BIO: John C. MOTZ, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ JOHN C. MOTZ (deceased). On January 17, 1893, there passed away at his home in Woodward, Centre county, a man who had for many years been a leader in the development of Penn's Valley, his untiring efforts in the promotion of large commercial operations preparing for him an enduring place in the history of that region. Progressive and clear- sighted, his work was of a nature to build up the community while enlarging his own fortune, and his shrewd, energetic and forceful management of his varied enterprises commanded the admiration of the public. Mr. Motz was born June 22, 1832, at the old homestead in Woodward, which had been the residence of two previous generations, his grandfather, John Motz, born in 1758, having been the first settler in that locality, which, in fact, once bore the name of "Motz's Bank." The family to which he belonged was obliged to leave the Fatherland on account of religious persecutions, then so prevalent. The extensive collection of books which he left at his death contained valuable works on Church, History, Astronomy and other subjects. His wife, Mary (Whitmer), who was born October 9, 1767, was a noble character, devoted to the care of the sick and feeble of the neighborhood, and was so skillful in this work that her services were esteemed as much as a physician's would have been. In 1786 they moved to the site of Woodward from what is now Snyder county, and spent their remaining years there, the grandfather dying in 1802, and the grandmother on March 13, 1839. They left seven children - three daughters and four sons - the names of the latter being: Jacob, John, George and James. John Motz, Jr., our subject's father, was born January 6, 1792, and lived and died at the old homestead. He was married December 11, 1827, to Elizabeth Fisher, who was born November 1, 1800, at Fisher's Ferry, Northumberland Co., Penn., and died January 3, 1882. They had three sons and four daughter, viz.: Daniel Alexander, born June 15, 1829, died October 1, 1833; John C., our subject; William Henry, born March 13, 1839, died July 22, 1848; Lydia, Sarah C., Catherine A. and Mary Elizabeth. One of the daughters, Lydia, married C. H. Gutelius, of Mifflinburg; she was an able and active business woman, and at one time traveled 600 miles by ox-team from Omaha to Denver, where she was successfully engaged in extensive real-estate deals; she died May 4, 1882. Sarah C. married Dr. P. D. Neff, who died at Centre Hall. Catherine A. married Dr. George P. Weaver, late of Hanover, Penn., and now of Philadelphia. Mary Elizabeth, born February 11, 1845, died November 30, 1861. The common-school system of the present day was in its infancy during the period in which our subject was acquiring his education, but his studies in the local schools were supplemented with a course in the academy at Mifflinburg. At an early age he began to manifest rare business ability, and at twenty he became a merchant at Woodward. As time passed he sought still other fields of activity, operating a gristmill and distillery, and finally purchased the entire estate left by his father. His close attention to busi- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 353 ness, and thorough knowledge and supervision of its details, made success sure, and when an enterprise was once undertaken he spared no pains in its prosecution. His mill property was improved at heavy expense in 1852, and again in 1878 in order to secure the latest machinery and methods. His early success was not won without some sacrifice, however, and after fifteen years he was compelled by impaired health to give up all care for a time. A trip to the Rocky Mountains, in 1867, greatly benefited him, and on his return he resumed his accustomed activities, soon embarking in other and larger enterprises. On March 15, 1872, he, with others, established the banking house of John C. Motz & Co , at Millheim, of which he was the chief promoter and first president. This position he held for many years, and the bank weathered the financial storms of that time bravely under his judicious yet bold management. The failure of Jay Cooke lost for the firm all their Eastern exchanges; their credit, however, was sustained by paying over their counters thousands of dollars in cash, as the bankers would not wait for the ordinary return by mail, but sent special messengers with checks. For many years he was the principal stockholder in the Bellefonte, Aaronsburg and Youngmanstown Turnpike Co., and as its president conducted its affairs to the great advantage of the people of the Valley as well as that of the shareholders. He was one of the capitalists who secured a charter in April, 1879, for the Millheim Turnpike Co., of which he was the heaviest stockholder, and his interests are still retained by his family. He dealt extensively in lumber and grain, and shipped the first carload of grain over the Lewisburg & Spruce Valley Creek railway; and indeed, were we to mention all the enterprises in which he was a leader, we would bring in review all the varied elements of material progress in his locality during his time. No project was broached indicating benefit to the Valley that he did not encourage in a practical and effective way. He left a large estate, comprising several mill properties, extensive tracts of farm and mountain land in this State, valuable real estate in Kansas, Colorado and Iowa, together with stock in gold mines and other interests. As a loyal friend to the best interests of his native village, he gave especial attention to its improvement. He was a royal entertainer, always glad to see his friends, and socially as well as in business circles he was held in high esteem. A stanch Republican, he took great interest in the success of his party, and he was also a liberal supporter of religious work, giving not only of his money but of his time and personal influence. In 1865 he became a member of the Evangelical Association, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. On November 14, 1869, Mr. Motz was married to Miss Maranda A. Reigard, a lady of fine intellectual powers, and gracious womanliness, whose gifts of mind and heart have made their home a social center. They had three sons, who are all taking prominent places in the community, and make a trio of whom any parent would be proud. [Sketches of these will be found elsewhere.] Mrs. Motz is a daughter of Dr. Jacob Reigard and his wife, Lucinda Wagner, who are now living at the age of eighty-six, in the possession of unusual health and vigor. Dr. Reigard prepared for his profession under the guidance of Dr. Bigelow, of Millheim, and began to practice when only nineteen years old, locating at Orangeville, Columbia Co., Penn., where he met and married Lucinda Wagner. Notwithstanding the opposition of the older physicians, he succeeded, his skill in surgery enabling him to perform some operations with which the others were not familiar. Later he moved to Shirleysburg, where he remained many years, and then spent twelve years on a farm five miles from the city of Doyle's Ford. There malaria seized him, and after suffering from ague for eighteen months he sought a change of air at Woodward, remaining three years. During this time his daughter was wooed and won by Mr. Motz. In 1852 Dr. Reigard and his wife removed to Freeport, Ill., where they now enjoy the rewards of past labors. The Doctor amassed a considerable fortune through his practice and by judicious speculation, and at one time he owned the only gristmill at Freeport. Mrs. Motz was born May 25, 1835, in Columbia county, and was educated in the schools of Shirleysburg, and at a select school in Danville, Penn. She was the first born in a family of ten children; (2) Ira G. died at Shirleysburg, aged eleven years; (3) Francis M., deceased, was a farmer at Freeport, Ill.; (4) Shepherd W. is in the clothing business at Freeport; (5) Amanda M., deceased, married F. G. Welsh, a machinist at Chicago; (6) Juniata is at home; (7) Mary Belle, who married Mr. Welsh after her sister Amanda's death, is a journalist, and resides at Williamsburg, Kans.; (8) Louisa A. married R. S. McWilliams, a farmer; (9) Scioto M. died at Freeport, Ill.; and (to) Blanche Eugenia is at home with her parents.