BIO: Edward Reitz, Jefferson County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Jean Wall Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/ http://usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/beers/beers-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, pages 1098-1999. _____________________________________________________________________ EDWARD REITZ. In the great competitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide to success, has surmounted the obstacles, and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. Such has been the life of Edward Reitz, who has achieved success by his own unaided efforts. Born in Northumberland county, Penn., in September 1831, Mr. Reitz is a son of Jacob Reitz, who removed to Beaver township, Jefferson Co., Penn., in 1842. His father was in limited circumstances, and his educational privileges were in consequence limited, but he and his brother, Manuel, attended school alternate days. Thus he laid the foundation for a good practical education, which ha been supplemented by experience, observation and reading. He remained with his father until he attained his majority, when he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1854 he went with his brother, Manuel to Illinois, where he followed that occupation until 1857. Returning then to Pennsylvania he was appointed deputy sheriff under his brother, in 1863, and served the full term of three years. In 1866 he took up his residence in Bellevue (now called Stanton), removing thither from Brookville, where he had located in 1861, in the interest of his father-in-law, H. W. Spare. In 1866, with his three brothers, he embarked in general merchandising, and is still carrying on that business in connection with his son, Gilmore C. He has also devoted his energies to farming and stock-raising, and his extensive business interests, being well-conducted upon honorable lines, have brought him a handsome and well-deserved competence. In 1859 he was married to Miss Sarah Spare, of Beaver township, and to them were born thirteen children: ten of whom reached mature years, namely: Ralph B., Gilmore C., Emma, Ella M., Letitia, Ladd M., Joseph S., Harry W., Sarah C., and Richard. Of these Letitia is the wife of W. A. Johns. The mother died in 1891, at the age of fifty years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Reitz and his children have long held membership therein, the father having been class leader from his first connection with the Church, now nearly thirty years. The family home has been maintained since the mother's death, the daughters assuming the management of the household affairs. In politics our subject is a Republican, and in this particular his sons have followed in his footsteps. He has served his fellow citizens as constable and justice of the peace, and as postmaster for more than twenty years, but he has never been an office-seeker, preferring to give his attention to his business and family interests. His eldest son, Ralph B., after completing his literary education by his graduation from Allegheny College, at Meadville, Penn., took up the study of medicine, and spent one year in Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City. He then entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he remained three years. He was president of the graduating class, but two months prior to the time of graduation he accepted a business proposition. Reentering the school, he graduated in the class of 1897. Gilmore C. Reitz, the second son of the family, and his father's partner in business, was born in Brookville in 1863, and obtained his education in the public schools near his home. From his boyhood he has been connected with mercantile pursuits, having entered his father's store as clerk when seventeen years of age. In 1887 he was admitted to a partnership in the business, and has since been an active member of his firm, while for some time past he has largely controlled the store, his father devoting his time to other affairs. In connection with the goods generally found in a general mercantile establishment, he has also handled harvesting machinery on an extensive scale for several years. Annually he makes a three-months' trip, selling agricultural implements, and has been very successful, perhaps selling more machinery than any other one man in the county. He handles the agricultural implements manufactured by Walter A. Wood, and in all departments of his business carries a most excellent grade of stock, thus ensuring a liberal share of public patronage. In 1888 he was married to Minnie Houpt, a native of Jefferson county, a daughter of Rev. William Houpt, who was born in Armstrong county, Penn. Four children bless this union, as follows: Ruth, Florence, Edward and William. The parents of these are member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is now serving as steward, while for several years he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He also belongs to the Grange, United American Mechanics and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of the last named. He is a stanch Republican in politics, he was elected on that ticket as town clerk, school director and overseer of the poor, and was appointed postmaster at Stanton April 20, 1897. He is a wide-awake, progressive young man, well known throughout the county, and is a worthy representative of an honored family.