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Microfilm 981927 Item 12

The author of this document may have been Franz Fritz. This document includes the incorrect story carried within the Fritz family of Iowa about the loss of Joseph Fritz.

Title card

Microfilmed for the Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ottumwa Public Library

Ottumwa, Iowa

Mount Caramel School 1901–1902

Benedict Fritz & Early Pioneer

Date: 24 JUNE 1975

Reduction: 15 Foot

Candles: 64

By Ralph Wofford

Excerpts

Genealogical table (Family tree) of the families F R I T Z from Lech a. Tannberg 1350 — 1965.

...

12) Benedikt F r i z

born on May 22, 1791, died on February 4th, 1861 in Bludenz, burried[sic] on the old church yard (Hl. Kreuz-kirche) married to Veronika Jochum from Schrocken, died on May 1, 1837 in Lech. They had 7 children named: Johann Josef, Maria Kreszentia, Benedikt, Johann Christian, Johann Anton married to Christine Huber, Burs. ... The other children were Basilius and Maria Kreszentia. The fourth child Christian immigrated to the United States on August 5, 1852. His brothers Benedikt and Johann Josef followed him one year later on March 15, 1853, their descendants are living now in Blakesburg, Iowa, 24 km from Ottumwa. Benedikt Fritz was in Lech until 1842 and moved then with his family to Bludenz, to the "Halde" Rungelin Nr. 37. He got married again to Maria Agathe Juen, Bartholomaberg, who died in Bludenz on April 22, 1847.

...

Seal with heraldry of Benedikt F r i t z

1790 - 1793

The Fritz Family in America

As indicated in paragraph 12, three brothers came to this country in 1852 and 1853. They went to California near Placerville, where they made their gold strike and where they met Gephart Schoech who was responsible for them returning to Blakesburg, Iowa to live. One of the brothers, Josef, left the gold fields with his gold, but never reached Iowa and was never heard of again. It was assumed that he was killed for the gold he carried.

A. Christian who later settled in Dexter, Iowa married Mary Ellen Hunt. They had seven children—Levi, Josia, Isabella, William, Frank, Fred and Alice. He died at age 62 years on Feb. 6, 1910. Buried at Earlham.

B. Benedict—1829-1891 Married Anna Miller, 1831-1884 who came to this country from Austria.

1. Louisa—1858-1932 married M. H. Abernathy

A. Achsa 1879-1968 married Ed Stutz
B. Clara deceased was married to Carl Gamble
C. Walter 1898-1954 married Blossom Harper

2. William 1860-1929 unmarried

3. Matilda 1861-1864

4. Henry 1865-1937 Married Millie Barnes 1870-1956

2 infants died in 1886 and 1900
A. Faye born 1892 married Grover Ross
B. Ona born 1896 married Dr. Roy Pearson
C. Earl 1902-1954 married

5. Matilda 1864-1918 married Frank Hardy

A. Anna died 1969 married Wm. Zepp

6. George 1866-1898 married Birdie Fowler

A. Clell
B. Hazel

7. Frank 1868-1944 married Emma Barnhart 1872-1908

A. Edward born 1900 married Marjorie Jay
Children—Barbara Jean and Janet Elain
Frank's 2nd wife was Grace Stevenson

8. Gertrude 1871-1942 married Wm. Shea

A. Edna born 1892 deceased
B. Alice died in a car accident 1939
C. John born 1869 married Valeria Hoeven