GUTEKUNST, Charles, GER., then St. Martin Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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CHAS. GUTEKUNST, BAYOU CHENE.--The subject of this sketch was born in
Wurtemberg, Germany, January 14, 1848.  His father, Jno. G. Gutekunst, was a
native of the province of Wurtemberg.  He was born 1820; and gave his chief
attention to his milling interests in this province.  He enlisted as a soldier
during the French Revolution of '48, and fell in one of the battles.  The
mother of our subject, Fredrica Gans, was also a native of Wurtemberg, where
she now resides.  The whole family are Lutheran in religion.

Charles Gutekunst is one of a family of two children.  His father died before
he was born.  Young Charles was reared and educated in Germany.  He is a
graduate of Heidenheim College, receiving his diploma in 1868.  While in
college he gave special attention to the study of civil engineering, in which
he has become practically proficient.

Believing that the New World offered better inducement to a young man, and
more scope for the exercise of his ambition, Charles emigrated to America in
1870.  He located in St. Martin parish, Louisiana, where he soon found
profitable employment.  He entered the timber industry, in which he has since
been more or less interested.  Since 1878 he has devoted considerable of his
time to civil engineering.  He was elected justice of the peace in 1882.  He
is also a member of the police jury from this ward.  Many beneficent measures
owe their origin to his efforts as a representative of the people's interests.

In March, 1874, Mr. Gutekunst married Miss Eloise J. Mendoza, a descendant of
an old Spanish family.  She is a native of Louisiana, and the daughter of Jos.
and Mary Mendoza, who are now residents of St. Mary parish.  To this marriage
have been born three children, one son and two daughters, to-wit:  Octave
Orto,  Charlotte and  Laura.

Mr. Gutekunst has prospered, and owns considerable property in this parish.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
331-332.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.