History of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

History of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

Litz Family Area Pioneers

The late John Newton Harman gives in his Annals of Tazewell County a sketch of the Litz family which says in part:

Johannes Litz is the first Litz that we have found in the records. He immigrated to the United States from Germany on the ship “Furtherance” from Rotterdam, November 30 1750.

Johann William Litz immigrated to the United States from Germany on the ship “Patience”, landing in Pennsylvania September 9, 1751. His father, Johann Phillip Litz, left September 14, 1751 on the ship St. Andrew. They both arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mare Catherine Litz, a widow, is probably the first of the name in Virginia. It is believed that she was the widow of Johann Philip Litz and that she left Pennsylvania soon after her husband's death. She died in Wythe or Montgomery County in 1809. She had a son, William, who died in Wythe County in 1788. William Litz had a son, Leonard, who married his first cousin, Julie Ann Gose. Julie Ann Gose was born June 29, 1768. She died February 13, 1810. They were the parents of Colonel Peter Gose Litz.

Goodrich Wilson, writing about Peter Litz, says:

"Peter Gose Litz, born in Wythe (probably that part which is now in Smyth) County, April 25, 1802; died April 3, 1880; married his cousin, Sarah Gose, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Spangler Gose. They were married 8 April 1824. She was born 6 April 1805.

Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose had the following children who will be written about in detail further down are Martha, Margaret, Elizabeth Spangler, Thomas Fowler, John Tiffany, William S., Mary B., and Sophronia.

As an officer in the Militia of Tazewell Colonel Peter Gose Litz drilled Confederate soldiers but was himself too old for the service. John Tiffany Litz was a Confederate soldier, a lieutenant in a company called "The Tazewell Troupers". He was captured and confined in a military prison at Columbus, Ohio, until the end of the war. Another son, William Sawyer Litz was also a soldier in the Confederate Army. He was universally recognized as one of the most honorable and upright citizens of the county and filled other positions of trust.

Mrs. Letitia Litz Wood and her husband Charles have made several trips from their Utah home to Burke's Garden and have compiled much information. They found that William, the father of Peter Gose Litz belonged to a Colonial Militia and fought under General Andrew Lewis at the battle of Point Pleasant October 10, 1774.

They also report the following information regarding the settling of Burke's Garden.

In 1749 Mr. James Burke made his way, with hunting, to this little valley. It was very beautiful, game plentiful and flowers in bloom. A garden indeed. Several families had tried to settle here from 1749 to 1790; but were killed or driven out by the Indians. About 1794, Philip Gose, a brother of Colonel Peter Litz's wife, brought the first wagon to Burke's Garden. He hitched three yoke of oxen to a wagon and went straight up a ridge to the top of the mountain; then they cut a large tree and tied behind the wagon to drag and ease the wagon down to the valley floor.

Peter Gose Litz married his cousin Sarah Gose, April 8, 1824. He owned over 1000 acres of choice land in Burke's Garden. He cleared the land of timber; had a lot of livestock and made regular trips to Richmond to market farm produce and bring back merchandise. He owned a large number of slaves. Among these slaves was a woman that he purchased when she was 15 years old. She lived with the family for more than 40 years. If any of the family was sick, she would take care of them as if they were her own children. There was much affection for this faithful colored woman. William S. Litz in later years could not speak about her without tears coming in his eyes. She had twenty-two children of her own.

Colonel Peter Litz built the first school house in Burke's Garden. It was open to anyone wanting to use it. The Mormon elders were having difficulty in finding a place to speak; so Peter let them use his school house and also entertained them in his home. His wife, Sarah Gose Litz was the first woman to join the church in Burke's Garden. She was baptized by Jedediah M. Grant, father of Heber J. Grant.

An interesting item in the notes compiled by the Woods family was that the name Litz was probably derived from Australitz, a town in Germany.

The following is from an article appearing in The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Virginia, February 3, 1946. By Goodrich Wilson.

"Biltmore" is a magnificent show place near Ashville, North Carolina. According to a story which I have heard, that may or may not be true. "Biltmore" would not have been in Ashville but either it or something like it would have been in Burke's Garden instead if the people of the Garden had been more willing to sell their land and if their homes and farms had been less desirable. The story is that when Mr. Vanderbilt was looking for a location on which to build a palace in the Southern Highlands his first choice was Burke's Garden, and he wanted to buy the whole thing. He came to the Garden in person with the thought of offering a price that might induce the owners to change their minds; but after seeing their gorgeous acres and their lovely homes he said he would have no part in breaking up that community and converting it into a one-man millionaire estate.”

Whether that story is true or not, it points up the well known facts that land in Burke's Garden is highly valuable, that families who have lived there have a strong sentimental attachment to it, and they have developed fine estates with many imposing homes on the acres inherited from pioneer ancestors. One Burke's Garden family was started there by Peter Gose Litz.

Children of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

1. Martha born 25 Dec 1825. Died as a child.

2. Margaret - born 17 Jul 1827.

- Married Richard H. Kinnamon 18 Jul 1844. They had two children, Sarah Jane and Julia Ann.

- Also married Edward Augustus Bowles and together ten children, Henry Carmack, Margaret Rebecca, Susan Elizabeth, William Archie, Mary Catherine, Robert Gillespie, Fannie Emeline, Samuel Vincent, Edward Augustus Jr., and Letitia Cornham.

3. Elizabeth Spangler - born 12 May 1829.

- Married William Louis Clark 1 Feb 1849.

4. Thomas Fowler - born 9 Oct 1832. Died as a child.

5. John Tiffany Huddle - born 18 Apr 1834. Died 11 Feb 1901.

- Married Elizabeth Emily Thompson - 5 Oct 1859 (daughter of Lindsey and Annie Lucas Thompson). Elizabeth was born 28 May 1839, died 28 Jan 1898.

Children of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

1. Samuel Thomas Litz - born Jul 1860. Died 2 May 1909.

- Married Sallie V. Dills, of Giles Co., VA., 9 Nov 1887. She was the daughter of Susanah Virginia (Stafford) and Granville Henderson Dills.

Samuel Thomas early became identified with the development of the industries of this section. He was a railroad contractor, and also engaged in real estate business. While he attained a degree of success in business, his greatest value to himself and the community in which he lived was achieved through his deep spiritual nature and his works as a Christian man. To him is largely due the successful establishment of the Graham Baptist Church, of which he was a charter member. His affectionate devotion to his family was remarkable. He left his children a richer heritage in his strength of character than he did in material possessions.

Samuel’s and Sallie’s children are:

1. Beverly Dills Litz, a son, who served as a private in Company D 318 Infantry 80th Division, during World War 1, his Serial No. 1821115, entrained at Tazewell, Virginia., 21 September 1917, enroute to Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia. This company was in training under Captain Echols - who later was made a Lieutenant Colonel until late in May 1918, when they embarked on the transport, Leviathan, arriving at the Port of Brest on 30 May 1918. Left Brest on 2 June and arriving at Calais 4 June. 29 September the Battalion was engaged in the attack Bois-de-Brieulles, in which engagement Beverly D. Litz was wounded by a shell. From this time until about the middle of December, he was in various hospitals, at which time was on board hospital ship, New Zealand arriving at Newport News 22 December 1918. Entered Walter Reed Hospital at Washington D.C., 2 January 1919 remaining here about a month. Discharged from Camp Sherman, Chillacothe, Ohio 4 Feb 1919.

2. Susie Elizabeth Litz - married T. W. Davis of Honaker, Virginia 10 Jun 1918. They have two children, Margaret Jacqueline and Susanne Litz.

3. Helen Litz - married Luther W. Bates of Bluefield, Virginia 8 Sep 1921.

4. Sallie Olivia Litz began to show her musical ability when just a child. She sang in many school and church programs. She specialized in music at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Va., her teachers being Frederick Marten and Samuel T. Schroetter. In 1921 she graduated in voice and in 1922, she received a post graduate diploma in voice and also received a diploma from S. T. Schroetter in piano. In the fall of 1922, she went to New York City, where she has studied three years from Herbert Witherspoon. She sang over radio station WEAF and in December 1922, her voice was heard in London, and is said to have been one of the first heard across the Atlantic Ocean over the radio. November 12 1923, with Miss Inez L. Main, she assisted Miss Alice A Westbrook, dramatic artist in concert at Christ Church Cathedral, Parish House, Hartford, Conn. Miss Litz was a member of the Wheatcraft Opera Company, New York City, which put on the play "Hans and Gretel" for benefit of the Knickerbocker Hospital. She also sang in concert for the Lions Club Banquet at Commodore Hotel, New York in the spring of 1925. While at home during vacations, she has taken part in many events and programs, both on the Virginia and the West Virginia side of the twin city of Bluefield. At the banquet given during the celebration of the changing of the name of Graham to Bluefield, Virginia, Miss Litz sang and was complimented by the two Governors, Trinkle of Virginia and Morgan of West Virginia. She also sang at the Memorial Baptist Church at a lecture given by Congressman Will D. Upshaw, who paid a beautiful tribute to her voice, calling her "Virginia's Nightingale". During the spring of 1925, Miss Litz sang for Shubert of New York City as was voiced in the Operetta entitled "The Student Prince in Heidelburg". This operetta is one of the biggest sensations in the musical light opera world of today. They played in Philadelphia for eight weeks, Atlantic City, six weeks, and now in Springfield, Massachusetts on their way to Boston where they are booked for six months.

5. Issac Mann Litz is a law student at the University of Richmond, Virginia.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

2. Sallie Ann Litz - Married Harvey G. McGuire. Harvey G. was a farmer and stock dealer, and resided at North Tazewell at the time of his death and for many years previous he was a highly respected citizen.

Sallie Ann’s and Harvey’s children are:

1. Nancy - who married John T. Bowman.

2. John G. - who in December 1924, made the world record for number of insurance policies written in one month, and has been chosen by his company to represent the Eastern half of the United States in a six month's contest for writing insurance. He married Inez Thomas. Their children are Frances, Elizabeth, John G. Jr. and Catherine Ann.

3. Lindsey - who married Carrine Buchanan.

4. George - who married Marjorie Combs. Their children are Joseph Al, Rachel Ann, and Helen Marie.

5. Joseph

6. Katherine - who married Brown Harman.

7. Walter

8. Gladys

9. Litz

10. Sallie

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

3. Nannie Atelia Litz - born 26 Mar 1863. Married Rages Sluss 22 Sep 1886.

Rages Sluss is a farmer residing near North Tazewell. His principal business, however, is that of Civil Engineering. He occupies a high place in that profession. He spent some time in this work in South America. Mr Sluss' services are now in constant demand in Tazewell and Buchanan counties, Virginia, and McDowell and other counties in West Virginia.

Nannie’s and Rages’ children are:

1. Charles Walter - who married Annie Cassell. Their children are Louise, Charles W. Jr., Clara Elizabeth, and Ellen Augusta

2. Edison - who married Mary Ward. Their children are Carl B., Catherine, and Ann.

3. Annie - who married Howard Peery. Their children are Joseph, Emery, and Damise.

4. Kathleen - who married Claud Armbuster. Their children are Hazel Marie, Ethel, Claud, and George Litz.

5. James A. - who married Osie Belcher. They had one daughter, Julia Antionette.

6. Malvin Hill - who married Mayme Cook

7.Joseph

8. Rages Jr.

9. George

10. Nannie Ba. Atelia

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

4. John Lindsey Litz - married George A. Dickenson, 15 Mar 1888.

After spending his early life on his father's old homestead in Burke's Garden in Tazewell County, Virginia, and attending the public schools of the county, John L. Litz spent three years in Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, where he held the rank of First Lieutenant. After leaving school, he served with the civil engineer corps at Pocahontas, Virginia, until January 1887, at which time he became a member of the engineering staff working for the Norfolk and Western Railway Company. He is an owner of extensive coal and timber lands in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and is president of the Litz Coal Corporation of Letcher County, Kentucky. He also owns valuable land near Coeburn, Virginia, where he resides. He served two terms as Mayor of the town of Coeburn, and represented Wise and Dickenson Counties in the Virginia House of Delegates, session 1910.

John Lindsey and George A.’ children are:

1. Robert - who married Elsie Hughes.

2. Mabel - who married Dayton Baker. Their children are John L. Jr., George, June, and "Michie".

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

5. David Harold Perry Litz - married Ella Howard (daughter of Franklin Howard).

David Harold was a farmer and stock dealer. He died at his home near Morristown, Tennessee at the age of fifty five years.

David and Ella’s children are:

1. Thomas - who married Cora Freeman. They had one son, David Graham.

2. Joseph Edward - who married Grace Simpson. They had two children, Edward and Joseph (twins).

3. Kathleen - who married Fred Hale. They had one son, Fred Jr.

4. Walton - who married Courtney.

5. Clarence

6. Frank

7. Ross

8. Margaret

9. Vivian

10. Harold

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

6. Peter Gose Litz - who married Lula May Brown Brawn.

He is engaged extensively in fruit growing and resides in Wise County, Virginia.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

7. Alma Z. Litz - born 24 Aug 1869. Married Etta V. Stauber (daughter of Tobias and Cornelia Loesch Stauber) of Winston, Salem, North Carolina, 20 Dec. 1899.

Alma and Etta’s children are:

1. Annie Elizabeth

2. Loesch Stauber

3. Alma Z. Jr.

4. Conrad Beverly

5. Etta Frances, deceased

6. Daisy Katherine

7. Ethel Margaret

8. Edith Evangeline ("Jack") adopted

Alma Z. Litz was reared on his father's farm, near Burke's Garden, until he was sixteen years of age, which developed in him a strong love for farm life. He received his education in the public schools of the county and graduated at Tazewell High School. Mr. Litz and the late William F. Harman head the list of Tazewell boys who started in life without means and achieved great wealth. He owns and resides in the handsome residence located on his splendid farm in the southern part of the town of Tazewell. He owns other farms in Virginia, West Virginia, and Texas. His great financial success, however, has been in dealing in the operation of his extensive coal lands in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. He is a stockholder and officer in several companies engaged in the development of various industries, and has been a valuable asset to them and a large contributor to the common welfare of his country. Reference is here made to a fuller sketch of his life given in Volume V of "History of Virginia", 1924 by Bruce. While Mr. Litz has accumulated a large estate in lands, stocks, bonds, and money, this has not subordinated his high and better characteristics of mind and heart. His hearing has not been dulled to the call of the needy by financial success. His sympathies for worthy causes and needy people are today as warm and responsive as in the days of his struggles as a farmer, clerk in stores, and various other positions he has held as employee.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

8. James Gordon Litz - married Lucy Stewart.

James G. Litz is an unusually active and useful citizen. He is a resident of Bluefield, West Virginia. He is one of the most valuable and successful agents of the New York Life Insurance Company. During 1924 he attained an unusual standing with his company and won the premium for efficiency among his class for amount of premiums secured.

James Gordon and Lucy’s children are:

1. George

2. James G.

3. Charles Tiffany

4. unknown

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

9. George William Litz, born 24 Oct 1872. Died 20 Jul 1916.

Married Ethel Wakefield 29 Dec 1910. They had one daughter, Helen Elizabeth.

In the 20 August 1916 issue of the "Bluefield Daily Telegraph" appeared a sketch and appreciation of George W. Litz, written by his friend, Landon C. Bell, which sets forth his life and character, from which we have taken the following extracts:

“The W. M. Ritter Lumber Co. was organized in March, 1901, and almost from the beginning George Litz has in one way or another been identified with its interests ... Resolutions respecting his death passed by the board of directors of this company. "By the inscrutable will of God, the life of George W. Litz came to a close in Gastonia, North Carolina, on the twentieth day of July, nineteen hundred and sixteen, his death resulting from a serious injury, received in an accident on the Carolina and Northwestern Railway eight days before. For seventeen years he was in the employ of this company in various capacities, and at his death, occupied the responsible position of assistant to the president. His counsels were wise, his abilities were unusual and versatile; his life was true and honest; his character pure gold. Loyal and true in all his relations and endowed with gifts of a high order, the officials and board of directors of this company regarded his services as invaluable, and placed implicit faith in the man, and unlimited confidence in his ability and judgment. By the life he lived, the character he exemplified, and by a remarkable magnetic personality, he endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. This board while bowing to the will of the Supreme Being that rules our destinies, greatly deplores and mourns his loss as an able and brilliant business associate and as a close and trusted companion and friend."

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

10. Maroni O. Litz - born 13 Aug 1874 in Burke's Garden, Virginia.

Married Judith Effler (first wife) 27 Oct 1908. After attending the public schools, she was a student at Martha Washington and Sullins Colleges. She died 20 June 1920.

Maroni and Judith’s children are:

1. Maroni O. Jr.

2. Rawie

3. Barbara

4. Dorothy

5. Josephine

Maroni O. Litz took college work at Tazewell College (now extinct), was principal of Graham, Virginia High School for two years. He entered University of Virginia in 1900, from which school he received his L.L.A. in the spring of 1902. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar in June and to the West Virginia Bar in September, 1902. He was a practicing attorney at Welch, West Virginia from 1902 to 1923. From 1915 to 1923 he was a member of the firm of Litz and Harman. At other times previously he was associated in the practice of law with George W. Howard and F. C. Cook, of Welch; James D. Francis of Huntington; Landon C. Bell of Columbus, Ohio; Judge Harold A. Ritz of Charleston and Greerer and Gillespie of Tazewell, Virginia.

On 24 Dec 1922, Mr. Litz was appointed by Governor E. F. Morgan to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, to succeed Judge Poffenbarger. On 4 November 1924, Judge Litz was elected to serve a term of twelve years on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

On 26 April 1922, Maroni O. Litz married Mable F. Cain of Knoxville, Tennessee. She received her education in Knoxville City schools, University of Tennessee and Columbia University, receiving from the latter school, degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

11. Mollie Katherine Litz - who married Thomas R. Smoot.

Mollie Katherine and Thomas’ children are:

1. Richard

2. Frank

3. Katherine

4. George

Thomas R. Smoot was born in Tazewell County and is one of the most popular and successful commercial travelers this section has ever produced. His energy, pluck, and his proverbial good humor and cordial handshakes are valuable assets to him and the wholesale house for which he works.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

12. Bettie Litz - died young.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

13. Joseph F. Litz - who married Mrs. Hattie Steele.

Joseph F. Litz owns and operates the home farm, a few miles north of the town of Tazewell, and is a livestock dealer. As a useful and honored citizen, he maintains the high character of the family.

Child of John Tiffany and Elizabeth Emily

14. Gratton Alexander Litz, died at Huntington, West Virginia, at thirty-two years of age.

He was a real estate broker. He was rapidly attaining success and distinction in business life when death cut short his career.

Child of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

6. William Sawyer Litz born 23 April 1837, died 10 July 1915.

He married Sarah Spence on 16 October 1860 at the home of Henry Peck under a tree. Their wedding dinner’s main menu was Little Roasted Pig in Mountain. Sarah Spence died 2 September 1900, buried in Lewiston, Utah.

Child of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

7. Mary Rebecca Romans Litz was born 30 October 1839 and died 28 August 1886.

She married William Hardy Jamison.

Child of Peter Gose Litz and Sarah Gose

8. Sophronia was born 27 October 1841. She never married and died 3 December 1869.

There may have been another sister born about 1840 named Polly B. There might also have been another son born about 1843 named Litz. Little is known at this time about them.