>From the History of Tama County 1883 Pg 678 JOHN WALZ was a settler of 1854. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in October, 1827. When twenty years old he left his native country for America. He landed at New York city and soon after settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he remained six years working at his trade of stone cutting. From there he removed to West Virginia, and in 1854, came to Tama county and purchased 160 acres on section 12, of Columbia township. Since that time Mr. Walz has added to his farm until he now owns nearly 500 acres, all of which is under fence. Mr. Walz has held the offices of Trustee and School Director. In 1853, he was married to Potenzie Mink, a native of Germany. Eight children were born to them, five of whom are now living, George, Albert, Matilda, Mary and William. Mrs. Walz died in January, 1871. Mr. Walz was again married in 1871. Mr. Walz was again married in 1871, to Mrs. Susanna Frederick, a native of Ohio. She had been twice married before becoming the wife of Mr. Walz, her fist husbands name being Mitchell, by whom she had two children, William and Amanda. By her second husband she also had two children, Amelia and Carlotta. REINHARD METZ came to Columbia township in March, 1854, and is still a prominent citizen of this vicinity. He was born in Baden, Germany, August 8, 1824. He emigrated to America in 1847, and first settled in Blair county, Pennsylvania, and subsequently, in Allegheny county. Later, he was engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and afterwards located in Taylor county, West Virginia, where, in December, of 1853, he was married to Victoria Mink, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. In March, 1854, he came west to Tama cunty, Iowa, and bought a farm of 80 acres in Columbia township. He now owns 180 acres, all of which is under fence. Mr. Metz has held the office of School Director. In August, of 1862, he answered the President's call for 500,000, by enlisting in Company F, 28th Iowa Infantry. While in service he participated in the following battles: Port Gibson, Miss., May1, 1863; Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; Edwards' Station, May 12, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, May 22 to July 4, 1863; Yellow Bayou, La., May 19, 1864; Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864; Cane River, April 24, 1864; Middle Bayou, May 8, 1864; Mansura, April 16, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., September 22, 1864; Opequaw, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. He was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia, July 31, 1865, and returned to Columbia township, where he has since been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Metz have eight children living: Eliza, Benedict, Anthony, Pauline, Matilda, William, Minnie and Edward. Cyndi Vertrees CC for Tama County