Biographical Sketch of

Christ Fritz

Transcribed by Joan Benner

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 340 - 341


Christ Fritz, one of the most extensive stock raisers of Adams county, residing in the town of Quincy, is 
well known as a gentleman who has aided in the transformation of that country into one of the brightest 
spots in the state, and has helped to make Adams county popular as a thriving agricultural district. He 
is a progressive, and is possessed of a thorough knowledge of his calling, which places him among the 
leading farmers of his community. In furthering the interests of his township he has ever given his hearty 
support, financially and otherwise, toward public enterprises, and has gained an enviable reputation 
wherever he is known. His estate comprises three hundred acres, and he has added such improvements as are 
found on modern farms.

Mr. Fritz was born in West Prussia, Germany, January 9, 1843, and was the son of John and Mary Fritz. His 
father was a woodworker and ran on boats on the Elbe river during the summer season. He emigrated to America 
about 1870 and located in Dundee, Kane county, Illinois, where he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Scholt, 
until his death in 1889. The mother died in Germany in 1859. 

Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fritz, our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He attended 
school until fourteen years of age, after which time he worked at farm work until he came to America in 
1865. He located at Dundee, Illinois and worked on a farm for six years. He went to Quincy, Adams county, 
in 1871, and purchased three hundred acres of land, upon which he has since resided. He erected a good 
residence and commodious barns, and makes a specialty of stock raising. The farm is nicely located, and 
runs down to the Wisconsin river, and is acknowledged to be one of the best in the country. A ferry has 
recently been started across the river, Mr. Fritz having given the right of way for a period of twenty-five 
years. A market at Martyn for the people of Quincy township is thus opened, being nine miles to that place. 
Our subject is in possession of a medal awarded him by the World's Columbian Exposition for winter wheat 
and silver hull buckwheat, raised on hs farm, on old land, thus placing Adams county at the head of the 
grain raising counties of the state. 

Mr. Fritz was married in September, 1869, to Minnie Hintz, daughter of Fred and Mary (Streaving) Hintz, 
of Dundee, Illinois. Mrs. Fritz's parents came to America from Germany about 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have 
been the parents of eleven children, as follows: Christ, at Dundee, Illinois; William; Charles, in West 
Superior; John, in Dundee, Illinois; Annie, in Elgin, Illinois; Franz, in Dundee, Illinois; Martha, Mary, 
the last two named, twins, residing in Martyn; Minnie, at home; Albert, in Dundee; and Ernest, at home.

Mr. Fritz is a member of the Lutheran church at Quincy. In political sentiment he is a Republican. He is 
a man of enlightened views and stands firmly for right and good citizenship. He is an exemplarary member 
of his community, and is public-spirited, and takes an active interest in matters of local importance. He 
has spared no labor and painstaking care in making of his farm one of the model estates of Adams county, 
and thus raising the standard of agriculture.


Transcribed by Joan Benner






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