My Genealogy Hound

SOLOMON PENTZ. During the early settlement of Ohio the sons of the Old Dominion came hither in goodly numbers and contributed their full quota to the growth and development of the Buckeye State. The subject of this notice forms one of Virginia’s most worthy representatives and operates a well-developed farm in section 8, German Township, where, besides prosecuting general agriculture, he makes a specialty of stock-raising.

Mr. Pentz was born August 17, 1817, in Shenandoah County, Va. and is the eldest son of Philip and Catherine (Bowers) Pentz who were likewise natives of that State. The parental family consisted of a large number of children and when but a lad, Solomon, like his brothers and sisters, was required to make himself useful about the home farm, while he obtained only a limited education in the common schools. He remained a member of the parental household until a man of twenty-five years and was then married, in December, 1842, to Miss Caroline Zirkle. Mrs. Pentz was born in the same county as her husband, in April, 1819, and is a daughter of Lewis and Catherine (Brener) Zirkle, who were likewise natives of Virginia and spent the closing years of their lives in Ohio. To Mr. Pentz and his estimable wife was born a family of six children; the eldest of whom a daughter, Anne, died when eighteen years old. Malinda is the wife of William Bayler and they live in Mad River Township, Clark County. William makes his home in the city of Springfield; Lewis is a resident of Champaign County; Catherine is the wife of William Lurton of German Township; Elbe remains at home with her parents.

The two eldest children of Mr. and Mrs. Pentz were born in Virginia, from which State they emigrated about 1847, settling first in Champaign County, of which they were residents for nine years. They came to Clark County about 1856, and settled on the farm where they now reside. Mr. Pentz is the owner of one hundred and five acres of land which with the assistance of his faithful and devoted wife he has accumulated by his own industry and good management. He is a man enjoying the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens and has served as Trustee of German Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Pentz are both members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. Politically Mr. Pentz is an uncompromising Democrat, and socially belongs to the Grange at Tremont City. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Pentz was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Virginia and there spent his last days.