Groth mystery, 1897; Baltz researcher help needed

GROTH, BALTZ

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 9/6/2007 at 03:18:47

I would like to correspond with a descendant or researcher of the Baltz family in the Postville area of Allamakee co. and of Grand Meadow twp. Clayton co. Specifically William Baltz, his brother August Baltz or a close relation. I believe they are the sons of Carl & Minna, who immigrated about 1884 from Germany.

I'm not related to the family, nor do I have any genealogical info. to contribute to Baltz family research, but I do have a personal family mystery that I hope a Baltz researcher may unwittingly have info. about!

In a nut-shell: My gg-grandfather Frederick Groth immigrated with his wife & children from Germany to Clayton/Allamakee co. in 1878. There he lived until he was 86 yrs old. At that time, and now a widower, he went to the state of Mississippi for an unknown reason. He died there in 1897, and presumably is buried there. Family lore tells two stories of his death:
1. he got malaria fever and died
2. he was robbed for his money and injured and died or was killed and died
I can't substantiate either story, but from his probate record, I do know positively that he died in Selby, Mississippi. But why did he go there? I have not found a single Groth relative from Mississippi that he might have been visiting, he was not a well-to-do man so likely wasn't doing business, and he was at a very advanced age....

How can a Baltz researcher help? I have a photo-postcard that was mailed to my g-grandfather Ernest Groth by August Baltz in 1909. On the front is written "My friend the painter from Mississippi" and an arrow points to the shorter of two men in the photo. I believe the tall man may be August Baltz (the sender of the postcard) or his brother William. I have another photo of William Baltz with my g-grandfather, and the tall men in the two photos look very much alike.

Is there a Baltz researcher out there who has an ancestor who may have traveled to Mississippi in about 1897 to visit family? to conduct business? for some other reason? There must be some connection to Mississippi, because August Baltz had a friend (the painter) from there. If my g-grandfather (Ernest) was a buddy of the Baltz brothers, maybe his father (Frederick) was friends with one of the older Baltz's. Did my gg-grandfather travel with a Baltz to Mississippi?

Thanks for reading this long query .... any ideas, any help, even a tiny clue will be much appreciated. I know it is a long-shot, but the mystery of why a very old man would travel so far away from home, is driving me nuts!

Sharyl Ferrall