| Notes |
- This is from a history of Beaver County published in 1914:
The Retzer family of the state of Pennsylvania is well represented in Beaver County by Frederick Retzer, beloved and esteemed as a preacher for many years.
Martin Retzer was born in Germany in 1814, and died in that country in 1881. He was engaged in business as a manufacturer or wooden shoes. He married Elizabeth Gruny, born in Germany in 1817, died there in 1890. They had children: Louisa, deceased; Frederick; Katharine, marred Frederick Kindleberger of West Bridgewater; Philip, of Pirmansens, Germany.
Frederick Retzer, son of Martin and Elizabeth Gruny Retzer, was born in Germany, October 3, 1850. He was educated in Germany and taught school there for about four years, commencing when but twelve years of age. He was appointed teacher by the government and was licensed to preach when about fourteen years of age. He made a trip to Palestine when fifteen years old and taught school there for a short time.
He was a member of the sanitary commission during the Franco-Pressian War. He emigrated to the United States in 1971, arriving at Wheeling, West Virginia November 13. During the three years he remained in that city, he learned the bakers' trade and then came to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he followed the same calling.
In 1879, he removed to Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, continuing as a baker until 1886, when he entered the United States mail service, with which he was identified until 1892. He was then in the foundry business for a period of sixteen years after which he established himself in the grocery business at the corner of Bridge and Mulberry streets.
For many years, he has been a licensed minister, at first in the Methodist Episcopal Church and for the last four years in the Free Methodist Church. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, and has served two terms as burgess; is now serving as a justice of the peace and is in his third term as tax collector and assessor.
Mr. Retzer married (first) in Pittsburgh October 24, 1874, Susannah Link, who died January 17, 1911, daughter of John Link, who was a soldier during the Civil War and died at its close.
He married (second) October 8, 1913, Marguerite Stephens of Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Retzer is a member of Goldne LInk Chapter, No. 31, Order of the Eastern Star, Newark, New Jersey. Children, all by first marriage: Charles W., Lizzie, deceased; Gustav Adolph; Frederick; John Edward, Joseph Henry, Lillian, and Marie, who died in infancy.
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1814 - 1881 (66 years)