My Genealogy Hound

JOHN S. FRITZ, the son of John and Catharine (Sassaman) Fritz, was born in Douglas township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1837. John Fritz (father) was born on the homestead in Douglas township, Berks county, in 1802. In young manhood he was a tailor but soon devoted himself to farming, an occupation which he followed all his life, dying at the age of thirty-seven years. He was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church of Pottstown. He married Catharine Sassaman of Douglas township, on September 4, 1820, and they had six children, three sons and three daughters, two now living. Mrs. Catharine Fritz died in 1895, at the age of seventy-two. They had six children: Ephraim Fritz, born January 15, 1828, married September 1, 1857, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Egolf. They had one son, John (deceased). Ephraim Fritz died several years ago. The other members of the family are: John S.; Nathaniel, deceased; Almira, widow of Daniel B. Levengood, of Pottstown; Amelia, and Sarah, deceased. John Fritz (grandfather) was also born in Douglas township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he lived all his life, and owned a farm of one hundred acres. He was a Democrat in politics and an active member of the Lutheran church. He married Sarah Sands and they had six children: Samuel, Joseph, David, Catharine Hollman, Sarah Keiser and John. He died at the age of eighty years.

The Fritz family is of German origin and emigrated to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century, settling in Douglas township, Berks county.

John S. Fritz was reared on the farm in Berks county and attended the district schools. His father died when the son was six years of age. Until he was grown he worked on his mother’s farm and then worked out by the month until 1872 when he bought sixteen acres of land in Berks county. He sold this land in 1883 and removed to Pottstown, entering the employ of his brother Ephraim in his coal-yard. In 1895 he left the coal-yard and ever since has been helping his son, Daniel L., who is a grocer in Pottstown. He lives retired.

December 10, 1859, John S. Fritz married Miss Mary Levengood, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bechtel) Levengood. They had four children: Mary Emma died at the age of thirteen months. Anna Miranda died at the age of seven years. Daniel L., a grocer in Pottstown, married Jennie Engel and has three children: John E., Ralph E. and Bessie E. Ephraim L. married Lulu Schick and has three children: Elmira, Daniel and Allen. Ephraim L. is engaged in the livery business in Pottstown.

Mrs. John S. Fritz died in 1875, at the age of thirty-six years. She was a member of the Reformed church. John S. Fritz belongs to the Emmanuel Lutheran church, where he was a deacon about twenty years. Politically he is a Democrat. He lives at 110 King street, where he owns a fine brick home. He built another house by the side of his own for his son Daniel L.