BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 605.


JACOB RIETZ - One of the leading grocers and politicians of Bellaire, is
Jacob Rietz, a native of Germany, having been born in Bavaria, in 1841.
His parents were Jacob and Margaret Rietz. The father was a farmer and
lived in Germany until 1846, when he emigrated to the United States.
They took up their abode in Washington county, Ohio, where he purchased
a farm. For a number of years Jacob, Sr., was engaged in the lumber trade
on the Muskingum river, having met with success in his enterprises he is
now living a life of retirement, having raised five children who are now
living and blessing the parents who gave them life. Jacob Rietz, of
Bellaire, is the son of the above named. After obtaining a fair schooling
in Washington county, he assisted his father in the lumber business until
he was about twenty-five years old, he then spent some years in boating
and various other occupations, and in 1875, came to Bellaire, entering
the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company, as a machinist. He
remained with them for two years, and in 1877, opened a small grocery
store on the lot where he now conducts one of the largest trades in the
city. Miss Caroline Schromm, of Lowell, Ohio, became his wife in 1868,
and has borne him four children: Albert J., Nora, William H. and Clarence
E., all are living but the last named, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Rietz are communicants of the German Reform church, and the former is
also a member of the I. O. O. F. Always having taken a patriotic interest
in politics, Mr. Rietz was placed in the city council by the democratic
party in 1888, and has conducted himself to his own credit and the benefit
of the city. Mr. Rietz has been very successful in business and is one of
the substantial men of Bellaire, taking much interest in anything which
promises to be of aid to the municipality. He was one of the original
stockholders of the Dollar Savings bank of Bellaire.