Nicolaus Balz

Nicolaus Balz

• Nicolaus Balz was born on 18 August 1825 in Freimersheim, Rheinhessen.
• Nicolaus Balz and Gertrude Balz arrived in the Port of New York on 8 July 1851, aboard the Ship Factory from Rotterdam. It is an educated guess that Gertrude was Nicholas' sister.
• He married Caroline Nagel in 1854.
• Nicolaus Balz and Caroline Nagel appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Peebles, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, living not far from Johannes Balz.. Other members of the household included William Balz, Catherine Balz and Lenhart Balz. Also lin the household were laborer Wilrick Whitmer, age 33, and his family. It is an educated guess that Margaret Whitmer was a sister of Nicolaus Balz, and/or a daughter of Lenhart Balz.
• He was a gardener, according to the 1860 census.
• Nicolaus Balz and Caroline Nagel, appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Schleswig, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, living not far from Johannes Balz.. Other members of the household included William Balz and Catherine Balz.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
• Nicolaus Balz became a widower at the 28 October 1899 death of his wife Caroline Nagel.
• Nicolaus Balz died on 19 June 1909 at age 83.
• He was interred at Schleswig Cemetery, Schleswig Township, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.
• The following appeared in a local newspaper: On Saturday, another pioneer of the Town of Schleswig, went to his eternal rest, namely Mr. Nic Balz Sr. who on the named day, died from stomach cancer at the house of his son John. The deceased saw the light of the world in Framersheim, near Aizie, Grossherzogthum Hessen, Germany on August 18, 1825 and came to America in 1851, initially to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later married Caroline Nagel in 1854. In 1860, the family came to Town of Schleswig, to purchase a farm, which he worked for 17 years. Since then he lives with his son John who took over the farm. His wife died 10 years ago, and he leaves behind four daughters, Mrs. Fritz Fluhr, Mrs. John Boege, Mrs. Carl Petzold and Mrs. August Schnuelle, and two sons, Nic. and John, also 26 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He reached the age of 83 years, seven months and one day. Mr. Balz lived a healthy life until last fall when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The burial was on Tuesday at the Rockville Cemetery and the service was conducted by Pastor Hauser.
• The following appeared on 1 July 1909 in Der Nord Westen: Death last week at the advanced age of 83 of Nic. Balz, Sr., one of the pioneers of Town Schleswig. The funeral was held in the Rockville cemetery.
• Nicolaus Balz apparently had origins in Freimersheim, where Sophia Dexheimer Karl was married and where her children were baptized.
• Were Nicolaus Balz and Johannes Balz brothers?
• Were Nicolaus Balz and Lenhart Balz father and son?

• Last Edited: 23 May 2013