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Born 1862, German Township
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908)
LAFAYETTE R. LUTZ, township trustee and owner of fifty acres of land in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio, is numbered with the representative men of this section. He was born on the old home farm, in German Township, Clark County, Ohio, April 29, 1862, and is a son of John and EUza (Morris) Lutz, and a grandson of Michael and Mary (Bowman) Lutz.
Michael Lutz and wife were both of German descent and at a very early period came from Virginia to Ohio with their little family, and settled in the woods of German Township, Clark County, where they passed the remainder of their lives, both passing away at an advanced age. They were the parents of five children: Sarah (Mrs. A. Neese), deceased; Mary (Mrs. R. Zirkle), deceased; Amanda (Mrs. D. Zirkle); John; Isaac, deceased, and Mrs. C. Patterson.
John, Lutz was born in Virginia and when a boy of four years came to Ohio with his parents, who settled on a tract of timberland in German Township. There he was reared and he assisted his father in clearing up 208 acres of land. He followed farming throughout his active career, remaining on the home place, which he subsequently inherited, until late in life. He married Eliza Morris, who was born and reared near Tremont, German Township, where her parents had located at an early period. She died in 1888 and is survived by her husband, who lives with their son, Lafayette R. John Lutz and wife were the parents of eleven children, five of whom died young. Those living are as follows: Frances, wife of Frank Ziegler; Lafayette; Alice, wife of Martin Baker; Charles; Clara, wife of William Blumbershine; and Sidney.
Lafayette R. Lutz grew to man's estate in his native section and received his educational training in the district schools of the township. He has always followed farming, and following his marriage he rented the Samuel Freeze farm in German Town.ship for seven years, then bought his present farm of fifty acres from Aaron Rust. The land consists of two tracts, forty acres upon which he lives, and ten acres lying just south of the residence property. Here he has engaged in general farming ever since, and he also deals extensively in tile for ditching.
On October 25, 1885, Mr. Lutz was married to Mary E. Rust, who is a daughter of David and Phoebe (Cost) Rust. Mrs. Rust died when Mrs. Lutz was but seven years old, but Mr. Rust survives. He was born in 1834 near Mr. Lutz ' present farm. Mrs. Lutz is the eldest of three children, and the only daughter. She has two brothers: Albert and Wilham. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz became the parents of three children: Orris, who died aged two years; Blanche, and Robert.
In politics Mr. Lutz is a Democrat and has served in the office of township trustee continuously since 1899. He is a member of the Reformed Church at Dialton, in which he is both deacon and treasurer. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias order of Nortliamptou for the past eighteen years.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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