CHARLEY SELTZ DEAD

Old DeSoto Pioneer Passed Away At Midnight Saturday Night.

Everyone knew old Charley Seltz of DeSoto, and if anyone didn’t, it wasn’t because he hadn’t been here long enough. He started the first store in DeSoto in 1857 when that town was born, and continued to run it until about a week ago when he was seized with his last illness.

His venerable body was left at the brink of the river, death, just as the clock struck 12, and his spirit, ever young, was freed for the journey into that far country from which no traveler returns.

The funeral was held at the house at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, Rev. Luce of Omaha officiating. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery. Mr. Seltz was born Aug. 1, 1819 at Straasburg in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France, but which was ceded to Germany at the close of the Franco-Prussian war. He was well educated and spoke both French and German as well as English.

He came to this country in 1851, residing at Buffalo, N.Y. until ’53 when he removed to Council Bluffs. In ’57 he came to this county and started the first store at DeSoto.

He was married to Miss Marie Peros in 1861, and she is now living at the age of 61. Five children survive him besides the wife, Mrs. Lee Smith, Mrs. Louis Thoelezke, Miss Minnie Seltz and Henry and William Seltz.

Mr. Seltz was postmaster at Desoto for thirty years and was a government weather observer for thirty five years, when extreme old age compelled him to give up both positions.

For many years he was afflicted with a sort of palsy, but otherwise kept fairly well until about a week ago. Being in his 86th year, he was probably the oldest resident of the county at the time of his death.

#2-5 July, 1905 - The Pilot - Charles Seltz

At his late residence in DeSoto last Saturday night Charles Seltz died as the clock struck twelve. Of late years he has been a sufferer from dropsy and this, with his advanced age, was the cause of his death. He was born in Straasburg, Germany August 1, 1819, and came to United States 1851. He resided in Buffalo, N.Y. until 1853 when he came to Council Bluffs and clerked for an Indian trader. In the fall of 1854 he went by steamer to the headwaters of the Missouri river and thence to New Orleans, returning to Council Bluffs, he remained until he came to DeSoto and started his first store in 1857 where he has continued to keep a store and attend to it himself until one week ago. Mr. Seltz was appointed postmaster of DeSoto and held the office for thirty years when old age compelled him to give it up. Mr. Seltz was widely known for his straight forward manner of conducting business and everybody who knew him said “He was absolutely honest”. In his death the county loses one of her valuable citizens who has spent many years doing his part toward her upbuilding.

#3-6 July, 1905 - The Blair Democrat - Charles Seltz

Charles Seltz, the merchant at DeSoto who is known by nearly every old settler in the county, died at his home last Saturday night just as the clock was striking the hour of twelve. Mr. Seltz was one of Washington county’s oldest settlers having come to DeSoto in 1857 where he opened the first general store of that town. The funeral was held from the home near the store, Rev. Luse of Omaha officiating, and interment made in the Blair cemetery on Monday of this week. Deceased was born in Strausburg, Germany August 1, 1819 and came to America in 1851, settling at Buffalo, N.Y. and from there in 1853 came to Council Bluffs where he clerked in the store of an Indian trader until the fall of 1854. At that time he made a trip to the headwaters of the Missouri River and on the return trip went to New Orleans. After making this long trip, he again went to Council Bluffs and again entered the employ of the Indian trader where he stayed until 1857 when he came to DeSoto and went into business for himself. He was the postmaster there for over thirty years, and for over thirty five years kept a record of the weather for the government. In 1861 Mr. Seltz was married to Marie Peros and to this union eight children were born, five of whom with the faithful wife survive him.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #8612610