| Biography |
BIOGRAPHY: Martin Fretz, born on the Old Homestead, in Bedminster Twp., Aug. 9, 1764; died Sept. 26, 1835, 71y., 1m., 19d. Farmer and Linseed Oil manuf'r. He lived in Hilltown Twp., near Yost's Mill, on the farm now occupied by Jacob Smith. He was an honest, upright man, and held in high esteem. As a christian, he endeavored faithfully to discharge his religious duties, in all of which he was conscientiously strict. He never allowed any member of his family to leave the church before the benediction was pronounced. An adage of his was: "Wer naus geht vor dem segen, geht dem fiuch entgegen." Though at times taking a smoke, it was a saying of his, "That he never wanted to be a slave to tobacco or whisky." In the time of the subject of this sketch, many of the luxuries of the present day were not enjoyed. There were no carpets, and no parlor matches in those days. Sometimes they had to go to neighbors for fire, and on one occasion the Fretz' meadow was set on fire by borrowed fire. For the married girls in those days the dry goods outfit was mostly homemade. The spinning wheel was one of the fixtures of the family, and in this family of ten girls there were six spinning wheels going at one time, commencing at 5 o'clock in the morning, and continuing until 10 and 11 P.M. One of the daughters, Mrs. Susanna Funk, generally spun 18 cuts of flax per day, and one day she spun 20 cuts. The reel and the shaving bench were in the same room. Martin Fretz was one of the first to get a Dearborn pleasure wagon. Bows and cover were taken along, and if wanted, in case of rain, were put up. Among the relics of this home is a bar of soap made by his wife in 1816, one of her last acts, now in the possession of a granddaughter, Esther Hunsberger, of Dublin, Pa. Martin Fretz was twice married. His first wife was Anna Kratz, by whom he had fifteen children. She was born Sept. 11, 1768; died June 24, 1816. He married for his second wife Anna Licey. They were members of the Mennonite church at Blooming Glen, where he and his wives lie buried. The children, all by the first wife, are: Barbara, Mary, Agnes, Betsey, Betsey, Nancy, Veronica, Martin, Martin, Susanna, Silas, Veronica, Catharine, Leah, Rachel.
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1764 - 1835 (71 years)