William Daniel Reitz

Narrative:

     William Daniel Reitz was born on 25 Mar 1900 in Mt. Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania.^9,10,11
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Mount Carmel Twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents, John Lewis Reitz and Elizabeth Nora Schwalm.⁴ He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Mt. Carmel, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents.⁵
     William registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living in Lewisburg, Union Co., Pennsylvania, reporting he was employed as a farm laborer by his father.³ He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of East Buffalo Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents.¹⁹
     William graduated from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1924.⁶ He received a master's degree from the Teachers College at Columbia University, New York City, New York, in 1928.⁶
     After graduation he taught in the public schools in Laurelton, East Stroudsburg, and Mahoney City.^6,20
     William appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Mahanoy, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania, at 19 West Center St., enumerated 14 Apr 1930, listed as a boarder in the household of John Halderman, another school teacher, and his wife and two young children.²¹
     William returned to Lewisburg to operate the family farm about 1934.^22,23 His father had become known as "Potato King" of Union Co. and William became manager of all his farming interests. William was successful in building up the business during his father's lifetime, and after his death for his mother. He reported in the 1950 census he had worked 65 hours the prior week.^24,25
     He appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of East Buffalo Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his parents.²⁶
     William registered for the draft for World War II on 16 Feb 1942, while living at Lewisburg, Union Co., Pennsylvania, reporting he was employed by his father.²⁷
     William apparently married an unknown woman between 1940 and 1950. No record of the marriage has been found, but he is listed as divorced on the 1950 census.^12,13 He was divorced before 1950.¹³
     William was elected to the board of the Union National Bank in Lewisburg on 8 Jan 1945, replacing his father, who had died the year before.²⁸
     On 25 Jul 1949 two of William's sisters and three brothers filed a petition to have their mother declaired incompetent and to have the Lewisburg National Bank named as guardian of their late father's estate. The estate, consisting of a number of farms, was valued at $129,000. They charged that she had transferred six farms, valued at $40,000, to William. The judge named the bank guardian on a temporary basis and required Elizabeth to post a bond of $10,000.²⁹
     On 27 Jul 1949 counsel for Elizabeth responded, stating that she was fully capable of directing her business affairs, and that the charges that she had transferred six farms to William were false. He said that records show she had sold one farm to her son Robert, one of the petitioners, two and an interest in a third to William, and two more to third parties, dividing the proceeds of the latter equally among her eight children. He requested a trial as soon as possible.³⁰
     During the trial the jury heard conflicting testimony about Elizabeth's mental condition. On 18 Mar 1950 it returned a verdict that she was not capable of handling her business affairs. Her attorneys said they were applying for a new trial. William stated he regretted that the family's troubles had become public, and was confident that the matter would be resolved within the family. No further report of any legal action has been found.³¹
     William appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of East Buffalo, Union Co., Pennsylvania, in the household of his mother.³²
     William continued to farm after the death of his mother, and was known for his potato farm and apple orchards west of Lewisburg. From 1944 to 1963 he was the largest producer of potatoes in Pennsylvania.⁶
     William married second Sarah E. Simons, daughter of John Henry Simons and Mary Catharine Riegel, on 17 Jul 1963 in Centennial Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church, Frederick, Maryland, with Rev. Harry L. Fehl, Jr. officating. She was the widow of Charles Henry Tyson.^14,15,16
     His wife died on 2 Feb 1982 in Kelly Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania.^33,34
     William died on 3 Dec 1985 in Kelly Twp., Union Co., Pennsylvania, at age 85.¹⁷ He was buried on 6 Dec 1985 in Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, Union Co., Pennsylvania.¹⁸