Thirty eight years of marriage doesn't make the list of the longest union in the family tree or the shortest, but it was a memorable length of time for my second great grandparents, Charles and Matilda Foltz.
Matilda and Charles Foltz, circa 1888.
Although Charles was raised in Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, the Civil War seemed to be the catalyst for his resettling further west. His half-brother John Henry Fultz put down roots in Livingston County, Illinois by 1868 and Charles must have arrived within a few years. There, he met Matilda Stafford, who had grown up in the area.
Charles and Matilda Foltz, wedding portrait tintype, Illinois, 1872.
On March 3rd, 1872, Charles (23 years old) and Matilda (16 years old) were wed in Eppards Point, Livingston County, Illinois by Reverend H. D. Ledgerwood of Weston (who had also officiated John Fultz's marriage to Harriet Switzer).
Charles E. Foltz and Matilda K. Stafford marriage license, Livingston County, Illinois, 3 Mar 1872.
Their first born arrived on 22 May 1874, but they didn't let the infant stop them from living their lives. They decided it was time to branch out on their own. They headed further west, landing in Platte Township, Taylor County, Iowa. Charles could provide for his growing family there by running their own farm.
He hired a 32-year-old widower from Pennsylvania, Robert Vinton Coulter, to help on the 45 acres of land he owned. The family was soon prospering with a farm valued at 1000 dollars and livestock, including cattle, pigs, and chickens, valued around 350 dollars. In 1879, records show they had a 1/2 acre apple orchard and were able to produce 156 pounds of butter, 12 dozen eggs, 1500 bushels of Indian corn, 60 bushels of wheat, 2 bushels of dry beans, 100 gallons of molasses, and 35 bushels of potatoes.
George LeeRoy Foltz, tintype portrait, circa 1882.
They had two more sons while living in Taylor County, including my great grandfather George LeeRoy, before heading further west into Kansas. They continued in the business of farming, and Matilda gave birth to two more sons, rounding out their family with five strapping young boys!
Charles and Matilda Foltz with five grown sons, Kansas, circa 1893.
But what's a marriage without some time to yourself? The couple needed to get away. In late 1893, they made a trip back to Matilda's home state of Illinois. It was a grand affair.
The Vermillion Record, Vermillion, Kansas, 27 Oct 1893.
The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago was just about over, but the Foltzes made it in time before its closing. They even purchased a souvenir that has stayed in the family and withstood the test of time for over 120 years.
World's Fair Chicago souvenir goblet, 1893.
Their travels didn't end there. They took off with their fellow Kansas neighbors to Cincinnati, Ohio in September of 1898 to celebrate the 32nd annual National GAR Encampment, a fraternity-like gathering to honor Union vets of the Civil War.
Frankfort Review, Frankfort, Kansas, 2 Sep 1898.
Matilda and Charles Foltz (on right), circa 1898.
The above photo may have been taken on that trip. Unfortunately, there aren't many photos of the two together to catalogue all of their time spent on the road. But it was certainly plentiful, if the newspaper accounts told the half of it. At least one of them was always being mentioned as out and about across the nation visiting relatives. In 1902, when they caught word that Matilda's mother was ailing, they immediately set off to Illinois, no questions asked. They were both by her side as she passed.
That coming summer, Charles proved his love for his wife even more when they both nearly drowned while attempting to cross a flooded river bank in their buggy. After Matilda was swept away by the rushing waters, he immediately came to her aid and managed to rescue her.
Charles Edward Foltz on buggy, Colorado Springs, 1916; photo from Anna Gail Foltz Morris whose mother and father had in their possession before her; posted on Ancestry.com by user debbierussell_2.
His devotion to her did not stop there. As Matilda entered her late 40s and early 50s, she was in a constant battle with her body. She suffered from rheumatism, the inflammation of joints and muscles; so much so, she needed crutches to aid in her walking. And although this stifled their life outside the home, Charles didn't abandon her in this time of need. He special-ordered a leather rocking chair from Chicago just to surprise her! She was able to enjoy even this struggling time by sewing and reading, with her husband by her side.
Sadly, one day when they did venture out together in November of 1910, their luck took a turn for the worst when their buggy struck a ditch. Matilda was thrown off and badly injured. In the weeks following, she was left in critical condition and unable to recover. She passed away on December 19th, leaving Charles a heartbroken widower.
The Blue Rapids Journal, "Death of Mrs. Foltz.", Blue Rapids, Kansas, 29 Dec 1910.
Charles lived another 11 years, though suffered from bouts of paralysis through most of that time for unknown reasons. He died in 1921 and was buried with his beloved wife in Vermillion Cemetery in Marshall County, Kansas.
Charles and Matilda Foltz tombstone, Vermillion Cemetery, Kansas.
They sound like a devoted couple. Thanks for sharing their story.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the delayed reply! Blogger has not been my friend of late. But I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story. <3
DeleteIt's amazing the details of a life lived so long ago that can be discovered. Thanks for sharing.
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