Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 274
CAPT. GALBRAITH BITZER, a leading grocer in Muscatine, and the present efficient Chief of the fire department, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., near Carlisle, on the 28th of August, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Barbara ( Houck ) Bitzer. His parents were of German origin, and were members of old Pennsylvanian families. Our subject was reared in his native State, where he learned the carpenters trade, and after the death of his father came to Muscatine with his mother, and worked at his trade in the city until 1857, when he went to California. After two years spent on the Pacific Coast he returned to Muscatine, and was employed in the wood department of his brother's carriage shops until the breaking out of the late war, when he was one of the very first to respond to the call of President Lincoln for troops. He enlisted, April 16, 1861, as a member of Company A, 1st Iowa Infantry, for three months' service, and was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, on the 14th of May following, and served the term of his enlistment. On his return from the scene of battle he helped to raise Company E, of the 18th Iowa Infantry, of which he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and was mustered in with that rank Aug. 7, 1862. He took part in the battle of Wilson's Creek, under Gen. Lyon, also in the battle of Springfield, Mo., Jan.8, 1863, and was in active service on the frontier until forced to resign, on the 31st of October, 1863, on account of physical disability. He re-entered the servive near the close of the war, and was commissioned Captain of Company B, of the 44th Iowa Infantry, on the 1st of June, 1864, for the 100-day service, and was mustered out with his regiment at Davenport, on the 15th of September following.

On his return from the war Capt. Bitzer engaged in the butchering business in Muscatine, which he carried on until about 1877. Two years previously he was elected and served as Street Commissioner; in 1870 was chosen City Marshall; and in 1872 and 1873 was a member of the City Council. He helped to organize the Rescue Hose Company, No.2, of the Fire Department, and from 1876 until 1887 served as its foreman. In the latter year he was elected Chief, and was re-elected in 1888. Capt. Bitzer has proved an efficient officer, and has done much toward raising the Fire Department to its present high standard of perfection.

Our subject was married, on the 5th of July, 1862, at Muscatine, to Miss Jane Berry, daughter of John Berry, Esq. She was born near Dayton, Ohio and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Five children were born of their union, three sons and two daughters: Anna, is the wife of Joseph Bilkey, of Muscatine; William L., Frank and Jessie are at home; and one son died in infancy. Capt. Bitzer is a member of Muscatine Lodge No.5, I.O.O.F., and of Prairie Encampment No. 4, Wyoming Lodge No. 76, K. of P.;also of the A.O.U.W., lodge No.10; and is a chArter member and the present Commander of Shelby Norman Post No. 231, G.A.R.

In the spring of 1879 the Captain engaged in the grocery business, which he has carried on successfully since, and now has a stock valued at $3,000. He is a Republican in politics, and an earnest supporter of that party. As a citizen he ranks among the most enterprising and live men of the city, and enjoys in a marked degree the respect and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.

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