Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Fretz, Reed
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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

REED FRETZ farmer, P.O. Bedminster, is a grandson of Abraham 
Fretz, and a nephew of Philip K. Fretz, under whose name is 
given the genealogy of the family.  Our subject's father, 
Jacob, was born in 1803.  His father died when he was 11 
years old and he remained with his mother until he was 37, 
when he married, bought the homestead, and lived there until 
his death, November 30, 1869.  He was a great reader, and 
having a taste for travel, gratified it by extensive trips 
on foot through Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and other states, 
and Canada.  He was married in 1840 to Susan Beidler, who 
was born in 1820, and is still living.  They had ten 
children, of whom five are now living, viz:  Emma, wife of 
Abraham M. Leatherman, in Plumstead; Reed; Rachel, wife of 
William H. Slotter, of Yardley; Lizzie, wife of Nelson K. 
Leatherman, of Milford township; and Philip Kirk, in Texas.  
A son, Abraham Ely, was accidentally killed, two months 
after his father's death, by the fall of a horse he was 
riding.  Reed was born March 19, 1844.  When 19 years old he 
began school-teaching, which he followed for three years.  
For the four succeeding years he worked for his father, and 
in 1870 bought the homestead property.  In 1882 he built an 
elegant new residence, and put up the most commodious and 
probably the best planned barn in the county.  January 27, 
1870, he was married to Amanda, daughter of Frank Loux, of 
Solebury.  She was born April 14, 1846.  They have six 
children:  Jacob Franklin, Minerva, Anna Laura, Nelson 
Oswald, Mabel Celia, and Mary Matilda.  Mr. Fretz is a 
plain-spoken, straightforward man, who inspires confidence 
by his sincerity of action.  He has never been an aspirant 
for public favors, having never held office except as 
traverse and grand juror.