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| William Tolstedt, photo donated by Diane Tolstead Rollins. |
Note: the following is an excerpt from Tales of Tolstedts, by Grandon E. Tolstedt, M.D. and Betsy E. Tolstedt, Ph.D.
Ulrich and Eliza’s second child was William H. Tolstedt. (We don’t know the source of the “H.”) There is some question as to the year of his birth and no birth record exists to clarify the exact date. According to the 1880 census William was 28 years of age, which would give him a birth year of 1862. His tombstone suggests that he was 28 years of age at his death on January 13, 1892. This would give him a birth year of 1864. Either date is possible. Ulrich didn’t leave for the Civil War until August of 1862. He was transferred to the “Invalid Corps” in August of 1863, which means he was likely sent home for a period of time before his discharge in July of 1865.
William did not marry. With the exception of one brief period, he lived with his parents, first in Illinois, and then on the farm in Laurel, Iowa. From June of 1887 until March of 1891 when his claim was “patented” William apparently lived in Akron, Washington County, Colorado. This area is in eastern Colorado, northeast of Denver. Apparently William and Edward struck out together for Colorado. William is described as making the following improvements on his property: a sod house (14 by 20 feet) with a board and sod roof, a dirt floor, a wood door, a stovepipe chimney, a single sash glass window, a sod barn with room for two horses, a cistern, and the “breaking” of 24 acres. (He put it in corn and potatoes.) We do not know precisely when or why he and Edward left Colorado and moved back home.
Within a year of his return to Laurel, on January 13, 1892, William died. The cause of death was “quick consumption”. The exact meaning of the term is unknown to the authors. The term consumption usually referred to tuberculosis. Quick consumption probably referred to any type of pneumonia such as pneumococcal or streptococcal. It is not likely that his death was due to tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is generally a slowly progressive disease. William was likely healthy for all or most of his time in Colorado. William’s death must have been a devastating blow to this family.
He was well liked by his siblings. Glen Tolstedt, spoke of him because his father, Franklin Tolstedt, thought highly of William and talked of him. W.L. Tolstead heard similar positive stories from his father, Joe. It is likely not a coincidence that the name William shows up in the next few generations.
William’s tombstone, which he shares with his mother who died fourteen months later, apparently reflects the depth to which his parents felt his loss:
| Wm H Tolstedt |
| Died |
| Jan 13 1892 |
| Aged 28 years |
| What hopes have perished with |
| You my son |