Fritz, William B 1a 2a 3a 4a 5a 6a 7a 8a 9a 10a 11a 12a

Birth Name Fritz, William B 2a
Birth Name Fritz, Willie 3a 6a
Birth Name Fritz, Wm 4a
Birth Name Fritz, William 1a 7a 8a 5a
Birth Name Fritz, William T 9a
Gender male
Age at Death 69 years, 8 months, 25 days

Events

Event Date Place Description Notes Sources
Occupation   Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Manager of his father's farm.
9a
Birth 1860-01-15 Blakesburg, Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Birth of William Fritz
2a 9a 5b 11a
Census 1860-06-01 Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Census of Fritz, William B

Age: 4/12

Sex: Male

Place of birth: Iowa

2a
Census 1870-06-01 Blakesburg, Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Census of Benedict Fritz

Age: 9

Sex: Male

Color: White

Place of birth: Iowa

Father of foreign birth: Checked

Mother of foreign birth: Checked

Attended school within the year: Checked

1a
Census 1880-06-01 Blakesburg, Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Census of Benedict Fritz

Color: White

Sex: male

Age: 20

Relationship to head: Son

Married: Checked

Occupation: Farmer

Number of months unemployed during the census year: Checked

Place of birth: Iowa

Place of birth of father: Austria

Place of birth of mother: Austria

3a
Census 1885 Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States Census of Benedict Fritz

Age at birthday in 1884: 25

Sex: Male

Marital Status: Single

Profession, employment, or occupation: Farmer

Birth county (if in Iowa): Fayette

Father (Native or Foreign): Foreign

Mother (Native or Foreign): Foreign

Subject to military duty: Checked

Entitled to vote: Checked

4a
Census 1895-01-01 Blakesburg, Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States  

Age: 34

Color: White

Place of birth: Wapello Co

5a
Passport 1900-04-04    
11a
Census 1900-06-01 Wapello County, Iowa, United States Census of Fritz, William B

Relation to head: Head

Color: White

Sex: Male

Month of birth: January

Year of birth: 1860

Age: 40

Single, married, widowed or divorced: Single

Place of birth: Iowa

Place of birth of father: Germany

Place of birth of mother: Germany

Occupation: Lumber

Months not employed: 0

Can read: Yes

Can write: Yes

Can speak English: Yes

Home owned or rented: Owned

Owned free or mortgaged: Free

Farm or house: House

6a
Census 1910-04-15 Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States  

Relationship to head: Brother in law

Sex: Male

Color: White

Age: 49

Single, married, widowed or divorced: Single

Place of birth: Iowa

Place of birth of father: Germany

Place of birth of mother: Germany

Able to speak English; if not, language spoken: English

Occupation: Lumber

Nature of industry: Salesman

Employer, employee or working on own account: W

Able to read: Yes

Number of farm schedule: 12

7a
Census 1920-01-05 Blakesburg, Adams Township, Wapello County, Iowa, United States  

Relationship to head: Head

Home owned or rented: Owned

If owned, free or mortgaged: Free

Sex: Male

Color: White

Age: 59

Single, married, widowed or divorced: Single

Able to read: Yes

Able to write: Yes

Place of birth: Iowa

Place of birth of father: Austria

Father's mother tongue: German

Place of birth of mother: Austria

Mother's mother tongue: German

Able to speak English: Yes

Occupation: Merchant

Industry: Lumber ?

Employer, worker or working on own account: ?

Number of farm schedule: 14

8a
Death 1929-10-09 Wapello County, Iowa, United States Death of William Fritz
13a
Burial after 1929-10-09 Blakesburg Cemetery Burial of William Fritz
10b

Parents

Relation to main person Name Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father Fritz, Benedict
Mother Müller, Anne
    Sister     Fritz, Louisa Christina
         Fritz, William B
    Sister     Fritz, Matilda
    Brother     Fritz, Henry F
    Sister     Fritz, Matilda
    Brother     Fritz, George W
    Brother     Fritz, Franklin
    Sister     Fritz, Gertrude Cornelius

Media

Pedigree

  1. Fritz, Benedict
    1. Müller, Anne
      1. Fritz, Louisa Christina
      2. Fritz, William B
      3. Fritz, Matilda
      4. Fritz, Henry F
      5. Fritz, Matilda
      6. Fritz, George W
      7. Fritz, Franklin
      8. Fritz, Gertrude Cornelius

Ancestors

Source References

  1. 1870 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1870-06-01
      • Page: Roll: M593_422; Page: 17A; Image: 37; Family History Library Film: 545921
  2. 1860 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1860-06-01
      • Page: Roll: M653_343; Page: 698; Image: 110; Family History Library Film: 803343
      • Citation:

        The head of the household is listed as Frederick, but I believe should be Benedict. The ages for him, Anna, Louisa, and William match their birth years (although Anna's is a few years off in this and in the 1870 United States Federal Census).

  3. 1880 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1880-06-01
      • Page: Roll: 368; Family History Film: 1254368; Page: 214B; Enumeration District: 068; Image: 0049
  4. 1885 Iowa State Census
      • Date: 1885
      • Page: Roll: IA1885_270; TODO: SPLIT THIS
  5. 1895 Iowa State Census
      • Date: 1895-01-01
      • Date: 1895-01-01
  6. 1900 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1900-06-01
      • Page: Roll: 462; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 112
  7. 1910 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1910-04-15
      • Page: Roll: T624_426; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0129; Image: 7; FHL microfilm: 1374439
  8. 1920 United States Federal Census
      • Date: 1920-01-05
  9. Portrait and Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa
      • Page: Pages 276, 277
      • Citation:

        B FRITZ, a prominent and representative citizen of Blakesburg, Wapello County, is a native of Austria, born in the beautiful Province of Tyrol, on the 15th of October, 1826. He is the son of Benedict and Virneck (Yocum) Fritz, the latter of whom died in her native country at the age of about forty years, when her son, our subject, was a lad ten years old. He still remembers her as a careful and affectionate mother, devoted to the religious faith of her fathers, that of the Catholic Church. She was buried near the old home in Tyrol, and is held in sacred remembrance by the son who, although so young when she passed away, can recall her devoted and loving care. The father of our subject died in his native country in about 1859, and was also a Catholic, as were most of the people of that part of the country. Their children were carefully trained in the doctrines of that church.

        The parental household of our subject consisted of several children, five sons and two daughters. Joseph came to this country with the subject of our sketch, and died in Columbus, Ohio, in 1884; Benedict of this history was the second son; Christian is engaged in farming near Des Moines, Iowa; Anthony, a baker by trade, is in his native land; Priscilla died in the old country in about 1873; the second child died in infancy.

        Mr. Fritz left his native country for the United States in the spring of 1853. The voyage occupied thirty-six days, and after landing in New York City he proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where his brother Christian had previously located. Upon arriving he found that the latter had left there, and not being able to find out his whereabouts, went to Columbus, and there engaged as a house-painter, in which he was occupied for the following eight months. About this time came the glowing reports about the quantity of gold to be found in California, and Mr. F. being seized with the fever, started on the 5th of January for San Francisco via New York, and thence by steamer, arriving on the Pacific coast on the 2d of February, 1854, and proceeded straight to the mines in Placer County, Cal., where he was engaged in searching for the shining ore for the following three years. He was successful in his enterprise, and in the year last mentioned returned eastward as far as Iowa, and coming to Wapello County, purchased 160 acres of land in Adams township, on section 17, obtaining possession of it in October.

        In the meantime, however, on the 20th of September, Mr. Fritz secured unto himself a partner and helpmeet in the person of Miss Annie Miller, a native of his own country. She was born May 7, 1831, and was the daughter of Martin Miller. Of this union there were eight children, as follows: Louise B., born July 13, 1858, became the wife of Moses Abernethy, a merchant and hotel-keeper of Blakesburg; William T. was born Jan 15, 1860, and is now the manager of his father’s farm in Adams Township; Henry, born Nov. 25, 1862, is employed as a clerk by his brother-in-law, Mr. Abernethy; Matilda, born May 5, 1861, died March 20, 1864, and is buried in the cemetery at Blakesburg; the next daughter, also named Matilda, was born Aug. 7, 1864, and married Mr. Frank Hardy, a farmer residing near Blakesburg; George, born Oct. 10, 1866, is now attending the Business College of Bryant & Stratton, at Chicago; Franklin, born Sept. 26, 1868, is attending the district school; and Gertrude C. was born Feb. 14, 1871.

        Mr. Fritz is the owner of about 1,000 acres of land. He is extensively engaged as a dealer in life-stock and is also interested in mercantile pursuits. In addition to this he owns and superintends a gristmill. In his various business pursuits he has been remarkably successful and has accumulated a handsome competency. On departing from his native land he was possessed of a very small amount of this world’s goods, and that little was spent on the journey. But he has been reared to habits of industry, and had served over four years in the German army, and thus became familiar with hardship and privation, so that he was well fitted for the emergencies of the future. He had been richly rewarded in his efforts to become a man among the men of this great Republic, and occupies an enviable position as a representative citizen, enjoying the fullest confidence and respect of those among whom he has lived for so many years. Although his course has been seemingly very successful, he, too, has been visited by afflictions, the greatest being the death of his wife, to whom he was devotedly attached; she departed this life at her home on the 25th of August, 1884. She was an affectionate wife and mother, a faithful friend and counselor, and devotedly attached to the religion of the Catholic Church. Her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near Blakesburg, and she is kindly remembered by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

        Mr. Fritz has provided liberally for his children, giving each the advantage of a good education, and has generously assisted them in starting in life. He is now retired from active labor and can look with satisfaction over the years of a life in which he has striven to perform his duty to those within his influence and to fulfill the obligations of a good citizen. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and uniformly casts his vote in support of its principles.

  10. Blakesburg Cemetery
      • Page: Gravestone of William Fritz (1860-1929)
      • Citation:

        Last Name: Fritz
        First Name: William
        Born: 1860
        Died: 1929

      • Page: Gravestone for William B Fritz
  11. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925
      • Page: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Passport Applications, 1795-1905; Collection Number: ARC Identifier 566612 / MLR Number A1 508; NARA Series: M1372; Roll #: 562
      • Citation:

        [EDITION OF 1889.]
        [FORM FOR NATIVE CITIZEN.]
        [FORM NO. 203.]

        No 31183

        (stamp:)
        PASSPORT DIV.
        AUG 4 1900
        DEPT. OF STATE

        Issued AUG 4 1900

        UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

        State of Iowa
        County of Wapello

        I William Fritz, a NATIVE AND LOYAL CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a pasport for myself, accompanied by _____ as follows: _____, born at _____, on the _____ day of _____, 18__, and _____.

        I solemnly swear that I was born at Blakesburg, in the State of Iowa, on or about the 15th day of January, 1860, that my father was a citizen of the United States; that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Blakesburg, in the State of Iowa, where I follow the occupation of merchant; that I am about to go abroad temporarily; and that I intend to return to the United States six months, with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein.'

        OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

        Further, I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: SO HELP ME GOD.

        Sword to before me this 2 day of August, 1900
        ??? (signature)
        Notary Public

        William Fritz (signature)

        DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT.
        Age: 40 years
        Stature: 5 feet 6 inches, Eng.
        Forehead: high
        Eyes: Brown
        Nose: Medium ???
        Mouth: Medium
        Chin: round? full
        Hair: dark brown
        Complexion: dark
        Face: round? full

        IDENTIFICATION.

        August 2, 1900

        I hereby certify that I know the above-named William Fritz personally, and know him to be a native-born citizen of the United States, and that the facts stated in his affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

        J E Hill

        [ADDRESS OF WITNESS.] Ottumwa Iowa

        Applicant designs passport sent to following address:

        William Fritz
        Blakesburg
        Wapello ? Iowa

  12. Blakesburg Excelsior (Newspaper)
      • Date: 1926-04-29
      • Page: 1926-04-29; Microfilm from State Historical Society of Iowa Blakesburg (Wapello co, IA); Excelsior Newspaper, Microfilm from State Historical Society of Iowa; Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Martha Richards
      • Citation:

        While we do not intend to blow off our head about it, yet this is one anniversary that should not go by unnoticed. A quarter of a century is a long time to camp in a small town, but we have learned to like it and hope to continue here for some time to come. During all these years we have stuck pretty close to business and have never missed getting out an issue of the paper and have always had it out on time.....We give below a panarama of Blakesburg as it was a quarter of a century ago:

        Articles of Incorporation had been adopted. G. F. THODE was the station agent and the lawn about the depot was the prettiest along the Kansas City division, this being Roadmaster SHEA's office headquarters. All the ground south of the old SCHEAFER homestead, was a meadow. Billy FRITZ drove a span of high-stepping bays to a rubber tired buggy. John SHEA stood on a box with an apron tied around his neck and dried the dishes for his mother. Uncle Hi VanCLEAVE furnished music on his violin every evening. Drs. UDELL, TORRENCE and HURST furnished the pills and quinine. Tom HAMPTON run the saloon. Vade SMITH was superintendent of school. There were two livery barns and both run hacks to all trains. H. FRITZ, M. H. ABERNATHY, W. S. WILSON, Sr. and W. S. CASH had general stores here. Chas. ZIGLER run a jewelry store. Jerry THOMPSON was the produce dealer and drove a huxster wagon. Chas. READING and Wm. ROWE were the village blacksmiths. John FOLAND was operating the creamery, WATERMAN Bros., harness shop, Frank FRITZ and John OSWALD, hardware. Some of the girls road (sic) bicycles. HARLAND & JACKSON, S.P.POSTON, Emery CHIDESTER and T. E. THOMPSON were the stock buyers. M. H. ABERNATHY was postmaster, Minnin SANDIFER, millinery store. Walter ABEGG was the then young banker in Blakesburg and Fred LOBER run a fruit store. Wm. GOODSPEED was mayor. John LaFOLLETTE was working for Wm. FRITZ. Merritt TINSLEY and O. E. THODE were bachelors and Frank TINSLEY was the sympathetic undertaker. Rev. BOBBITT was pastor of the Baptist church and Rev. BURDOCK the Methodist church. Walter ABERNATHY graduated from dresses to trousers. "Foot" Thompson carved pork chops. Blakesburg had two hotels, Frank HARDY and "Chunk" TINSLEY were the landlords. Edward FRITZ was learning to walk and Bert THOMPSON and I. T. CHIDESTER were the tonsorial artists and Ben THAYER was 'devil" in the Excelsior office."

        (Later in the issue:)

        In our write up of twenty-five years ago we overlooked mentioning that W. FRITZ was here in the lumber and implement business.

  13. Death Certificate Index - Wapello (1920-June 1921 & 1923-1933)
      • Citation:

        Name                Birth Date     Birth Place   Death Date     County    Mother's Maiden Name   Number      Box
        Abernathy, Louesa   13 July 1858   Iowa          26 Nov. 1932   Wapello                          C90-00106   D2683
        Abernathy, M.H.     03 May 1850    Iowa          29 Jan. 1929   Wapello   Barnes                 90-00913    D2540
        Fritz, William      15 Jan 1860    Germany       09 Oct. 1929   Wapello   Miller                 90-00999    D2540