|
a.
|
Note: John Bretz was a native of the German state of Hesse-Cassel, and had immigrated to the United States in 1833 or 1836. ( Wallace's "1904 Past and Present of the City of Springfield and Sangamon County, Illinois" indicated that John Bretz immigrated to the US in 1836 {p. 212}, but Bateman and Selby's "1912 History of Sangamon County" reports this date as 1833 {p. 1067}). The son of a tile-maker, he was trained as a bricklayer and building contractor as a young man, and he continued in these fields after immigrating to the United States. While residing in Frankfort,(1836-1857) he undertook a number of notable building projects including the construction of that city's only Catholic church (Church of the Good Shepard), the State Arsenal, and the Capitol Hotel. John Bretz was listed as a Frankfort brick maker in the 1850 Census of Manufacturing for Franklin County. He had $600 of capital invested in the business, $200 worth of clay, and 500 cords of wood valued at $1,000. Fifteen males were employed at the brickyard at a cost of $300 worth of wages per month. Bretz produced 1,000,000 bricks per year valued at $5,800. It was reportedly due to his superior craftsmanship that he was called to Springfield in 1857. He came to Springfield at the request of Bishop Yunker of the Catholic Church to undertake the construction of the old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the north east corner of Seventh and Monroe streets in 1855. This building served its purpose until about 1925, when the present Cathedral was built on South Sixth Street, and this was torn down in the 50's-after being used as a bingo hall- and is the present location of a parking garage. He built his home at 1315 N. Fifth St, across from Ursuline Convent and Academy (and Weaver Science Building there).. He built many buildings besides the Cathedral including the State Arsenal, SS Peter & Paul's Church (torn down 2002, but have a brick from it), Ursuline Convent, etc) Had brickyard on N 5th with Mr. Reisch. Had 12 children and 81 Grand and Great-grand children at time of death in 1905. Six children survived his death in 1905. They are: Louise (Mrs Gerhardt Westenberger), Lizzie, Katherine,John F. Bretz, James Bretz, and Charles J Bretz, all of Springfield.) According to his obit in the Il State Journal, Springfield, Il on May 24, 1905, pg 6, Mr Bretz was born August 26, 1812 and Died May 23, 1905, served in the German Army, came to America in 1833, locating in Frankfort, Ky where he became a contractor. He married Lurena Jane Pilcher Jan 19, 1841 in Frankfort. "He did not believe in the tobacco habit and in all the years of his long life he had never tasted the weed". "His father and grandfather were contractors and each one manufactured his own brick". Will A. Gorham, as guardian was appointed for Luerna Jane Pilcher on January 18, 1841(not certain if her father John Pilcher was deceased or not) and a bond was obtained showing "a marriage is shortly intended to be solomnized between the above bound John Bretz and Lurena Jane Pilcher of this county."Source: Franklin County Court Records Order Book L." In looking thru his brother William's estate packet at the Archive Library In Springfield, IL, I found a sister Elizabeth Seiler, a deceased sister Mary Weitzel and neices and nephews August Weitzel, Fredinand, Peter, Magdalena Weitzel and Antoniette Smith. There was a receipt (?)from Ferdinand, Magdalena and Peter from Bauerbach on August 27, 1895. Checking the internet, I found a large Weitzel site belonging to Dr. Lothar Weitzel, who I shall contact.
1840 CENSUS of Frankfort (North Division) Franklin County, Ky on Ancestry.com; image #23 of 28 John Bretz Male between age 20-30 (John was born in 1812 so he was 28) No other listings He was married in 1841 Engaged in Agriculture. ?
1850 CENSUS of Frankfort, Franklin Co, Ky e.d. 1(?), pg 44, line 27, FTM microfilm fr Broderbund Software p. 5843 (Ancestry.com Census -- image 87 of 103) John Bretz age 37, male, Brick Manufacturer, $500 in RE, b. Germany Laura J age 27, F, b.Kentucky Mary L (Louise) 8, F, " in school John F 5, M, " Elizabeth 3, F buried in Ky, died young William H (?) 4/12 " " Margarith Pilcher 14, F B. Kentucky " (is she Jane's sister or niece?) 1860 CENSUS of Springfield, Sangamon County, Il page 445, Spgfd P.O. ID#1137118935 (Ancestry.com image # 443 of 821) John Bretz, 47, M, Master Brickmaker, $1,200 8,00 Hessel Cassel (Germany) Jane, 36, F Kentucky John F. 15, M KY attended school James 7,m Ky. attemded school Elizabeth 5, F Ky Catherine 1, F Illinois Garred Westenberger 24, M Cabinet Maker $1,500, (from Nortensberg (SP?) Germany Married this yr Louise Westenerger, 18, F Ky Married this year William Bretz 35, M brother Hessel Cassel William Pilcher 17, M Ky cannot read or write (is this a nephew or brother of Jane's?) 1870 CENSUS Springfield, Sangamon Co, Il twp. 282, p 311, line 25. (Ancestry.com image #2 of 503) John Bretz 58, m, w, brick maker, $5,000 assets, b. Hesse Cassel, Dad & Mom foreigner Jane 47,F.W, K.H. (keeps house) b. " (this is an error) " (Mary) Elizabeth 15,F,W, b. Illinois James 18,M,W " Catherine 11,F,W " Charles 4,M,W, " 9 Laborers lived with them... 1880 CENSUS Springfield, Sangamon Co, Il, Pg 41, ED218, E.pg 16, part of Springfield twd, 6-28-1880 1315 N. Fifth, Ancestry .com image # 16 of 17) John Bretz, White, M, 69, married, BrickMaker, Born Stil Hessen, parents also born there Jane , w, F, 56, Wife, married, keeping home Ky, Va, Va Mary, W, F, 23 Daughter, single, at home Ky, Stil Hessen, Ky Catherine, W, F, 20, Daughter, single, at home Ill, Stil Hessen, Ky Charles, W, M, 16, Son at School Il, Stil Hessen, Ky Bailey, Michael, w, M, 56, no relationship, single, Brick Moulter, Stil Hessen,Stil Hessen, Stil H Bretz, William, W, M, 54, Brother, Teamster " " " 1900 CENSUS Springfield, Sangamon Co, Il, 1315 N 5th, Precinct 3, ED 89, pg 45A, shet B, 2nd ward,6/9, Ancestry.com Census image #image #20 of 31) Bretz, Mary, Head, W,F, born Dec 1854, age 45, single, Ky, Germany, Virginia, Milliner(?) can read, Catherine, sister, W, F, Nov 1859, 40, single, Il, Germany, Virginia, can read, write, & speak Eng. John, Father, M, M, Aug 1812, 87, M, m. 59 yr , Germany, Germany, Germany, can read, write & sp Jane, Mother, W, f, born Oct 1821, 76, M, M. 59 yrs, had 12 kids, 6 living, Va, Va, Va, can read, (this census was taken on June 9th and Jane died on June 14, 1900)
|
