The subject of this sketch was born August 19, 1807, in Germany, and was a son of Christian and Christiana (Schuler) Hetzel. In 1830 he came to America and settled in New York City, where he remained for seven years, when he moved to Wheeling, West Virginia. During the summer of 1851 he emigrated to Scott County. Arriving in Davenport he remained there a few months, when he purchased the form formerly owned by Judge James Grant in Blue Grass Township, to which he removed the following fall. There was a rude log cabin on the farm, in which he lived until 1859, when he erected what was at that time the largest and most commodious residence in the County outside of Davenport. It was built of brick made on the farm.
Mr. Hetzel was united in marriage to Miss Regina Bayha, July 21 , 1834, in New York City. Their union was blessed with a family of thirteen children, of whom ten are now living. For many years prior to his death Mr. Hetzel took an active part in building up the community with which he was identified, and was long a justice of the peace in Blue Grass Township.
BIOGRAPHIES