Shurtz Hotel in Blessing
 

Clifford Lloyd Shurtz and Eloshia Hazel "Rebecca" Chapman Shurtz
Photo from the family of Orval White

Family of Pearl Ives Shurtz & Eloshia Hellen Ball Shurtz

At the time of the 1910 census, Pearl Shurtz and his wife, Eloshia, were operating a hotel or boarding house in Blessing. A letter written on February 17, 1912 mentions the writer was staying at the Schurtz Hotel. It's possible that the hotel may have been more along the lines of a boarding house which catered to permanent residents as well as "transcient" residents, as they were called during that time period, as well.

Pearl Ives Shurtz, the son of John Stoner and Mary Elizabeth Hellen Ball Shurtz, was born 1868 in Henry Marshall County, Illinois. Eloshia Hazel "Rebecca" Chapman Shurtz, daughter of Francis M. and Jane Ellen McFadden Chapman, was born August 22, 1875 in Logan, Phillips County, Kansas.

Pearl and Eloshia had a son, Clifford Lloyd, who seemed to use both of his names interchangeably. At the time of the census, the couple had been married for 13 years and were 40 and 31 years old. The son was age 11. He was also born March 8, 1898 in Logan, Phillips County, Kansas.

The family was enumerated in the 1905 Kansas State Census in Logan, Kansas.

Hotel employees included printer James Speaker, cook Lula Shrock, washerwoman Lula Young and  chambermaid Lillie Peas.

There were eight boarders at the time of the census and included three house carpenters, a mason,  an attorney-at-law, an owner of a pool hall and a horse and mule dealer.

By 1917, Clifford was attending the A. and M. College in Oklahoma. The last mention of the family in the newspaper was in March of 1918. On September 12, 1918, Clifford registered for the WWI draft in Stuttgart, Arkansas. His description was medium height, slender build, blue eyes and light brown hair.

At the time of the census in January, 1920, Eloshia, also known as Rebecca, was visiting in the household of Eliza Percival in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma. Her occupation was recorded as nurse. Oklahoma A. & M. was located in Stillwater.

Hospital for Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Feb. 10.--A maternity hospital has been established here by Rebecca Shurtz, graduate nurse.--Arkansas Gazette, February 11, 1926

One Hospital Closes, Another Opens in Stuttgart

Stuttgart, Aug. 2.--Mrs. Rebecca Shurtz reopened her hospital here today in new quarters in the Boyd House on Porter Street. This action followed the recent closing of the Bradley Sisters hospital, whose officials announced after the opening of the new Eileen Drennen Memorial hospital "that Stuttgat can support only one such institution on a paying basis."--Arkansas Gazette, August 3, 1928

In 1930, she was in Stuttgart, Arkansas and was recorded as a graduate nurse working as a private nurse.

In 1940, Pearl was living at the Westminster Hotel in Los Angeles, California. He indicated he was divorced.

Clifford Lloyd married Mildred J. Furguson on September 19, 1920 in Stuttgart, Arkansas County, Arkansas. At the time of the 1925 Kansas State Census, they were living in Bolton, Cowley County, Kansas with their three children, Clarence, age 5, Kennethm, age 3 and Katherine, age 1. At the time of the WWII Draft Registration, Clifford was 43 and living at 418 South Porter in Stuttgart. His mother was living at 418 S. Lowe, in Stuttgart.
 

In the News

Clifford Shurtz, who has been attending the A. and M. College in Oklahoma, is at home for a brief visit.--Palacios Beacon, November 9, 1917

Mr. Clifford Shurtz left Tuesday for Still Water where he will take up his school work again.--Matagorda County Tribune, January 11, 1918

Mr. Pearl Shurtz returned Saturday from a several days visit to Houston.--Matagorda County Tribune, March 15, 1918
 

Pearl Ives Shurtz
1868 Henry, Marshall County, Illinois - February 11, 1954 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Buried Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan, Phillips County, Kansas


Photo courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer Oldergraver #46781826
 

Eloshia Hazel "Rebecca" Chapman Shurtz
August 22, 1875 Logan, Phillips, Kansas - September 26, 1954 Stuttgart, Arkansas, Arkansas