In the early 1980’s, I believe, my father Edward R. Betz asked his aunt Marie Boehmer (nee Betz) to recall what she could about her generation and the generation that preceded hers. Her hand-written reply comprised four pages, three of which are relevant. Marie was the daughter of Edward R. and Lena M. Betz (Mary Magdalena Betz), and granddaughter of Alois and Rosina Betz. Although she was born well after Alois’ death in 1891, and Rosina’s death in 1899, hers represents the closest thing we have to a contemporary account, and forms the basis on which much of the research of the last few years has proceeded.
The first two pages give an overview of what she knew about Alois and Rosina and their immediate descendants. Page three is entirely personal notes on her circumstances at the time and is omitted. Page four offers a couple of additional glimpses of her grandparents. A transcription in full follows the thumbnails.
Original page one
Original page two
Original page four
Transcription
Page 1 - [arrow pointing down] My father's father. Aloysius Betz - from Enkering [alternate spelling written above] born Nov 20 - 1827 died April 12 - 1891 parents Johan Betz - and Elisabetha Betz (nee Hollander) Johan died Nov 13 - 1856 Elisabetha died Oct 10 - 1855 Elisabetha parents Josepha Phaller - born May 19 - 1830 - died Feb 22 - 1862 parents of Josepha Phaller Joseph Phaller and Marianne Phaller - (nee Eberle) Aloysius Betz and Magdalena Pfaller married about 1854 by Rev Clement Braun O.S.B. in Johnstown Pa. 4 Children Joseph - 1856 - 1857 William F. 1858 - 1936 Frank H. 1860 - 1889 Dorothea 2-1862 - 10-1862 Page 2 - Lena Betz married Frank Sar Louis I think in Johnston PA - in 1888 - (There was a bad flood there 5-31-89) Lena Betz was a first cousin to my father (Edward) but I do not know the ['right' written in margin] names of her parents. I think her father and brother were plumbers. One of the brothers' daughter married a man who owned a music store in Indianapolis Ind - but I don't recall his name - However you may be able to trace his name or the name of his store through the Public Library in Indianapolis. I think his wife's name was Dana Betz - who was a sister in law to Lena Sar Louis. The Sar Louis had only one child Dr Al Sar Louis of Cleveland and later of Fla. They lived on the same street that we did in Cleveland O - (Hampden Ave). Maybe the grand children of the man who owned the music store might be living in Indianapolis. Page 3 - [Personal notes only] Page 4 - [Personal notes redacted] Its kind of a jumble because my grandfather married twice and when he married both women they had children and he had children then they had children - Dad use to say his father would look out the window and say to his wife your children and my children are playing with our children. Hope you can make out this scribbling - best I can do now. Love to all Marie