Thursday, May 28, 2009

Charles Utz

Fulton Journal
Jan 20, 1939

Charles G. Utz, a retired businessman, passed away at his home on Lincolnway at 12:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon after a lingering illness of four years duration. Since November 1st, his condition had been serious and he required attention both night and day, which was faithfully given by his wife.
Funeral services were held at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon in Fay's chapel, with the Rev. Jones Earl Corwin, pastor of the Presbyterian church, officiating.
During the service, Mr. and Mrs. Mino Flikkema sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Nearer My God to Thee."
Pallbearers were W.J. Considine, James McCullagh, W.H. Tremayne, W.H. Mitchell, Earl Rush, David Schwab, and Charles Johnson. Interment was in the Fulton cemetery.
Charles Gottlieb Utz was born in Chicago, October 1, 1856, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Utz. When four years of age his family moved to Dixon and two years later,1862, located in Fulton.
He was educated in the Fulton schools and upon the completion of his studies he worked for his father, learning the butcher trade. In 1896, he opened a meat market of his own, but a year later he and his wife went to Davenport. They resided there and in Chicago for five years and upon their return here he went into business with his father.
The elder Mr. Utz retired from business in 1905, turning his shop over to his two sons, Charles and Fred, and for eight years they were in partnership. The former bought his brother's share in 1913 and managed it until his retirement four years ago. He spent his remaining years in a well earned vacation.
Mr. Utz was a first class butcher, having learned the trade thoroughly under the tutelage of his father. When he retired, it was the first time in over seventy years that a meat market was not managed or owned by a member of the Utz family.
Throughout his residence here he maintained the respect of his fellowmen and was held in high esteem by all.
On July 25, 1896, he was married to Rosa Palina Neff, and to this union six children were born, all of whom passed away in infancy. Mrs. Utz died on March 15, 1914, and on August 12, 1915, he married Miss Louise Thomson of Fulton, who died in 1925.
On October 4, 1932, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Julia Larson of Elwood, Ill., the ceremony taking place in the parsonage of the St. Paul's Lutheran church in Clinton.
He is survived by his wife, two brothers, Fred and William, a niece, Mrs. T.W. Jones, all of Fulton, a nephew, Curtis Utz of Kewanee, a step-son, Louis Larson, and a step-daughter, Mrs. Ellen Carlson, both of Cadillac, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Carl and William, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Rosebud, and those mentioned above.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Obit: Grace Sterenberg

FultonJournal
December 3, 1918
Death of Aged Woman

Having been a continuous resident of Fulton for nearly a third of a century, Mrs. Grace Sterenberg, Friday afternoon, answered the final call and passed away at her home on Fourteenth avenue, the cause of her death being due to infirmities of old age.
Mrs. Sterenberg, whose maiden name was Grace Vandenberg, was born in the town of Uithuirmeeden, in the province of Gronegen, Holland, September 18, 1836. About sixty years ago in her native country, she was married to Thomas Bruins, who died in 1880, leaving her with the care of three sons and three daughters. Six years later Mrs. Bruins with her three daughters and two sons, Jacob and Claus, came to this country and located in Fulton. In 1890 Mrs. Bruins became the wife of B.J. Sterenberg. He died nine years ago.
Mrs. Sterenberg had no children by her second marriage, but by her first marriage leaves three daughters, Winnie, the wife of Henry Knoll, who resides in Ustick: Jennie at home and Anna, who married Roy Sikkema and resides in Fulton; also three sons, John Bruins in Holland, Jacob of Morrison and Claus Bruins of Fulton, and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Ludens of Chicago and Mrs. J.H. Spoolman of Fulton.
Mrs. Sterenberg became ill Thursday night, and to those about her it was evident that the end was near and her children were called to her bedside and were present when she passed away.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the First Reformed church with services conducted by Rev. William VanVliet; interment in the Fulton cemetery.

Mrs. Berend Sterenberg

Fulton Journal
March 24, 1876

Died: Near Fulton, March 19, 1876, Mrs. Berend Sterenberg, aged 40 years and 9 months. By this affliction, seven children are left motherless, the youngest being less than a year old. The funeral of the deceased was attended on Tuesday afternoon at the Reformed church, by a very large congregation, including many persons who speak and understand English only. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Hazenberg, conducted the first part of the services in the Holland language, his discourse being listened to by his people with much earnestness and tenderness. The remaining services were conducted in English by Revs. D.E. Wells and Josiah Leonard.

Mrs. Moses Green

FultonJournal
September 8, 1882

Mrs. Moses A Green, wife of M.A. Green of Ustick township, died very suddenly on the Fair grounds at Morrison on Thursday afternoon at about half-past two o'clock. She had just partaken of a lunch and went off under the trees to enjoy a smoke and rest, where she was soon after found in a dying condition. Medical aid was summoned at once but it did not avail and shortly after she breathed her last. Her death was said to be caused by exhaustion, and effusion of the brain.

Family Reunion: Green

Fulton Journal
August 9, 1889

A birthday anniversary was held August 4th in honor of Mrs.Susanna Green, in Ustick, at the residence of Mrs. John Pape, by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a few old neighbors and friends to the number of seventy-five. There were present thirty-two great grandchildren, twenty-five grandchildren and six of her own children. Five other children scattered around in other states could not be present. Mrs. Giles Hoover, of Ohio, came last Wednesday, and Mrs. Edward Height, of Winfield, Iowa, came Thursday to celebrate their mother's birthday. They will visit friends and relatives for two or three weeks and then return home. Mr. and Mrs. Birt Embick, of Leaf River, her grandchildren, were present. Mrs. Susanna Green is very smart, and gets out around as active as lots of folks at sixty, and this being her 90th birthday, speaks well for this venerable old lady. She raised a family of twelve children, and eleven of them are living now. Moses A. Green is the oldest child and Mrs. Pape is the youngest. At about noon two tables were spread out under the shade of two large maple trees and they were spread with a bountiful supply of food. About three o'clock a fervent prayer was offered by George Pape, of York, and after a good handshaking with the old lady all wended their way home thinking they had spent a very pleasant day.

Great River Road Kiosk: Akker/Balk

2009:
Den Besten Park next to de Immigrant windmill is the site of the new Great River Road Kiosk in Fulton. One side focuses on the Great River Road and the other on the history of Fulton.
A large picture of farmers working a field is featured on the local history side. No identification of the people is indicated. However, the photograph was given by Mrs. Paul (Evelyn) Sterenberg taken at the Sebe Akker farm and worked by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Balk. The farm was located at Blind Charlie’s Corner on what is now Penrose Road. Their descendents are numerous in Whiteside County.
Mrs. Peter Balk was born Kate Akker on December 7, 1867, the daughter of John and Abeltje Akker. She lived until August 13, 1943. Her obituary states that “older residents well remember that she was in charge of a milk route in town and regardless of weather conditions was faithful to her duties, a trait characteristic of her in anything she ever undertook to do.” She had one brother, Sebe Akker, and sisters, Ellen Akker Tillema (Albert), Josie Akker Flikkema (Henry), Maggie Akker Dykema (George) and two half brothers, John and George Kolk.
On February 6, 1887 she married Peter Balk who lived until December 6, 1935. They had five daughters, Mrs. Clarence Bielema, Mrs. Dick (Jennie) Tichler, Mrs. John (Margaret) Klimstra, Mrs. Peter (Abbie) Wiersema and Mrs. Ren (Ella) Dykstra; four sons, John, Roy, Clarence and George.
Peter Balk was born in the Netherlands in 1863 and came to the U.S. at age 17. His sisters were Mrs. Louis Pyse and Mrs. Jake Sikkema and a brother, Corneil.
Fulton is proud of its opportunity to be a selected city for the placement of this kiosk. Its location in the riverfront park beckons for picnics or relaxing in the beautiful setting.

John Phelps

Fulton Journal
February 8,1884

John Phelps was born in Greenfield, Franklin county, Massachusetts, Thursday, April 8, 1819 and died at Morrison, Illinois, at 11 o'clock p.m. Tuesday, February
5,1884, making his age sixty-four years, nine months and twenty-seven days. While at Morrison, January 31, he received a paralytic stroke from which he did not recover. The remains were brought to Fulton Wednesday and the funeral held at his former home, Rev. W.D. Smith preaching the funeral sermon. Afterwards Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A.F. and A.M., of which the deceased was a member, took charge of the obsequies, and under the direction of Worshipful Master Snyder escorted the body to the cemetery, where it was deposited in its final resting place with the appropriate ceremonies of that order. In 1884 (?) Mr. Phelps came to Fulton where he has since lived. Soon after he arrived he commenced mercantile business with his brother, under the firm name of A.& J. Phelps. In 1849 his brother died and Mr. Phelps continued in business till 1855 when he sold out and built the stone warehouse on the levee. Mr. Phelps filled with credit many offices of trust. In years gone by he took an active interest in the advancement of this city. In 1853 in company with Judge James McCoy, he purchased in St.Louis press and type for the first newspaper in this part of the State. The first numbers of the paper, called the Whiteside Investigator, was issued in May, 1854, and after various changes in 1863 the name became the Fulton Journal. Mr. Phelps was widely known throughout this section, and leaves a son and a daughter, also many friends who knew and appreciated his good qualities.

Passing Through

Fulton Journal
May 21, 1875

The delegation of Sioux Indians who are to present their grievances to the "Great Father" at Washington, passed through this city last Friday morning, on the Northwestern Railway, and were objects of considerable interest to those who happened to be at the depot at the time. The celebrities were Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Pawnee Killer, American Horse, Conquering Bear, Swift Bear, Bad Wound, Sitting Bull, Tall Lance, Fast Thinker, Crow Dog and Shoulder. Only one had his squaw with him, and the reason was that she refused to stay behind and plant corn while her lord and master was living on the fat of the land at the big hotels. The party occupied a special car attached to the rear of the train.