Pioneer Answers Final Roll Call
Michael Betz Passes Away After 80 Years of Most Honored Citizenship

The death of Michael Betz, civil war veteran and long honored citizen of Sutherland, occurred at his home here at 2:30 o'clock last Saturday afternoon, March 26, 1921.
Mr. Betz had the misfortune to slip and fall a year ago this winter, which resulted in his left hip being fractured, causing his family much concern over his condition because of his advanced age. His suffering has been long and intense, and he has been incapacitated most of the time since this accident. However, he seemed to have been improving of late and had been able to be up and around recently, walking with a cane and crutch out in the yard. He became ill Wednesday and passed away Saturday, his death being caused from intestinal trouble. At the time his death he was 80 years, 10 and 26 days old.

John Michael Betz was born May 1, 1840, in the village of Fiechten [Vichten], Luxemburg. In May 1857, he came to the United States and made his home with relatives in Wisconsin until the outbreak of the Civil War.

He enlisted in the army on August 18, 1862, and helped in a great cause to perpetuate the Union, serving his country until the end of the war. He fought in the battles of Chancellorville, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga and then went with Sherman's army on the march to the sea. He was honorably discharged on June 13, 1865.

In 1870 he was married to Elizabeth Gengler and settled down at Manistee, Michigan, where he worked in the lumber mills until he moved with his family to Iowa in 1878. Their marriage was blessed with eleven children, five sons and six daughters.

On coming to Iowa, Mr. Betz purchased a farm in Buena Vista county, where the family lived and prospered until 1895, when they moved to O'Brien county and located on a farm in Grant township. Mr. and Mrs. Betz retired from the farm in December, 1906, and moved to Sutherland, where they have since resided and made their home.

The deceased leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife and ten children, one daughter, Christina, having died Feb. 5, 1905. The children who survive are: Mrs. Barney Hodapp of Allendorf, Ia.; Mrs. John Kopp of Primghar, Ia.; Anton Betz of Caddo, Texas; Mrs. Henry Hopke of Shell Lake, Wis.; Mrs. Frank Mathern of LaFeria, Texas; Nicholas Betz of Milford, Ia.; and Mrs. Clarence Lohberger, and John, Frank, and Michael Betz of Sutherland, all of whom were here to attend the funeral of their father except Mrs. Henry Hopke, Mrs. Frank Mathern and Anthon Betz. Besides these he leaves a multitude of friends who knew him to be a venerable citizen who had lived a worthy life among them.

Funeral services were held from the Sacred Heart church at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning in charge of Rev. Wendl. A large crowd was in attendance at the funeral and being a Civil War veteran, as a mark of respect to his memory the town flags were unfurled at half mast for two days and all places of business were closed during the hour of the funeral service. Interment was made in Calvary cemetery.

Sutherland Courier, 31 Mar, 1921


O'Brien Co death records list his mother's maiden name as Macatory