This is the 17th installment in this series. Click here for the previous installment.
This column’s focus is on John Ulrich Amstutz, a farmer and tradesman, whose farm was located on the south side of the Allen-Putnam County Line Road, just east of where the Suter Morning Star Cider Press is today.

On his farm, John U. had a jewelry shop, clock shop, cider press, cane press for sorghum and a machine shop. He was also an undertaker and made over 400 coffins in 43 years.

Next week’s column will feature the story of John Ulrich, written by Herman Hilty, originally published in the December 1988 issue of Mennonite Life.

John U’s first wife, Katharina J. Amstutz Amstutz, died in 1884. The couple had five children. Katharina is buried in the Old Mennonite Cemetery.

John U. then married, Elizabeth Moser Luginbuhl, also a widower. She was first married to Peter Luginbuhl and they had no children.

Elizabeth was one of nine children born to Jacob and Barbara Wahli Moser. Click here to view that family, previously featured in this series.

John U. and Elizabeth had no children. They are buried in the Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery.

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John Ulrich Amstutz
Born: April 8, 1832, Dere Schosz Blumber Church Switzerland
Died: Feb. 14, 1919, Richland Township
Buried: Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery

John U.’s father: Ulrich A. Amstutz (1777-1855)
John U.’s mother: Barbara Klay (1789-1884

Spouse: Katharina J. (Amstutz) Amstutz
Born: April 5, 1827, Sonnenberg, Wayne County
Died: Sept. 10, 1884, Richland Township
Buried: Old Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton

Katharina’s father: John B. Amstutz (1799-1865)
Katherina’s mother: Verena Lehmann (1801-1850)

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Children of John Ulrich and Katharina:
Noah Amstutz
Born: Feb. 23, 1857, Richland Township
Died: Dec. 4, 1893, Allen County

Anna A. Amstutz
Born: Feb. 2, 1859, Richland Township
Death: July 15, 1911, Allen County
Spouse: John Winkler

Marian A. Amstutz
Born: Oct. 8, 1861, Richland Township
Died: Jan. 27, 1933, Allen County
Spouse: Carl W. Roethlisberger

Samuel A. Amstutz
Born: July 9, 1864, Richland Township
Died: Nov. 27, 1926, Allen County
Spouse: Fanny Schnegg

Barbara Amstutz
Born: Dec. 6, 1868, Richland Township
Died: June 9, 1958, Richland Township
Spouse: Solomon S. Welty

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John U. Amstutz second marriage
 Elizabeth J. Moser
Born: June 7, 1834, Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County
Died: Nov. 30, 1915, Richland Township
Buried:  Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery
The couple had no children