CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA - OBITUARY OF Mary Betz ==================================================================== NEGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the NEGenWeb Archives by Carol Tramp Permission granted by: Rob Dump, Editor, Cedar County News ====================================================================== THE CEDAR COUNTY NEWS - Cedar county news June 07, 1923 Mrs. Mary Betz Dead; age 97 Venerable Pioneer had lived in Cedar County over 70 years Funeral Held at St. Helena Wednesday The journey to America required over two months on a sailing vessel, suffering many hardships, came to America in 1850. Mrs. Mary Becker Betz, believed to have resided in Cedar County longer than any other resident and to be the second oldest person in the county died Monday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Hausmann. Mrs. Betz was born in Matning, Germany on September 15, 1826, and would have been 97 this fall. She came to America in 1850 on a sailing vessel which took 64 days to make the trip across the ocean, the navigators of those days lacking the aid of the scientific precision of present day instrument so the vessel wasn't directed in the proper course. To add to the dangers a submerged iceberg was struck, but luckily no lives were taken. Miss Becker settled first at Clay County, Iowa, where she met and was married to Anton Betz in 1853, the young couple set up housekeeping on the Iowa prairies in a clay hut. The next year they built a log house and were considered well to do. A year later they immigrated to Cedar county and a short time later they erected a brick house which still stands a few miles south of St Helena, on the farm now owned by Henry Wuebbens, and in which in those days was regarded as the evidence of great wealth. Mrs. Betz was a commanding figure during the early days in the county, and her cheerful disposition, and many acts of charity, supplying much courage to the early pioneers not so fortunately situated. Mr. Betz died about 40 years ago, since which time Mrs. Betz made her home with her children, Mrs. George Hausmann, Mrs. Will Hirsch, of Norfolk, Mrs. August Forester, Hartington, and John Betz, St. Helena. The funeral was held at 10:00 Wednesday morning from the St. Helena Catholic Church, Rev. C. Stratman conducting the service which was attended by many longtime friends of the family from over the county. Burial was made in St. Helena.