52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: What Might Have Been

Laura Witte: What Might Have Been

Farm families historically had large numbers of children primarily because children were considered a valuable source of labor on the farm, with even young children able to contribute to chores like feeding animals, picking crops, and tending to the land, effectively acting as an additional workforce for the family. This was especially important in the past when infant mortality rates were high, so having more children increased the likelihood of having enough surviving offspring to work the farm.

Rudolph Witte and Henrietta Menn were married on January 3, 1881, and by the end of the year had begun establishing their family. Their first daughter, Laura, was born on September 29, 1881. Emma and Elsa were born in 1884 and 1885, respectively, followed by Lillie (1889), Hedwig (1892), Hilda (1899), and their only son, Rudolph (1896).

Rudolph’s parents, Victor and Anna Marie Witte, were prominent citizens, who helped establish Latium as a place for German freethinkers to discuss politics and academic subjects. As first-generation Americans, Rudolph and Henrietta were wedded to their land and devoted to maintaining their community. They were well respected in Washington County and had many friends and associates.

At a time when infant mortality rates hovered between 20 and 30 percent, having seven healthy children was a blessing to the couple. They were assured not just of helpers but also of progeny and descendants. As the children grew, their eldest daughter, Laura, surely developed in her role as a young lady, helping in the home and helping her mother with raising the younger children. Surely her parents were excited and maybe a bit apprehensive knowing that their children were safely reaching adulthood. Both their lives and Laura’s were changing as their eldest daughter entered this new phase of life.

Sadly, on October 16, 1900, news reached the Winedale community that Laura Witte passed away shortly after her 19^th birthday. One can only imagine the confusion and grief 16-year-old Emma and 15-year-old Elsie experienced at losing a sibling so close in age. And what a bitter sorrow it must have been for Rudolf and Henrietta to lose their firstborn.

Her obituary reads:

A telephone message from Winedale, to friends here, announced the death of Miss Laura Witte, daughter of Mr. Rudolph Witte, aged 19 years. The funeral will occur today (Thursday). The hand of affliction has fallen heavily on this family of late. Some two weeks ago death came to Mr. Victor Witte. A short time before that, Mr. Rudolph Witte lost the sight of one eye from a blow in the face. The family are old timers in Washington county and their many friends sympathize deeply with them since the chastening hand of affliction has been laid so heavily upon them.

Laura Witte is buried alongside her parents, grandparents, and brother in the Jaeger Witte Cemetery. Her headstone reads

Er war ein stilles, gutes kind

fromm wie Gottes Engel sind

(She was a quiet, good child

Pious as God’s angels are)

Other than the few details that are mentioned here, we really know nothing about Laura. There is nothing else recorded about her. She is a mystery. We can only wonder what have been.