George Betz's obituary, Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan


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SUBJECT: George J. BETZ 1894
SUBMITTER: JoAnn G. Irwin
EMAIL: irwinj33@net-link.net
DATE: Feb 28, 2000
PASSWORD>
SURNAMES: BETZ, Conrad, DEAN, GRADWAHL, GRADWOHL, Hiftline, KIENLE,
KOHL, REUHLIN, Weigle, WIDMAIER
Adrian Daily Telegram, April 1894

One of Adrian's Oldest German Residents: Passed Away
George J. BETZ died Saturday afternoon at 3:15, at his home No. 87
Michigan Street, after an extended illness, at the age of 64 years.
He has been a sufferer from asthma for 30 years, but his death came
peacefully, his spirit leaving this earth as if going on an easy journey
into the realms of brightness beyond.
George J. BETZ was born April 8 1830, at the village of Stolenburg,
Schorndorf, Wurtenburg, Germany, and came to America in the spring
of 1855. He settled at Tonawanda, near Buffalo, N. Y. where he carried
on the business of a weaver. In 1857 he came to this city, and had
lived here continuously all these years. He was a hard working, honest,
upright citizen, and by patient toil and rigid economy had secured
a comfortable competence to keep him in old age. He went to work on
the wood train of the Lake Shore railroad when he first came here,
and for many years was a constant employee of that company. After
leaving the company, he followed his trade of a weaver. In 1871 he
purchased the grocery store of John HIFTLINE, now owned and operated
by F. Hock & Co., on East Maumee street. After that he purchased the
stock of groceries on the corner of Erie and Center Streets, now owned
by C. F. CONRAD, Jr., which he purchased of David WEIGLE. This he
owned until he accumulated enough to build a store and home of his
own, and selling to C. F. CONRAD, he built the store No. 52 Erie Street,
opening the grocery now owned by G. A. BETZ, his son. On April 8th
(his birthday) he sold his business to George A. and John F. BETZ,
his sons, and had lived a life of retirement ever since, enjoying
life at home, and occasionally going to his farm.
He was married, August 10, 1856, to Elizabeth GRADWAHL/GRADWOHL, at
Tonawanda, N. Y. and his wife survives him, after sharing his joys
and hardships for 38 years. Besides his widow six children are left
to mourn his loss, as follows: Mrs. Fred KOHL, Quincy, Mich., George
A. BETZ, of this city, John F. BETZ, of Hudson, Wis., Charles F. BETZ,
of Adrian, Mrs. J. W. DEAN and Mrs. John C. KIENLE, of Toledo. One
child George, died in infancy. The following grandchildren survive
him: Carl and Willie BETZ, Norman KOHL, Gertie and Florence BETZ,
Artie and Lizzie BETZ, Clifford DEAN and Hulda KIENLE. There are three
brothers left, Gotlieb and Jacob BETZ, of this city, and Frederick
at the old home, in Germany, besides three sisters, Mrs. Jacob WIDMAIER,
Mrs. Henry REUHLIN, of Toledo, and Catherine, in Germany.
Deceased was a charter member of the German workingmen's association,
in which body he held a office for some time. He was also a consistent
member of St. John's German Lutheran Church, and helped build that
handsome brick edifice now owned by that society. He also held office
for some years in the church, and was looked up to as one of its best
members.
He took deep interest in people from his own country, and was agent
here of the Detroit Abend Post, daily and weekly.
The funeral will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from
the house, and 2:30 from St. John's German Church, sun time. [buried
Oakwood Cem.]





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