The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-01-18
FIRST MAYOR OF SALEM.
MIR. CHAS. G. BREITZ, DECEASED
HELD THAT OFFICE.
Names Ofthe Men Who Composed the
First Town CounciI-Mr. Breitz's
Funeral-Sketcho of His Life.

Names ofthe Men Who Composed the
First Town CounciI-Mr. Breitz's
FuneraI-Sketch of His Life.
The remains of Mr.. Charles Gustavus
Breitz, who died last Friday. at the
advanced age OF 80 years, were laid to
rest in the Moravian graveyard at
O'Clock Sunday afternoon. The
funeral services, were conducted from
the Moravian church by Bishop Rond-
thaler, and were attended. by large
number of friends.
Mr.. Breitz was Salem's first mayor,
being elected in 1856. The first town
council, over which Mr.. Breitz pre-
sided as mayor, was composed of
Messrs. r. L. Patterson, Francis
Fries, A. Butner, I. r. Crist, Edward
Belo, T. E. Keehln and S. Mickey.
THE MEMOIR READ.
At the funeral service Bishop Rond-
thaler read following memoir on the
life of the deceased:
Charles Gustavus Brietz was the
son of Brother Christian and Sister
Anna Catherine Breitz, maiden name
Seller. He was born at Salem on
August 4th. 1911, and was baptized On
the day after his birth. A brother
older than himself died in his infancy
and the rest of the family, consisting
of his brother Levin, residing in the
well-known home in West Salem, his
brother Ephraim, the church mu-
stefan, and his sister Lisette. the
teacher of the advanced class in the
Academy, have all been now gathered
into their rest.
Brother Breitz was confirmed on
April 18th, 1929. Soon afterwards he
entered upon term of residence in
Philadelphia, New York and in the
west in order to perfect himself 10 his
business of tanning. In the
course of his journey, while in the
State of Ohio, he was attacked with
the cholera, on it's first visit to the
causes and the prevention of this
dreaded pestilence were, as yet, little
understood.
On his safe return to Salem he took
charge of the old tannery which he
conducted for many years.
On August 21st, 1886, our departed
brother was married to Sister Louise
Rebecca Reich who died December
31st, 1855. Their union was blessed
with six children, of whom only one,
the oldest, residing in Texas, is still
living.
In 1866 the lease system by which
only Morav1ans could be holders of
cal estate in Salem was abolished
and the town was regularly incerpora-
ted by act of legislature. Brother
BreitZ was chosen mayor and filed
this Office in successive terms. 1t is
interesting to note that of all those
who served with him in the first town
council he was the last survivor.
I.1lu o1Sf dan r.fe. RI
brother was married to Sister Mar
garet Morrow. This second marriage
was likewise blessed with six chill
dren, of whom three are still living.
At the time of the civil war, Brother
BrietZ was already man of fifty
years of age. The nature of the
strife was well illustrated in his own
family. One%on, who had moved to
the West, died fighting in the Union
army, while two other sons were
wounded in the Confederate army.
On January 18th, 1886, our brother
passed through the great affection of
the loss of his second wife. He was
now growing old and while still en-
joying health could no longer care for
himself. His children, however, were
faithful and kind to their aged father,
and in his extreme old age ministered
to him in loving exercise of their
filial duty.
Years and infirmities had cut our
brother off from most of the pursuits
oflife. Still he testified, not long ago,
| sit is his use of the Scriptures and of
| daily prayer" Until quite recently
his figure was familiar one, as he
| moved slowly over the street, to IA
miliar place of conversation with a
| few friends.
InChristmas season he was attacked
| by the grippe, but was not fully con-
| fined to his bed until the day of his
| death On Friday, Jan. 18th, 1894, he
seemed indisposed to rise and passed
the morning mostly in sleep. until at
:45 p. m. the sleep of life passed gen.
thy into the sleep Of death. His age
was 81 years, five months and eight
days His mortal remains are being
| laid to rest on the same day on which
| his wife departed this life eight years
| ago.
| ''Oh Father, cover my transgression
With the Redeemer'S merits DER,
Be this alone my firm foundation
| There [ find rest forevermOre;
| T., i