From the 1988 Putz Family Reunion, L to R:
2. Bertha Emma Josephine (Putz) Crites - deceased. Born on the family farm in Pocahontas
Putz Family Reunion
The members of the Joseph, Katherina Pliz and Josephine (Reisenbichler) Kain
Putz family will hold their second family reunion from Thursday, June 14 to
Monday June 19, 2012. Headquarters for the reunion will be at the
Comfort Suites
Motel in Jackson, Missouri. Any relatives of the Putz family are welcome to join
us in celebrating Joseph, Katherina and Josefa Putz and their legacy .
For more information, please
contact Fred Putz at 2580 Oak St., Highland
Park, IL. Phone (847) 433-3439.
Email
FEPMGP@aol.com.
A brief history of Joseph Putz in Pocahontas, Missouri taken from the Putz
family history written in 1943 by John Gottried Earnest Putz shortly before his
death.
Joseph Putz (1829-1897) arrived in the United States in 1859 from Goisern,
Austria and settled in Pocahontas, MO, where he homesteaded one and one-half
miles southeast of Pocahontas, developed a 40 acre farm and built a log cabin.
He married Katherina Pliz who died in 1866. They had two children, Maria
Theresia and Joseph Frank. After the death of Katherina, Joseph married a second
time to Josefa (Reisenbichler) Kain. Being a deeply religious man, Joseph served
on the St. John Lutheran Church Council for many years in various capacities.
There is a stained glass window dedicated by the Putz family in the church. He
was also highly patriotic. When war was declared between the States, and he
could no longer tolerate the abuse and raids on recent immigrants by the
Southern sympathizers, he decided to offered his services to his adopted
country. He enlisted on Sept. 12, 1862 at Cape Girardeau in Company F, 29th
Missouri Infantry Volunteers. Company F participated in many battles and was
with General W. T. Sherman on the famous "March to the Sea". Of the 1000 men in
the 29th, only 300 returned, Joseph being one of them. Other battles in which
Joseph participated were; the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Missionary Ridge
and Lookout Mountain.
Joseph was wounded twice and was held for a short time as a prisoner of war. A pewter medal, of which he was very proud, commemorates "The March to the Sea". After the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, the 29th was mustered out of service and Joseph returned to Pocahontas and his family. Josefa and Joseph had two sons, John Gottfried Earnest and Henry W. Putz. Joseph and Josefa are buried in the St. John Cemetery at Pocahontas as are many other Putz family members.
A Putz relative (spelling changed) won the Pulitzer prize for music this year:
For distinguished musical composition by an American that has had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Awarded to Kevin Puts for "Silent Night: Opera in Two Acts," commissioned and premiered by the Minnesota Opera in Minneapolis on November 12, 2011, a stirring opera that recounts the true story of a spontaneous cease-fire among Scottish, French and Germans during World War I, displaying versatility of style and cutting straight to the heart. Libretto by Mark Campbell (Aperto Press).
PUTZ FAMILY REUNION ITINERARY Other family members are invited to any and all
activities.
Thursday, June 14
PM Arrival at the Comfort Suites in Jackson, MO.
5:00 - 7:00 PM Dinner at Delmonico's Restaurant close to the Comfort Suites.
7:00 - 10:00 PM Open time.
Friday, June 15
AM
9:00 - 10:00 AM Breakfast at the Comfort Suites.
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Tour Jackson
Jackson Court house
The first family home, West 1st South St. and Daisy Ave.
The second family home, now a vacant lot and the magnolia tree.
The Oliver House, (Jackson Historical Society).
The Bollinger Mill and Covered Bridge at Burfordville
PM
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch in Jackson or at Delmonico's Restaurant.
2:00 - 4:00 Free time or drive to Cape Girardeau.
4:00 - 6:00 Reception for family and friends at Delmonico's Restaurant.
6:00 - 8:00 Dinner
8:00 - 10:00 Social time.
Saturday, June 16
AM
9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast at the Comfort Suites
10:00 - 10:30 Drive to the Trail of Tears Park. (John Putz G. E. was
instrumental in the development of the park.
10:30 - 12:00 Program about the Park and tour.
PM
12:00 - 1:00 Box lunch in the park.
1:00 - 1:30 Drive to Pocahontas to visit the “Home Farm”, Joseph Putz'
homestead.
1:30 - 3:00 “Home Farm” and Pocahontas.
3:00 - 3:30 Return to Jackson.
3:30 - 5:00 Open time.
5:00 - 7:00 Dinner at Delmonico's or in town.
7:00 - 10:00 Open time.
Sunday , June 17
AM
7:00 - 8:00 Breakfast at Comfort Suites
8:00 - 7:30 Drive to Pocahontas….
8:30 - 10:00 St. John Lutheran Church where John G. E. Putz (second generation)
was clerk, organist and choir director. There are stained glass windows
dedicated by the Putz family. Many Putz family members are interned in the
cemetery.
10:00 - 11:00 Service at St. John Church.
11:00 - 12:00 Pocahontas and St. John Church.
PM
12:00 - 12:30 Drive to Jackson
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch at Delmonico's or in town.
2:00 - 5:00 Open time.
5:00 - 7:00 Dinner at Delmonico's.
7:00- 10:00 Open time
Monday, June 19
AM Depart.