Mathias Gantz came to America so that his children would have a better life than they could have had in Alsace Lorraine. He settled in Willow Springs, Douglas County, Kansas.

Mathias Gantz was born 19 April 1837 in Durrenentzen, Alsace Lorraine, France. When he married the second time he moved to Sundhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany. These towns shifted back and forth from France to Germany. He had graduated from college in Bern, Switzerland, had 20 acres of vineyard, made wine and vinegar and had a job with the city government. Before 1871 Alsace Lorraine was a part of France. In 1870 Napoleon III declared war on Prussia. Mathias served in Napoleon III's Army for 18 months and drove a wagon to and from the front lines delivering ammuniton and bringing back the dead and wounded. After the war in 1871 Alsace Lorraine was now part of Germany. He decided then and there that he wanted a better life than this for his children.

At the time he came to America he had 10 children. with his first wife, Madeleine Henck, he had a son, Eugene, born 26 January 1862 in Durrenentzen.

With his second wife, Catherine Gutzler, born 15 August 1839 in Sundhausen, he had Jacob, 10 August 1864; Katherine, 5 September 1866; Theophile Gottleib, 9 February 1868; Marie, 20 November 1869; Sophie, 27 March 1872; Emma, 18 July 1874 and Daniel, 10 October 1876.

With his last wife, Margaurette Burger born 25 May 1881 in Bramouth, Germany, he had George, 6 August 1879 and Johann Gottfried 25 May 1881. All but the first son had been born in Sundhausen, Alsace Lorraine.

In the early 1880s he sent his two oldest sons, Eugene and Jacob, to America to check it out and to find a place for them to come to. The boys wrote back that they had found a place, with good land for a vineyard, in Kansas. So Mathias sold his vineyard and other properties, packed up his family and left for America in April of 1883. They left behind their relatives and friends which must have been very hard, knowing you would probably never see them again. It took a lot of courage to leave everything and start over again at the age of 46, with a family of 10 children and with your wife expecting another child very soon.

Here is an accounting of their trip to America as told by Margaruette Gantz to her children and grandchildren: "It was hard at first to think of leaving my people and homeland, but what was best for my husband and children was most important to me. Years ago girls were taught the story of Ruth from the Bible as a wonderful love story which is 'whether thou goest, I will go.' We were not alone in the flight in search of a better land. There were 1700 home-seakers on the French immigrant ship. My family were all there with me and God was also there. Each family had separate quarters, but we all ate in large dining rooms. The ship had three decks. Many days were calm and beautiful. There were also many days of rough seas and storms. My husband read the Bible, we prayed and had no fear. We were all together. I was heavy with child, but kept busy caring for my children and husband. Many stormy nights the ship rocked on. For 28 days. We washed out our clothes and hung them on lines above the rail. Those who did not have enough money to pay for their passage could work on the ship. There were all the jobs you have in a home and also the engine rooms to clean. Each evening we would gather in the assembly room and sing. Many had other entertainment, and some visited and helped the others who were so sea-sick. Our family was very fortunate as we had very little sea-sickness or sickness of any kind. In my condition I was sick some. It was a happy day when we saw land in New York. We landed at New Castle, in New York City in April 1883."

When they landed in New York City the children were surprised to see their father kneel down and kiss the ground. Mathias was very thankful that they had arrived in the land of the free. They boarded a train and came to Lawrence, Kansas. From there they found a farm near Willow Springs that looked like a good place to start a vineyard. They planted 14 acres of grapes and 1500 apple trees. Mathias continued his trade of making wine and vinegar.

On 10 May 1883 another son was born, Frederick William. The other children were concerned that they wouldn't be able to talk to their new brother as all they could speak was German and the new brother was American.

On 23 November 1885 they had another son, Christian, but he died the following spring.

Mathias made wine, cider and vinegar and sold it by the barrel. The wine was made in large tanks that held 16 barrels each. In the fall they would get 10 to 15 cents a gallon, but if it was stored in the cellar until spring they would get 20 cents a gallon. Later they had a power press that held 1500 gallons and during apple season they sold two car loads a week. Some of the neighbors resented their trade. They often felt the resentment was because they were considered German.

Later the Gantz family also operated a small saw mill, grew wheat and had a binder. They operated a small thresher and a grist mill. They heard that land was opening up in Oklahoma Territory which was free just by "proving up." Johan Gotfried (Fred) went down first in 1902 and got some land. George followed him, then later Will. These three "proved up" their land and settled in Oklahoma.

Eugene never married and died at the age of 24. Jacob married Karoline Bick, farmed near Lawrence, moved to Minnesota, then came back and settled on a farm near Williamstown, Jefferson County, Kansas. Katherine married Frederick Brokmann and they farmed near Lawrence, Kansas. Gotleib never married and died at the age of 33. Marie married George Lutz and they farmed near Richland, Shawnee County, Kansas. Sophie married Carl Bick and they lived in Valley Falls for a while then moved to California. Emma married Herman Schaffer and they lived in Weatherford, Oklahoma, then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where they operated a flour mill. Dan married Jessie Churchill in Oklahoma, later moved around a lot. George married Dora Lutz near Richland, Kansas and ranched near Durham, Oklahoma. Fred married Letetia Thomas in Oklahoma and also ranched near Durham, Oklahoma, later moving to Pampa, Texas. Will married Ethel Higgins and later Ella Wolfe, also ranched near Durham, Oklahoma.

Mathias and Margaurette traveled a lot to Oklahoma to visit their children. At one time Emma, Dan, George, Fred, and Will were all living there. He died 30 April 1904 at the home of his daughter Emma, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He was brought back to Kansas and buried by his three sons in St. John's Cemetery near Worden in Douglas County, Kansas. Just 2 miles from their farm in Willow Springs. Margaurette then sold their property there and moved to Oklahoma to live with George and Dora Gantz. She died there 22 June 1930 and is buried in the Durham Cemetery.

Mathias Gantz and Margaurette Burger Gantz , photo and identification courtesy of Nona Jones

Will, George, Fred Gottleib, Mathias, and Margaurette Burger Gantz, photo and identification courtesy of Nona Jones