Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Arnold and Bertha (Gutzmer) Schuetz, 6 South 49 West



Arnold Schutz in 1880 is in Richardson County, Nebraska, from where many settlers came to Kit Carson County.
Arnold is 15, with Gottleib Schutz 42 and Anna 40, Arnold 16, Mary 13, Zack 10, all born in Switzerland, Jacob 9, John 4, and Eliza 1 in Nebraska.

Gottlieb Schuets having ten children of whom only five survived him. Maria (Mary) Schuetz, born in 1867 in Switzerland was the only daughter to survive Gottlieb Schuetz, and she started the Dean family line marrying German-born Dirk Sutorius in 1889. Their daughter Emma, born in 1890 married a recent emigrant from Germany (1908) Edo F. Harms in 1914. All three generations lived in Humboldt in close proximity with various relatives (Emma Sutorius's uncle John Schuetz lived right next door to her family according to the 1930 census).
First settled in 1855, Humboldt, Nebraska is very close to Nebraska's borders with three states: Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. The town was a home to a vibrant immigrant community uniting people from Germany, Switzerland, Bohemia, and later Czechoslovakia, England, and various other places in the United States and beyond. The German-speaking community organized around the German Methodist mission that established a church in Humboldt in 1879, of which Gottlieb Schuetz was a member and maybe even a pastor.

Arnold "Schultz" claimed a quarter in 23, 6S 49W in 1891.



In 1900 Richardson County, Arnold is farming, born February 1864 in Switzerland, immigrating in 1870. He's married 12 years to Bertha Nov 1869 in Nebraska. Gertie M. December 1889 was born in Colorado, Magie E. Sept 1897 and Lydia Jaune 1898 born in Nebraska.
Arnold is farming in 1910 Richardson County, with Bertha 40, Gertrude 20, Maggie 15, and Lydia 11.

Thanks to Harold Rexroth and the Schuetz family for the great photographs and story.




Soil health and soil building are not concepts that farmers and conservationists have come up with in recent years. The importance of the soil has been known since ancient times, but how we handle soils that have eroded or are worn out has changed a bit. Yet, the goals are still the same. In a January 1915 issue of Nebraska Farmer, Richardson County farmer Arnold Schuetz wrote about his own tale of soil-building on a farm that he purchased. Some of the techniques mentioned in his column would be well-understood by no-till and conservation tillage farmers today. Some of Schuetz's insights into the importance of soil health could have been uttered word for word at soil health workshops around the country in 2017.
Schuetz wrote that he purchased a worn-out, rocky farm in Richardson County in 1909. He noted that some farms in his area had been "farmed to death, with no thought ever given to the fact that manure was needed, and as a result, small ditches had begun to wash." Schuetz wrote that no effort was made to stop the erosion, so the land was finally left to grow up in weeds. "There are many farms here in Richardson County that are rented from year to year which have been 'corned' to death," he added.
Schuetz spent several months digging rocks, large and small, out of the fields by hand and removing them. The ditches and gulleys that had washed across the fields were then filled with old straw and brush. "Two old straw stacks were hauled into one large ditch," Schuetz wrote. He scattered a load of high-quality alfalfa hay on top of the straw and turned cattle and horses into the field to eat the hay and pack down the straw and brush. He added corn fodder in one of the larger ditches for several weeks, so cattle would bed down at night and wait there for fodder each morning. Over time, the packing helped build up the ditch.
Schuetz actually plowed down the sides of the ditches and placed a layer of new soil on top of the packed straw and brush, seeding alfalfa into the new seedbed on top of the ditches. He kept adding manure to the field over subsequent years, and was able to repair much of the eroded gulleys in this way.
Schuetz described the process in his article in great detail. His process reminded me a little of practices employed by Missouri River Valley farmers to repair huge potholes made by the floods of 2011. He also lamented about the need for farmers to be concerned about soil health.
"We should look into the future and see what it will mean 20 years from now, if present conditions are allowed to continue," he wrote. "We should look ahead and think of our children, and try to keep the farm in as fertile a condition as it was when we obtained it." He suggested crop rotation, the use of alfalfa and clovers, and liberal use of barnyard manure as methods to accomplish this goal. So, it seems Schuetz might have been onto something when he wrote to the magazine more than a century ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

In 1920 Richardson County, Arnold and Bertha only have Lydia 21.

1939 "Two Humboldt couples, Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Sutorious and Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Schuetz, celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries Saturday, March 4. Mr. and Mrs. Sutorius' anniversary was on February 28 and that of Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz March 7, so the double celebration was held between the two dates. Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz were attendants at the Sutorius wedding and Jake Schuetz, of Verdon, brother of Mr. Schuetz, and Sarah Riechers Smith were attendants at the Schuetz marriage. The anniversary was observed in the Methodist church, with a reception following the ceremony. "
Mary Schuetz was born in Switzerland, and came in when a small girl. With the exception of two years in Pawnee county, she always has lived in the Humboldt vicinity. Dirk Sutorius was born in Germany November 14, 1853, and came to this country in 1870. Apart from a year in Omaha, Mr. Sutorius has lived in or near Humboldt. Their marriage took place in the German Reformed church near Humboldt. They lived on a farm near Humboldt until 17 years ago, when they removed to town. They have two children: Walter Sutorius and Emma Sutorius Harms, Humboldt; 10 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. "

Miss Bertha Gutzmer was born November 20, 1868, south of Humboldt. Arnold Schuetz, born in Switzerland February 7, 1864, came with his parents to a farm southwest of Pawnee City in 1870. A year later they went to Richardson county, southwest of Humboldt. Following the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz went to Kit Carson county, Colorado, on a homestead. They returned to a farm near Humboldt in 1890, where they lived until 1914 when they removed to town. They have two living daughters: Mrs. Carl Sandfort and Mrs. Roy Rexroth; and six grandchildren"

In 1940 Humboldt, Arnold and Bertha are retired, with her brother George Gutzman 66 living with them.

March 10, 1942 " Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Schuetz celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary Saturday at their home. Mr. Schuetz came to the Humboldt vicinity from Switzerland in 1870 and has made his home here ever since. Mrs. Schuetz was born and raised on a farm five miles south of Humboldt. Twelve years ago Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz retired from active life and built a home in town where they now live. "

Arnold 1864-1949 is buried in Humboldt, per # 54826495. So is Bertha 1868-1957, # 54826496. In another cemetery in Humboldt are her parents Daniel and Wilhelmina Gutzmer, both dying in 1892 buried in Humboldt.



LYDIA

In 1930 Lydia is married to Roy H. Rexroth, 30, and they have Harriet N. 5.

In 1940, farming in Richardson County, Roy and Lydia have Harriet 15 adn harold 9.

In 1945, Roy is a driver for Lincoln City Lines, with Lydia at 3536 R. Harried lives with them, a helper at Gold an Co.

Harold graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947.

1950 "Harold Rexroth has returned to Bremerton, Wash., after spending a 20 day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rexroth. He is in the electrical division with the Navy at Bremerton"

In 1953, Roy is a carpenter in Lincoln, Nebraska, with Lydia living at 207 N. 33rd.
Harold is a television serviceman, married to Marilyn R.
Harriet is a supervisor, living with Roy and Lydia.

Lydia, born June 25, 1898 in Nebraska, died December 14, 1975 in Los Angeles County.

Harriet, born Dec 25, 1924, died March 8, 1974 in Los Angeles County.

1951 Lincoln " Marilyn Rae Cottingham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cottingbam, to Harold D. Rexroth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy H. Rexroth."

Harold D. Rexroth, born May 25, 1930, was living in Walla Walla, Washington in 1997.

Rex and Marilyn Rexroth of 735 Wheatland St. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 15, 2001, in Seattle with family members. The couple met while high school students in Lincoln, Neb. They were married there on Sept. 13, 1951. Marilyn's maiden name is Cottingham.
Rex Rexroth was born in Humboldt, Neb. After completion of high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. Marilyn Rexroth was bo4n in North Platte, Neb. She attended the University of Nebraska and was employed by the State of Nebraska Highway Department. Following their wedding, the couple lived in Stockton, Calif., for a year while Mr. Rexroth completed his tour in the Navy. They then moved to Nebraska for a few years prior to moving to Stockton, Calif., where Mr. Rexroth was employed by North American Aviation and attended college. They later moved to the Sacramento area and he was employed by Douglas Aircraft Co. at the Missile Test Base. The couple moved to Renton, Wash., in 1967, and both were employed by Boeing Co. Mr. Rexroth retired in 1993 following 25 years with the company and Mrs. Rexroth worked there for five years.
They moved to Walla Walla from Lynnwood, Wash., in 1997. Mr. and Mrs. Rexroth are active members of Pioneer United Methodist Church where they both sing in the choir. They have three daughters, Denise Rexroth of Everett, Wash., Debra Robinson of Pacific, Wash., and Diane Trim of Covington, Wash.; a son, David Rexroth of Tacoma; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

This is Marilyn's sister:
Winona Christine Bales, 89, of Lee's Summit, Missouri passed away April 2, 2013. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday April 5, 2013, at Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Missouri 64133. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. before the service. Interment and a burial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Ridge Park Cemetery, Marshall, Missouri. Winona was born on February 6, 1924 in Staples, Minnesota to Ray and Inga Cottingham. The family moved to North Platte, Nebraska where Winona spent her childhood. Following graduation from North Platte High School, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked for the U.S. General Services Administration. On November 1, 1947, she married Francis Lee Bales at Luther Place Lutheran Church in Washington D.C. Winona and Francis moved to Kansas City, where they started their life together. They settled in Independence, Missouri and raised two children, Roger and Diane. Winona was employed by the U.S. Federal Government working for the General Services Administration as a clerical specialist and the Internal Revenue Service as a tax examiner. She retired in 1981 with 25 years of service. Winona was a member of Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of the Prairie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and NARFE Chapter 1457 of Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Inga Cottingham, her sister June Holcomb, and her daughter Diane Christine Menendez. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Francis Lee Bales, her son Roger and his wife Joan of Cary, North Carolina and four grandchildren Christopher, Leslie, Amanda and Brandon. She is also survived by a sister Marilyn Rexroth of Walla Walla, WA. and a brother Gayle Cottingham of Harbor City, California. "

Kali went home to our Lord on 30 June, 2008 with her parents, Pam and David by her side. She was born on 19 Feb. 1985 in San Francisco. Kali had the smile of an angel that touched the lives of everyone. She loved to listen to country gospel that gave her peace & country music that excited her. Celebrate Kali's life with a cowboy hat & western attire at Mountain View Garden Chapel on Sat. July 12th at 10 am.


MAGGIE

One tree said Maggie Elizabeth Schuetz died November 2, 1910 in Humboldt.

FindaGrave # 54826502 has her buried in Humboldt.


GERTRUDE

Gertrude Mina Sandfort was born December 30, 1889 at Seibert, Kit Carson County to Arnold Schuetz and Bertha Gutzmer.

In 1920 Richardson County, Gertrude is 30, married to Carl H. Sandfort, a farmer 29 born in Missouri. They have Dorothy 4.

They're still there in 1930, with Dorothy 15, Lucile 10, Ethel 7, and Marjorie 5.

In 1940 Richardson County, Carl and Gertrude are running a greenhouse, with only Ethel 17 and marjorie 15.

Carl, born Nov 27, 1890 in Missouri, died February 23, 1957 in San Diego County.
He's buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego.

Gertrude - widow of Carl - is in San Diego California in 1963, 1967, 1969, and 1971.
Gertrude is also buried in Mount Hope, on the same stone as her granddaughter Barbara Johnson 1950-2003.

She died in San Diego County November 25, 1990.

The Rev. L. V. Hassell performed a double ring ceremony at the Methodist church in Humboldt Jan. 13, 1946 uniting in marriage Miss Lucille Sandfort, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sandfort of Humboldt, to Dixwell Lathrop, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Lathrop of Los Angeles.

Dorothy Aleon Sandford, born March 25, 1915 in Nebraska, died June 3, 1990 in Los Angeles County.

Ethel Anne Johnson "Sandy", dying April 17, 2010, was born in Humboldt, NE, Feb. 27, 1923 to Carl and Gertrude Sandfort. She graduated from Humbolt High School and then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where she received her degree in nursing. Her first job was at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she met her future husband, Dr. Donald G. Johnson. They married in 1947 and moved to San Diego where she worked briefly at Mercy Hospital before becoming a full-time homemaker. In 1949, the family moved to Lemon Grove, CA, where she lived until her death. She was active in the community and her church, Lemon Grove Lutheran, where she was a charter member. Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Donald, her sons, William (Ceci), and Donald (Susan), daughter Jan Neuhaus, and grandchildren Erin and Andrew Neuhaus (Brooke) and Ryan Johnson. She was preceded in death by daughter Barbara Ann.
Donald Grant Johnson was born in Tyler, Minnesota to Roy and Emma Johnson. He graduated from Tyler High School and then attended St. Olaf College. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska School of Dentistry in Lincoln, Nebraska and received his dental degree. While in Lincoln he met his future wife, Ethel "Sandy" Sandfort. They married in February of 1947 and moved to California for his first job at the naval training center San Diego, providing dental care for the new recruits. In 1949 the family moved to Lemon Grove, CA, where he began his successful, private dental practice.
He was active in the community as a member of the Lemon Grove Lions Club and his church, Lemon Grove Lutheran, where he was a charter member. As an avid fisherman, many benefitted from his skills with the fishing line by accepting his "catch of the day" especially since he didn't like to eat fish! Often time caught fish were buried around his orange grove…..maybe that's why his oranges were always so special! When he wasn't fishing he could be found on the golf course (trying for another hole in one), "playing" in the garage fixing something or swimming. Staying active was important to his as well. He had his morning routine of walking in the park and meeting up with his girlfriends at the park (aka his "harem"). The last few years found him helping with the food distribution at Lemon Grove Lutheran, setting an example of what it means to be a doer of Christ's word.
His no nonsense view of life, twinkling blue eyes and Norwegian wit will be missed. Skoal to his good life!
Survivors include sons William (Ceci), and Donald (Susan), daughter Jan Neuhaus, grandchildren Andrew Neuhaus (Brooke), Erin Forrest (John) and Ryan Johnson, great grandchildren Mark and Caitlin Neuhaus. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sandy (Ethel) and daughter Barbara Ann.

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