The Stutzmann family originated in Eppelsheim, Germay. A branch of the
     family moved to Hardtner, Kansas, in 1902. According to Grandpa (John)
     Stutzmann, the fmaily moved due to the religious discrimination in Germany,
     the family was Evangelical and Reformed and the predominant religion in 
     that section of Germany was Lutheran. There were seven in the party: Adam
     and Elizabeth (Rathgeber) Stutzmann, their son John Stutzmann, Adam's
     mother Katharina (Wallhauser) Stutzmann, Elizabeth's father Johann Rathgeber
     Elizabeth's sister Margarete Rathgeber (married Fritz Laug), and Jacob
     Achenbach (Uncle of Jacob Achenbach, a resident of Hardtner).
       They settled in Hardtner since the Jacob Achenbach who were related were
     already living there. Adam Stutzmann purchased a farm 1 mile south and 1/2
     mile west of Hartner. The farm house was built in the 1880's and is still
     standing (with some remodeling and additions). The family farmed using
     teams of horses to pull the equipment.
       After the death of Adam i 1916, John Stutzmann took over the farm. John
     Stutzmann married Katherine Ruppel (from Tangier, Oklahoma) in 1916. Their
     first child (Marie) was born on the farm in 1917. They were founding members
     of St. John's Evangelical church in Hardtner. In 1920 the Stutzmann's moved
     to Palmer Lake, Colorado for health reasons, but continued to work the
     Hardtner farm and commuted back and forth. In about 1927, Mother (Marie
     Stutzmann Mumaugh) remembers a tornado caused much damage on the farm. The
     familiy had gone to Woodward for the weekend and on return they found the
     tornado had destroyed the barn and granary, and damaged the smoke house.
       Grandpa also remembers another time when a tornado (which had already
     damaged Woodward, Oklahoma) was expected, late at night. He didn't want to
     stay up and wait. Since the only thing he would do if one came was to go
     to the cave and spent the night in it. The next morning he was awakened by
     a pounding on the cave. It seems that the tornado had come over the farm
     and dropped in a gully to the east and Grandpa had slept through it. The
     sheriff was out to wee what had happened.
       About 1951 John and Katherine moved back to the Hardtner farm and became
     full time residents again. Katherine was active in church work and served
     as Sunday School superintendent for a while. She was also an active quilter
     and her family still treasure and use the quilts she made.
       They had three children: Marie Mamaugh, Gertrude Howard, and Paul Stutzmann.
     There were seven grand children: Susan Mumaugh, Dennis Mumaugh, Steven Howard,
     Michael Howard, Patricia Howard, Cheryl Stutzmann Abendschan, and Daniel
     Stutzmann, and two great-grandchildren.
       Katherine died in 1971 but John Stutzmann recently (November 1978) celebrated
     his 90th birthday. He has retired from farming.

                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 448 
     Submitted by: Dennis Mumaugh