Jacob Buchholtz Revisited

At last, the obituary of Jacob Buchholtz has arrived.  Many thanks to Cheryl for sending my way.  The obituary was published in the Escanaba Morning Press, Friday Morning, June 29, 1917.  I had a hunch that Mr. Buchholtz was a man of importance and his well-written obituary depicts a respected man of the community.

Death Takes J. Buchholts
City's Pioneer and Prominent Business Man Answered Summons Last Night—Lived Here Over A Half A Century
Jacob Buchholtz, one of Escanaba's first settlers and for many years one of the city's most prominent business men, passed away last night at St. Francis hospital after an illness of several weeks from a complication of diseases caused by advanced years.
Mr. Buchholtz had been in failing health since early in the spring and for the past five weeks his condition had been serious.  Slowly the aged patient lost strength and last night shortly after 8 o'clock he passed peacefully away, with the members of his family at his bedside.
The body was removed from the hospital last night to the undertaking rooms of J. A. Allo and today will be taken to the home of Henry Abenstein, Ogden avenue, where it will remain until the time of the funeral.
Funeral services will be conducted at St. Joseph's church at 9 o'clock on Monday morning.  Rev. Father Buchholtz of Marquette, son of the deceased, will officiate at the mass, assisted by Rev. Dr. Barth, of St. Patrick's church as deacon and Rev. Father Corcoran of Iron Mountain, as sub-deacon.  The sermon will be delivered by Dr. Barth.
Mr. Buchholtz was born in the Grand Duchey of Luxemburg; March 4, 1840.  He came to the United States early in life and to Delta county in 1863.  When Mr. Buchholtz came to this district not even a village was yet established on what is now the site of the city of Escanaba.  He traveled from Green Bay to Flat Rock by sailing vessel and was employed for a time in the mill at Flat Rock.  He was one of the first men to settle in Escanaba when the village was platted and was engaged in the building of the Northwestern road from this city to Negaunee.  After the completion of the road he engaged in business in this city and was continuously in business here until 15 years ago when he retired from active business life.
Mr. Buchholtz was known to a host of people not only in the city of Escanaba but throughout this section of the peninsula, where he had lived continuously for over a half a century.  He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him and his death Escanaba has lost a substantial, public spirited citizen, whose death will be sincerely mourned by a great many people.
Mr. Buchholtz is survived by three sons, Rev. Father Buchholtz of Marquette; William Buchholtz of Akron, Ohio, and John Buchholtz, of Green Bay.  In addition he is survived by two brothers, Matt Buchholtz of this city and Nicholas Buchholtz now in Luxemburg.  His wife and two daughters preceded him in death.

Jacob Buchholtz 1840 - 1917

This card reminds me of a commercial, I once saw.  A woman justifies a purchase by saying, “It spoke to me.”  My earliest intentions were to only report on funeral cards located and define a  time and place that an interested family historian could trace an important document.  Herr Jacob Buchholtz’s funeral card became the exception … he spoke to me so I purchased the card.  There maybe a family tree submission of Jacob, however, I was not able to locate such with my arm-chair genealogy research tactics. Below are a few initial details about him.

Jacob Buchholtz was born 4 Mar 1840 in Luxembourg.  By 1864, at the age of 24, Jacob and possibly his brother Peter had made their way to the United States.  Two years later, he meets his lovely, Katherina and marries her.   Katherina was also of Luxembourg and came to the United States at the age of 8.  By 1870, Jacob is residing in Escanaba, Michigan and listed as a laborer with his young wife and family, Anna and Willie.  In the following census, Jacob Buchholtz tells the census enumerator that he is “keeping a saloon.”  His family has grown with the addition of Hannah and Jacob Jr.
Delta County Genealogical Society of Michigan has a treasure trove of genealogy material and many specific details of Jacob's life emerge from service of the historians of his county.  Jacob voted in 1881 and was not yet a citizen of the U.S.  From the 1884, Proceedings of the Council of the City of Escanaba, I learn that his bond to deal liquor had been approved and again later in 1887. On 31 March 1888, he files his declaration of intent, then follows up with his petition for naturalization in July 1909 and becomes a U.S. citizen.
There is so much to explore, so I have requested additional records to learn more about Luxembourg and Delta County, Michigan life events of Mr. Buchholtz.  Stay tuned for Part II.