Individual Details
Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe
(November 1, 1866 - June 26, 1948)
NATHE FAMILY HISTORY
Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe was born in New Munich, Minnesota, on November 1, 1866. Because of his health, his family moved to Florida in 1887, when Joe was 21 years of age.
On April 28, 1891, Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe and Mary Elizabeth Barthle were married. Joe's health still was not good, and the doctors told him he would only live about 5 years. Joe & Lizzie started farming, then planting citrus trees. They had 14 children.
Joe died at his home in St. Joseph on June 26, 1948, after 57 years of marriage. Lizzie died November 22, 1953. They had 66 grandchildren, 166 great-grandchildren, and 99 great-grandchildren.
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Casper Joseph (CJ) Nathe, 1C3R. Born on 1 Nov 1866 in New Munich, MN. Casper Joseph (CJ) died in St. Joseph, FL on 26 Jun 1948; he was 81. Citrus grows well in this community of 250 settled in the late 1800s by German Catholics from St. Joseph, Minn. because it likes sandy soil that drains easily, says [Roxine] Barthle. But the popularity of the kumquat, which is native to China, stems from the groves of a man named C.J. Nathe. As the story goes, Nathe became fond of the ornamental kumquat tree while working at a nursery near St. Joseph. In the early 1900s he planted about four acres of kumquats, harvested the fruit for preserves, and gave them away. Nathe soon cultivated his hobby into a profitable business, selling mostly to northern states where the kumquat was in high demand. As other growers learned of his success, they followed suit, and harvesting kumquats became a family pastime while providing supplemental income, just as it does now.1
Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe was born in New Munich, MN, November 1, 1866. Because of his health, his family moved to Florida in 1887, when Joe was 21 years of age. His parents, Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (DeMarto) Nathe, had eight children: Anna, Casper Joseph, Christopher, Henry, Mary, Anton, John Joseph, and Elizabeth. Anna was married and remained in Minnesota when the family moved to Florida. Henry and John Joseph died at an early age.
After arrival in Florida, the Nathes settled in Chipco, a town with one store and an old freight car for a depot. They bought land and built a home where Gertrude Nathe Gude now lives. Theirs was the first recorded deed in Pasco County. They attended Church in San Antonio. Anton was registered in the first class at St. Leo Military College in 1890 and graduated in the first class in 1892.
Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Nathe had given the material for the church in Meire's Grove, Minnesota where they had lived before coming to Florida. Since there was no church near their home in Florida, they built the Catholic Church. The settlement was named St. Joseph after Joseph Nathe. Joseph died August 4, 1896 at St. Joseph. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, eventually moved back to Minnesota, along with her son Anton. Joe and Chris remained in St. Joseph. Mary married Herman and Elizabeth married Jake Klassen. Both returned to Minnesota.
Mary Elizabeth (Barthle) Nathe was born June 17, 1874, in New Munich, Minnesota. She was one of ten children born to Bernard Andrew and Agnes (Weible ) Barthle: Frank (died at birth), Frank (lived to be 95), Agnes (Buttweiler), Andrew (died at 23 years), Joseph (died at 10 years), Anna (Christ), Mary Elizabeth (Nathe), Mary (Eisele), John, and Walburga (died at 1 year).
Research: The information on Casper Joseph Nathe was compiled in 1976 by an unknown author.
Some of the details about the descendants of Casper Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Barthle) Nathe was provided by Stephanie (Orolowicz) Bartz.2
On 28 Apr 1891 when Casper Joseph (CJ) was 24, he married Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Barthle. Born on 17 Jun 1874 in New Munich, MN. Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) died in Brooksville, FL on 22 Nov 1953; she was 79. Buried in St. Joseph, FL.3 Sacred Heart Cemetery.
ALL ABOUT KUMQUATS - October, 2000
In the summer of 1887 young Casper Joseph (C.J.) Nathe arrived from Minnesota to settle near what was, by 1888, called Saint Joseph. In order to save money to buy the 340 acre farm where he and his wife, the former Elizabeth Barthle, would eventually raise their family of fourteen children, C.J. worked for a number of employers.
One of his jobs was at the plant nursery of W.J. Ellsworth at nearby Jessamine Gardens. During his ten year employment there the young man became familiar with the ornamental kumquat tree and the small orange fruit it produced.
When C.J. Nathe was able to buy his own farm he planted 50 acres of citrus, mostly, oranges, and 50 acres of vegetables and several tropical fruits for home use and to share with family and neighbors. Remembering his fondness for the ornamental kumquat, he also planted an acre of that tree, probably the nagami variety. The general belief is that the planting was done in 1912. However, C.J.'s son, the late James P. "Pat" Nathe, believes it probably was earlier - in 1907 or 1908; he was born in 1911 and as he grew remembers hearing that the trees had been fully mature at his birth.
Regardless of the date, this was the first commercial kumquat grove in Saint Joseph, for once the trees were bearing, their harvest was made into preserves. Nathe shared them with others, and soon orders for the fruit began to come in. Nathe realized that the kumquat was more than just ornamental.
He planted more acres of kumquats and by 1926 was known as the "world's kumquat king.
Soon other local growers recognized a financial opportunity and planted kumquat trees, and Pasco County became the world's leader in the production and shipment of the fruit. To this day it is the self-proclaimed 'Kumquat Capital of the World' because the majority of kumquats in the United States are grown here.
In February of 1930, the first solid carload of kumquats was shipped from Dade City over the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to Chicago. The shipment was made by C.J. Nathe of the Saint Joseph community.
In 1971, Kumquat Growers, Inc. was born. Among the owner/growers were Charles and Roxine Barthle, Frank Gude and Rosemary Gude, and Louis Barthle.
Kumquat Growers, Inc. is a one-of-a-kind business. It grows, harvests, and markets kumquats throughout the United States, Canada and eastern Europe.
In 1993 Kumquat Growers, Inc. purchased the property at the corner of Scharber Road and State Road 578. The building on the site at 31936 St. Joe road was renovated to serve as a country store for the community, and opened for business on December 1st of that year. Its primary goal is introducing kumquats and their use to as many people as possible.
Katy's Country Corner is currently owned and operated by Roxine and Charlie Barthle.
Kumquats, kumquat products and information are featured.
Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe was born in New Munich, Minnesota, on November 1, 1866. Because of his health, his family moved to Florida in 1887, when Joe was 21 years of age.
On April 28, 1891, Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe and Mary Elizabeth Barthle were married. Joe's health still was not good, and the doctors told him he would only live about 5 years. Joe & Lizzie started farming, then planting citrus trees. They had 14 children.
Joe died at his home in St. Joseph on June 26, 1948, after 57 years of marriage. Lizzie died November 22, 1953. They had 66 grandchildren, 166 great-grandchildren, and 99 great-grandchildren.
***************
Casper Joseph (CJ) Nathe, 1C3R. Born on 1 Nov 1866 in New Munich, MN. Casper Joseph (CJ) died in St. Joseph, FL on 26 Jun 1948; he was 81. Citrus grows well in this community of 250 settled in the late 1800s by German Catholics from St. Joseph, Minn. because it likes sandy soil that drains easily, says [Roxine] Barthle. But the popularity of the kumquat, which is native to China, stems from the groves of a man named C.J. Nathe. As the story goes, Nathe became fond of the ornamental kumquat tree while working at a nursery near St. Joseph. In the early 1900s he planted about four acres of kumquats, harvested the fruit for preserves, and gave them away. Nathe soon cultivated his hobby into a profitable business, selling mostly to northern states where the kumquat was in high demand. As other growers learned of his success, they followed suit, and harvesting kumquats became a family pastime while providing supplemental income, just as it does now.1
Casper Joseph (Joe) Nathe was born in New Munich, MN, November 1, 1866. Because of his health, his family moved to Florida in 1887, when Joe was 21 years of age. His parents, Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (DeMarto) Nathe, had eight children: Anna, Casper Joseph, Christopher, Henry, Mary, Anton, John Joseph, and Elizabeth. Anna was married and remained in Minnesota when the family moved to Florida. Henry and John Joseph died at an early age.
After arrival in Florida, the Nathes settled in Chipco, a town with one store and an old freight car for a depot. They bought land and built a home where Gertrude Nathe Gude now lives. Theirs was the first recorded deed in Pasco County. They attended Church in San Antonio. Anton was registered in the first class at St. Leo Military College in 1890 and graduated in the first class in 1892.
Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Nathe had given the material for the church in Meire's Grove, Minnesota where they had lived before coming to Florida. Since there was no church near their home in Florida, they built the Catholic Church. The settlement was named St. Joseph after Joseph Nathe. Joseph died August 4, 1896 at St. Joseph. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, eventually moved back to Minnesota, along with her son Anton. Joe and Chris remained in St. Joseph. Mary married Herman and Elizabeth married Jake Klassen. Both returned to Minnesota.
Mary Elizabeth (Barthle) Nathe was born June 17, 1874, in New Munich, Minnesota. She was one of ten children born to Bernard Andrew and Agnes (Weible ) Barthle: Frank (died at birth), Frank (lived to be 95), Agnes (Buttweiler), Andrew (died at 23 years), Joseph (died at 10 years), Anna (Christ), Mary Elizabeth (Nathe), Mary (Eisele), John, and Walburga (died at 1 year).
Research: The information on Casper Joseph Nathe was compiled in 1976 by an unknown author.
Some of the details about the descendants of Casper Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Barthle) Nathe was provided by Stephanie (Orolowicz) Bartz.2
On 28 Apr 1891 when Casper Joseph (CJ) was 24, he married Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Barthle. Born on 17 Jun 1874 in New Munich, MN. Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) died in Brooksville, FL on 22 Nov 1953; she was 79. Buried in St. Joseph, FL.3 Sacred Heart Cemetery.
ALL ABOUT KUMQUATS - October, 2000
In the summer of 1887 young Casper Joseph (C.J.) Nathe arrived from Minnesota to settle near what was, by 1888, called Saint Joseph. In order to save money to buy the 340 acre farm where he and his wife, the former Elizabeth Barthle, would eventually raise their family of fourteen children, C.J. worked for a number of employers.
One of his jobs was at the plant nursery of W.J. Ellsworth at nearby Jessamine Gardens. During his ten year employment there the young man became familiar with the ornamental kumquat tree and the small orange fruit it produced.
When C.J. Nathe was able to buy his own farm he planted 50 acres of citrus, mostly, oranges, and 50 acres of vegetables and several tropical fruits for home use and to share with family and neighbors. Remembering his fondness for the ornamental kumquat, he also planted an acre of that tree, probably the nagami variety. The general belief is that the planting was done in 1912. However, C.J.'s son, the late James P. "Pat" Nathe, believes it probably was earlier - in 1907 or 1908; he was born in 1911 and as he grew remembers hearing that the trees had been fully mature at his birth.
Regardless of the date, this was the first commercial kumquat grove in Saint Joseph, for once the trees were bearing, their harvest was made into preserves. Nathe shared them with others, and soon orders for the fruit began to come in. Nathe realized that the kumquat was more than just ornamental.
He planted more acres of kumquats and by 1926 was known as the "world's kumquat king.
Soon other local growers recognized a financial opportunity and planted kumquat trees, and Pasco County became the world's leader in the production and shipment of the fruit. To this day it is the self-proclaimed 'Kumquat Capital of the World' because the majority of kumquats in the United States are grown here.
In February of 1930, the first solid carload of kumquats was shipped from Dade City over the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to Chicago. The shipment was made by C.J. Nathe of the Saint Joseph community.
In 1971, Kumquat Growers, Inc. was born. Among the owner/growers were Charles and Roxine Barthle, Frank Gude and Rosemary Gude, and Louis Barthle.
Kumquat Growers, Inc. is a one-of-a-kind business. It grows, harvests, and markets kumquats throughout the United States, Canada and eastern Europe.
In 1993 Kumquat Growers, Inc. purchased the property at the corner of Scharber Road and State Road 578. The building on the site at 31936 St. Joe road was renovated to serve as a country store for the community, and opened for business on December 1st of that year. Its primary goal is introducing kumquats and their use to as many people as possible.
Katy's Country Corner is currently owned and operated by Roxine and Charlie Barthle.
Kumquats, kumquat products and information are featured.
Events
| Birth | November 1, 1866 | New Munich, MN--Meire Grove, Stearns Co., MN | |||
| Marriage | April 28, 1891 | San Antonio, FL - Mary Elizabeth Barthle | |||
| Census | June, 1900 | Chipco, Pasco Co., FL | |||
| Census | January, 1920 | Pasco Co., FL | |||
| Death | June 26, 1948 | St. Joseph, FL--he was 81 | |||
| Burial | Sacred Heart Cemetery |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Elizabeth Barthle (1874 - 1953) |
| Child | Gertrude Agnes Nathe (1892 - 1990) |
| Child | Florence Mary Nathe (1894 - 1967) |
| Child | Agnes Catherine Nathe (1896 - 1985) |
| Child | Robert Joseph Nathe (1898 - 1902) |
| Child | John Louis Patrick Nathe (1900 - 1904) |
| Child | Alphonse Bernard "Al" Nathe (1902 - 1967) |
| Child | Joseph Matthew Nathe (1904 - 1980) |
| Child | Rose Marie Nathe (1906 - 2003) |
| Child | William Nathe (1908 - 1908) |
| Child | Clara Barbara Nathe (1909 - 1983) |
| Child | James Patrick Bernard Nathe (1911 - 2000) |
| Child | Sylvester John Nathe (1914 - 1994) |
| Child | Agnes Mary Elizabeth Nathe (1916 - 2006) |
| Child | Clarence Paul Nathe (1919 - 1999) |
| Father | Joseph Nathe (1836 - 1896) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Marto (1835 - 1915) |
| Sibling | Anna Gertrude Nathe (1864 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Christopher Nathe (1868 - 1933) |
| Sibling | Henry Nathe (1871 - 1874) |
| Sibling | Mary Elizabeth Nathe (1873 - 1955) |
| Sibling | Anton John "Antonio Tony" Nathe (1875 - 1962) |
| Sibling | John Joseph Nathe (1877 - 1880) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth Anna Mary Nathe (1880 - 1947) |