BITZ FAMILY HISTORY

Adam Bitz (1870-1955), the eldest son of Longinus Bitz (1844-1921) and Alissia (Boechler) Bitz (1847-1936), was born in Odessa, Russia where he married Theresia Heintz (1874- 1957) in 1893. A daughter, Katherine, was born in 1894 but died in 1897. A son, Stephen, was born in June 1896. In October, 1897, a daughter, Alissia was born. On March 8, 1898, the family with few possessions and $216. 00 left Kandel, Russia and set sail on the ship "Lahn" from the port of Bremen, Germany which is near Hamburg. They arrived in New York on March 17, 1898 at 2:40 p.m. While en route, their daughter, Alissia, who was five month old, died and was buried at sea.

The family's destination was Bowdle, S. Dakota, where Adam's brother-in-law, Joe Heintz was living. Soon after arriving in S. Dakota, the family settled in Logan County near St. Anthony's Church which was about twelve miles south and two miles west of Napoleon, N. Dakota.

On December 13, 1898, Adam's parents along with his brothers John, Joseph and Valentine, set sail from Bremen, Germany on the ship "Kaiser Wilhelm de Grosse" and arrived in New York on December 21, 1898. One of Adam's brothers, Mathias, had to remain in Russia and serve in the army. He arrived in America on December 27, 1901. Adam's parents and family also took up residence near St. Anthoy's Church south of Napoleon. It is here where Adam's parents are buried.

After spending approximately two years near Napoleon, N. Dakota, Adam and family moved about one hundred miles north to Anamoose, N. Dakota. While farming in N. Dakota, four children were born Veronica (1899-1978), John (1901-1979), Magdalena (1903- ), and Longinus (1904- ). In March, 1906, the family arrived in Canada and took up a homestead on the N.W. 1/4 28-37-19 near Leipzig, Saskatchewan. Their livestock possessions at the time consisted of 6 horses and 8 cattle. A wagon box turned upside down was their first dwelling. Son Michael was born in September 1906. Another son, Jacob, born in 1908, died at birth and is buried at the Pascal grave yard, northwest of Leipzig.

After proving up the homestead for three years, it was sold because water couldn't be found. The family moved to Scott and farmed the Catherwood place from 1909-1911. During the three years at Scott there was a total crop failure because one year it froze out, one year it hailed out and one year it dried out. In 1912, the family farmed the Schnitzmeyer place near Pascal School. some of the children attended the original Pascal School. In 1913, the family moved to Leipzig where Adam built a house and started a butcher shop which he operated until after the war in 1918. He then purchased the S.E 1/4 34-37-19 which he farmed until 1937 when Adam and his wife retired to Leipzig. In 1943, they moved to Chilliwack, B.C. In the fall of 1947, they returned to live with their daughter Veronica Schell on a farm near Tramping Lake. In the spring of 1948, they returned to Leipzig. Adam passed away in 1955 and Theresia in 1957.

Steve, the oldest child in the family, married Bertha Miller in 1918. They lived at Leipzig, Kelfield, Dodsland, Swift Current, Calgary and Chilliwack. Steve was best known for his orchestra which played in many parts of the province. Steve and Bertha had eight children. On daughter, Bernadette, passed away at the age of six months. Steve passed away in 1975. The family moved to Chilliwack, B.C. in 1944. Bertha presntly resides there.

Veronica married John Schell in 1925. They farmed at Millerdale, North Battleford and Tramping Lake until 1948 when they moved to Edmonton where John worked in the carpentry business. They had a family of eight. Veronica passed away in 1978 and John still resides in Edmonton.

John Bitz married Irene Delainey in 1926. They farmed at Millerdale and raised a family of eight children. John passed away in 1979 and Irene in 1985. One son Ron and an infant predeceased them.

Magdalena married Ed Mussleman in 1927. The farmed at Dodsland and Cavell. Ed worked as a mechanic at Scott in 1940. In 1941 they moved to Chilliwack, B.C. In the 1960's they returned to farm at Cavell for a number of years and then retired to Chilliwack. They had a family of six. Ed passed away in 1980 and Magdalena still resides in Chilliwack. An infant son predeceased him.

Michael, the yougest of the family, married Helen bosch in 1934. They spent a short time farming the home place with Adam, his dad. Michael's greatest love was music and he was well known for his ability to play the clarinet and saxophone. Following his musical instincts, Michael left the farm in 1937 and joined the Bitz Orchestra which required him to move to Humboldt and Swift Current. In 1942 the family moved to Chilliwack returning to retire in Unity in 1973. They had a family of five. Mike and Helen still reside in Unity.

Longinus married Rose Marie Goetz in 1929. They farmed at Leipzig, Carmelheim, Dodsland and Landis. In 1934, they farmed six miles south and two miles east of Landis. In 1937, they moved back to the home place near Leipzig. In the fall of 1945, an auction sale was held and the family movd to Leipzig where they operated a cafe and the dray business in 1946. In 1947, the cafe closed and the family resumed farming. In 1957, the family returned to live in Leipzig, but continued farming. Rosie operated the post office for a number of years before her passing in 1964. Longinus continued to farm the land until 1968 when he sold it and moved to Wilkie. He married Mary Rissling in 1968. She passed away in 1983. Longinus presently resides in the Wilkie Senior Citizens' complex.

Rosie and Longinus had eight children who all attended school in Leipzig. The children were, Edmund, Evelyn, Eugene, Donald, Rose Marie, Vivian, Victoria and Doreen.

Edmund (1929) married Helen Lang in 1950. They have three boys, Leslie, Sheldon and Trent. They also have also have four grandchildren. Leslie and his wife Anita and sons Cooper and Dieter live in Calgary where Leslie is in the accounting business. Sheldon, his wife Pat and daughters Lori and Amanda live in Saskatoon where Sheldon is in the sales industry. Trent and his wife Barb live in Saskatoon where Trent is engaged in the construction industry.

Edmund obtained his B.A. and B.Ed. degrees and taught school for 35 years, mainly in Saskatoon where he retired in 1983.

Evelyn (1931) married Howard Scott and they presently reside in Vancouver. They have two children, Norman and Debbie and four grandchildren.

Eugene (1933) married Frances Graves from Landis in 1957. They have four children, Cheryl, Cynthia, Corey and Calvin. They also have five grandchildren. Eugene worked for the C.N.R. for 35 years retiring in 1986. He purchased a farm southwest of Stony Plain, Alberta where he is in the cattle business.

Donald (1935-1982) married Iris Allen from Peers Alberta in 1961. They had three children, Darcy, Lisa and Darrin. Don worked for the C.N.R. for 28 years until his passing in 1982. The family resides in Spruce Grove Alberta.

Rose Marie (1938) married Andrew Bauml from Leipzig in 1957. They have lieved at the west coast since 1957. Andrew is a tug boat captain and also operates a small farm near Parksville, B.C. They have three children, Gayle, Glenda and Kevin and four grandchildren.

Vivian (1941-1980) married Jack Dick from Landis in 1962. They lived at Saskatoon and North Battleford before moving to Delta, B.C. in the sixties. Prior to that, Vivian had taught school for a couple of years. They had two children, Dwayne and Leanne. Vivian passed away in 1980 at the age of 39. Jack and the children live at Langley, B.C.

Victoria (1947) married Paul Hagen. They have two children, Michelle and Archie, and one grandchild. All live in Surrey, B.C. where Paul is in the painting industry.

Doreen (1949) married Brian Pilkington. They have two daughters, Pamela and Sherri. They live at Parksville, B.C. where Brian is in the boiler industry.





Last Updated: Tuesday, February 12, 2002