Maria Catharina Weber (1829 - 1916)

Born 10 Dec 1829 in Messer, Kamyshin, Saratov, Russia

Ancestors

Wife of Henry Peter Lorenz — married 30 Dec 1847 in Messer, Kamyshin, Saratov, Russia

Descendants

Died 5 Aug 1916 at age 86 in College View, Lancaster, Nebraska

Problems/Questions Profile manager: L Christiansen [send private message]

Biography

"College View Gazette Obituary:

Katharina Lorenz, nee Weber, was born on the tenth day of December, 1829, in the German Village of Messer, in the Province of Saratov, Russia, 65 years after her ancestors had emigrated from Southern Germany to that part of the Russian Empire. At the age of 18 years she was united in marriage to Henry Peter Lorenz, who was well known and greatly beloved by the older residents of College View, having lived here during a number of years after the construction of the Union College buildings. About 48 years ago, during the time when that great relious awakening swept from southern Germany to the Germans of southern Russia, extending in its scope to the German Colonies of the Volga region in the great Moscovite Empire, Brother and Sister Lorenz were the first in that part of the country who gave heed to the pleadings of the Spirit of God. They were soundly converted and baptised on their profession of faith, immersion being the testing truth of that time, on account of which the believers were subjected to all sorts of derision, ridicule, and persecution, many being incarcerated for days and weeks. Brother Lorenz himself preaching the new-found Truth, dedicated his own capacious house as a regular meeting place for the believers in this village. During the early seventies, when conscription was forced upon the German young men of Russia, the Lorenz family decided to emigrate to America, landing in Peabody, Kansas, on the 16th day of July, 1876, where they settled on a hundred-acre farm. About 28 years ago, during a local German camp-meeting held at Hillsboro, Kansas, Brother and Sister Lorenz accepted Present Truth under the labors of Elder Henry Schultz, which Truth was henceforth the dearest treasure to them on earth to their very end. Father Lorenz died 19 years ago, being 69 years old, and Mother Lorenz fell unexpectedly but peacefully asleep, Thursday noon, August 5th, 1915, at the very ripe age of 85 years, seven months, and 25 days. She became mother to 11 children, 89 grand-children, 00 great-grand-children, and 2 great-great-grand-children. She is survived by 10 children, 6 of whom were present at the funeral service. There have proceeded her in death, 1 child, 15 grand-children, 4 great-grand-children, and 1 great-great-grand-child. Her death occured in the following manner: Last Thursday noon, while enjoying her usual good health, she, with her daughter, Mrs. F.Z. Lorenz, sat at the table and ate a very hearty dinner. After finishing her meal, she got up and walked into the sitting-room with the intention of reclining in her rocking chair. Just as she approached the chair she fell forward on to it. Her daughter, seeing what position her Mother was in, ran to her assistance, placing her backward on the floor with a pillow under her head, where she expired in less than a minute's time, thus falling peacefully asleep without the slightest pain or struggle. Funeral services were conducted by Elder E.J. VanHorn, the Sanitarium Chaplain. Elder VanHorn was assisted by Elber [sic] C. J. Kounkel.

Those present at Mrs. Peter Lorenz's funeral from out of town were: Mr. Peter Lorenz, of Cordell, Okla., oldest son of Mrs. Lorenz, a prominent business man of that place; three daughters, Mrs. John Patzkowski, of Isabella, Okla., Mrs. Fred Weber, and her husband of Omega, Okla.; and Mrs. Mary Gabel of Denver, Colo. The two sons, F.A. and J.A. Lorenz are residents of College View. It was impossible for the rest of the children to be present, because they received the message too ate [sic] for them to get here in time."

Sources

• Messer, Russia marriage records

1857 Census of Messer