----Source: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 06/05/1924

Reitz, Frederick (3 Dec 1841 - 21 May 1924)

(Black River Falls Journal)

News has been received of the death of Veteran Frederick Reitz, which occurred at his home at St. Cloud, Fla., on May 21, 1924, at the age of 83 years, 5 months and 18 days. Mr. Reitz had been ill of a tumor of the stomach for more than two years, and his health had been gradually failing.

Funeral services were conducted at St. Cloud on the following Friday afternoon.

Mr. Reitz was born in German on Dec. 3, 1841. He came to this country in his twentieth year, arriving at Black River Falls in 1861. He had been here only a year when, with patriotic impulse, he entered the Union Army as a private in Co. G. of the Tenth Wis. Volunteers, in 1862, and served until the close of the Civil War. He made an excellent record as a soldier.

Soon after the war he engaged in the tailoring trade and later opened a tailoring establishment in this city, which he conducted until 1874, when he moved to Neillsville, Clark County, engaging in the same business. He became prominent in Clark County affairs and was active politically a good many years. Under President McKinley he was appointed postmaster at Neillsville, a position he held for a term or two.

He never lost interest in his old home town, and when he had ceased to be active in a business way he returned here to make this home, enjoying life among the friends of his youth. About five years ago he moved to St. Cloud, Fla., where he had since made his home. Although he had moved from the city and state he never ceased to be interested in either, and often wrote to his friends here, expressing his continued interest in public events.

He was first married in this city in 1869 to Mrs. Jennie Brotherton, who died a good many years ago. He was again married in 1912 to Mrs. Geraldine Bulingame, who now survives him.

Mr. Reitz had been a member of the German Lutheran Church from his young manhood and he was also active in the Grand Army of the Republic circles for many years.

He was a man of strong character and excellent native ability. He was a patriot in all things. He fought for his adopted country when he had scarcely reached his majority and his loyalty to his adopted land was unfailing. He was a man of strong convictions, one who delighted in participation in public matters. He was independent in thought and judgment, progressive in his ideas and tenacious in his viewpoint.

He was a loyal friend and a good neighbor, and among the people who knew him in this community, as well as at Neillsville, he was a very favorably regarded. His widow and other relatives have their sincere sympathy in their sorrow.

Re: Obit: Reitz, Frederick (1841 - 1924)

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, D. C. January 10, 1884 From Comrade Fred Reitz, Neillsville, Wis., we received the following list of officers elected by Charles G. Bacon Post, No. 48, of that place for 1884: Commander, J.W. Tolford; S.V.C, John F. King: J. V. C., John Wing: Adj't, Fred Reitz; Q.M., J. R. Jones: Chaplain, T. V. Carlton; Surgeon. J.K. Hoffman: O.D., A. J. Kimball; O.G., William Palmer.

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Responses

Geraldine Burlingame was born Geraldine Van Kirk to Sidney W. Van Kirk and Charlotte Damon. Her brother, Orrigen Van Kirk was my Paternal Great-Grandfather. She had a sister, Albertine, who married a DuBois and moved to Canada, and a brother, Jason, who lived in Bemidji, Minn. I have been researching the Van Kirk families for over 40 years. If you have information on the early family, I would appreciate an opportunity to correspond with you.

Thank You Very Much, Dennis Van Kirk Vancouver, WA