Henry Witzel

1856 - 1938  (81 years)

• Name	Henry Witzel
  Born	2 Nov 1856	Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72902599
  Residence	1880	Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-73694
  Died	2 Apr 1938	Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA
  Buried	Highland Park Cemetery, Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA
  Person ID	I73694	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Valentine Witzel,   b. 7 Jul 1832, , Hessen, Germany ,   d. 12 Jul 1909, , Ionia Co., Michigan  (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Catharine Lackner,   b. 10 Oct 1838, , Wuerttemberg, Germany ,   d. 11 Jun 1926, Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA  (Age 87 years)
  Family ID	F10293	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Henry Witzel Mr. and Mrs. Milton Ernst of Kitchener and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lackner of Elmira, have returned home after attending the funeral of Mr. Henry Witzel of Ionia, Mich. Mr. Witzel was born in Woolwich township nearly 82 years ago but moved with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Witzel to Ionia at the age of 14 years. During his 67 years of residence in Ionia, he was one of lonia's prosperous and highly respected citizens. He survived by his widow, nee Elmira Smith and one daughter, Miss Mabel Witzel, at lome, and by two brothers, (Mr. Gadlup Witzel of lonia and Mr. Albert Witzel of Montpelier. Ohio, and one sister. Mrs. Henry Musser of Elmira, Ont. The funeral was held from his late home at 628 Lafayette street to Highland Park Cemetery with Rev. Paul Stewart in charge. Waterloo Chronicle, 8 Apr 1938, p. 3 ______________ Resident of Ionia for 67 Years Passes Henry Witzel Was Part Owner and Superintendent of Pottery 40 Years and Served on the Board of Public Works. Henry Witzel, for 67 years a resident of Ionia city, died at his home 628 Lafayette street at 6:30 o'clock Wednesday evening after two months serious illness. He was 81 years of age. Born in Canada Mr. Witzel came to Ionia as a youth of 14 years becoming one of the city's most prominent business men and one of the largest stockholders in a number of Ionia concerns. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Witzel, born November 2, 1856 in Ontario, Canada. After attending the Ionia Central school for a time Mr. Witzel became employed at the brickyards where he worked for several years. Bricks made during his employment there were used in the construction of some of the Michigan reformatory walls and can still be seen there. For a time he worked in Sheridan before he finally became identified with the Ionia Pottery company of which he was a part owner and superintendent for more than 40 years. It was during his employment at the Pottery that he became first interested in public affairs, a hobby he continued to enjoy during the following years. He was elected to the board of public works in Ionia about 1903. The board later was abolished and its duties vested in the council. During his membership on the board the Ionia city hall was constructed. His interest in public and civic affairs led him to participate in numerous Ionia enterprises and he finally became a stockholder and bondholder in several. At the time of his death he was one of the largest bondholders of the Elks temple and also held stock in the Ypsilanti Reed furniture company, Stafford-Johnson company, the former Ionia National bank, and the Pottery. On March 8, 1882 he was married to Miss Minnie Gierman of Ionia. Two children were born to the couple, Glen Witzel who died when a boy, and Miss Mable Witzel who survives. Mrs. Witzel died a few years after the marriage and on November 3, 1890 Mr. Witzel was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Smith of Ionia, who also survives. Mr. Witzel was a life member of the Ionia Elks lodge and had been active in its affairs for many years. He was also a member of the IOOF, the Rebecca lodge, the Canton, regarded as the highest Oddfellow degree, and the Camp. Surviving are the wife, a daughter, Miss Mable Witzel at home, two brothers, Godlup of Ionia, and Albert of Montpelier, Ohio, and a sister, Mrs. Barbara Mussner of St. Jacobs, Ontario. Funeral services are to be held from the home, 628 Lafayette street, Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Paul L. Stewart will officiate and interment will be at Highland Park cemetery. Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard, 31 Mar & 4 Apr 1938 ---- A large number of friends and relatives attended the funeral services for Henry Witzel, prominent Ionia business man, which were conducted from the home, 628 Lafayette street, Saturday afternoon, with Rev. Paul Stewart officiating. The IOOF and the Rebekahs attended the services in a body. Mr. Witzel had been a resident of Ionia for 67 years, and was 81 years of age. Interment was in Highland Park cemetery. The pall bearers were Lawrence Witzel, George Witzel, Roy Witzel, John Witzel, Herbert Witzel, and Lloyd Witzel, all nephews. Flowers were in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Curtis. Ninety-seven friends and relatives were present for the last rites. The out-of town relatives were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Witzel, of Montpelier, O.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lachnet, of Elmira, Ont.; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Ernest, of Kitchener, Ont.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Giermann, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Giermann, Mr. and Mrs. George Giermann, Sebewa; Mrs. Cora Walsh, Sunfield; Lloyd Witzel, Glenn Witzel, Robert Witzel, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wilson, Lyle Wilson, Mrs. Josephine Hopkins, Sheridan; Cecil Wilson, Greenville; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Witzel, Mrs. Cassie Cramer, Mrs. H. J. Duemeland, Grand Rapids; John A. Smith, Miss Hazel Smith, Miss Agnes Smith, Woodland; Carl Smith and family, Eaton Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Anderson and family, Howell; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Smith, Portland; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Smith, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Kenyon, Lake Odessa; Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Pearl Rockwell, Luther; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, Baldwin; Mr. and Mrs. George Kenyon, Mr. and Mrs. Florian Kenyon, Mrs. Bessie Ralston, Mrs. Mary Gilkey, Mrs. Leonard Dennis, Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stevens, Grand Ledge; Mrs. Del Sherman, Allen Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Zagland Kelly, Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. Harry York and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest York, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Hissong and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Philip and Mr. and Mrs. John York, of Sebewa.

  
  

• Sources

  [S1639] Census - U.S. Census Population Schedule, 1880 10th Census, Census Place: Ionia, Ionia, Michigan; Roll: 584; Page: 158D; Enumeration District: 096. Valentine Weitzel 48 b. Hesse, laborer Catherine 42 b. Wurtemburg Henry 23 b. Canada John 18 Peter 16 George 14 Emma 13 Godleep 10 William 8 b. Michigan Albert 5 Alice M. 2 Frederick Jan 1880

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 2 Nov 1856 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1880 - Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA Died - 2 Apr 1938 - Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA Buried - - Highland Park Cemetery, Ionia, Ionia, Michigan, USA  = Link to Google Earth