Obituary for Joseph Lutz, husband of Mary Amelia Sulm (Canton, Mississippi)
wolfae
(
View Posts
)

    Replies: 0
    Posted: 31 Mar 2009 11:11 AM
    Classification: Obituary
    Surnames: Sulm Lutz

Printed in the Canton Times (Canton, MS), on 9 Sep 1901:



    "The Late Joseph Lutz



    In the death of Joseph Lutz Canton has lost one of her most useful and progressive citizens, society a friend and benefactor, and his family one of the most affectionate fathers, and devoted husbands.



    The subject of this sketch was born near Mobile, Ala., February 15, 1856, his parents John T. and Elizabeth Lutz, having come to this country in 1850 from Alsace-Lorraine, Germany. Latterly the family moved to Brookhaven, Miss. where Joseph grew up and received his education. When about seventeen he came to Madison County, and at the age of twenty-two was married to Miss Mary Amelia Sulm of Canton.



    When he settled in this county he was without capital and the many advantages which make success easy, but such a force as he was, could not remain so long.



    He possessed a sturdy, self-reliant manhood, an indomitable energy, a will power that never knew dismay, and a personal integrity and fidelity that could not be swerved from the path of duty.



    It would seem that Deity made the amplest provision for every contingency in human affairs, and that when a child is born without wealth and position it is compensated by splendid qualities, such as Joseph Lutz possessed, with which to carve out the infinite possibilities of human life a career of honor, wealth, and happiness.



    The diversions of youth are so numerous, and the allurements of pleasure so great, that is is seldom that one who inherits wealth ever accomplishes anything creditable in life.



    It is the man who commences the first round in the ladder, and gradually wends his way up who accomplishes the most and makes the most durable impression upon his surroundings that this Joe Lutz did to a degree equalled only by a few.



    He won wealth upon a large scale, and devoted it to the best and most useful purposes. No man was ever more sympathetic in his relations to his fellowmen or more ready to extend charity to the unfortunate and afflicted than he was. The blessed spirit of christian 'charity and helpfulness' seemed to pervade and sway his whole nature.



    So true was this, that no appeal was ever made to him in vain, nor was he ever known to make his gifts a matter of boast or even in any manner make mention of them.



    Likewise was he a public benefactor, and just as ready to subscribe his means to any measure to promote the public good.



    To his friends he extended a generous hospitality, was loyal and frank to them, pointing out their faults as well as their virtues.



    But with all this, the brightest chapter in his life was the beauty of his domestic life, and the perfect part he performed as husband and father. Here it was that he revealed the 'image of his Maker,' and disclosed that he was animated by divine sparks.



    To one who has made a study of the vast problem of human destiny, it must be evident that the man who makes a 'model husband and father,' fulfulls, not only, the noblest, but the most sacred end possible to civilized man.



    The domestic circle is the social unit which molds the character of society, which in turn determines the government over us, and thus it is, the head of an exemplary domestic circle, exemplifies the best citizenship, and contributes the most to his fellowmen.



    In life Joseph Lutz was loved and honored, and now his legion of friends lament his untimely death, and will hold in tender memory his many noble deeds and virtues.



    -- A Friend."