Anna Keller & Pierre Bitz Family

Left - Ferdinand Waldmann & Ottilia 

Bitz with daughters Leokadia and Juliana 

Anna Keller Bitz – By Pius Waldman 

I recently received the family (genealogy) of Anne Keller 

married to Pierre Bitz. Their grandson Jean or Johann (Bitz) 

was an (1808) emigrant to Kandel, a village in South Russia, 

in the Kutschurgan district near Odessa. There probably are 

other connections due to both families (Keller and Bitz) from 

Wintzenbach and Neewiller, Alsace (Bas Rhin, France). But 

records before this time are very difficult to retrieve due to 

wars and fires. I especially mention here, my grandparents 

who migrated twice and Johann Bitz who migrated to 

Russia, and the Zerr and Kayser (Keller) connections. 

Numbers after their names are the digital numbers associated 

with my ancestors. I'm 1 my parents are 2 and 3. Fathers 

parents are 4 and 5. Mothers are 6 and 7. So these are 9th 

generation numbers. 

My 9 th generation of ancestors includes 3 connections to 

the Keller family tree. (See separate ancestry chart.) After 

much research I have discovered this connection. Anna 

Keller (321) sister to Nicholas Keller married Pierre Bitz 

and one of their descendents is my fraternal grandmother 

(Ottilia Bitz 5) Marguerite Keller (419) a daughter of 

Nicholas Keller married Antoine Zerr. Elisabeth (423) a 

sister to Marguerite married Johannes Georg Kayser. A 

cousin marriage of their descendents made my maternal great 

grandmother (Franziska Zerr (11) a descendent of both 

(Keller) sisters, daughters of Johannes Nicolas Keller. 

My hometown area in Gove County Kansas is where my 

direct ancestors migrated to from the Odessa Russia region 

that includes German colonies in the Kutschurgan and 

Grossliebental districts. Collateral cousins also migrated to 

the Dakotas, Montana and other areas in Canada and USA. 

During the early years of 1800 these German families left 

the Alsace area of France to go to Russia due to conflicts with 

government and church as well as poverty causes. Catherine 

the Great offered free land and the opportunity to maintain 

their customs and language. 

16 

Anna Keller & Pierre Bitz 

Anna Keller & Pierre Bitz Family 

Right: Aloisia Biegler and 

Longinus Bitz 

We pay tribute here to the Waldman Website participants. piuswaldman@gmail.com 

I want to mention here my fraternal grandparents 

Ferdinand Waldmanm and his wife Ottilia Bitz for their 

unusual migration patterns. First they were stepchildren as 

their parents married after their original spouses died. After 

their marriage in their late teens they migrated to Zeeland 

North Dakota and after their two daughters were born, 

encouraged by their parents returned to Russia. After 4 years 

of forced service in the Russian Army, they again migrated to 

the USA, this time to Park Kansas. They later encouraged 

their parents and siblings to also migrate to Park. 

Also of special interest was the migration from Alsace 

France to Russia by Johann Bitz and his wife Katharina 

Heyer. Johann was a grandson of Anna Keller and Pierre 

Bitz. From this ancestor families migrated to the Dakotas, 

Montana, Canada as well as other regions. 

Descendents of siblings Marguerite Keller and 

Elisabeth Keller also had migrated to Russia, especially to 

the Grossliebental districts including villages of Franzfeld 

Mariental and Kleinliebental. The western Kansas counties of 

Ellis Gove Logan Trego and others were the destination of 

many of their descendents. 

In conclusion, many descendents of our direct ancestors 

migrated to the USA and Canada directly rather than to 

Russia. Others remained in the Alsace region as well. Call it 

roots but knowing our ancestors, where they lived, and when 

and what lifestyle they followed is a must to enrich our 

heritage. We all get such a pleasing feeling when we discover 

our ancestral heritage. 

I welcome the opportunity to make my information 

available for display, along with the vast amount of 

research Tom Keller has gained and is making 

available to those of interest. Anyone can contact me to 

share information regarding these families covered 

here. Pius Waldman. 

NOTE: Genealogy reference numbers are taken from 

the expanded files of Pius Waldman.

Ferdinand Waldmann 

Pius Waldman 

Pius D Waldman 

Lorena Waldman 

Delores Waldman 

Mary Waldman 

Irene Waldman 

Delbert N Waldman 

Linus Waldman 

Anna Marie Lovenstein 

Pius Waldman Family Ancestry 

Ottilia Bitz 

Mathias Lovenstein 

Victoria Kress 

Pius 

D. Waldman 

Jacob Loevenstein 

Nicolas Bitz 

Sebastian A. Bitz 

Franziska Zerr 

Leokadia Fieger 

Maria-Angelique Ostermey 

Maria Anna Kraemer 

Peter Zerr 

Mathias Zerr 

Anna-Maria Braun 

Katharina Mock 

17 

Lukas Bitz 

Antonius Zerr 

Margaretha Kartes 

Johann Bitz 

Jean Bitz 

Katharina Heyer 

Georg Zerr 

Eva-Rosina Zerr 

Joseph Kartes 

Katharina Regina Kayser 


Pierre Bitz 

Anna Keller 

Anne-Marie Walter 

Antoine Zerr 

Marguerite Keller 

Johannes Georgius Kayser 

Elisabetha (Maria) Keller 

[1] Martin Keller 

[2] Madeline 

Neewiller 

Catholic Church 

By Niko Heinz 


[3] Johannes Nicolas Keller 

[2] Madeline 


[3] Johannes Nicolas Keller 

[2] Madeline

Left: Magdalena & Mathias Bitz 

On right: Margaret & Sebastian 

Schwartzenberger. CS 

Heintz Family 

See Waldman & Haner 

websites for those not 

identified. 

Johann Mock born 4 

April 1911 in Odessa.died 

23 October 1969 

in Jaroslavl, Komi, 

Russia, USSR Parents: 

Georg and Katharina. 

By Valery Mock 

Pierre & Anna Keller Bitz Related Families 

Kaspar and Helene (Vetsch) Biegler in 

Ulm, Germany – NH 

18 


Balstasar Heit & Marianne Schneider 

1912 

1946 - Peter Heintz Family - L to R: Al & Ann (Kuntz) Heintz, Bill & Mary (Heintz) Hayes, 

Paul & Julia (Heintz) Geiss, Lonny Heintz and his mother, Adalheid, Jacob Heintz, Regina 

(Heintz) & Mike Jundt, Katie (Schwartz) & Tony Heintz – By Marga Bitz 

- Johannes Heier Family - 

Johannes was born in 1855 at 

Kleinliebental. His parents are Anton 

Heier & Katharina Wilhelm. 

Barbara was born in 1857 at 

Kleinliebental. Mike Heier 

Description: Michael Rombs and Barbara 

Hatzenbuehler (Hatzenboeller) Family 1914 

in Neu-Petersburg (Pschenjanoje). 

By Niko Heinz - 2006

Ottman Butchering Bee 

By Vonnie Haner 

Left: 

1. Seated Nicholas & Philomena Bitz - 

Sebastian Bitz standing. 

Owner: Loretta Turner, by Cynthia Stone 

2: Johannes & Magdalena Bitz 

3: Joseph & Helen Bitz 

4. 1895-95 - Johann Mock, Frau Anna 

Christian, son Viktor Mock. Kirov District, 

Russia, USSR 

Owner Donna Churchill, posted by Valery 

Mock 

Right: Catharina Ochs, after death of Franz. 

Children: Frankie in her lap, Mary Eva, 

Sebastian, Frank and Mary Anne Ochs Spring, 

and Elizabeth. Owner: Donna Churchill 

Posted By: Valery Mock 

Below Right – Anton Bitz Family 

Posted by Toni Benfit 

NOTE: See Waldman site for other postings, 

owners, etc. not included here. 

19 


Jacob Zerr

20 


Random scenes from our deep agricultural roots Ref. Waldman & Haner Websites. 

The Hartman Family 

Left: Bob & Pauline Waldman 

Right: Pete Stoltz. 

Son of George & Perpetua 

(Klein) Stoltz. YA

Descendants of Pierre & Anna Keller Bitz 

By Pius D. Waldman 

2 Anna Keller b: Abt. 1695 Wintzenbach - MEF04 

d: October 30, 1770 Wintzenbach, Alsace 

.... +Pierre Bitz b: Abt. 1695 Alsace d: August 31, 

1740 Wintzenbach Bas-Rhin France m: Bef. 1724 

.. 3 Jacques Bitz b: Abt. 1725 Alsace d: Aft. 1760 

Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France most likely. 

........ +Anne-Barbe Schmitthausler b: Abt. 1725 

d: Aft. 1770 m: Wintzenbach 

.. 3 Jean Bitz b: Abt. 1735 Wintzenbach Bas-Rhin France 

d: Aft. 1784 Neuhaeusel, Alsace most likely. 

........ +Anne-Marie Walter b: Abt. 1735 

Wintzenbach Bas-Rhin France. d: November 16, 1807 

Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France. m: November 07, 1757 

Wintzenbach Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Jean Bitz b: September 20, 1758 Wintzenbach Bas- 

Rhin France d: March 17, 1764 Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Marie Bitz b: August 24, 1759 Wintzenbach 

......4 Catherine Bitz b: March 14, 1761 Wintzenbach 

d: March 19, 1761 Wintzenbach 

......4 Jean Caspar Bitz b: May 20, 1762 Wintzenbach 

d: March 30, 1763 Wintzenbach 

......4 Marie-Agathe Bitz b: Abt. 1763 Wintzenbach 

............ + Gerhard Stoller b: Abt. 1763 Alsace 

......4 Johann Bitz b: Abt. 1764 Wintzenbach 

d: Kandel Kutschurgan Russia 

............ +Katharina Heyer b: 1763 Roppenheim Bas- 

Rhin France d: Bef. 1828 Kandel Kutschurgan Russia 

m: January 22, 1788 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France 

.......... 5 Johann Georg Bitz b: January 1789 Neuhaeusel 

Bas-Rhin France d: February 05, 1789 Neuhaeusel Bas- 

Rhin France. 

.......... 5 Magdalena Bitz b: Abt. 1794 

Roppenheim/Weissenburg Alsace d: Bef. 1870 

Kandel South Russia 

................ +Jakob Engelhardt b: 1793 Niederroedern 

Weissenburg Alsace 

d: Bef. 1860 

Kandel Russia 

m: 1812 Kandel 

Odessa Russia where 

(7) children born. 

............... 6 

Magdalena 

Engelhardt b: 1812 

Kandel Odessa Russia 

d: 1875 Kandel 

Odessa Russia 

............... 6 

Sebastian 

Engelhardt b: 1813 

Kandel 

21 


d: 1813 Kandel 

............... 6 Veronika Engelhardt b: 1814 Kandel Odessa 

Russia d: 1890 Kandel 

............... 6 Elisabeth D Engelhardt b: Abt. 1815 

in Kandel Odessa Russia d: Bef. 1829 Kandel 

............... 6 Joseph Engelhardt b: 1817 Kandel South 

Russia d: Aft. 1882 Kandel Russia 

..................... +Brigitta b: Abt. 1819 South Russia 

d: Aft. 1882 

............... 6 Elisabeth Engelhardt b: December 19, 1828 

Kandel d: May 17, 1911 Grassy Lake Alberta CAN 

..................... +Heinrich Kambeitz b: 1826 Kandel 

Odessa Russia d: December 28, 1904 Hague ND 

m: 1848 Kandel Odessa Russia 

............... 6 Sebastian Engelhardt b: 1838 Kandel Odessa 

Russia d: Bef. 1920 South Russia 

..................... +Marian Weiss b: Abt. 1838 South 

Russia d: Bef. 1920 South Russia 

.......... 5 Lukas Bitz b: Abt. 1795 Roppenheim Bas-Rhin 

France d: Aft. 1852 Kandel Kutschurgan South Russia 

................ +Maria-Angelique Ostermeyer b: April 01, 

1779 Neewiller Bas-Rhin France d: 1852 Kandel 

Kutschurgan South Russia - Lukas was listed as a widower in 

the 1852 census. m: 1812 Kandel where (4) children 

were born; Euphrosina, Balthasar, Nicholas, and Paul. 

............... 6 Nicolas Bitz b: 1817 Kandel Kutschurgan 

Russia PW05 d: Aft. 1882 

..................... +Maria Anna Kraemer b: 1822 Kandel 

Kutschurgan Russia m: Abt. 1842 Kandel Russia 

(11) Children: Sebastian A, Longinus, Georg, Margaretha, 

Andreas, Balthasar, Rochus, Jacob Nicholas, Nicholas Jr., 

Helena, Elisabetha. 

................... 7 Sebastian A. Bitz b: 1842 Kandel 

Kutschurgan Russia. d: December 1888 Neu Kandel 

Kutschurgan Russia 

......................... + Leokadia Fieger b: December 08, 

1841 Kandel Kutschurgan d: February 02, 1934 Park 

Gove CO KS m: Abt. 1862 (7) Children: Lucia, 

Madeline, Nicholas, Walburga, Ottilia, Barbara, Sebastian. 

1965 Waldman Family – 

L to R: Irene, Pius D., Lorena, Anna, Delbert, Pius, Delores, Linus.

1915 - Waldman Family picture taken shortly 

after Ottilia lost her husband Ferdinand. 

.......................8 Ottilia Bitz b: November 01, 1875 Neu 

Kandel Kutschurgan. d: September 07, 1953 Quinter, KS. 

............................. + Ferdinand Waldmann 

b: August 14, 1872 Kleinliebental, Odessa, Russia. 

d: December 22, 1914 Kansas City, MO 

m: November 1892 Kleinliebental, Russia. 

(9) Children: Leokadia, Juliana (Sr. Stanislaus), George, 

Teophil, Rosina, Marianna, Pius, Nickademus, and 

Ferdinand. 

............................ 9 Pius Waldman b: August 04, 1910 

Park, KS - PW05 d: November 07, 1972 Park, KS 

.................................. +Anna Marie Lovenstein b: May 

22, 1913 Gove County, KS d: July 03, 1991 Park, KS. 

m: June 16, 1930 Courthouse Gove Co, KS. (7) Children: 

Pius D., Lorena, Delores, Mary, Irene, Delbert, Linus. 

................................ 10 Pius D. Waldman 

b: September 30, 1930 Hays, Ellis Co, KS 

........ + Mary Martha Pinkham b: August 24, 1948 

Marysville, KS., m: December 20, 1969 Leavenworth, KS 

.............................. 11 Tammy Ranae Waldmann 

b: September 25, 1968 Leavenworth, KS 

.......................................... +William Bais 

b: January 26, 1964, m: August 1992 Leavenworth, KS 

........................................12 William D. Jr. Bais 

b: January 27, 1992 Leavenworth, KS 

........................................12 Michael D. Bais 

b: January 28, 1995 Kansas City, KS 

..........................*2nd Husband of Tammy Ranae Waldmann 

.................... + Benjamin Leroy Lively 

22 


b: January 11, 1982, m: 

March 2001 Johnson 

County, KS 

.................12 Benjamin 

Preston Livey 

b: November 30, 2000 

Johnson County KS 

..............11 Mathea 

Ann Waldmann 

b: November 27, 1971 Leavenworth, KS 

.................................... + Donovan Keith Ford 

m: March 15, 2004 Las Vegas NV 

......................…… 12 Nicholas Ford b: July 17, 2004 

………………… 12 Bethanny Lillian Ford b. Oct 29 2005 

Children born in Oklahoma City, OK 

.............................. 11 P. Duane Waldmann 

b: September 17, 1973 Leavenworth, KS 

.......................................... +Kimberly Susan Rush 

b: March 24, 1976 Leavenworth KS, m: May 13, 2000 

Trinity Lutheran LV. KS 

........................................12 Nathan Duane Waldman 

b: July 22, 2001 Olathe Medical Center, Olathe KS 

….................................. 12 Lillian Kate Waldman 

b: December 31, 2003 Kansas City KS 

…………………………12 Ryan Waldman 

b. Jul 22 2005 Kansas City KS 

................................. 11 Dorsa Christine Waldmann 

b: September 03, 1975 Topeka, Shawnee Co KS 

........................................12 Robert B Montenegro 

b: November 17, 1993 Leavenworth, KS

1908 Valentine Bitz Wedding This photo gives us a good picture of what 

weddings may have been like. Dress was simple, as were wedding celebrations. 

L to R: Little girl is four-year-old Theresia Bitz (daughter of Mathias Bitz & niece 

of Valentine). Alicia, Longinus (parents of Valentine) and Valentine. On the other 

side of the table are Valentine's wife, Philipina Bosch and her parents. 

Margaret Bitz 

................... 7 Longinus Bitz b: March 15, 1844 

Kandel, Russia d: February 25, 1921 Napoleon, ND 

......................... +Aloisia Biegler b: July 1847 

Mannheim d: March 1936 Napoleon ND 

m: 1866 Russia - (7 ) Children: Regina, Veronica, Adam, 

Mathias, Johannes, Joseph, Valentine. 

.......................8 Regina Bitz b: 1869 Kandel, Russia - 

VH06 d: February 25, 1957 Strasburg, ND 

............................. +Anthony Heintz b: 1865 Kandel, 

Russia d: 1909 Kandel, Russia 

............................ 9 Ludwig Heintz b: October 03, 1890 

Russia d: August 16, 1919 Lodi, CA 

.................................. +Barbara Fettig b: May 27, 1891 

Odessa Russia d: January 24, 1963 Mobridge SD 

............................ 9 Regina Heintz b: September 18, 1891 

Russia - PW05 d: December 02, 1924 Solen, ND 

.................................. +Adam Jr. Schwengler 

b: September 29, 1889 Russia. d: August 04, 1977 Mandan 

ND m: February 20, 1912 

............................ 9 Michael Heintz b: November 11, 1892 

Russia. d: July 28, 1933 Sacramento CA 

.................................. +Theresa Hummel b: 1894 

Kutschurgan, Russia d: May 31, 1965 Sacramento, 

California 

............................ 9 Peter Heintz b: March 01, 1899 Russia 

d: August 28, 1948 Solen, ND 

23 


.................................. +Adalheid 

Schaffer b: January 06, 1901 Logan 

Co, Napoleon, ND d: February 

23, 1953 m: December 03, 1917 

............................ 9 Mary Heintz 

b: January 23, 1903 Russia. 

d: Bef. 2000 Strasburg ND 

.................................. 

+John III Tschosik b: March 10, 

1897 d: October 03, 1957 

............................ 9 Margaret Heintz 

b: February 24, 1905 Russia 

d: May 02, 1984 Bismarck, ND 

.................................. +Joachim 

(Jochim) Keller 

b: August 17, 1903? PW05 

d: October 04, 1978 

m: November 13, 1923 

Father: Peter Keller 

Mother: Katherine Biegler 

(See page 199.) 

....................... 8 Adam Bitz 

b: December 1870 Kandel South 

Russia - PW05 d: August 22, 

1955 Leipzig Sask. Canada 

............................. +Theresia Heintz b: May 19, 1874 

Kandel South Russia d: September 25, 1957 Leipzig Sask. 

Canada m: 1893 

(9) Children: Katherine, Stephen Joseph, Aloisia, Veronica, 

John, Magdalena, Longinus, Michael Alfred, Jacob, 

............................ 9 Stephen Joseph Bitz b: June 14, 1896 

Kandel South Russia - PW05 d: June 02, 1975 

Chilliwack BC CAN 

.................................. +Bertha Frances Miller b: March 

28, 1901 Aberdeen SD d: February 13, 1992 Chilliwack 

Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery in Sardis, B.C. m: 1918 

(9) Children: Leo Stephen, Timothy Ralph, Melvin William, 

Bernadette, Genevieve, Theresa, Shirley, Edgar, 

Edmund died at birth. 

Father: Dominic Miller Mother: Magdalena Schafer 

................................ 10 Timothy Ralph Bitz b. April 

03, 1920 Leipzig, Sask. CAN d: Leipzig, Sask. CAN 

...................................... +Margaret Evelyn Caswell 

b: April 05, 1920 Success Sask., CAN d: March 04, 1994 

Woodstock Ontario, CAN m: June 09, 1943 

(2) Children: Allan Stephen, Vonnie Margaret. 

…..................................... 11 Vonnie Margaret Bitz 

b: June 13, 1947 Swift Current, Sask. 

.......................................... +Arden Bob Haner 

b: September 24, 1944 Belleville, Ontario, Can. 

m: September 23, 1967 

……..................................... 11 Allan Stephen Bitz 

b: August 18, 1944 Toronto, Ontario - VH06

My Story - Vonnie Margaret Bitz-Haner 

Timothy and Margaret Caswell- 

Bitz with first born child 

Allan Stephen Bitz in Toronto, On 

August 1944. 

I often wonder 

who I am. A Bitz? 

A Keller? A Muller? 

A Walter? A 

Heintz? A Schaffer? 

A Caswell? A 

Brown? A Craig? A 

Penna? The list goes 

on and on. And I 

decided that I’m a 

culmination of them 

all. I am the product 

of genes that span 

centuries and I 

wonder if my 

personality has 

much to do with my 

present environment 

at all. Maybe the 

way I react and 

respond is based on 

the genetics of my 

ancestors. 

I wonder if I’m 

at all like Anna 

Keller or Pierre Bitz. Am I a little bit like Anna’s parents, 

Martin and Madeleine Keller? What genetics did they 

bring to the pool? Did the way they reacted to their life in 

rural Wintzenbach, Bas-Rhin France in the 1600’s affect the 

way I feel about rural life in Wellesley, Ontario, Canada 

today? Do I love my country the way they loved theirs? Did 

their worries and fears of persecution cause them to make the 

changes that would make life better for their children? Johann 

and Katharina Heyer-Bitz showed the stamina it took to 

uproot the past as they fled to Russia on the promises of 

Catherine the Great for a more peaceful and secure life for 

their family in the 1700’s. 

My father, Timothy Ralph Bitz was like that. He left 

Swift Current, Saskatchewan and moved to the Lakehead 

(then Fort William and Port Arthur) Ontario, to try a new 

enterprise after serving in WWII. The family followed shortly 

after – my mother, Margaret Evelyn Caswell – the English, 

Irish and Scotch side of my inheritance – and my brother, 

Allan Stephen and me – Vonnie Margaret Bitz. I was 3 years 

old. He was 6 years old and got the measles on the train on 

the way down. My Dad wasn’t afraid of change – in fact he 

loved the challenges that came with it. He wasn’t afraid to try 

something never done before – he was extroverted and honest 

to the point of getting under people’s skin on a regular basis. 

Was Lukas (Bitz) like this? Maria-Angelique Ostermeyer, 

his wife? Was their son Nicholas like that? I am. My Dad 

told me the other day that he was trying to figure out who I 

was like. He said that I wasn’t really like my mother or 

brother. He then concluded that I was like him. I said, “You 

mean I’m a Bitz.” And he agreed. I added, “We’re 

24 

Right: 

Timothy Ralph Thomas 

Bitz at age 19 (1939) 

holding a Russian Thistle 

to his heart during the 

depression. Plant of the 

year - only plant that grew 

that year in Saskatchewan. 

Below: Vonnie with cousin 

Kenny Kellehar and 

brother Allan (Buddy) Bitz. 

1950 


survivors.” I would have told the Russians where to go. My 

Dad would have, too. I’d have probably been sent to Siberia – 

or killed. But I would have remained strong and stubborn to 

the end. “It’s not right,” I would have protested. My Dad 

would have, too. We all have a strong sense of right and 

wrong – of social justice. We’ve all fought for causes. I 

remember when my youngest son, Jamie was a toddler, and 

asked me, “When can we eat real food again?” This was 

when I didn’t have time for cooking, as I was fighting a battle 

against a buyers’ group. They were cozy with the council and 

wanted to turn our 1878 old school being used as a library, 

arts council, historical society meeting room, and preschool 

into a luxury senior’s home for a select few. I formed the 

ratepayer’s association and with 200 signatures, took the case 

to the Supreme Court and we won. Many of the same people 

who opposed us are now on the Old School Committee to 

restore the building to its original condition. I bet Longinus 

and Aloisia Bitz would have supported me on this. And my 

grandparents, Stephen and Bertha Miller-Bitz, would have 

been proud of the accomplishment.

Back Row: Genevive (Gene); Leo, Tim, Melvin (Mel); 

Theresa (Terry). 

Front Row: Stephen (Steve); Shirley (Shirl); Edgar (Ed); 

and Bertha (Miller) Bitz. 

Taken 1940 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

My grandfather, Stephen (Bitz) was an entrepreneur. He 

took over the Dodsland, Saskatchewan telephone system in 

1927. Bertha was the operator and Stephen took care of the 

equipment. He sold Hart Parr tractors and other farm 

equipment prior to the stock market crash of 1929 that threw 

the country into a depression. A true Bitz, he was honored for 

selling the most tractors in Saskatchewan. One day, my Dad 

recalled, he sold a farmer a tractor and came back home with 

30 horses. The halter ropes were tied to the tail of the horse in 

front. He auctioned off the horses, and made a lot of money. 

He was really climbing the financial ladder. The family ate 

well after the depression began as they had their own pigs, 

cows and chickens. They made their own sausages and 

smoked their own bacon. Even the garden was relatively 

good and they made their own sauerkraut. My Dad says that 

Stephen was sharp. During the 1920's, there was a severe 

drought. Dad had barley, other than that, there were no crops 

and no money. He decided to make home brew and sell it. He 

fortunately had a fast horse called Dan so was able to outrun 

the Mounties when they got wind of it. Stephen’s father, 

Adam had the equipment that he brought over from the 

States. Stephen’s tractor business was worth a million dollars 

back then, but the promissory notes were thrown in the wood 

stove as nobody could pay their debt to him. 

I (Vonnie) had the entrepreneur spirit as early as 3 years 

old. I took my cousin Kenny, who was one month older than 

me (and always a willing cohort) down to the corner store 

and asked a man in the store if he’d buy us an ice cream cone. 

My parents searched high and low and really weren’t too 

impressed when they found us sitting on the store steps 

enjoying our cones. Following family tradition, I got a good 

spanking for my efforts. We had back alleys in 1952, so I 

looked in everyone’s garbage can to see what I could find. I 

hit the jackpot! I found a whole bunch of paperbacks with 

pictures of women on them – At 5 years old, you really don’t 

care what the title is. I proceeded to sell the novels door to 

door. My uncle Jack, my mother’s youngest brother who 

25 


lived with us after returning from the Korean War, 

bought them all from me. I was thrilled and didn’t 

realize his motive. 

I also sold the most Girl Guide cookies – 302 

boxes – because I wanted the prize the Brownie 

leader was offering – a clipboard! My Dad was an 

accountant at this time and gladly would have 

given me one, as he was delegated to drive me 

around for days to deliver them. Well, the 

commissioner was so thrilled that she decided that 

a clipboard wasn’t good enough and so I was 

presented with a Brownie camera instead. They 

asked my mother, attending the ceremony, why I 

was so sad looking. I went into the washroom and 

cried. I didn’t get my clipboard. I had never told 

anyone my plan. I guess that may be one of the 

reasons I became a journalist. I still have one of 

those cheap clipboards on my shelf. 

Maybe I’m like Theresia Heintz who married my 

grandfather, Adam Bitz. My Dad said that she liked to go out 

into the fields and read her German newspaper of which she 

wrote several letters to - the Der Staats Anzeiger. Theresia’s 

parents, Michael and Catherine Schmitt-Heintz and her 

grandparents, Franz Anton and Katharina Engelbacht-Heintz, 

and even her great-grandparents, Johannes (Hans) Adam and 

Anne-Marie Heintz made the same trip as the Bitz’s from 

Alsace to Odessa, Russia. 

My Muller heritage came from Mannheim, South Russia 

and Germany but my Dad insists that they also emigrated 

from Alsace. Maybe the roots of the family tree will spread 

even further by the time my children, Dave, Tami (Bergen), 

John and Jamie Haner and my grandchildren, Josie, Liam, 

and Jack Bergen are interested in furthering the lineage 

pioneered by so many cousins who care. Their roots go even 

further with the addition of more Irish and German and added 

Hungarian lines. 

Maybe it 

will be one of 

my stepgrandchildren, 

Mike and Chris 

Rush or Natasha 

Bergen who 

adds a strong 

French line that 

will take the 

interest and help 

in the 

progression of 

knowledge 

about our 

heritage. 

Adam Bitz and Theresia Heintz-Bitz 

in Leipzig, Saskatchewan in 1954 

My Dad has written his memoirs and they are available to 

anyone interested by contacting me at 

vonnie.haner@bellnet.ca My husband, Arden has been 

instrumental in helping me with computer tasks to make my 

Canadian Bitz-Heintz-Miller website a source of sharing 

family finds and news and adding to the already informative

websites 

belonging to Pius 

Waldman, 

Margaret Bitz, and 

Toni Benfit. Tom 

Keller – my 7 th 

cousin twice 

removed has so 

expertly 

researched and 

presented the 

Keller and Bitz 

ancestry to us all. 

Kelly Mitchell of 

Calgary gets a 

5-star award 

for researching the Muller (Miller) families and finding more 

Kellers. With such a dynamic family, our heritage will not be 

lost. Vonnie 2006 

................... 7 Helena Bitz b: February 14, 1864 Kandel 

Kutschurgan Russia d: January 19, 1939 Aberdeen, SD 

......................... +Johannes Hagele b: May 16, 1873 

Elsass Russia d: January 17, 1942 Aberdeen, SD. 

................... *2nd Husband of Helena Bitz: 

......................... +Emanuel Hagele b: May 04, 1862 

Elsass Russia d: August 30, 1896 Zeeland, ND 

m: November 15, 1884 Kandel Kutschurgan Russia. 

.......................8 Elisabeth Hagele b: March 08, 1895 ND 

d: Bef. 1980 

............................. + Matt (Mathias) Keller b: Abt. 

1895 Krasna, Russia - Father's (Michael's) petition for 

Naturalization Dec. 29, 1910, Strasburg, ND.) 1910 Emmons 

County, Seltz Twp. Census, ND. d: 1970 m: ? (9) Children 

Father: Michael P. Keller Mother: Barbara Gross 

RE. Obersteinbach, Alsace Kellers. Page 196 

MATT (MATHIAS) 5 KELLER, MICHAEL P. 4 , 

PHILLIP 3 , JACOB 2 , JOHANN 1 

Tim & Vonnie 

.................. 7 Margaretha Bitz b: 1849 +Markus Welk 

b: Abt. 1845 Selz, Russia - Migrated to Canada. 

Children, Marianna, Balthasar, Franziska. 

Father: Anton Welk Mother unknown. 

(See Waldman website Welk Family I {Pius} give 

credit to Margaret Bitz who shared information she gained 

from Dennis Roth for this discovery.) 

............... 6 Paul Bitz b: 1823 Kandel, Russia - The proof 

is in Anton Gabriel's letter dated September 14, 1911. 

..................... +Sophia Heinz b: 1826 Kandel, Russia 

(7) Children; Michael, Anna, Walburga, Benedict, Catharina, 

Anton, 7 th child not identified. (Story next page.) 

NOTE: After Paul’s death, Sophia married Johannes Vetter. 

................. 7 Catharina Bitz b: 1864 d: 1953 

......................... +Anton Gabriel b: 1859, d: 1934, m: 1885 

.......................8 Joseph Franz Gabriel b: 1886 d: 1954 

............................. +Anna Maria MERTIAN 

b: 1890 d: 1971 m: 1911 

............................ 9 John Lee Gabriel b: 1930, d: 1993 

+ Mary Katherine COOMES b: 1928, m: 1948 

26 


.......... 5 Johann Bitz b: July 1797 Roppenheim Bas-Rhin 

France d: 1798 

.......... 5 Johann Adam Bitz b: June 02, 1799 

Roppenheim Bas-Rhin d: Bef. 1858 Kandel South Russia. 

.......... 5 Margaretha Bitz b: July 07, 1802 Roppenheim 

Bas-Rhin France d: Russia 

.......... 5 Bernhard Bitz b: January 18, 1805 Roppenheim 

Bas-Rhin d: Bef. 1885 Kandel South Russia 

................ +Catharina b: 1812 d: Bef. 1885 

m: Kandel - (4) Children; Wendelinus, Margaretha, 

Nicolaus, Balthasar. 

......4 Marie-Claire Bitz b: August 31, 1765 Wintzenbach 

Bas-Rhin France d: September 10, 1768 Wintzenbach 

Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Paul Bitz b: January 25, 1767 Wintzenbach Bas-Rhin 

France d: January 29, 1767 Wintzenbach 

......4 Laurent Bitz b: April 26, 1768 Wintzenbach Bas- 

Rhin d: October 25, 1822 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France 

............ +Beatrice Binder b: Abt. 1768 Bas-Rhin 

France m: November 22, 1790 Neuhaeusel Bas- 

Rhin France - (10) Children; Caroline, Michel, Madeleine, 

Rene, Anne Marie, Laurent, Jean Aloyse, Luc, Nicolas, Jean 

Bernard. 

......4 Marie-Antonia Bitz b: May 10, 1770 Wintzenbach 

d: July 03, 1832 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France 

............ +Francois-Joseph Berling b: November 02, 

1770 Hatten Bas-Rhin France m: September 17, 

1801 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Marie-Marguerite Bitz b: August 20, 1772 

Wintzenbach d: January 05, 1787 Bas-Rhin France …. 

…. 4 Marie-Elisabeth Bitz b: January 04, 1775 

Wintzenbach d: January 05, 1787 Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Anne-Marie Bitz b: October 21, 1776 Wintzenbach 

............ +Charles Rhenach b: Abt. 1776 Bas-Rhin 

France m: January 22, 1798 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Joseph Bitz b: May 29, 1778 Wintzenbach 

d: December 30, 1801 Roppenheim Bas-Rhin France 

............ +Catherine Adam b: Abt. 1774 Bas-Rhin 

d: August 01, 1842 Roppenheim Bas-Rhin, France 

m: Children (3) - Madeleine Bitz, Jean, Madeleine. 

......4 Marie-Odile Bitz b: April 08, 1781 Wintzenbach 

............ +Germain Hettler b: Abt. 1781 Bas-Rhin 

France m: January 22, 1804 Neuhaeusel Bas-Rhin 

......4 Arbogast Bitz b: June 20, 1784 Wintzenbach 

d: September 27, 1850 Forstfeld, Bas-Rhin, Alsace 

............ +Katharina GRAFF b: December 13, 1784 

Trimbach (Siegen), Alsace d: Aft. 1850 Bas-Rhin 

m: Abt. 1825 Kauffenheim, Alsace, FRANCE 

.......... 5 Johann Bitz b: April 04, 1826 Forstfeld, Bas- 

Rhin (Alsace), FRANCE. 

d: June 14, 1907 Forstfeld 

................ +Magdalena DOPPLER b: April 08, 1823 

Kauffenheim, Bas-Rhin d: April 26, 1900 Forstfeld, 67, 

Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France m: September 17, 1856 

Forstfeld, Bas-Rhin, Alsace (6) children; Caroline, Eva, 

Katrin, Madeleine, Johann, Maria.

Anton & Catharina Bitz Gabriel Family 

By Elena Gabriel 

Catharina (Catherine) Bitz was born on April 6, 1864 in 

Kandel, Kutchurgan District 

of the Odessa area, South 

Russia (now Ukraine) to Paul 

Bitz and Sophia Heintz. 

Catherine's father died before 

1882 and her mother 

remarried Johannes Vetter, a 

widower from Kandel. The 

family moved to Blumenfeld, 

Beresan District. Catherine 

had two stepbrothers and two 

stepsisters. In 1885 she 

married Anton Gabriel who 

was a son of Anton Gabriel 

Sr. and Barbara Adler and 

lived in the village of Krasna 

that was close to Blumenfeld. 

Anton Gabriel with his 

horse. 1916, Texas 

Following from the 

memories of Charles 

Gabriel, One of Catherine's 

grandsons: 

As a child in Russia, about 

all Grandma Gabriel talked 

about concerning her family 

was that the family had to 

stack the manure from the 

animals in a fence-like stack 

to let it dry before they put it 

in a furnace in the barn to keep 

Catherine Bitz Gabriel & her grandsons 

Charles & Leon. 1930s, Texas. 

27 


1916 Cottonfield in Grimes County, TX. 

Right: Anton Gabriel (Catherine's husband). 

Left: Pete Gabriel, son of Anton. 

the animals warm. She also said her job as a child was to go 

to the river with the people who came to work on their farm 

during harvest time to make sure that the people bathed 

before the family would let them stay in their barn. Catherine 

told about a relative who was in his wagon late at night when 

some wolves attacked him and because he had been sitting on 

his shotgun he had bent the barrel, which caused it to explode 

and kill him. 

Grandma Gabriel (Catherine) used to say that her uncle 

was a champion wrestler in their area in Russia. She indicated 

that her stepfather used to take her on trips, but he didn't take 

her stepsisters. Her only brother died young. Her mother 

would make her do chores that her stepsisters didn't want to 

do. Grandpa Anton Gabriel's mother always rode around in 

fancy carriages and wore fancy dresses. 

In the late 1800s, Grandma and Grandpa left Russia on a 

train to Germany in order to catch a ship to the United States. 

Grandma indicated that the train was like a freight train. 

Grandpa had recently been released from the Russian Army, 

because Grandma had just had a baby. All of Grandpa's 

brothers were made to line up to draw straws to take his place 

in the army. John drew the shortest straw, but refused to go, 

and took off. The last they heard of him, soldiers were 

shooting at him as he ran into the woods. (The only thing 

Grandma ever said about the brothers was that one of them 

became a pirate.) 

They boarded a ship named The Eider destined for the 

United States in Bremen, Germany, in 1887. On the ship, 

Grandma's first-born baby, Joe, became very ill, and 

Grandma said that she promised God if He would let Joe live, 

she would take care of Joe the rest of his life. This is what 

happened. (Even when Joe was older, she always made sure 

that he was looked after.) The ship arrived in New York City 

on May 11, 1887. They first traveled to Kansas. A daughter, 

Mary, was born in Salina, Kansas. From Kansas they were on 

their way to Oklahoma to get in the Land Rush, but were too 

late, so they went on to Brenham, Texas, where Barbara was 

born and a baby boy was born who died at birth. 

From Brenham they went to Dickerson, TX, where 

Grandpa worked in a peach orchard. Twins, Peter and Katie, 

were born in Dickerson. Grandpa wanted to go to Houston, 

but Grandma talked him into going to Grimes County, and 

buy a farm between Plantersville and Dobbin, TX, because 

relatives and friends from Russia had already settled there.

Catherine Bitz Gabriel & her 

descendants. 1940s, Texas 

When they first arrived in Grimes County, Grandma told 

how Grandpa kept a group of men from hanging a black man 

who they said had killed another black man, but who later on 

was found to be innocent. On the farm they raised cotton, and 

Grandma always had a big garden where she raised all kinds 

of vegetables. 

After Grandpa died and all the children had left, Grandma 

stayed on the farm, and had a black family who sharecropped 

there. When she began having trouble with her eyes, she 

came to live with her son, Pete, and his wife Inez, and their 

children Charles and Lanatter, in Houston, TX. She had an 

eye operation for her glaucoma. When Inez went to work 

during the war, Grandma helped out by taking care of Charles 

and Lanatter. She helped prepare meals and mopped the 

kitchen floor every day. She baked homemade bread, and she 

ate bread with everything she ate, even ice cream! Each year, 

when Pete butchered a hog, Grandma made her famous 

sausage, and was very particular about the meat that went 

into it. When avocados were in season, Inez bought some for 

Grandma, and Grandma ate a half of an avocado every night 

before she went to bed. She loved avocados. 

Charles walked with Grandma to church every morning at 

5:00 so she could attend Mass at 5:30, 6:30, and 8:00 am. In 

the afternoons, Grandma sat for an hour reading her prayer 

book and saying the rosary. 

Inez got a goose for Christmas dinner one year, and 

Grandma wanted the feathers to make a pillow. In order to 

get the good down feathers, you have to pull them out while 

the goose is alive. The goose got away from Grandma and all 

the neighbors had a big laugh watching Grandma chase the 

goose down the street. 

28 


Grandma loved to go to Galveston. She would get in the 

water at the beach and ride the waves in her dress, not a 

bathing suit! After having a slight stroke, Grandma stayed 

with Pete and Inez, until she couldn't be cared for at home 

any more. She went to a nursing home where she passed 

away on December 28, 1953. She is buried in Forest Park 

Cemetery in Houston, TX. Grandma had purchased, without 

anyone knowing, a cemetery lot in Forest Park because she 

said she was not going to be carried up the muddy road to St. 

Mary's Cemetery in Plantersville!" 

Anton and Catherine had ten children, nine of them 

survived. The last child, Frank Gabriel, passed away in 2004. 

Charles Gabriel saved a little prayer book where Anton, 

Catherine and the names of their children are written down in 

the old German script, indicating the year of their 

immigration and Catherine’s maiden name. This is how we 

first found out she was born Bitz. Then we found another 

proof in an old letter from 1913 that was written by her 

husband to the German newspaper “Der Staats-Anzeiger”. 

The letter confirms Catherine’s maiden name, birth place and 

her stepfather’s name. Thank you, Anton, from all your 

descendants! 

The oldest son Joseph Gabriel married Anna Maria 

Mertian, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Knoll) Mertian. 

This family as well as Anton came from the village of 

Krasna. Joseph and Anna Maria lived in Plantersville and by 

1930 moved to Houston. They had 11 children: Vincent, Leo, 

Katy, Anton, Joseph, Barbara, Matilda, George, Rosemary, 

John, and Lorene. Three of the girls, Barbara, Matilda and 

Lorene are living.

John Lee Gabriel (10th child 

of Joseph Gabriel) was born in 

1930. He was very handsome. 

Everyone liked him and called him 

Johnnie. He enlisted in the Air 

Force in January of 1946 when he 

was only 15! Apparently he lied to 

officials about his age to get into 

military service. Johnnie served in 

Cheyenne, Wyoming at Warren 

Air Force Base in the late 40s - 

early 50s where he met Mary 

Katherine Coomes. Their son 

John was born in 1949. One day 

when little Johnnie was 3 years 

old, he got out of the house and 

walked toward the airport which is 

about a mile from home. He was 

lost for about an hour. Mary called 

a local radio station and someone 

listening to the station saw the 

little one walking by his house, 

which is several blocks from their 

home, and John was returned home 

safely. Michael was born in 1950, 

and Patrick in 1952. 

29 

John Lee Gabriel Family. 

1951, Anna Cheyenne, Keller & Pierre WY. 

Bitz 

Above: Joseph Gabriel & Anna Maria Mertian Wedding. February 22, 1911, Texas. 

Below: Sons of Joseph & Anna Maria Mertian Gabriel. 

Front row: John & George. Back row: Joseph, Anton, Leo & Vincent. November 1954, Texas.

Soon after Patrick 

was born, Johnnie left 

the family and went to 

California. He married a 

local beauty queen 

Jeanne Marie Robertson 

in 1955 in Los Angeles. 

Their daughter Lisa was 

born in 1956. After a 

few years in California 

Johnnie returned to 

Texas. He died of a 

liver disease on October 

5, 1993. He is buried in 

Houston National 

Cemetery. His sons 

went to St. Mary's 

School in Cheyenne. 

They all had a passion for music. John played the guitar. 

Mike played the accordion and clarinet. Pat played as a 

drummer in the local soul/funk group "The Soul Reflections" 

in the 60s. The group recorded "Reflections Walk" in 1967 

that later became a rare record. John and Mike live in 

Colorado with their families. 

Pat moved to Laramie, WY in 1972 and became an 

announcer at Wyoming Public Radio where some time in the 

late 80s he happened to interview Dick Cheney who wasn’t a 

Vice President yet. Pat is also a County Commissioner since 

1991. Starting with 2007 he will be serving his 5 th John Lee Gabriel - 1971 

term. In 

1999 Pat met Elena Pleshchenkova, a native Russian from 

St. Petersburg, they married in June of 2001. Elena is doing 

family genealogy. She is a stay-at-home mom volunteering 

for the Germans from Russia Heritage Society as a translator 

and a village coordinator. Their daughter Lily was born on 

30 


November 2, 2001 in Denver. She was born premature, 3 

months early. She has stayed at Presbyterian St. Luke 

Medical Center for 4.5 months due to complications with 

breathing and eating. Pat and Elena visited her in the hospital 

every Sunday driving there in any weather. Lily came home 

in March of 2002 having a feeding tube attached to her 

stomach, which was removed after 19 months. Now she is 

five, a very cheerful and healthy girl who loves to dance 

ballet. Pat also has an older daughter from his previous 

relationship, Emily Smith-Gabriel who was born in 1986. 

She is a beautiful young lady and attends St. Benedict 

College in St. Cloud, MN. 

Each year all 

three brothers with 

their families and 

their mother meet 

for Christmas at 

John's house in 

Boulder, CO, 

which became the 

family tradition. 

Since 2000, 

descendants of 

Anton and 

Catherine Bitz 

Gabriel gather for 

an annual family 

reunion in Alvin, 

TX.. 

Patrick, Elena & Lily above. 

Gabriel Family Reunion Below

.. 3 Marguerite Bitz b: 1727 Bas-Rhin France 

d: October 13, 1780 

........ +Joseph Schmittheisler b: 1722 d: March 

02, 1794 Wintzenbach, Alsace (Died at the age of 72). - 

AGAWE ECD20, p153 and ECM29, page 43. m: April 

06, 1761 Wintzenbach - (5) Children? (Was Marguerite & 

Marianne same person? Or did Joseph have second spouse 

Marianne Bitz with Odelia, Joseph & Jean - see notes.) 

......4 Marie Anne Schmittheisler b: February 1766 

d: July 23, 1820 Wintzenbach, Alsace - (Died at age 54) 

AGAWE ECD20, page 63. (Name spelled Schmidtheusler in 

this record.) 

............ +Simon Stoltz b: Abt. 1764 ? AGAWE 

ECM29, pages 38 & 58 - the latter as witness to the marriage 

of Marie Agathe Heintzelmann to Jean Michel Müller July 8, 

1828. d: February 09, 1857 Wintzenbach - Died at age 

90. Witnesses: Gilles Stoltz, son age 58 living in Mothern, 

and Phillippe Heintzelmann grandson, age 27. AGAWE 

ECD20, page 127. 

.......... 5 Marie Odile Stoltz b: March 30, 1802 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECN38, page 26. d: January 19, 

1807 Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 44. 

.......... 5 Madeleine Stoltz b: March 04, 1805 

......4 Catherine Schmittheisler b: November 17, 1776 

Wintzenbach - d: May 05, 1842 Wintzenbach, Alsace - 

(Died at age 60 per AGAWE ECD20, page 100 conflicts 

with birth date in marriage record so age 66 at death. 

............ +Jean Michel Arth b: February 05, 1782 

Eberbach, Alsace - (Steel Fitter) - AGAWE ECM29, page 43. 

d: Aft. 1842 m: April 26, 1812 Wintzenbach - 

Witnesses: Jean Schmittheisler brother, Frédéric Demler and 

Antoine Schmittheisler, all from Wintzenbach. AGAWE 

ECM29, page 43. 

Father: Jean Martin Arth Mother: Reine Schmittheisler 

.. 3 Anne-Marie Bitz b: Abt. 1735 Bas-Rhin France 

d: Aft. 1773 ? Not listed in AGAWE death records 

commencing 1794. TJK06 

........ +Joseph Heintzelmann b: Abt. 1735 Bas-Rhin 

France d: Aft. 1773 Wintzenbach, Alsace - (Died at the 

age of 77 per death record of his son Giles AGAWE 

ECD20, page 77 mother not noted.) m: December 19, 

1759 Wintzenbach, Bas-Rhin France 

......4 Gilles Heintzelmann b: 1761 Wintzenbach, Alsace - 

Living Wintzenbach 1826, farmer. d: March 30, 1831 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - Witnesses: Francois Joseph 

Schmitheusler age 27 (son-in-law) & Francois Joseph 

Heintzelmann (son) age 29. AGAWE ECD20, page 77. 

............ +Elisabeth (Vogler) Vogel b: 1770 

Rittershoffen, Alsace (Abt. (5) miles west of Seltz). AGAWE 

ECM29, p61 & ECD20, page 57. d: May 27, 1818 

Wintzenbach, Alsace Witnesses: Gilles Heintzelmann age 59, 

Georges Michel Keller age 52. AGAWE ECD20, page 57. 

.......... 5 Madeleine Heintzelmann b: November 01, 1799 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECM 29, pages 56 & 85. 

d: Aft. 1852 

31 


................ + Peter (Johann) Keller b: October 19, 

1803 Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Pierre Deck age 34 and 

Gilles Heintzelmann age 38. AGAWE ECN38 page 39. 

d: 1844 Wintzenbach, Alsace - (Died at age 42.) AGAWE 

ECM 29, PAGE 85. m: November 23, 1826 

Wintzenbach - Witnesses, Jean Michel Heintzelmann age 52, 

Simon Stoltz age 59, Jacques MÜLLER age 67, Guillaume 

Reder age 30. AGAWE ECM29, p56. 

Father: Valentine Keller Mother: Odelia Schmittheusler 

(See Keller Family page 36 .) 

............... 6 Anne Marie Keller b: November 08, 1827 

Wintzenbach, Alsace AGAWE ECM29, p85. 

d: Aft. 1865 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECM 29 - 

pages 117 & 123. 

..................... +Georges Antoine Wessbecher b: February 

04, 1825 Lauterbourg, Alsace (farmer). - AGAWE ECM 29, 

page 123. d: June 22, 1865 Wintzenbach, Alsace - 

Witnesses: Valentin Heintz age 24 & Jean Schmittheisler age 

49, both of Wintzenbach. AGAWE ECM 29, page 117 & 

123. m: November 22, 1852 Wintzenbach - Witnesses: 

Francois Joseph Heintzelmann age 52 (uncle of spouse), 

Jacques age 48 (uncle of spouse), Francois Joseph age 49 

(cousin of spouse), Gilles Heintzelmann age 35 uncle of 

spouse). AGAWE ECM 29, PAGE 85. 

Father: Bernard Wessbecher Mother: Rosine Guckert 

................... 7 Rosine (Marie) Wessbecher b: August 10, 

1853 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECM 29, page 111. 

......................... +Ludwig Uhring b: February 18, 1850 

Wasselheim, Alsace - (Teacher living in Wintzenbach at time 

of marriage in 1876.) AGAWE ECM29, p111. 

m: December 31, 1876 Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Pierre 

Strebel (farmer) age 49 & Jean Jacques Schuster (teacher) 

age 51, both living in Wintzenbach. 

AGAWE ECM 29, page 111. 

Father: Pierre Uhring Mother: Francoise Straub 

................... 7 Georges Antoine Wessbecher b: 1854 

d: 1858 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECD 20, page 131. 

................... 7 Madeleine Wessbecher b: March 03, 1856 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECM 29, page 117. 

......................... +Joseph Neff b: July 18, 1856 

Wintzenbach, Alsace m: May 19, 1890 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - Witnesses: Francois Joseph Neff age 

68 (farmer), Ludwig Uhring age 40, both of Wintzenbach. 

AGAWE ECM 29, page 117. 

Father: Jacques Neff Mother: Madeleine Lerch 

................... 7 Pierre Wessbecher b: May 13, 1857 

Wintzenbach, Alsace 

......................... +Marie Anne Weber b: February 26, 

1859 Wintzenbach, Alsace m: April 12, 1891 

Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Pierre Heintzelmann age 61 

(farmer), Joseph Neff age 35 (farmer) brother-in-law both 

in Wintzenbach. AGWAE ECM29, page 119. 

Father: Jean Weber Mother: Marie Anne Heintzelmann

................... 7 Antoine Wessbecher b: November 21, 


......................... +Joséphine Schmittheisler b: July 22, 


m: January 28, 1901 Wintzenbach, Alsace Witnesses: 

Antoine Schmittheisler age 56, Jean Stoltz age 43, both from 

Wintzenbach. Agawe ECM29, p123. 

Father: Antoine Schmittheisler Mother: Elizabeth Moog . 

.................. 7 Anne (Marie) Wessbecher b: May 08, 

1861 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECM 29, page 121 

.......................... +Valentin Scheer b: November 02, 1861 

Wintzenbach, Alsace m: November 26, 1895 

Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Caspar Scheer age 44 (carrier to 

Ligny), Pierre Wessbecher age 38 (brother). 

AGAWE ECM29, p121. 

Father: Valentin Scheer Mother: Catherine Joerger 

(Grandaughter of George Michael Keller – see page 52-1) 

................... 7 Joséphine (Marie) Wessbecher 

b: September 08, 1864 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE 

ECM 29, page 119. 

......................... +Aloise Neff b: April 11, 1862 

Wintzenbach, Alsace (farmer) - AGAWE ECM 29, page 

119. m: June 25, 1893 Wintzenbach - Witnesses: 

Joseph Neff age 37 & Wessbecher age 38 (brother). 

AGAWE ECM29, p119. 

Father: Jacques Neff Mother: Madeleine Lerch 

.......... 5 Francois Joseph Heintzelmann b: December 17, 

1800 Wintzenbach, Alsace - Witnesses: Jacques Sennhausser 

age 38 and Jacques Müller age 37. 

AGAWE ECN38, page 35. 

................ +Francoise (Marie) Müller b: 1804 

Wintzenbach, Alsace NOTE: Maiden name listed as Heim in 

AGAWE ECM29, page 91 no other record as possible 

second spouse of Francois Joseph Heintzelmann. 

m: July 08, 1830 St. Aegidus Wintzenbach - Witnesses: 

Pierre Keller age 28 (Valentine's son), Frédéric Dennler age 

50, Frédéric Dennler age 25, Valentin Lang age 45, all from 

Wintzenbach. AGAWE ECM29, page 61. 

Father: Jacques Müller Mother: Madeleine Marbach 

............... 6 Madeleine Heintzelmann b: July 07, 1831 

............... 6 Elisabeth Heintzelmann b: October 21, 1832 

..................... +Antoine (Francois) Schaeffer 

b: August 18, 1833 Wittersheim, Alsace - Wintzenbach living 

at time of marriage 1859. m: January 15, 1859 

Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Michel Müller (uncle) age 57, 

Benoit Müller (uncle) age 53, Gilles Weber age 35 (beau fére 

de l' épouse), Antoine (cousin) age 26. 

AGAWE ECM29, page 91. 

Father: Joseph Schaeffer Mother: Francoise Burrus 

(See Schaeffer Family page 56.) 

................... 7 Joseph Schaeffer b: 1859 d: 1860 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECD 20, page 135. TJK06 

............... 6 Marie Anne Heintzelmann b: August 16, 

1834 

............... 6 Catherine Heintzelmann b: December 17, 1836 

32 


............... 6 Benoit Heintzelmann b: March 23, 1839 

.......... 5 Catherine Heintzelmann b: November 26, 1802 

.......... 5 Jacques (Jean) Heintzelmann b: August 07, 1804 

................ +Philippine Marbach b: February 03, 1805 

m: November 13, 1831 Wintzenbach- (4) children 

AGAWE ECN38, pages 14 & 15. 

............... 6 Gilles Heintzelmann b: December 12, 1832 

............... 6 Madeleine Heintzelmann b: April 16, 1835 

............... 6 Martin Heintzelmann b: August 30, 1837 

............... 6 Catherine Heintzelmann b: January 09, 1840 

.......... 5 Jean Heintzelmann b: January 01, 1808 

.......... 5 Catherine (Marie) Heintzelmann b: March 18, 

1810 Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECM p61 

................ +Joseph (Francois) Schmittheisler 

b: November 04, 1803 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECN 

38, page 42. m: January 15, 1831 St. Aegidus 

Wintzenbach - Witnesses: Francois Joseph Heintzelmann age 

30 (brother), Louis Fuhrmann age 40, Jacques Heintzelmann 

age 26 (brother), Francois Guillaume Rieder age 34 

(Neewiller). AGAWE ECM29, page 61. 

(8) Children AGAWE ECN38, page 24. Father: Antoine 

Schmittheisler Mother: Agathe (Marie) Schaeffer 

............... 6 Marie Agathe Schmittheisler b: July 06, 1831 

............... 6 Gilles Schmittheisler b: February 23, 1835 

d: 1837 Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 93 

................ 6 Marguerite Schmittheisler b: August 04, 

1837 d: 1837 Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 93 

................ 6 Elisabeth Schmittheisler b: June 24, 1838 

............... 6 Véronique Schmittheisler b: November 29, 

1839 

............... 6 Marie Ann Schmittheisler b: September 12, 

1840 

............... 6 Antoine Schmittheisler b: July 03, 1842 

d: March 04, 1843 Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 

102. 

............... 6 Antoine Schmittheisler b: August 22, 1844 

............... 6 Catherine Schmittheisler b: 1849 

d: February 08, 1850 Wintzenbach – 

AGAWE ECD20, page 114. 

.......... 5 Anne Marie Heintzelmann b: January 29, 1813 

.......... 5 Pierre Heintzelmann b: June 02, 1814 

......4 Jean Michel Heintzelmann b: 1773 Wintzenbach, 

Alsace - (Several records referred to as Michel.) Age 66 

when son Jean Michel married Reine Joerger on Jan 20, 

1838.) AGAWE ECM29, page 71. d: March 02, 1851 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 117. Witnesses: 

Simon Stoltz age 48 and Joseph Bender age 61, both of 

Wintzenbach. 

............ +Odile Müller b: 1782 Eberbach, Alsace - 

AGAWE ECM29, page 71. d: January 22, 1860 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECD20, page 133. 

Father: Jean Michel Müller Mother: Marie Anne Lechinger 

.......... 5 Joachim (Joseph) Heintzelmann 

b: August 08, 1803 

.......... 5 Marie Agatha Heintzelmann b: February 15, 1805

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECN38, page 46. Witnesses: Giles 

Heintzelmann age 44 and Joseph Bender age 49. 

................ +Jean Michel Müller b: Schaffhausen (Living 

in Seltz 1828.) m: August 07, 1828 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECM29, p58. 

.......... 5 Michel (Jean) Heintzelmann b. December 19, 

1807 Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECM29, page 71. 

................ +Reine (Régine) Joerger b: December 16, 1810 

Wintzenbach, Alsace m: January 20, 1838 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - Witnesses: Rémond age 33, Francois 

Joseph Weber age 56, Francois Joseph Schmittheisler age 34, 

André Studer. AGAWE ECM29, page 71. Father: Joseph 

(Jörger) Joerger Mother: Salomé Schenck ..........5 Régine 

Heintzelmann b: December 11, 1809 

.......... 5 Caroline Heintzelmann b: March 25, 1812 

.......... 5 Walburge Heintzelmann b: March 25, 1812 

.......... 5 Joseph Heintzelmann b: May 04, 1814 

................ 

+Catherine 

Joerger b: August 

24, 1810 

Wintzenbach, 

Alsace - Agawe p16 

m: 

January 28, 1843 

Wintzenbach - 

Witnesses: Joseph 

Strebel 42, Pierre 

Keller 40 (cousin of 

Catherine), Gilles 

Heintzelmann 26, 

Jean Schmittheisler 

27. Agawe ECM, 

p76. 

33 


Father: Kasper (Gaspard JÖRGER) Joerger 

Mother: Juliana (Maria) Keller (See page 38.) 

............... 6 Pierre Heintzelmann b: October 23, 1843 

.......... 5 Gilles Heintzelmann b: February 27, 1817 

Wintzenbach, Alsace - AGAWE ECN38, page 80. Witnesses: 

Simon Stoltz age 48 and Joseph Bender age 61, both of 

Wintzenbach. d: December 28, 1888 Wintzenbach - 


................ +Marie Ann Weber b: 1818 ? AGAWE 

ECD20, page 133. d: January 12, 1880 Wintzenbach - 


Father: Francois Weber Mother: Marguerite Stoltz 

.......... 5 Madeleine Heintzelmann b: October 10, 1819 

.......... 5 Jean Heintzelmann b: December 27, 1820 

Wintzenbach - AGAWE ECN38, page 91. 

.......... 5 Elisabeth Heintzelmann b: March 07, 1823 

.......... 5 Pierre Heintzelmann b: October 20, 1825 

Questions in AGAWE records: 

A.) With Odile Schmittheusler born April 13, 1776 to Marianne Bitz conflicts with sister SCHMITTHEISLER Marie 

Catherine born November 17, 1776 to Marguerite Bitz, unless one of the records is in error. 

B.) SCHMITTHEISLER Catherine, age 60, at death May 5, 1842 - as widow of (Jean) Michel Arth, would have been born 

1782 two years after the death of Marguerite Bitz. Is the age at death a typo and should read 66? 

C.) Joseph and Marguerite's son Joseph mentioned in two records below, different spellings one as son of Marianne. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

"Le 2 decembre 1850 est decede 

SCHMITTHEISLER Joseph, age de 82 ans 

domicilie a Wintzenbach 

Veuf de KUNTZ Catherine 

Fils (deceased) Joseph, age de 71 ans, laboureur 

et de ~ BITZ Marguerite, agee de 53 ans de Wintzenbach 

Temoins: SCHMITTHEISLER Jacques, age de 50 ans, laboureur, domicilie a Wintzenbach, fils 

STUDER Andre, age de 55 ans, instituteur, domicilie a Wintzenbach." 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Mariage Ie 15/MESS/13 (July 4, 1805) GLASSER Francois Charles, cultivateur, 27 ans, 

ne Ie 02/10/1778 a Lurenbach, domicilie a Wintzenbach, Fils de Joseph, cultivateur, 

et de GRATZ Marianne, domicilies a Lurenbach. 

SCHMITTHEUSLER Odile, 29 ans nee Ie 13/04/1776 a Wintzenbach, domiciliee a Wintzenbach, veuve de Valentin 

KELLER, Fille of Joseph (deceased) & et de BITZ Marianne. 

Temoins: GLASSER Joseph 60 ans, cultivateur a Lurenbach, pere STOLTZ Simon 40 ans, cultivateur a Wintzenbach

Anna Keller & Pierre Bitz Family

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