GANTZ, Levi - 1890 Bio (1832-1900)

GANTZ, BRUNER, VAN KIRK, PALL, PAUL, HEWITT, LYONS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/7/2007 at 14:58:24

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 224-225

Levi GANTZ, one of the prominent farmers of Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County, residing on section 32, was born in Washington County, Pa., September 4, 1832, and was the youngest child in a family of four children, whose parents were John and Christine (BRUNER) GANTZ. His father owned a mill, a distillery and a farm, all of which were operated under his immediate supervision. He was a man of great energy and, possessing a robust constitution, accomplished a great amount of work. He met his death in 1833 by falling through the hatchway in the roof of the mill. His wife survived him many years and about 1839, was again married. Her death occurred near the close of the late war. The children of her first marriage were David, who enlisted in the Thirtieth Iowa Regiment and died in the service; Sarah, widow of Edward VAN KIRK, of Pennsylvania; Samuel, a miller of Washington County, Pa.; and Levi, of this sketch.

The last named child, our subject, was a babe of six months when the death of his father occurred. In his youth he was inured to farm labor and when a lad of sixteen years he began life for himself as a farm hand, receiving as a compensation for his services the meagre sum of $10 per month. After working in that capacity for six years, at the age of twenty-two, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah PALL (sic - PAUL), a native of Pennsylvania, and the following spring came to Iowa to seek a location for a home. He entered land in Madison County, but decided to remain in Pennsylvania, where he soon afterward purchased a farm and then sold his Iowa property. However, in 1858, we again find him en route for Iowa accompanied by his wife and children. It was his intention to make a location in Madison County, but on account of the mud, traveling was made so difficult that he stopped in Jefferson County. After renting land for two or three years he bought a quarter section in Black Hawk Township, upon which had been built a frame house while ninety acres were fenced. Then began the work of developing and improving a farm, and as his financial resources were increased, he extended the boundaries of his land until five hundred acres now pay tribute to his care and cultivation, and he is recognized as one of the leading and progressive farmers of the community. His home, a commodious dwelling valued at $3,000 is surrounded by good barns and outbuildings, and all this splendid success is due to the energy and enterprise of a man who started out in life a penniless boy. In connection with general farming he also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding of fine cattle, and his horses are also of good grades.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. GANTZ have been born eight children -- John Andrew, who is now engaged in farming in Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County; William, who died at the age of fourteen years; Annie Jane, wife of Ed HEWITT, of Fairfield Township; Laura, who graduated from Parsons' College of Fairfield, and is now a successful teacher in the county; Ella, wife of Ed LYONS, a resident farmer of Black Hawk Township; Ida May, who completed the preparatory course in Parsons College and is a musician of considerable ability; James, who died in infancy; and Effie, who is also qualified as a teacher. As will have been seen, the children have all been provided with good educational advantages, thus being fitted for the duties of life and all are now useful members of society in the various communities where they make their homes.

Although a strong advocate of Republican principles, Mr. GANTZ does not possess that partisan spirit which so largely predominates in this day. He has never accepted public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, of which he has made a decided success. By his fellow-men he is honored and respected as a citizen and neighbor, and in the social world his family occupies a high position.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.