Person:Heinrich Betz (1)

Origins

As a young man, he likely hiked the path from Bingert, through the vineyards, down into the valley to Altenbamberg, where he courted Katharina Dern and convinced her to emigrate with his family to America.

While record of their emigration has not yet been located, their 1848 marriage is found in Buffalo, Erie, New York.

Heinrich (as well as three of his sons) worked with his father at the family pottery business at 824 Genesee, which remained in business until about 1910. In his 50s, Heinrich suffered from a fall, causing a brain injury. This led to a short-lived mental illness that resulted in his suicide.

Heinrich's tombstone at Concordia Cemetery reads:

Heinrich Betz geb. bei Kreitznach Reinbeiern im Jahre 1824 den 12 Oct gest. den 1 Jul 1876 alt 52 jahre. Ruhe seiner asche. H. BETZ. [Heinrich Betz born near Bad Kreuznach, Rhennish Bavaria in the year 1824 October 12, died 1 July 1876 age 52. Rests here his ashes.]

Descendant surnames include Weber, Roemer.

Census

1850 Census, Black Rock, Erie County, NY. Henry BETTS, age 26, listed with his father (age 65) and several other family members, including his wife, Catherina (age 26).

1855 NY State Census: (missing ward number at top of page) household # 1052, family #1692

• Henry Betz, 30, of Bavaria, 11 years in Buffalo, Potter, naturalized, owns the land
• Catharine Betz, 30, wife, Bavaria, 11 years in Buffalo, alien
• Henry Betz, 6, son, b. Erie Co.
• Catharine Betz, 4, daughter, b. Erie Co.
• George Getz, 3, son, B. Erie Co.,
• Anna Betz, 1, dau, b. Erie Co

1860 Census: Henry Betz, Jr. is the enumerator (Census-taker) for at least part of Ward 7. Ward 7, Page 7 (ancestry.com image #7). Dwelling #54; Family #49

• Henry Betz, 74, potter, b. Darmstadt (his father)
• Henry Betz Jr., 36, potter, $1500 / 1100, b. Darmstadt
• Catharine, 36, b. Darmstadt
• Henry, 10, b. NY
• Catherine, 8, b NY
• George, 7, b NY
• Johannah, 5, b NY
• Ferdinand, 3, b NY
• Elizabeth, 2, b NY
• Caroline, 4 months, b NY

1865 NY State Census, 7th ward, p. 92:

• Henry Betz, 42, b. Germany, potter
• -, Catherine, 42, wife, born Germany
• -, Henry, 16?, son, born Erie County
• -, Catharina, 14, dau, born Erie County
• -, George, 13, son, born Erie County
• -, Anna, 10, dau, born Erie County
• -, Ferdinand, 9, son, born Erie County
• -, Elisabeth, 7, dau, born Erie County
• -, Charles 1, son, born Erie County

1870 Census, (seventh? ward), Buffalo, NY, June 2, 1870, page 6, line 22 Address 37 ??

• Betz, Henry, age 46, Potter Factory, $3000 real estate, $600 or $6000 personal property; of Bavaria
• Betz, Catharina, 46, F, keeping house, of Bavaria
• Betz, Henry, 21, M, potter
• George, 19, M, Potter
• Ferdinand, 14, M, attending school
• Carl, age 6 attending school
• Catharina, 18, F, at home
• Anna, age 16, at home
• Elisabeth, age 12, attending school

Note: His father, Henry Betz, age 84, potter, is listed on line 5, page 7 living two doors down (#39) with Philip and Margaret Vogt.

Suicide

Buffalo Daily Courier: July 3, 1876
"Suicide
Heinrich Betz Cuts His Throat from Ear to Ear - Insanity the Cause"

At an early hour Saturday morning, Heinrich Betz, a well known German, and proprietor of the pottery No. 824 Genesee street, committed suicide at his home, No. 828 Genesee street, by cutting his throat with a razor. About two weeks ago, he accidentally fell through a trap door in Grass's grocery on William street, and striking on his head, received injuries which brought on delirium and ever since that time he has been partially out of his mind. No physician was summoned until Friday evening when his condition was growing worse. Dr. Diehl was sent for, and upon his arrival prescribed "medicine to quiet him." About six o'clock Saturday morning, Mrs. Betz arose for the purpose of making a fire and getting breakfast. Her husband, without dressing, followed her into the sitting room, and in reply to an inquiry as to how he felt, said, "I don't feel so well this morning, but will probably feel better if I take some of the doctor's medicine and go back to bed for awhile." He measured the dose himself and returned to his sleeping apartment. Half an hour later, one of his daughters found him sitting on the floor in front of his bed, with his throat cut from ear to ear, and bleeding profusely. By his side was the instrument with which he had inflicted the fatal wound. Two of his sons came in, but could do nothing to save him, and he expired in a few minutes. Deceased was nearly fifty-two years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children. He had been a resident of Buffalo for more than thirty six years and was widely known and respected. Several years ago he was elected Supervisor for the Seventh ward, three different times. Coronor Almendinger was notified and will hold an inquest."

[Coroner's report was sought in winter 2004; Coroner's office reported that Buffalo does not retain them back that far.]

Probate

July 10, 1876 probate of Henry Betz names as his heirs the following:

Henry Betz, Jr. of full age of Buffalo, NY

Your petitioner his widow and the following children:

• George, of full age...
• Ferdinand, age 20 yrs...
• Charles, age 12 yrs...
• Catherine, of full age...
• Anna, of full age...
• Elizabeth, of full age...

"That said minors have no general guardian but reside with your petitioner their mother."

Concordia Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie, New York

1. ↑ St. Paul's and St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY
   Roll 1, Item 1, Year 1848, pg. 157.

   Marriage of Heinrich Betz & Catharina Dorn

2. ↑ Evangelische Kirsche Feil (Feilbingert). Feilbingert Kirchenbuch, 1681-1876. (LDS)
   Vol. 5, Baptisms Year 1824, entry 27.

   Son of Heinrich Betz & Christina Dressel: Heinrich Betz

3. ↑ Evangelische Kirsche Feil (Feilbingert). Feilbingert Kirchenbuch, 1681-1876. (LDS)
   Vol. 5, Baptisms 1815-1839, Year 1824, entry 27.

   Son of Heinrich Betz & Christina Dressel: Heinrich Betz.

4. ↑ St. Paul's and St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY
   Roll 1, Item 1, Bapt., Marr., Deaths 1842-1849, pg. 157.

   Marriage for Heinrich Betz, age 24, and Catharina Dorn, age 24, on September 29, 1848.

5. ↑ 1860 U.S. Census - NY
   Roll 747, 7th Ward, pg. 217.

   Heinrich Betz, Jr., age 36

6. ↑ Evangelische Kirsche Feil (Feilbingert). Feilbingert Kirchenbuch, 1681-1876. (LDS)
   Vol. 5, year 1824, entry 27.

   Born: November 12, 1824

7. ↑ St. Paul's and St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Buffalo, NY
   157.

   Marriage record states he was 24 years old at time of marriage (1848); NOTE: Darcy McCabe found his place of birth as Darmstadt in census records from Buffalo, but his tombstone reads "Kreuznach Rheinprovinz." And birth records found in Feilbingert, Rheinprovinz indicate THAT is his actual place of birth.

8. ↑ Concordia Cemetery Tombstone reading.

   Died: July 1876. Wife's death record also indicates he predeceased her in 1876.

9. ↑ Buffalo Death Records
   FHL #1419935, 1812-1925.
10. ↑ Compiled by Bill & Martha Reamy. Erie Cty NY Obituaries as Found in the Files of the Buffalo and Erie Cty Historical Society 1811-1880
    Pg. 20.

    Betz, Heinrich, July 1, 1876, age 52, Suicide

11. ↑ Compiled by Bill & Martha Reamy. Erie Cty NY Obituaries as Found in the Files of the Buffalo and Erie Cty Historical Society 1811-1880
    Page 20.

    BETZ, Heinrich July 1, 1876, age 52, suicide

12. ↑ Tombstone for Heinrich Betz
    Concordia Cemetery.
13. ↑ 1850 U.S. Census - NY
    Roll # 500, pg. 190, line 4.
14. ↑ 1855 State Census - New York.
15. ↑ 1860 U.S. Census - NY
    Roll 747, 7th ward, p. 217.

    Heinrich Betz, Jr., age 36

16. ↑ 1860 U.S. Census - NY
    Roll 747, pg. 217, line 2.

    Occupation: Potter

17. ↑ Buffalo City Directory.

    1868; 1871; 1872; 1873

18. ↑ 1865 State Census - New York
    7th ward, page 92.

    Henry Betz, 42, born Germany, potter

19. ↑ 1870 U.S. Census - NY
    Roll # 934, Erie County, 7th Ward Buffalo, line 22.