Story of Henry Westerhaus and Katherine Edler

 Peter and Anna Westerhouse oldest son was Henry Westerhaus. He did not Americanize his last name, keeping it as Westerhaus.

Before marriage, Henry moved with his parents and siblings from Lexington, Lafayette, Missouri to Eudora, Douglas, Kansas Feb 1863. 

Before marriage, As an infant, Katherine immigrated with parents and siblings under the name, Caroline Wilhelmine Louise Henriette Edler during 1856.

Herford District Departure Record of Carl and Amalie Edler and Children

 

Katherine went by the name Katie and is shown in the 1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence) at the age 20.

1876 Missouri state census for Township 48 (New Florence)

Katie Edler

Henry Westerhouse married Katie Edler on 10 Jul 1879, in Eudora, Douglas, Kansas, according to the marriage record found at the Douglas County Courthouse.  Katie, a younger sister of Henry Edler (Mary Westerhouse's first husband), was from Township 48 (New Florence), Montgomery, Missouri.  Mary Westerhouse was Henry's younger sister.

Henry Westerhouse and Katie Edler marriage license - 9 Jul 1879

Soon after Henry and Katie were married, they changed the spelling of their last name from Westerhouse to Westerhaus.  Initially, they settled on a farm east of Weaver, Douglas, Kansas. During 1904, Henry and Katie bought the WB Roberts farm at Weaver Bottom, Eudora, Douglas, Kansas and developed a large farming business.  Later, purchasing another farm nearby and built a more elaborate home.  

Henry Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus

Katie Westerhaus passed away 28 Jan 1912 from gallstones with complications of appendicitis at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Katie Westerhaus obituary - Eudora Weekly News - 1 Feb 1912

Henry’s obituary tells, in 1914, developing a new interest in religion, and taking a deep interest in the Bible. He became well versed in the scripture and continued so until his death. In 1919 he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island Street in Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas and 501 North Street in North Lawrence, Grant, Kansas, living at both residences for the next 20 years. The 501 North Street property was near 800 North Street, where Edwin and Cora Lamont lived. Henry’s nephew, Oscar Westerhouse in-laws were Edwin and Cora.

Henry Westerhaus

Henry went to live with his daughter, Minnie Westerhaus Dickens, for the last two and half years of his life in Lexington, Johnson, Kansas, based on his obituary. He passed away 1 Mar 1942

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 2 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE, age 87, died yesterday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto. Funeral services will be held from the Methodist church at Eudora tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. Rev. W.O. WATSON will officiate. Burial will be in Eudora cemetery. Mr. Westerhouse is survived by his daughter, a son, Henry Westerhouse, of Topeka; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ed Westerhouse and Amos Westerhouse, both of Eudora.

Henry Westerhaus obituary from Lawrence Daily Journal World on 12 Mar 1942 

Henry WESTERHOUSE was born at Lexington, Mo., March 22, 1854, and died March 1, 1942, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, three miles west of DeSoto, at the age of 87 years. He was united in marriage to Katie EDLER, and they settled on a farm east of Weaver, where their three children were born and grew up. One son, Charles, preceded him in death. In 1904, he moved on the W.B. ROBERTS place in Weaver Bottom, where for many years he pursued farming on an extensive scale. Later he bought a nearby farm on which he built a fine home. Following the death of his wife, January 28, 1912, even tho alone, he always maintained a well-kept and hospitable home. About 1914 he experienced a new interest in religion, and from then on took a deep interest in the Bible, becoming well versed in the scripture, and continued so until his death. In 1919, he retired from active farming, buying a home at 720 Rhode Island street, Lawrence, living there and at 501 North street, North Lawrence, for 20 years. Two and a half years ago he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Minnie DICKENS, near DeSoto. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Dickens, of De Soto, and one son, Henry Westerhouse of Topeka; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Ed and Amos Westerhouse of Eudora. 

Henry and Katie Westerhaus gravestone at Eudora City Cemetery (Eudora, Kansas)