In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1912) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912), The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902)
JOHN M. MOTZ.
Among the native sons of Knox county who are now classed among the leading and representative agriculturists is John M. Motz, who resides on section 17, Brown township, where he has a well improved farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He was born in this township, near Jdloway, March 27, 1858, and is the second son and fifth child of Gottlieb and Catherine (Williams) Motz. His father was a native of Alsace, Germany, which province was then a part of French territory, and in the place of his birth he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. When a young man he determined to seek his home in the new world and landed at New York, whence he made his way to Ohio. For a time he followed his trade in Wooster, Wayne county, and then went to Holmes county, whence he afterward removed to Brown township, Knox county. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away in his eighty-third year. Here, he developed and improved a farm and became a highly esteemed resident of the community. His wife, also a native of Alsace, France, was only seven years of age when brought to America by her paraits, who lo- cated in Washington township, Holmes county, where she was reared, and after attaining to womanhood, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Motz. Seven children were born unto them: Elizabeth, now the deceased wife of John Artz; Mary, deceased wife of
Michael Richart, who also has passed away; Adam, of Brown township; Catherine, the wife of George J. Richart; John M.; Henry, who is living on the old homestead in Brown township; and Sarah, the wife of Daniel Richart.
In the usual manner of farmer boys John M. Motz spent his youthful days, the public schools of the neighborhood affording him his early educational privileges, while in the fields and meadows of his father's farm he became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agruculturist. After reaching man's estate he engaged in merchandising in Jelloway, and thus continued for four years, at the expiration of which he sold his store and came to his present farm, which has beai his home continuously since. It comprises one hundred and thirtyiave acres of rich and arable land, and the productive fields annually return to him a good income for the cultivation he has bestowed upon them. Stock-raising is also a profitable branch of his business. His house was destroyed by fire, but in 1891 he erected his present modern residence, which is a very pleasant and attractive home.
Mrs. Motz was in her maidenhood Miss Emma Buehl and became the wife of Mr. Motz, in Wayne county, Ohio, on the i6th of October, 1883. She was born near Doylestown, that county, a daughter of Peter Buehl, a native of Germany, while his wife Avas a native of the Buckeye state. INIrs. Motz is the fourth of their seven children and was reared and educated in Wayne county. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children: Oscar, Ethel, Edna, Gladys, Luella, Martha, Harmon, Raymond, and Caleb. Mr. Motz and his family attend the services of the German Lutheran church at Jelloway, of which he is a member and in which he has held office for fifteen years, being at the present time a trustee. For eight years he has served as township clerk of Brown township, and is a loyal and public-spirited citizen, — one whose life has been quietly passed but ever characterized by all that is straightforward and honorable in his relations with his fellow men.
As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN M. MOTZ.
Aside from his connections with the civic affairs of Knox county, John M. Motz, farmer and stock man of Brown township, has long been an influential factor in the industrial interests of his community, his entire life having been spent here, everything calculated to advance the community, materially or otherwise, receiving his support and hearty co-operation. He is unswerving in his allegiance to what he believes to be right, and upholds his honest convictions at the sacrifice, if need be, of every other interest. Conscientious in the discharge of his duties of citizenship, he is a valued mem-
49 ber of the body politic, and his aim has ever been to shape his life according to the highest standards of excellence, therefore he has won the esteem and good will of all who know him.
Mr. Motz was born on March 27, 1858, on a farm in Brown township, this county, near Jelloway. He is the son of Gottlieb and Catherine (Williams) Motz, both natives of Germany, where they spent their childhood, and from that country they emigrated to America as young people, he at the age of eighteen and she when seven years old. The father made the trip alone, but the mother’s parents came with her. All formerly lived in the province of Alsace. Gottlieb Motz was a cabinet-maker, and soon after he landed in this country he established himself at Wooster, Ohio, working at his trade for some time, then moved to Holmes county, later turning his attention to farming and while living in Holmes county he and Catherine Williams were married. She had also come from Alsace, Germany. After their marriage they lived in Holmes county for a number of years, then came to Brown township, Knox county, buying a farm near Jelloway, which they developed, establishing there a comfortable home, Mr. Motz continuing to work some as a cabinet-maker. It was about 1850 that they settled in Knox county They were a sturdy, industrious, frugal German couple, and, being fortunately located, succeeded, acquiring considerable property and a competence, owning an excellent farm of two hundred acres and other property. Politically, the father was a Democrat, but he did not take much interest in public affairs, merely exercising the right of suffrage at the polls. He and his family were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. The death of Gottlieb Motz occurred in October, 1900, his wife having died previously in June, 1892, the month following the celebration of her fiftieth wedding anniversary. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, who is now deceased, married John Artz; Mary, also deceased, married Michael Pichrert; Adam lives in Akron, Ohio; Catherine. who married George Richert; John M., of this sketch; Henry W. lives in Brown township; Sarah is the wife of Daniel Richart.
John M. Motz was reared on the farm and worked in the fields when but a boy, attending the district schools in Brown township in the wintertime. He remained with his parents until his marriage, on October 16, 1883. to Emma H. Buehl, daughter of Peter and Mary Ann ( Simmons) Buehl, a prominent family of Wayne county, Ohio. To the subject and wife eleven children have been born, six daughters and five sons, namely: Oscar G. is married and lives in Akron; Ethel M. married Frank Heimbaugh, of Akron; Edna M. married C. C. Long, of Brown township; Gladys
A. married C. C. Pealer, of Pike township, Knox county; Luella C., Martha A.. Herman J., Reynold B., Caleb P., Helen G. and Cecil F. are all at home.
Following his marriage, John M. Motz engaged in the mercantile business at Jelloway for four years, enjoying a good trade with the surrounding country. He then came to the farm where he still resides, five miles south of Jelloway, and here he has met with encouraging success as a general farmer and stock raiser, his well improved and well tilled farm consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He has a comfortable home and good barn and other outbuildings.
Politically, Mr. Motz is a Democrat and has always been active in public matters. He has served as clerk of Brown township for a period of eight years, and for nine years he was a member of the school board of Amity Special, he being still a member of the same, and is clerk of the board. In the fall of 1905 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served on the same for a period of five years. As a public official he has served the people with much ability and fidelity, discharging his every duty conscientiously and his record has been highly commendable to the masses. He is a member of Amity Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and has long been active in the same. He and his family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran church and have always been active in church and Sunday school work. This family is prominent in the social life of the county.
As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.