By: Mark Holtsberry
George Henry Hetz was born in Defiance, Ohio June 16, 1886. The son of Wentzel born March 21, 1851 in Germany and Barbara (Pushl) Hetz born 1845 in Germany. The Hetz family were living in Highland Township in Defiance County in 1890. This family was engaged in farming. George was too little to be in school. In 1896, George’s mother Barbara passed away.
She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance. George had two sisters and two brothers. By 1900, George, thirteen, was still living in Highland Township. The family was still engaged in farming.
By 1910, George was living in Noble Township, Defiance County. He was working as a servant, or farm hand for Mrs. Jacqueline Johnson. George’s brother, Andrew was also working and living for Mrs. Johnson.
By 1915, George had moved to Cecil, Ohio. His brother Andrew also moved to Cecil. Unclear where he was living. On February 23, 1916, George’s father, Wentzel married a gal named, Minnie Bowers Minch. She was born in Germany in 1859.
On June 5, 1917, George and Andrew went to the Emerald Township precinct and registered for the draft. George was single, tall, slender build, brown eyes, black hair and a farmer by trade. George joined the national army out of Paulding July 22, 1918. George served with 5th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. George was honorably discharged December 15, 1918.
After returning home, George met a gal named Bridget T. Smith. Born February 27, 1892 in Illinois. They were married in late 1919. In 1920, a son, James D. was born. James went on to serve in World War Two. In 1920, Bridget and George were living on Hoeffel Road in Defiance County. They were engaged in farming.
George and Bridget went on to have Dorothy Jane in 1921, Mary B. in 1922 and Paul Joseph in 1928. In December of 1923, George’s step-mother, Minnie, passed away. She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.
By 1930, George, Bridget and family were living in Noble Township and was operating a dairy farm. February 25, 1932, George’s father, Wentzel, will pass away. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.
By 1940, George and Bridget were still engaged in farming in Noble Township. In 1942, George had to register for the World War Two draft. He was not chosen because of his age of 55. But his son, James Donald, had to register and was chosen. He was listed as 5’3″, 180 pounds, light complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. He served from September 25, 1942 to November 5, 1945.
By 1950, Bridget and George were living alone in Noble Township. The children had grown and moved out on their own. In the fall of 1950, George underwent surgery and was suffering complications. He became ill and bedridden. On Monday July 30, 1951 at 1:15 p.m., George Henry Hetz passed away. Services were conducted Thursday August 2, at 9:00 in the St. John’s Catholic Church by Rev. Donald R. Klaus. Followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance. After scrathing around at the rabbit hole, I discovered that I knew George’s daughter Mary’s husband!
George E. Shannon. I worked with him at Zeller Corporation years ago.
He was a World War Two Veteran. Small world!
…Until Then!
