Louis Mortier ¹

Louis's dates of birth and death are as per his obituary in the "Palmyra Enterprise" of Thursday, 8 March 1917. His obituary is as follows:

"Louis Mortier was born in Belgium, Feb. 5, 1843, and died at the home of his son Jesse, in the town of LaGrange, Feb. 23, 1917.

"He came to this country with his parents when a boy and remained at home until he was eighteen, when he enlisted in Co. ___ heavy artillary. He gave three years of patriotic service to his country.

"He was married twice; one son Sherm Mortier of Milwaukee was born of the first marriage. In 1873 he was married to Elizabeth Hitch; to them were born two children, one son dying in infancy; the other, Jesse, with whom he had been making his home. They also adopted a little girl, now Mrs. Charles Steffins.

"For a number of years Mr. Mortier lived in Palmyra where he is well known and highly respected. He next moved to Little Prairie and lived there for eighteen years on the farm now owned by Lucien Washburne. From there he moved to LaGrange where he has lived for the last thirteen years. His wife died about four years ago.

"Mr. Mortier was of a very quiet disposition. He loved friends and was a good neighbor, but one of his chief characteristics was that he preferred to stay at home. He rarely ever left the farm. He was a most industrious man, and continued so until his last illness. He was a man of excellent principles, and was held in high esteem by his comrades and friends.

"The funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 26, a short service being held at his home, followed by service in the Methodist church at Palmyra Rev. A. L. Tucker officiating.

"Besides his children he also leaves to mourn his death, a brother James of palmyra, and two sisters, Mrs. J. L. Rowe, and Mrs. T. H. Morris, also thirteen grandchildren.

"Another old resident and another comrade has passed on to a reward that is more than the gratitude of nation or friends."

Louis married Elizabeth Hitch, daughter of Edward D.E. (E6) Hitch and Fannie Peacock, in 1873 in WI.¹ (Elizabeth Hitch was born on 09 Oct 1850 in Cambridgeshire, England ^{1 2 3} and died on 24 Dec 1912 in WI ¹.)