| Sources |
- [S927] Obituary.
Note: From the journal of August Betz: "In the year 1841, on the 2nd of March, August Betz was born into the world." From Goodspeed's History of Dubois Co.: " August Betz, an unpretentious, but honored citizen of Celestine, Ind., was born March 2, 1841, a son of John L. and Elizabeth (Auth) Betz, who were natives of Germany , and came to the United States in 1835, locating at Wheeling, W.VA., where they remained about seven years, and then came to this State and settled in Dubois County, where the father died in 1840. The mother is still living with our subject on the old homestead. August received such imperfect educational advantages as were accorded in the country schools of that day, but has since acquired a good business education. He has always been the mainstay and prop of his mother, and on that account was forced to abandon the idea of aiding his country in the late war. He has been quite successful in his farming enterprises, and now owns 160 acres of excellent farming land. He was married, April 21, 1863, to Mary Schlegel, the result of this union being ten children, all living. The eldest (Fred) is married and living near Celestine; the rest are at home. In politics Mr. Betz is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church." From the Jasper Herald: "Aged Pioneer Citizen Dies Near Celestine - August A. Betz, Seventy-eight Years Old Laid to Rest Yesterday - August A. Betz, one of the pioneer residents of Hall township, died at his home near Celestine at the age of seventy-eight, Tuesday night, October 28 and was laid to rest in St. Celestine's cemetery yesterday, October 30. Besides his widow he leaves eleven children: John and James of Indianapolis, Joseph and August of Celestine, William and Leo of Louisville, Conrad, Mrs. Lawrence Hochgesang and Mrs. Henry Goeppner of this city, Mrs. Catherine Prechtel of California and Elizabeth of Indianapolis. He also leave numerous grandchildren. Deceased was well known in this vicinity, and a large number of friends paid their respects at the funeral. From Jasper Herald, 7 Nov 1919: "Seven Sons Assist in Father's Burial - Six sons of August Betz acted as pall bearers; youngest son carries the cross - Celestine, Ind., Nov. 1 - St. Celestine catholic church was the scene of a unique funeral last Thursday when August Bates was laid to rest in the local cemetery. Seven sons of the deceased took part, six of them, John and James of Indianapolis, August and Joseph of Celestine, William of Louisville and Conrad of Jasper, acting as pallbearers, and the youngest son, Leo, of Louisville, as the bearer of the cross."
|
1841 - 1919 (78 years)