My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE KAUTZ, vine grower, Ripley, was born on the Rhine, in Germany, in 1800. In 1828, he, with his wife and one son, embarked for America. Her maiden name was Dority Lewing, who was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany in 1800. He had but $10 in money when he reached the free land, but had served his time at cabinet-making. After a residence of three years in Baltimore, Md., he removed to Cincinnati, and in the spring of 1833 located at Georgetown, Brown County, where, for eleven years, he was engaged in carpentering. In 1841, he moved to Union Township, and was the second man engaged in grape-raising in the county. From this production, he was enabled to purchase thirty-six acres of land, which he has converted into fields of vineyards. He has an immense wine cellar, where he keeps constantly on hand wine of all ages. In this business, Mr. Kautz has been eminently successful, and although past his three score and ten, is strong and vigorous. Of the seven children born to this aged couple six are living. The eldest, August V., is a graduate of West Point, and has risen to the rank of Colonel of the Eighth United States Infantry, at this time located near San Francisco, Cal. The second, Frederick R., is a farmer residing in this county. George A. is a banker in Christian County, Ill. Louis T. is in the lumber business at Cincinnati, Ohio. Albert, a graduate of Annapolis United States Navy Academy is at this time Commander of the United States War Steamer Michigan. Sophia L. is wife of A. Schafer, residing at home. They have one child, Bessie. Mr. Kautz was the first German resident that settled in Ripley, and throughout the county he is widely and favorably known.