Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be a civil law case. Civil law courts provide a forum for deciding disputes involving torts (such as accidents, negligence, and libel), contract disputes, the probate of wills, trusts, property disputes, administrative law, commercial law, and any other private matters that involve private parties or organizations including government departments. The objectives of civil law are different from other types of law. In civil law there is the attempt to right a wrong, honor an agreement, or settle a dispute. If there is a victim, they get compensation, and the person who is the cause of the wrong pays, this being a civilized form of, or legal alternative to, revenge.
Koeltztown is an unincorporated community in southern Osage County, Missouri, United States. It is located about seventeen miles southeast of Jefferson City and is one of the oldest settlements in Osage County. Founded in 1858, the community was named for its first postmaster, August Koeltz. While not Catholic, Koeltz donated land for a Catholic parish to encourage enough settlers to the area to establish a town. During the American Civil War, a few raiders came through but there no major battles in the area. Most European settlers were German immigrants, who arrived in greatest number in the mid- to late-19th century.