My Genealogy Hound

J. K. Foltz, a prominent fruit grower and dealer in real estate at Fort Smith, Ark., was born in the “Buckeye State,” in 1853, and is the eldest of eight children born to the marriage of David Foltz and Susan Kimerer, and a grandson of John Foltz, who was born in Prussia, Germany, and immigrated to the United States many years ago, locating in Pennsylvania. He afterward moved to Ohio, where he spent his declining years and died at a ripe old age. David was reared on a farm near Wooster, Ohio, and there he and his wife, who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., spent the remainder of their days. Their son, J. K. Foltz, was educated in Hiram College, and had Gen. James A. Garfield for a tutor. It was his early intention to adopt a profession, but the death of his father called him home, and being the eldest of the family he was obliged to take charge of the farm, which change caused him to give up his intentions of a professional life, and follow agricultural pursuits instead. He was first married in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Miss Mary Ewalt, who afterward died, having borne one child, Mary Helen, now the wife of D. W. Loney, of Olna, Ohio. Mr. Foltz afterward went to Mississippi, and while there was married to Miss Mary A. Rothell, who was born in Mississippi in 1844, and there made her home until ten years of age. She was sent to school at Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she graduated. After her marriage she returned with her husband to Ohio, where they made their home three years, and then moved to Memphis, Tenn., where they were engaged in farming until 1881. Since that time they have resided in Sebastian County, Ark., where Mr. Foltz is engaged in fruit growing and the real estate business. He is an extensive land-holder, and owns stock in the Fruit Evaporator of Fort Smith. He and wife are the parents of three children: Joseph R., a law student at Ann Arbor, Mich.; Jennie O. and Fannie Frances, who are both attending school at St. Mary’s Academy, Knoxville, Ill. Sarah, another daughter, died at the age of eight months. Both the Foltz and Kimerer families were of German descent, and the latter family was noted for their large stature, robust constitutions and great longevity. Mrs. Foltz’s parents, A. G. and Mary (Canon) Rothell, were both born in Maryland, the former moving to Mississippi at an early day, where he operated a saw, grist and planing-mill, and was an extensive dealer in lumber. Mrs. Foltz is the third of their five children. Her paternal grandfather was Parrott Rothell, who was born in France, and established the first circulating library in Baltimore, Md. She is a member of the Episcopal Church and her husband is a member of the Christian Church.