JOSEPH H. FRETZ

JOSEPH H. FRETZ, a successful and prosperous business man of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was born in Hilltown township, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1876.  He is a descendant of John FRETZ, who, with his brother Christian, emigrated to this country from Manheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, about 1725, settling for a time in Montgomery county, where he was married to Miss Barbara MAYER, of Upper Salford township, by whom he had five children, namely: John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham, Elizabeth.  His wife died in 1740, and he remarried and had three children.   In 1738 he purchased two hundred and thirty acres of land, in Bedminster township where he died, February, 1772. 

            Jacob FRETZ second son of John and Barbara (MAYER) FRETZ, married Magdalena NASH, daughter of William NASH, in 1755, and settled in Tinicum township, Pennsylvania, near Arwinna, returning to Bedminster, where he died.

            Abraham FRETZ, second child of the ten children born to Jacob and Magdalena (NASH) FRETZ, was born January 1, 1758.  When he was seventeen years of age, a team and wagon of his father's was impressed with the American army to carry powder and stores from Trenton to Boston, and he was placed in charge of the team during this long journey, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, remaining with the army three months, and he then returned home.  March 14, 1786, he married Miss Elizabeth HARMOM, and lived after marriage in Hilltown Township, near Leidytown, engaging in farming and weaving.  Five children were born of this union, namely: Jacob, Susan, John Catherine, Abraham.  Abraham FRETZ died February 14, 1839, his wife surviving him four years, passing away in 1843.

            John FRETZ, second son of Abraham and Elizabeth (HARMON) FRETZ, and grandfather of Joseph H. FRETZ, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.  September 28, 1795, died November 18, 1874.  He was a prosperous farmer of Bucks County, and in 1827 married Miss Elizabeth KERNS, born January 19, 1805.  Four children were born of this union.  Mrs. FRETZ died January 7, 1843, and Mr. Fretz took for his second wife Miss Mary LANDIS, who was born January 25, 1846, and died January 18, 1889.  Their children were: Henry L., father of Joseph; John L, and William L.  Mr. FRETZ was a member of the Mennonite church.

            Henry L. FRETZ, eldest son of John and Mary (LANDIS) FRETZ, was born in Hilltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1846.  He was reared and educated in his native town, and for several years after reaching manhood was engaged in buying and shipping stock.  For the past twenty years he has been doing business successfully as a hotel-keeper, and is now sole proprietor of the Clear Springs Hotel at Doylestown, Pennsylvania.  December 10, 1873, he married Miss Wilhelmina KLINE, born January 7, 1855, and their children are: Rev. Franklin K., Lutheran minister of Grace Evangelical church of Philadelphia; Joseph H., Mary Irene, a milliner of Souderton; Ida Steele, Arthur Alonzo, horse dealer of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, John Paul, in the employ of his brother, Joseph H.; Frances Grace, reading medicine at North Wales; Flora Fidella, at home; Lydia Viola, at home; Elsie Noami and Luther Leroy, residing at home.

            Joseph H. FRETZ, second son of Henry L., and Wilhelmina (KLINE) FRETZ, was reared and educated in Hilltown township, Pennsylvania.  He was of a very energetic, ambitious nature, and as early as his fourteenth year had started to make his own way in the world.  He was variously employed in his early life, and in 1897, having saved some money, engaged in the hotel-business at Unionville, Montgomery county, where he remained until the spring of 1898, when he went to Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and there opened a restaurant on the present site of the Pollock Hotel.  One year later, however, he sold this out, and purchased the adjoining building, which he could see presented greater advantages for opening a first-class hostelry.  He refitted and reconstructed this place, making an inviting spot out of an unsightly building.  In 1900 he sold this place, and in August of the same year purchased the Fountain House, at a cost of $65,000.  He immediately took charge and began reconstructing the place, supplying it with all modern improvements- steam heat, electric lighting, etc., and now has in it one of the most inviting hostelries of Bucks county.  His unbounded energy and great ambition have won for him an enviable place in his chosen line of work.  It may well be said of him that he is an excellent business man, and he is counted among the most genial and popular landlords of Bucks county.  In religious affairs Mr. FRETZ affiliates with the Lutheran church, and politically he helps support the Republican part.  He is identified with the Doylestown Lodge No. 245, F. and A. M.: Doylestown Chapter, No. 270 R. A. M.; St. Tamany Castle, K. G. E.: Doylestown Circle No. 252, Brotherhood of the Union: Doylestown Lodge. No. 217, I. O. R. M.; Lansdale Lodge, O.U.A.M.; Doylestown Lodge, Improved order of Heptasophs.  In January, 1897, Mr. FRETZ was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth ZOLLER, daughter of George and Lina (LIVINGSTON) ZOLLER.  Four children were born of this union, two of whom survive: Grace and Helen FRETZ.

Test taken from page 360-361 of:

Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III

Transcribed October 2003 by Joan Lollis of Merrillville, IN. as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html

Published October 2003 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks