Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Reetz, Ferdinand
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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
Middletown Township


   FERDINAND REETZ manufacturer, P.O. Hulmeville, senior 
member of the firm of Ferdinand Reetz & Son, hair cloth 
manufacturers, was born at Luckenwalde, Prussia, May 7, 
1822.  He attended the common schools in Germany, and early 
in life learned the weaver's trade, at which he was employed 
until he came to this country.  He worked at his trade in 
New York until 1867, when he came to Montgomery county, Pa., 
and acted as foreman in a woolen manufactory.  In 1876 he 
came to Hulmeville and engaged in the manufacturer of woolen 
shawls for three years.  The present business was commenced 
in Philadelphia in 1882, and in 1884 they removed to 
Hulmeville where they have carried it on since.  Mr. Reetz 
was married in Germany in 1847 to Amelia Fudickar, who was 
born in Elberfeld, Prussia.  This union was blessed with 
four children, of whom Ervald is the eldest.  He was born in 
Germany, in Luckenwalde, 21st September, 1850, where he 
attended the common schools, and in 1866 came to New York 
with his parents.  He learned the weaver's trade with his 
father, and has worked with him ever since, acting as 
general superintendent of the business at Hulmeville at 
present. The manufacture of hair cloth, as carried on by 
Ferdinand Reetz & Son, was established at Philadelphia in 
1882, and removed to Hulmeville in 1884.  The mill is 
thoroughly equipped with all the necessary machinery and 
appliances for the production of perfect work, for which the 
firm is noted.  They run twenty looms, employ first-class 
help, and the good turned out will bear comparison with any 
produced in the United States.  The firm enjoys an excellent 
reputation for promptness and reliability. The elder Mr. 
Reetz served in the regular army in Germany.