Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Fretz, Oliver D.
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bedminster Township

OLIVER D. FRETZ shoemaker, P.O. Bedminster, is a son of that 
Abraham Fretz already mentioned as living at Pipersville and 
who was brought up on the old homestead, where he lived 
until a few years ago, when he sold it to Ely.  He has also 
followed droving for forty years, and is familiarly known as 
"Drover Abraham."  He is a member of the Mennonite church, 
and is a man of strongly marked characteristics, one of his 
leading traits being a willingness to help his neighbors, 
often to his own detriment.  His wife, Sarah Detweiler, died 
in the year 1851.  Their children were:  Lavina and 
Clementine, who are living in this township; Clayton D., a 
physician in Sellersville; Titus and Sarah Ellen, who are 
deceased; and Oliver D., who was the oldest.  After his 
wife's death Mr. Fretz was married to Katie Frey, of 
Haycock, who died in 1886.  They had six children:  Abraham 
and Laura, deceased; Lewis in Philadelphia; Sabilla and 
Katie, in Doylestown; and Alice, in Gardenville. Oliver D. 
was born in this township, November 12, 1840, and when 17 
years old began learning the shoemaker's trade, at which he 
is still working.  December 8, 1870, he was married to 
Susan, daughter of William Myers, of this township.  She was 
born March 1, 1844.  They have two children, Abbie M. and 
William James.  Mr. Fretz bears an honorable name as a plain 
honest man.  Like all of his ancestors he is a Mennonite, a 
member of the Second Deep Run church.