The Late John Hoth was Hero of Two German Wars

The late John Chas. Frederick Hoth, second child of John Hoth and his wife Sophia (nee Wieding) was born on the 16th day of Sept 1844 at Muessow, Germany. When he was scarcely 7 years of age, his mother died, however by a second marriage of his father the following year he got a stepmother, who according to his own testimony cared lovingly for him, as well as for the rest of the children.
From his 14th year on he had to earn his own living and to support himself by hiring to the neighboring farmers. When 20 years old. he enlisted in the German army where he served 8 years in the 42d Infantry at Stettin. During these years the wars of 1866 came on and consequently he had to go the front and fight. On account of his bravery he got a Medal of Honor.
After the war was over he returned home where he was married to Miss Louise Duwitz, on the fourth day of Oct 1866. This union in the course of years was blessed by 12 children, 7 sons, and 5 daughters, of whom however the youngest son died at an early age.
When the war of 1870 broke out, the deceased was again called to the front, and under the renowned general Von Werder, fought in the eastern and south eastern part of France. At Dijon and Belfort he earned a second Medal of Honor, which he used to wear on all special occasion in his life afterwards with great pride.
Two years after the close of the war he emigrated with his family and settled in Clayton Centre, IA. After having rented several farms near Lawler and Hawkeye he subsequently came to Sumner where he bought a farm 4 miles west of town. Here he celebrated his silver wedding on Oct 4, 1891.
In the night of Oct 27, 1897, the night following her 50th anniversary of her birthday, his beloved wife died very suddenly from a stroke of apoplexy.
The deceased now remained single for about 9 years, when on Aug 30th, 1906, he was married to Mrs. Louise Boeckman, who now survives him as his widow.
The deceased had a very strong constitution and until of late years enjoyed very good health. Two accidents several yeas ago, however caused him much pain and distress. On Nov. 10th, 1911, he fell from a draywagon while hauling flour for Wilharm & Lauterbach, and broke his arm above the wrist and in April two years ago he accidentally suffered a fracture of one of his ribs.
About a year and a half ago his strength began to fail and the patient slowly pined away. A malignant cancer in or on his stomach sapped his vitality to an alarming extent and resisted all medical efforts which were made to relieve the sufferer. In consequence, thereof he died last Thursday noon Jan 14, 1914, near 1 o'clock.
His age was 70 years, 6 months and 27 1/2 days.
He leaves to mourn, his widow, 6 sons namely, William, Charles, Herman, John, Albert and Henry, and 5 daughters, namely, Minnie, wife of Mr. John Schroedermeier; Lizzie, wife of Mr. Gust Lauterbach; Mary, wife of Wm. Ladwag; Alvin, wife of Mr. Bert Burr; Bertha, wife of Mr. F. J. Wilharm.
May he rest in peace. Sumner Gazette Jan. 1915