Conrad Z. Reitz (1840-1944)

REITZ, GINDELSBERGER, KELLER, SUTTER, LOOKINGBILL, ENFIELD, GOUCHENOUR

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal October 14, 1944 (page 3)

Funeral Services for C. Z. Reitz Held on Thursday

Maxwell, Oct. 14--Funeral services for the late C. Z. Reitz were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the church of the Brethren with his pastor, the Rev. J. D. Brower officiating. Rev. Stacey Shenton of Des Moines read the scriptures and offered prayer. With Mrs. I. C. Kirk as accompanist at the piano Mrs. Ray Gooden and Jimmie Beal sang "Sometime We'll Surely Know," and "Going Down the Valley." A solo "Jesus Lover of My Soul" was sung by a great-grandson Galen Allen. Floral offerings were many and very beautiful arranged and carried by Mrs. Della Rouzer and Mrs. Iva French. Casket-bearers were grandsons of the deceased Galen Enfield and Richard Enfield, Roy and Ray Gouchenour, Ralph and Fred Sutter.

Interment was made in the family lot in the Maxwell cemetery.

Mrs. C. Z. Reitz was born in Stoney Creek Township, Pennsylvania on the twenty-fifth day of November, 1840. When a boy his father, Hartman Reitz, had come to America from Germany with his widowed mother. He had married Catherine Gindelsberger and two sons had come of this union, John and Conrad.

His mother died when Conrad was but a child of four and at the age of fourteen, his father hired him out to a Johnny Kunes for six months at $3.00 a month. He stayed there, however, for four years and then began to learn the blacksmith trade.

On October 29, 1861 he and Elizabeth Keller were married. When they first started out on their own, Mrs. Reitz had $2.50 in cash and Mr. Reitz $1.00. Going to church, they would carry their shoes until they were nearly there, sit down on a log to put them on, and after church take them off again to walk home.

Two of the nine children born to this couple died in infancy. The others are Mrs. Allie Sooter, Ed Reitz, Annie, Nettie, Lizzie, Addie Lookingbill, and Jessie.

Mr. Reitz worked at his trade in the town of Roxbery for three years. He sod a great many horses and oxen, receiving as pay fruit, vegetables, sugar and many other articles of use, but very little cash. At one time he shod horses continuously for two nights and a day, because, by shoeing at night he would receive a little necessary cash instead of food. Many times he would set out afoot for towns three and five miles distant for some blacksmith iron, carry it home on his back and be ready to go to work in his shop before sunrise.

In 1862 the Civil War broke out and Mr. Reitz was drafted to go. During the Civil War those who had been drafted were granted the privilege of going to war or pay the government $300. He chose to pay the money and remain with his family.

From Roxbery the family moved to Dixon, Illinois where Mr. Reitz worked on a farm for awhile and then went back to his blacksmith trade, walking three miles to work every morning. A year later h rented a farm and for five years worked it in the summer and as a blacksmith in the winter. In 1868 he came west, travelling through Iowa and Nebraska, looking for a new location. Finally Ontario and then returned to Illinois to bring his family out the following spring. He worked in town as a blacksmith for two years while his land was being broken and house built. For twenty years he and his family stayed there. Meanwhile he had purchased a 160 acre tract just across the road from his farm home.

Mr. and Mrs. Reitz as two of the charter members of the church of the Brethren, were very active in church affairs. The church building was located on the northwest corner of their own farm.

After twenty years as a farmer he moved to Maxwell and entered business with his son-in-law, C. E. Gouchenour. Abouth thi time he purchased 190 acres southeast of Maxwell. Six year after moving to Maxwell he and his two sons-in-law, W. C. Enfield and C. E. Lookingbill started an electric business. Later he purchased his sons-in-laws' interests. As time went on he disposed of his farm and electric business and retired. At present he is living in his own home in Maxwell, his daughter, Mrs. Allie Sooter, being in charge.

Mr. Reitz was an active leader in building the church of the Brethren in Maxwell. When the congregation had disbanded and the church had to be sold, Mr. Reitz bought and paid for it and has kept it open for services to any Christian denomination. For twelve years he was secretary and treasurer of the Mission Board for central Iowa. He was a heavy financial giver and took great interest and pride in helping others.