Brookville Republic, Mar 21, 1907:
Manuel Wagner Reitz, whose death was briefly noted in the last issue of the Republican, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 6th, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Wagner Reitz, were natives of Northumberland county, and there they resided until 1842, when they removed to Beaver township, Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining days. Their removal to this county being many years before the introduction of the railroad as a means of travel, the trip from the old home to the new was made in the famous canoe shaped Conestoga wagons, and it was ever a source of great pleasure to the subject of this sketch to recount the many interesting incidents in connection with that long wagon journey that were treasured up in his retentive memory throughout a long and busy life.
The father followed farming and was recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of the community. He and his wife reared a family of five sons and two daughters, two brothers, Jonathan and Edward, having preceded Manuel in death, the surviving members of the family being Mrs. Anna Lankard, whose home is at Ringwood, Oklahoma; Mrs. Samuel Thomas, of Anita, this county; Aaron, who resides near the homestead in Beaver township, and Benjamin W., of Stanton. His father passed away in January 1877 and the mother in November 1877.
Manuel Reitz received but limited educational privileges, for the schools of the community in which his youthful days were spent afforded but meager opportunities. He and his younger brother, Edward, attended school on alternate days, and by close application, were enabled to secure the primitive foundation for a good knowledge of the English language. Anxious to advance as rapidly as possible, they would study at home and review their lessons in their minds as they proceeded with their daily tasks. Manuel remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he served a two years` apprenticeship at the carpenter`s trade, and then followed that pursuit until 1859. In the spring of 1854 he, in the company with his brother, Edward, went to Illinois, where they carried on carpentering until 1857, returning then to Jefferson county, where they worked at the same trade for several years. In the fall of 1860 the deceased was appointed deputy sheriff and after serving in that capacity for three years was elected to the office of sheriff in the autumn of 1863. At the close of his official career at the county seat, in 1867, he embarked in general merchandising at Stanton, and also in the lumber business, his associates in business being his brothers, Edward, Aaron and Benjamin.
Under the firm name of Edward Reitz and Brothers they continued a successful business until 1873, when the deceased sold his interest in the mercantile business to his partners and erected a steam saw mill in Knox Township [with Philip Spare]. He continued its operation until the fall of 1887, and while his capable management, well directed energy and honorable dealings brought to him marked success in this latter enterprise, failing health caused him to give up that industry and since then he has led a practically retired life, his energies when his health would permit, being devoted to looking after his real estate interests and farm lands, and in the fulfillment of the duties and obligations of trust that were imposed upon him as justice of the peace, notary public, and the executor, administrator and guardian of different estates.
Mr. Reitz was never married. He made his home with his brother Edward up to the death of the latter in May, 1902, and since that time with his nephews, Ladd M. and Harry W. Reitz, at the Cloverdale Farm, where his death occurred at 9:00 o`clock on Tuesday evening, March 12, after a lingering illness of almost six weeks, his age being 77 years, 5 months and 6 days. Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stanton, on Friday morning March 15, the pastor, Rev. John E. Allgood being assisted by Dr. H. G. Hall, of Oil city, Dr. J. A. McCarney, of Brookville and Rev. Adair, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Stanton. Dr. Hall, a former pastor on the Bellview charge and a warm personal friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon, and took as his text this quotation: "What is your Life," the addressing being a touching lesson from the life of the good man whose remains were encased in the coffin that stood before him. Interment was made in the family plot in the Burkhouse cemetery in Beaver Township.
In 1870 Mr. Reitz was converted to the Christian religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, his brother Edward, with whom he was so closely associated in all of his business and social affairs joining with him in the important step that had such an influence upon their united lives in after years. Even that day to the day of his death, he remained true to the vows he had taken upon himself; he was an every day Christian, he had his religious convictions with him on all occasions, and was ever ready and wiling to defend the right by word of deed. He lived so close to his God that he had no fear of death, and he was always ready and waiting for the Master`s call. Just prior to and during his final sickness he had full and blessed assurances of the future life, when as in a dream he was permitted to step just inside the pearly gates and take a short look at those who were so near and dear to him here below, and with whom he is now singing anthems of praise in the spirit world.
Manuel Wagner Reitz was a good and useful citizen, and leaves behind him the rich heritage of a life well spent. He was upright and just in all things, and while permitted to live to a good old age, his taking away is deeply mourned in the community where he was loved and honored by the old and young. He was true to himself, true to his friends, and true to the community in which he had his home. One of his greatest pleasures was in the doing of some kind of deed for his fellow man, to be a benefit to someone, to treat his neighbor and his friend with justice and equity and with an open hand. He was never known to speak ill of any man, friend or foe but was always ready to shield and protect under the possibility of error or doubt. The ennobling influences of his life are as indelibly imprinted in the minds of all who knew him that time itself will not erase them nor permit them to die or fade away, but they will live to his honor and good of the community that he loved so well.
Transcribed obituary courtesy of Pamela Reitz.
Manuel Wagner Reitz, whose death was briefly noted in the last issue of the Republican, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 6th, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Wagner Reitz, were natives of Northumberland county, and there they resided until 1842, when they removed to Beaver township, Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining days. Their removal to this county being many years before the introduction of the railroad as a means of travel, the trip from the old home to the new was made in the famous canoe shaped Conestoga wagons, and it was ever a source of great pleasure to the subject of this sketch to recount the many interesting incidents in connection with that long wagon journey that were treasured up in his retentive memory throughout a long and busy life.
The father followed farming and was recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of the community. He and his wife reared a family of five sons and two daughters, two brothers, Jonathan and Edward, having preceded Manuel in death, the surviving members of the family being Mrs. Anna Lankard, whose home is at Ringwood, Oklahoma; Mrs. Samuel Thomas, of Anita, this county; Aaron, who resides near the homestead in Beaver township, and Benjamin W., of Stanton. His father passed away in January 1877 and the mother in November 1877.
Manuel Reitz received but limited educational privileges, for the schools of the community in which his youthful days were spent afforded but meager opportunities. He and his younger brother, Edward, attended school on alternate days, and by close application, were enabled to secure the primitive foundation for a good knowledge of the English language. Anxious to advance as rapidly as possible, they would study at home and review their lessons in their minds as they proceeded with their daily tasks. Manuel remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he served a two years` apprenticeship at the carpenter`s trade, and then followed that pursuit until 1859. In the spring of 1854 he, in the company with his brother, Edward, went to Illinois, where they carried on carpentering until 1857, returning then to Jefferson county, where they worked at the same trade for several years. In the fall of 1860 the deceased was appointed deputy sheriff and after serving in that capacity for three years was elected to the office of sheriff in the autumn of 1863. At the close of his official career at the county seat, in 1867, he embarked in general merchandising at Stanton, and also in the lumber business, his associates in business being his brothers, Edward, Aaron and Benjamin.
Under the firm name of Edward Reitz and Brothers they continued a successful business until 1873, when the deceased sold his interest in the mercantile business to his partners and erected a steam saw mill in Knox Township [with Philip Spare]. He continued its operation until the fall of 1887, and while his capable management, well directed energy and honorable dealings brought to him marked success in this latter enterprise, failing health caused him to give up that industry and since then he has led a practically retired life, his energies when his health would permit, being devoted to looking after his real estate interests and farm lands, and in the fulfillment of the duties and obligations of trust that were imposed upon him as justice of the peace, notary public, and the executor, administrator and guardian of different estates.
Mr. Reitz was never married. He made his home with his brother Edward up to the death of the latter in May, 1902, and since that time with his nephews, Ladd M. and Harry W. Reitz, at the Cloverdale Farm, where his death occurred at 9:00 o`clock on Tuesday evening, March 12, after a lingering illness of almost six weeks, his age being 77 years, 5 months and 6 days. Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stanton, on Friday morning March 15, the pastor, Rev. John E. Allgood being assisted by Dr. H. G. Hall, of Oil city, Dr. J. A. McCarney, of Brookville and Rev. Adair, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Stanton. Dr. Hall, a former pastor on the Bellview charge and a warm personal friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon, and took as his text this quotation: "What is your Life," the addressing being a touching lesson from the life of the good man whose remains were encased in the coffin that stood before him. Interment was made in the family plot in the Burkhouse cemetery in Beaver Township.
In 1870 Mr. Reitz was converted to the Christian religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, his brother Edward, with whom he was so closely associated in all of his business and social affairs joining with him in the important step that had such an influence upon their united lives in after years. Even that day to the day of his death, he remained true to the vows he had taken upon himself; he was an every day Christian, he had his religious convictions with him on all occasions, and was ever ready and wiling to defend the right by word of deed. He lived so close to his God that he had no fear of death, and he was always ready and waiting for the Master`s call. Just prior to and during his final sickness he had full and blessed assurances of the future life, when as in a dream he was permitted to step just inside the pearly gates and take a short look at those who were so near and dear to him here below, and with whom he is now singing anthems of praise in the spirit world.
Manuel Wagner Reitz was a good and useful citizen, and leaves behind him the rich heritage of a life well spent. He was upright and just in all things, and while permitted to live to a good old age, his taking away is deeply mourned in the community where he was loved and honored by the old and young. He was true to himself, true to his friends, and true to the community in which he had his home. One of his greatest pleasures was in the doing of some kind of deed for his fellow man, to be a benefit to someone, to treat his neighbor and his friend with justice and equity and with an open hand. He was never known to speak ill of any man, friend or foe but was always ready to shield and protect under the possibility of error or doubt. The ennobling influences of his life are as indelibly imprinted in the minds of all who knew him that time itself will not erase them nor permit them to die or fade away, but they will live to his honor and good of the community that he loved so well.
Transcribed obituary courtesy of Pamela Reitz.
Brookville Republic, Mar 21, 1907:
Manuel Wagner Reitz, whose death was briefly noted in the last issue of the Republican, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 6th, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Wagner Reitz, were natives of Northumberland county, and there they resided until 1842, when they removed to Beaver township, Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining days. Their removal to this county being many years before the introduction of the railroad as a means of travel, the trip from the old home to the new was made in the famous canoe shaped Conestoga wagons, and it was ever a source of great pleasure to the subject of this sketch to recount the many interesting incidents in connection with that long wagon journey that were treasured up in his retentive memory throughout a long and busy life.
The father followed farming and was recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of the community. He and his wife reared a family of five sons and two daughters, two brothers, Jonathan and Edward, having preceded Manuel in death, the surviving members of the family being Mrs. Anna Lankard, whose home is at Ringwood, Oklahoma; Mrs. Samuel Thomas, of Anita, this county; Aaron, who resides near the homestead in Beaver township, and Benjamin W., of Stanton. His father passed away in January 1877 and the mother in November 1877.
Manuel Reitz received but limited educational privileges, for the schools of the community in which his youthful days were spent afforded but meager opportunities. He and his younger brother, Edward, attended school on alternate days, and by close application, were enabled to secure the primitive foundation for a good knowledge of the English language. Anxious to advance as rapidly as possible, they would study at home and review their lessons in their minds as they proceeded with their daily tasks. Manuel remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he served a two years` apprenticeship at the carpenter`s trade, and then followed that pursuit until 1859. In the spring of 1854 he, in the company with his brother, Edward, went to Illinois, where they carried on carpentering until 1857, returning then to Jefferson county, where they worked at the same trade for several years. In the fall of 1860 the deceased was appointed deputy sheriff and after serving in that capacity for three years was elected to the office of sheriff in the autumn of 1863. At the close of his official career at the county seat, in 1867, he embarked in general merchandising at Stanton, and also in the lumber business, his associates in business being his brothers, Edward, Aaron and Benjamin.
Under the firm name of Edward Reitz and Brothers they continued a successful business until 1873, when the deceased sold his interest in the mercantile business to his partners and erected a steam saw mill in Knox Township [with Philip Spare]. He continued its operation until the fall of 1887, and while his capable management, well directed energy and honorable dealings brought to him marked success in this latter enterprise, failing health caused him to give up that industry and since then he has led a practically retired life, his energies when his health would permit, being devoted to looking after his real estate interests and farm lands, and in the fulfillment of the duties and obligations of trust that were imposed upon him as justice of the peace, notary public, and the executor, administrator and guardian of different estates.
Mr. Reitz was never married. He made his home with his brother Edward up to the death of the latter in May, 1902, and since that time with his nephews, Ladd M. and Harry W. Reitz, at the Cloverdale Farm, where his death occurred at 9:00 o`clock on Tuesday evening, March 12, after a lingering illness of almost six weeks, his age being 77 years, 5 months and 6 days. Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stanton, on Friday morning March 15, the pastor, Rev. John E. Allgood being assisted by Dr. H. G. Hall, of Oil city, Dr. J. A. McCarney, of Brookville and Rev. Adair, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Stanton. Dr. Hall, a former pastor on the Bellview charge and a warm personal friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon, and took as his text this quotation: "What is your Life," the addressing being a touching lesson from the life of the good man whose remains were encased in the coffin that stood before him. Interment was made in the family plot in the Burkhouse cemetery in Beaver Township.
In 1870 Mr. Reitz was converted to the Christian religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, his brother Edward, with whom he was so closely associated in all of his business and social affairs joining with him in the important step that had such an influence upon their united lives in after years. Even that day to the day of his death, he remained true to the vows he had taken upon himself; he was an every day Christian, he had his religious convictions with him on all occasions, and was ever ready and wiling to defend the right by word of deed. He lived so close to his God that he had no fear of death, and he was always ready and waiting for the Master`s call. Just prior to and during his final sickness he had full and blessed assurances of the future life, when as in a dream he was permitted to step just inside the pearly gates and take a short look at those who were so near and dear to him here below, and with whom he is now singing anthems of praise in the spirit world.
Manuel Wagner Reitz was a good and useful citizen, and leaves behind him the rich heritage of a life well spent. He was upright and just in all things, and while permitted to live to a good old age, his taking away is deeply mourned in the community where he was loved and honored by the old and young. He was true to himself, true to his friends, and true to the community in which he had his home. One of his greatest pleasures was in the doing of some kind of deed for his fellow man, to be a benefit to someone, to treat his neighbor and his friend with justice and equity and with an open hand. He was never known to speak ill of any man, friend or foe but was always ready to shield and protect under the possibility of error or doubt. The ennobling influences of his life are as indelibly imprinted in the minds of all who knew him that time itself will not erase them nor permit them to die or fade away, but they will live to his honor and good of the community that he loved so well.
Transcribed obituary courtesy of Pamela Reitz.
Manuel Wagner Reitz, whose death was briefly noted in the last issue of the Republican, was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, December 6th, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Wagner Reitz, were natives of Northumberland county, and there they resided until 1842, when they removed to Beaver township, Jefferson county, where they spent their remaining days. Their removal to this county being many years before the introduction of the railroad as a means of travel, the trip from the old home to the new was made in the famous canoe shaped Conestoga wagons, and it was ever a source of great pleasure to the subject of this sketch to recount the many interesting incidents in connection with that long wagon journey that were treasured up in his retentive memory throughout a long and busy life.
The father followed farming and was recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists of the community. He and his wife reared a family of five sons and two daughters, two brothers, Jonathan and Edward, having preceded Manuel in death, the surviving members of the family being Mrs. Anna Lankard, whose home is at Ringwood, Oklahoma; Mrs. Samuel Thomas, of Anita, this county; Aaron, who resides near the homestead in Beaver township, and Benjamin W., of Stanton. His father passed away in January 1877 and the mother in November 1877.
Manuel Reitz received but limited educational privileges, for the schools of the community in which his youthful days were spent afforded but meager opportunities. He and his younger brother, Edward, attended school on alternate days, and by close application, were enabled to secure the primitive foundation for a good knowledge of the English language. Anxious to advance as rapidly as possible, they would study at home and review their lessons in their minds as they proceeded with their daily tasks. Manuel remained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, after which he served a two years` apprenticeship at the carpenter`s trade, and then followed that pursuit until 1859. In the spring of 1854 he, in the company with his brother, Edward, went to Illinois, where they carried on carpentering until 1857, returning then to Jefferson county, where they worked at the same trade for several years. In the fall of 1860 the deceased was appointed deputy sheriff and after serving in that capacity for three years was elected to the office of sheriff in the autumn of 1863. At the close of his official career at the county seat, in 1867, he embarked in general merchandising at Stanton, and also in the lumber business, his associates in business being his brothers, Edward, Aaron and Benjamin.
Under the firm name of Edward Reitz and Brothers they continued a successful business until 1873, when the deceased sold his interest in the mercantile business to his partners and erected a steam saw mill in Knox Township [with Philip Spare]. He continued its operation until the fall of 1887, and while his capable management, well directed energy and honorable dealings brought to him marked success in this latter enterprise, failing health caused him to give up that industry and since then he has led a practically retired life, his energies when his health would permit, being devoted to looking after his real estate interests and farm lands, and in the fulfillment of the duties and obligations of trust that were imposed upon him as justice of the peace, notary public, and the executor, administrator and guardian of different estates.
Mr. Reitz was never married. He made his home with his brother Edward up to the death of the latter in May, 1902, and since that time with his nephews, Ladd M. and Harry W. Reitz, at the Cloverdale Farm, where his death occurred at 9:00 o`clock on Tuesday evening, March 12, after a lingering illness of almost six weeks, his age being 77 years, 5 months and 6 days. Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stanton, on Friday morning March 15, the pastor, Rev. John E. Allgood being assisted by Dr. H. G. Hall, of Oil city, Dr. J. A. McCarney, of Brookville and Rev. Adair, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Stanton. Dr. Hall, a former pastor on the Bellview charge and a warm personal friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon, and took as his text this quotation: "What is your Life," the addressing being a touching lesson from the life of the good man whose remains were encased in the coffin that stood before him. Interment was made in the family plot in the Burkhouse cemetery in Beaver Township.
In 1870 Mr. Reitz was converted to the Christian religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, his brother Edward, with whom he was so closely associated in all of his business and social affairs joining with him in the important step that had such an influence upon their united lives in after years. Even that day to the day of his death, he remained true to the vows he had taken upon himself; he was an every day Christian, he had his religious convictions with him on all occasions, and was ever ready and wiling to defend the right by word of deed. He lived so close to his God that he had no fear of death, and he was always ready and waiting for the Master`s call. Just prior to and during his final sickness he had full and blessed assurances of the future life, when as in a dream he was permitted to step just inside the pearly gates and take a short look at those who were so near and dear to him here below, and with whom he is now singing anthems of praise in the spirit world.
Manuel Wagner Reitz was a good and useful citizen, and leaves behind him the rich heritage of a life well spent. He was upright and just in all things, and while permitted to live to a good old age, his taking away is deeply mourned in the community where he was loved and honored by the old and young. He was true to himself, true to his friends, and true to the community in which he had his home. One of his greatest pleasures was in the doing of some kind of deed for his fellow man, to be a benefit to someone, to treat his neighbor and his friend with justice and equity and with an open hand. He was never known to speak ill of any man, friend or foe but was always ready to shield and protect under the possibility of error or doubt. The ennobling influences of his life are as indelibly imprinted in the minds of all who knew him that time itself will not erase them nor permit them to die or fade away, but they will live to his honor and good of the community that he loved so well.
Transcribed obituary courtesy of Pamela Reitz.
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M. W. REITZ
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