time. The information on Jonas' brothers and sisters is of that date.
**
NATHAN MANTZ
Nathan Mantz was born May 15, 1831 at West Penn, Schuylkill County, PA and was living at Sigourney, Iowa. He had married Priscilla Mary Turner, born August 20, 1835
in Allen, Northampton County, PA. They had married March 7, 1857 at Weisport,
Carbon County, PA, and after their marriage, they moved to Keokuk County, Iowa,
living in English River Township. Their children were all born in Iowa.
Viola Elizabeth was born July 20, 1858. Emma Susan was born March 16, 1860, and
Ellen Helen was born October 18, 1862. All three girls were baptized in January 1863 by a Rev. Lawbeck. Mary Amelia was born May 20, 1865.
Nathan and Priscilla then moved to Blairtown, in Benton County. Albert Turner was born there July 15, 1870.
Viola met and married Robert McCauley at Webster, Keokuk County, by Rev. Davis, January 11, 1878. Their daughter Lou was born in German Township, November 8,
1880, followed by daughter Joy born in English Township, December 6, 1890. They then moved to Kansas, where Nathan H. was born at Weisport, Rush County, March 21, 1894. They then moved to Saskatchewan, Canada. Their daughter Joy, married Harold
Woods Everts, a banker, at Wayburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 8, 1913. Their son Nathan was killed near Wolveringham, Belgium, February 21, 1916, during World War I.
Ellen Helen died at Blairstown, Iowa, May 29, 1875 at the age of twelve years.
Emma Susan became a school teacher and was teaching school in Des Moines in 1915.
She was still not married.
Mary Amelia married Ernest Meissner in English River Township, Keokuk County, February 25, 1929. Their son Charles Albert was born at Reinbeck, Iowa September 26, 1931 followed by Lawrence on November 15, 1932.
Albert Turner married Sarah Uling at Sigourney, Iowa in February, 1911. They moved to Canada settling near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. That is where their niece, Joy McCauley, met her husband. Albert and Sarah's son Kenneth was born in 1912 near Hodgeville, followed by a daughter in 1913. Albert died in an accident at Moose Jaw, February 18, 1913. His wife Sarah, also died in an accident near Hodgeville, Saskatchewan, in December, 1913. Their little girl went to live with Sarah's sister in Canada. It is not known what happened to the son.
Priscilla Mantz died at Sigourney, Iowa June 6, 1909. Nathan was still living at
Sigourney in 1915.
MOSES MANTZ
Moses Mantz was living on a farm near Webster, Iowa in 1915. He had been married twice and both wives were dead. Moses was born May 24, 1840, near New Monsha, in Schuylkill County, PA. He married Nancy Ann Lute about 1869. Their children were Josephine born March 28, 1870, Effie born May 12, 1873, Sarah born 1876, and Albert
born in 1877. Nancy died not long after Albert's birth and Moses married Mary Elizabeth Pounds, June 30, 1878 at Millersburg, Iowa, by a Methodist minister, Rev. John Davis. Mary was born August 5, 1843 near North Salem, Indiana, about twenty miles from Indianapolis. With Mary, he had son Seldon, born April 1, 1879 and Katie, who was born June 7, 1882 and died 8 days later on June 15. They lived on a farm three quarters of a mile east of Webster.
Josephine married and moved to Campbell, Minnesota.
Effie married February 7, 1895 and moved to South English, Iowa.
Sarah married April 22, 1883 and lived in Webster, Iowa.
Albert was married September 7, 1898.
In 1916, Seldon was still not married and was living on the farm with Moses. Mary died
March 11, 1913 and is buried at Sordan Cemetery, Webster, Iowa.
Moses had moved to Iowa with his parents in 1856. Jonas had met them with a wagon
at Iowa City. On the way to South English, they had to cross the toll bridge on the Iowa
River. Moses had been walking, but got on the wagon to cross the bridge, so he would
not have to pay a toll as a foot-man. The cost to cross was fifty cents.
The following is from a letter written by Moses Mantz to Theodore Mantz, December,
1916:
" During the Civil War, we had some trouble at South English from them known as
Copperheads. A man named Tally made a speech and was killed. We did not approve
of his speech very much. About one hundred men were encamped on the Skunk River.
My wife's (Nancy Ann Lute) uncle acted as captain. This prevented the southern
sympathizers from attacking South English. Gov. Kirkwood also sent some troops and
light artillery from Iowa City to South English.
This country was mostly prairie when I came here and some being government land at
that time. I worked in the Cheer Coal Mine when there was only two men at work at
thirteen dollars a month.
In the year 1862, I was converted with the United Brethren Church. This to my mind was
a very important step in my life. One that I was always glad that I made and something I
have never regretted. I believe a religious life is the only life to live and without it
everything is a failure. If you want to make a success of life, we must attend to this
matter first. My sister, Lucy Ann lived this kind of life. She was next to Jonas in age and
she died at the Old Womans Home at Allentown, PA two years ago. (1914).
I helped to build the first courthouse at Sigourney, Iowa, and the Congregational and
Methodist Churches at Webster, Iowa. We have a fine consolidated school within three
quarters of a mile from where Seldon and I live. I did not get much schooling. What little
I did get, I managed to get for myself. My chief study was arithmetic in which I delighted.
I also figured out religion on the same stand point. Our lives are either profit or loss. It is
profit if it be religious, but it is a dead loss if it is not."
DANIEL MANTZ
Daniel Mantz was born August 29, 1826 in Schuylkill County, PA. He married and had six children, three boys and three girls. Daniel also moved to Iowa, and is buried at Webster, Iowa. Daniel's wife died in Kansas City, MO, October 1, 1916. A son Henry married a Mary, and their son Russell became a physician in Cedar Rapids. Son William married and had four or five children, and there were two daughters, Alice and Lizzie. Other names are not known.
MARY ELIZABETH MANTZ
Mary Elizabeth was born in 1828 in Schuylkill County, PA. She married Henry Ely of Belle Plaine, Iowa. They had a boy and girl. Mary, Henry and their daughter were dead in 1915, and the son was living in Kansas City, MO.
LUCY ANN MANTZ
Lucy Ann was born May 13, 1824 in Schuylkill County, PA. She married David Fair in PA. Both Lucy and David were dead in 1915, Lucy having died in the Old Womans Home in 1914. They are buried in PA and their daughter was living in PA.
WILSON MANTZ
Wilson Mantz was born September 23, 1838 in Schuylkill County, PA. At age fourteen he was apprenticed to his older brother Jonas to learn blacksmithing. He remained with his older brother the full four years. The work was very heavy when starting and Jonas was exacting and accurate, but did not put him to work as early as he wished. So he made up his mind that he would learn the fine work himself. After his term of apprenticeship was up, he was employed elsewhere at the youthful age of twenty. He secured work on a tunnel and after two years of hard labor there, the laborers had a strike. They hired new laborers, but Wilson, being the only blacksmith stayed. Often he worked away with two officers standing guard over him with a revolver in their hands.
With so many of the blacksmiths quitting, he worked most of the day and night and
received pay for doing eleven days in a week.
At the age of twenty three, he strapped $800.00 in gold around himself in a belt went
west to Iowa City. The $800.00 represented his hard earnings from the time he was
eighteen years old. With this money, he bought a blacksmith shop in Iowa City, and also
bought some city lots.
Wilson married Mary Ann White about 1858 in Webster, Iowa. Mary Ann was born in Belfast, Ireland. They had four children, Clara born November 27, 1859, Isabell, William, Wilson, and Conrad.
Clara married John Noffeinger about 1879. Their children were Wilson born December 6, 1880, Henry Ely born September 21, 1882, Ida May born June 27, 1884, Faith born April 23, 1891, and Mary White born October 23, 1896.
William Wilson married Nellie Morgan January 17, 1894. They had three sons Noel, Avery and Homer.
Conrad married and had two daughters and a son named Jacob. Jacob married and had children, Jacob, Jr., Conrad, Phillip, and a daughter.
Isabell married a Gibbons and they had two sons, who were farmers and attended colleges in Iowa in 1915-16.
JONAS MANTZ
Jonas Mantz was born July 23, 1821 on a farm four miles south of Summit Hill, Carbon County, PA. When he was young he was an apprentice for three years learning the blacksmith trade. This blacksmith shop was locate ten miles west of Weissport and four miles south of Summit Hill. Jonas lived here from his birth to 1853. The town was small where he worked in the blacksmith shop, no railroads then. The people called the place Monts or Montz or Monz. There were a number of people by that name there and Jonas's uncle ran the general store beside the blacksmith shop.
Jonas operated the blacksmith shop until 1853 when he immigrated to Iowa. Jonas
married Abbie Ruch, in 1842, when he was twenty two, in Carbon County. Daughter Alice was born in 1843, Frank in 1844, Moses in 1846, Edward in 1848, and Samuel Louis on February 7, 1851. Sarah was born June 3, 1853.
As a blacksmith, Jonas received twenty five cents for shoeing a horse on all fours. In
those days an ordinary mechanic received twelve dollars a month for his labor.
In 1854, Jonas, Abbie and their family started westward and landed at Geneseo, Illinois
by rail. Jonas left his family there and with Peter Belch proceeded to investigate land in
southern Iowa. They walked from the Mississippi River across Iowa and finally returned
to Geneseo, IL. He decided to locate in South English, Iowa. In 1855 they left South
English and moved to Wasonville, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred twenty acres
of land twelve miles west of town from James Mahaffa for thirty dollars per acre.
After arriving in Iowa, Napoleon was born June 3, 1854, Louise on April 21, 1855, and William in 1856, and George in 1858.
Jonas stayed for two years and farmed this land near Wasonville. Later he bought one
hundred sixty acres one half mile west of Webster for $25.00 per acre and sold it in
1864. Next he bought a farm three and one half miles north of Belle Plaine and
remained there for three years. He then moved to Kosta, Iowa in 1865 and purchased
one hundred forty acres there for $35.00 per acre. This land joined Kosta on the north.
He lived in Kosta, Iowa for thirty years.
Jonas was the owner of numerous stallions from 1853 till his death. He brought the first
imported stallion west of the Mississippi River. Among the valuable stallions owned by
Jonas Mantz was Adolph, an imported Belgium, that cost $4,000.00. Adolph was the
first imported horse to cross the Mississippi. The next valuable horse Jonas owned was
Sefton, a Belgium who cost $3,000.00. Sunrise, a Clydesdale, cost $3,500.00. Sunrise
took first premium wherever he went in his class. He was shown in Scotland, Canada
and at the Iowa State Fair. Jonas had always from three to ten stallions during the time
he was in this business.
In 1876, Charles and Samuel Singmaster of Keota, Iowa employed Jonas to go to
Belgium and England to purchase stallions for them. Young William Singmaster, at
sixteen accompanied him on this trip. The Singmasters authorized Jonas to spend
$20,000.00 for horses on this trip.
Jonas and Abbie's children grew up and married. Moses, born April 3, 1846 married
Matilda Carter. They had no children and Moses enlisted in the U.S. Army in Civil War in 1863 and served until the war was over.
Edward was born February 26, 1848 and the name of whom he married is not known. He had two children, Albert and Angeline. Edward lived at West Bend. His son Albert married and his wife died and he married again. He had a boy and girl with his first wife.
Angeline married a Mr. Stone of West Bend. He operated a harness shop there. They had two boys and a girl.
Frank married Ella Reed in Keokuk, Iowa. He had one little girl who died at age nine and is buried at Webster, Iowa.
Sarah was born June 3, 1853 and married Charles Felt of Delphos, Kansas. They had two boys and two girls.
Alice was born in 1843 and married John Leech. They lived in Tochma, Nebraska, but went to Des Moines often to see their daughter Sadie Barnes.
Louise was born April 21, 1855 and married Wils Lanning at Kosta, Iowa. They had three children, one dying in infancy. Their daughter, Letta married James McDonald of Kenerium, Iowa and they had three children. William married twice, his first wife died. He was a farmer near Esterville. Wils Lanning had died by 1915 and Louise was living near
Spirit Lake.
Napoleon was born June 3, 1854, in Keokuk County, Iowa, after Jonas and Abbie had moved. He married Clara Ann Rutledge, June 11, 1882, at Onawa, Monona County. Clara died while they were living near Jefferson, Iowa on a farm. Napoleon and Clara had six girls, Abbie born March 25, 1883, Mable Sarah born August 4, 1885, Pearl Louise born July 23, 1886, Cora born September 30, 1890, Blanche born February 26, 1894, and Annie Laurie born January 8, 1903.
Abbie married a Mr. Peterson on October 28, 1905, and had four children; Carl born May 7, 1906; Victor Hugo born November, 1907, Blanche Marie born April, 1911, Paul born August, 1913. Abbie lived on a farm at Kiester, Freborn County, Minnesota. Mable married Calvin Glenn Studylin and lived at Oilwein, Iowa.
Pearl Louise married Mahlon Morris in February, 1906 and lived on a farm at Jefferson, Green County, Iowa. They had three children, Lena born December 12, 1908, Helen born October 13, 1910 and Ruby born August.
Cora married a Mr. Terrill and lived on a farm at Jackson, Minnesota.
Blanche married a Mr. Shane and lived in Plattsville, Colorado where he is a druggist.
Annie Laurie lived with her sister Mable at Oilwein, Iowa.
William was born in 1855 and married. His wife's name is not known. They had three
girls. One girl lived in Manhattan, Kansas and another lived in New Mexico.
Samuel was born February 7, 1851 and married Harriett Eddy about 1872. Their family is listed a little later.
John Cowsie of Des Moines knew Jonas very well while they lived in Iowa County, and
he stated that Jonas Mantz had rendered a great service to that county in bringing in
valuable horses. Jonas purchased the best that could be bought and said if he were
young again he would deal exclusively in Belgium Horses, as he had the utmost
confidence in them.
In 1915 Jonas had about thirty five grandchildren and forty great grandchildren. He
voted for Henry Clay his first time to vote and always voted the Republican ticket. At this
time he still owned a valuable stallion named Brutus who cost $3,500.00. He had
married twice and both wives were dead.
At this time he made his home with his son, Samuel in Audobon, Iowa. There he made
his last will and testament. His health was fairly good for a man his age and he traveled
much over the railroads alone. About two weeks before this interview took place he
traveled alone all the way from Delphos, Kansas to Audobon.
His mind was clear and he remembered well for a man of his age. He had an
extraordinary strong physical constitution and never knew what sickness was. Jonas
died January 27, 1917 at Belle Plaine, Iowa.
The following is his obituary published January 31, 1917 in the "Sigourney Review".
"Jonas Mantz was born July 21, 1821 near Tamqua, Schuylkill County, PA and died
January 27, 1917 at Belle Plaine, Iowa. He was the oldest of seven children. In his youth
he was catechized and confirmed in the German Reform Church. In his later years he
often referred to his experience when talking with intimate friends concerning the
spiritual life.
In 1842, he was married to Miss Abbie Ruch who died in 1871. To this union were born
ten children, seven of whom survive to mourn his loss: Moses, Trimble, Ohio, Edward
of West Bend, Iowa, Samuel of Audonbon, Iowa, Mrs. Alice Leech of Omaha,
Nebraska, W. P. of West Bend, Iowa, Mrs. Louise Lanning of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Four
children passed away before; Frank, Will, George, and Mrs. Sarah Felt.
There are thirty-four grandchildren and fifty-seven great grandchildren, who with the
children living make a total of one hundred and one descendents.
In 1855, Mr. Mantz moved to Iowa settling on a farm near Webster, Iowa. Later he
moved to Northwestern Iowa. During his life he was a great lover of horses and was
instrumental in their improvement through his adopted state. He went on one occasion
to select horses for this purpose. Mr. Mantz was a man of indomitable will and strong
purposes and to a remarkable extent retained his physical and mental faculties until the
end, which came at the advanced age of 95 years, 6 months and 6 days. He was a
remarkable man in many ways and with his passing, Iowa has lost another of her great
pioneer citizens.
We are sorry that these brave men are leaving these earthly scenes so rapidly. "They
have labored and we have entered into their labors." We today, enjoy the privileges and
blessings that they fought to secure. Out of the forest and the prairie they, by industry
and perseverance carved not only an empire, but an imperishable name. Mr. Mantz was
one of those worthy men who earned the lasting gratitude of those who mourn his
departure.
The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church at Webster on Monday, January 29,
conducted by Rev. W. J. Scott. Interment took place at Sordan Cemetery. "
August 13, 1913, Audobon, Iowa.
Last Will and Testament of Jonas Mantz
I, Jonas Mantz, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make,
declare and publish this to be my last will and testament hereby and herein revoking all
other wills by heretofore made, that is to say:
(1) That there shall first be paid the expense of my last sickness and funeral.
(2) It is my will and desire that upon my decease that my body shall be taken to
Webster, Iowa and there be buried in a lot which I have provided and upon which I have
caused to be erected a monument. The reason why I wish to be buried in said cemetery
is because many of my relatives and my father is buried there.
(3) It is my will and desire that each of the three daughters of my deceased son,
William, be given out of the proceeds of my estate the sum of five hundred dollars a
peice. However, should I give to each of said daughters of said deceased son any
property before my death, then in that event said sum or sums or property is to be
deducted from said legacy as provided, it being my intention to treat whatever I may give
them before my decease as a part of said legacy.
(4) To my son, Moses Mantz of Ohio, I give nothing for the reason that he has no one
dependent upon him and now draws a pension from the government.
(5) To my son, Ed Mantz of West Bend, Iowa, I give and donate the sum of one
hundred dollars as the share coming to him.
(6) All the rest, residue and remainder of my property of whatever kind and description
and give, devise, and bequeath unto my children. N. M. Mantz, Alice Leach, S. L. Mantz,
Louise Lanning, and the share coming to my daughter Sadie (Sarah) Felt to go to her
son, William Felt of Kansas, all subject to the provisions following.
(7) To my daughter, Louise Lanning, I have heretofore given considerable property and
it is my wish and will and I so direct that the share coming to her under the paragraph
preceding shall be left in the hands of a trustee and shall pay to said Louise Lanning the
income therefrom until the said Louise Lanning shall arrive at the age of seventy years
at which time said trustee shall turn the principal sum over to the said Louise Lanning
and it shall become her property absolutely, provided however that should the said
Louise Lanning, now a widow, remarry at any time after my decease or at anytime after
the execution of this instrument, then the part already received by her shall constitute
her only legacy and the part which is left with said trustee shall be distributed to the
other heirs named in paragraph six hereof or to their heirs if they are deceased.
It is my will that my grandson, H. J. Mantz of Audobon, Iowa shall be executor to carry
out the terms of this will.
Dated at Audon, Iowa, this 13th day of August, 1913
His
Jonas X Mantz
Mark
Charles S. White and L. G. Bagley. (Witnesses)
SAMUEL LOUIS MANTZ
Samuel Mantz was born in Carbon County, PA, on February 7, 1851. the son of Jonas and Hannah Miller Mantz. He married Harriett Eddy in Iowa about 1872. To this union were born eight children and in 1915 all were living. Harriett Eddy was born January 17, 1851. Their children are as follows;
Clarence Everett was born March 30, 1873, at this date unmarried and living with his parents at Audobon.
Jessie Franklin was born June 27, 1875. He married Ella Fisher at Audobon. They had two children, a boy Victor, and a girl Greeta. They lived in Manning, Iowa and he ran the Manning Monitor. a newspaper.
Halleck Jonas was born September 23, 1877. He married Dorothy Sanberg of Council Bluffs. They had no children, but adopted two, a boy Paul and a girl. Halleck was an attorney in Audobon.
William Delmar was born March 15, 1880. He married Zelma Hahn of Audobon. They had one boy, Clark, and lived on a farm near Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Clara Alice was born June 17, 1883 and married Frank Taylor on her 21st birthday, June 17,1904 at Audobon. They lived on a farm near Panora and had three children, Alice, Jack and Halleck.
Theodore Foster was born April 11, 1886 at Audobon. He married Helen Jewett of Des Moines on November 26,1913 at Boone, Iowa. They had no children.
Sarah Francis was born June 27, 1887. She married George Schmidt and lived on a farm southwest of Audobon. They had two girls, Marie and Helen.
James Albert was born 1891 and married Minnie Kirk at Kimballton, Iowa in 1918. Albert was a depot operator at Kimballton for a number of years and was in the United States Army in 1915.
S. L. Mantz Dies
November 23, 1934
Obituary of Samuel Lewis Mantz
Theodore Mantz, Des Moines Attorney, received word Thursday of the death of his
father, S. L. Mantz, 83, at Audobon, Iowa. Eight children survive, among whom is the
District Judge, H. J. Mantz, of Audobon. Funeral services have not been arranged.
Samuel Lewis Mantz, son of Jonas and Abbie Ruch Mantz, was born in Schuylkill
County, PA and died at his home in Audobon, on November 22, 1934. While of
advanced age and not physically rugged, he seemed as usual, making several trips
uptown daily, until about 10 days before his death, when he became ill. While at times,
he seemed improved, his condition took a change for the worse about noon on the day
of his death, and in a short time he passed away. For a number of years he had been a
sufferer of from heart and kidney trouble, and these, with recent complications, caused
his death.
He was a descendent of the rugged pioneer stock of this country. His ancestors came to
America from Switzerland about 1750, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania, a district
populated largely by Pennsylvania Dutch. In 1856 he came, with his parents, to Keokuk
County, Iowa, and from there moved to Iowa County in 1860. There he grew to
manhood and was married to Harriet Eddy. This union last until broken by the death of
Mrs. Mantz on March 21, 1929. To this union were born eight children, all of whom are
living. There are also 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, two brothers, Ed of
West Bend and N.H. of Spirit Lake, and one sister, Alice Leach of Omaha.
On October 3, 1882, Mr. Mantz came to Audobon County with his family and lived on a
farm about two miles northwest of Audobon until the spring of 1903, when he closed his
farming operations, and moved to Audobon, at which place he resided since that time.
Even after leaving the farm he retained his active interest in all matters connected with
the farm.
Several of his children live here. The children are Everett, Audobon; Frank, Strawberry
Point; Hal J., Audobon; William D., Audobon; Mrs Frank (Clara) Taylor, Hobart,
Oklahoma; Theodore F., Des Moines; Mrs. George Schmidt, Audobon; and Albert, Belle
Plaine, Canada.
For many years the family home here has been a happy meeting place for the family.
Hardly a day passed but some of them visited there. These were bright and happy
occasions for the deceased; he eagerly looked forward to these visits. His was a kindly,
genial disposition, and the loved the company of the members of his family.
When a child, he was baptized in the Lutheran faith. He gave scant heed or concern to
the creeds or dogmas. His philosophy of life and living can best be expressed in terms
of the Golden Rule. His life was the embodiment of honor, honest and fair dealing,
coupled with his unbounded faith in his fellow man. Thus, after living through a long and
eventful period, we witness his departure, a life with its cycle complete.
The funeral was held Saturday, November 24, at the family home, the Rev. Paul E.
Parker, officiating. Gay S. Thomas, at the family's request, sang the same songs which
were used at the funeral of Mrs.Samuel Mantz in March, 1929. Pall bearers were five
sons and one son-in-law of the deceased. Burial was in Arlington Heights Cemetery.
Out of town relatives attending were Alice Leach, Tim Leach and Jesse Gronstal,
Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. N. N. Mantz and Mr. and Mrs. William Stone, West Bend; Mrs.
Marie Harr and daughter, Shirley, Lincoln, Nebraska. All the children except the
daughter living in Oklahoma were present.
This information was taken from Theodore's notes. The copy of his notes that I had to
work from was missing two pages at the last. Judging from the last page, possibly the
missing pages could have been copies of Samuel and Harriet's wills. These are probably
on file at the court house at Audobon, or county seat of that county, if not Audobon.
Family Bible Records
Louis Samuel Mantz and Harriett Eddy Mantz
Louis Samuel Mantz born Feb. 7, 1851
Harriett Hutchinson Eddy born Jan. 7, 1851
Clarence Everett Mantz born Jan. 17, 1873
Jesse Frank Mantz born June 27, 1875 married Ella Fisher Dec. 25, 1900, Audobon, IA
Jonas Halleck Mantz born Sept. 23. 187 married Dorthey Sanberg Aug. 27, 1910
William Delmer Mantz born March 15, 1880 married Zelma Hahn Nov. 14, 1907
Sarah Francis Mantz born June 27, 1881, Audobon, IA married George Schmidt Dec.
28, 1909
Clara Alice Mantz born June 17, 1882 married Franklin Albert Taylor June 17, 1904
Theodore F. Mantz born April 11, 1886 married Helen Jewett Nov. 26, 1913, Des
Moines, IA
Albert Mantz born April 18, 1891, Audobon, IA married Minnie Kirk, fall 1918.
NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL
District Court in and for Audobon County, State of Iowa
SS.
Audobon County
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
WHEREAS, On the 24th day of November A. D. 1934, a paper purporting to be the
last Will and Testament of S. L. Mantz, late of said County, deceased, was filed
in my office, and was to be opened and read, on the first day of December, 1934,
at 9:00 A. M. Appointed and fixed as the time when the same will come before
the Court at the October term thereof then to be held, for final proof and probate,
as the duly executed last Will and Testament of the said S. L. Mantz deceased
at which time all persons interested may appear and show cause why the same
should not be admitted to probate.
Dated this 27th day of November, 1934
John H. Crees
Clerk
Newspaper Obituary
EVERETT MANTZ DIES EARLY WEDNESDAY
Had Been Hospital Patient Two Weeks
Resident of Audobon Since Boyhoodv Everett Mantz, 64, a resident of Audobon
during the greater part of his life, died at 5:15 o'clock Wednesday morning
at St. Anthony's Hospital in Carroll. He had been a patient there for slightly
more than two weeks, in constant care of two special nurses. Mr. Mantz's health
began to fail more than a year ago. He became bedfast only a few weeks ago,
however. Born in Iowa County
He was born in Iowa County, Iowa March 30, 1873, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel L. Mantz, pioneer Audobon residents. He came to Audobon with his parents
in 1882, and had lived here since, with the exception of a few years which he
spent on his farm in Oklahoma. He also owned a farm east of Audobon, although
he never engaged actively in it's operation.
Mr. Mantz was unmarried. He made his home with his parents for many years. His
mother died some four years ago. Since then, he had lived with his brother,
W. D. Mantz and family.
The Survivors
Survivors include five brothers and two sisters, as follows: Frank Mantz, Strawberry
Point, IA, Judge H. J. Mantz, Audobon, W. D> Mantz, Audobon, Theodore Mantz,
Des Moines, Albert Mantz, Belle Plaine, Sask., Canada, Mrs Clara Taylor, Hobart,
Oklahoma, and Mr. George Schmidt, near Audobon.
Funeral Services will be held Friday at 2:00 P.M. at the F. H. McFadden Funeral
Home. Burial will be in Arlington Heights Cemetery.
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