Charles Alphonse Aziere

From chapter One by Jim Aziere:

Juste Aziere was 34 years old when he brougjht his family to America. He was one of the first school teachers in the public school system that emerged during the Napoleonic empire. He was born in Polaincourt, a small farming village in French Compte in eastern France where life was quite and simple. The Aziere family had been farmers since they moved to the Alsace after the plague in the Twelfth Century. Juste decided there wasn't enough money in teaching, so he packed up and immigrated to the United States in 1853.

The family foarded the R.B. Sumner in Le Harve, France and left their native country. It was a hard trip across the Atlantic in a wooden boat that sailed with three masts because they were confined to the middle deck. During the trip, Juste tried to learn English from a language book.

On Sunday, October 16th, the R.B. Sumner reached the lower delta at the mouth of the Mississippi, about 100 miles south of New Orleans, and anchored. The heat and humidity outside made it difficult for the immigrants to breathe in the crowded quarters of the middle deck where the stench of the body odors and recycled air were a constant reminder of the unhealthy living conditions.

Captain Elisha Dye passed an order along to allow the passengers to come on deck. Juste and his family made their way to the side of the Sumner for their first view of the back door to the "Land of Plenty". They could see that people were actually living in the mire of the lower delta where nothing seemed to ever dry. Primitive shanties raised on stilts built out of rustic boards were connected by the wooden walkways that presented a picture of the miserable existence for the inhabitants who lived there. It was a region of barbarous strife and drunken debauch.

A few hours later, a boat from one of the harbors four towlines showed up. The pilot of the steam-powered boat climed into the Sumner and took command of the ship. The immigrants were allowed to stay on deck while the boat moved up river.

Juste intentionally had made the crossing in the fall of the year because it was less likely that the wind would "calm" and the ship would stall, and Yellow Fever would be less of a threat. About 20 miles downstream from New Orleans,m the ship stopped at a quarantine station.

Health officials boarded the Sumner and inspected the immigrants on the main deck looking for symptoms of the Yellow Fever. The inspectors sprinkled lime in the hold of the ship and on all the decks to disinfect everyone. The immigrants all washed and then were given pinted notices.

On Wednesday, October 19th, the steamboat started pulling the Sumner the final 20 miles to New Orleans and waited for a slip to pull into. Once docked, the immigrants slowly disimbarked. The unbearable heat of the summer of 1853 kept the temperatures up to 90 degrees late into the October night. Stephanie clung unto Juste's arm, and Mary (Marie) held Charles' hand so they wouldn't get separated. They followed the moving line of passengers into Canal Street, and sweat was pouring off their heads. They had never experienced such heat and humidity in France.

When Juste reached the street, he stopped and looked both directions. The sidewalks were crowded. He turned to the left where most of the city seemed to be, and they walked toward Jackson Square. The red brick buildings with French doors and shutters looked like the ones in their native country, and the signs were written in French. They were in the French Quarters of New Orleans.

Juste did not stay in New Orleans long. Jobs were scarce, the temperatures unforgiving, and the risk of contracting Yellow Fever was present, so they boarded a steamboat and left.

From the deck of the steam boat, they got their first real glimpse of America. They saw large plantations, slaves working the fields, and a panoramic view of the river shoreline, its trees covered with Spansih moss, small towns, and farm houses.

The Azieres could shut their eyes and retire with a sense of fullfillment. They had arrived in America safely.

From The Aziere Family History Manuscript written by Jim Aziere:

All 10 children of Charles & Mary were born on the "old Aziere" place on Turkey Creek, which Charles took over upon the remarriage of his mother. It originally was settled by Justine & Stephanie.

Late in the 1870's Charles designed and built a large, two-story stone house which was known as a show place. The walls were two feet thick, included two fireplaces, French styled double doors and windows and shutters. He also designed the interior doors with transoms and heavy wooden molding. Julian Gaume (his father-in-law) helped him with the carpenter work and his good friends, the McCaffreys helped with the heavy construction.

Fancy riding horses were Charle's hobby, so he built a half-mile race track and two attractive stone stables which housed twelve horses each.

From the time his sister, Josephine, was a teenager, their farm was a place where people gathered sociably to play music, dance, or celebrate special occasions. Charles even built a baseball diamond in the middle of his racetrack. Mary occasionally put on wedding dinners for friends and family.

Charles & Mary livrd on the "old Aziere" place, adding greatly to the family land holdings in that section of Nemaha County, until his retirement in the fall of 1901, when he purchased a house in the town of Seneca, KS. While moving to his new home in the Spring of 1902, Charles was on his way back to Seneca from Turkey Creek bringing his grist grinder in the wagon when the wagon tilted with the slope of the road and its removeable spring seat tipped, causing Charles to fall out and break his neck. His collie dog ran back to Jerome and tugged at him. Realizing something was wrong, Jerome followed the dog back to his father, who was conscious. He was moved to the first floor bedroom of his old house where he was made as comfortable as possible. He died at his old home at 7:00 the following morning., March 14, 1902.

It was a shock to everyone and word of his death spread fast throughout the county. His life story and the details of his death appeared on the front pages of both newspapers in Seneca.

The remains of Charles was laid in state in the parlor of the Turkey Creek home which he build. Hundreds of people paid their respects on Saturday.

The funeral services were held at St. Mary's Church in St. Benedict, KS on Sunday at 2:00. A large holy card bearing Charles' picture was given to each member of the congregation. He was buried by the side of his father (Justine) in St. Mary's Cemetery, St. Benedict, KS.

His wife, Mary, was appointed by the court as the executrix of Charles' will. He had already given all of his children except the two youngest, Della & Ida, 80 acres each. Mary made up for these 2 girls in her will. The value of Charles' estate was $26,844.77, not counting the home in Seneca. After the bills were paid, half of the estate went to his widow and the remaining half was evenly devided among his children ($933.00 each).