History Of The Lutz Family

Michael Lutz was the son of Johan George Lutz of Germany, who arrived in Philadelphia in October 1749 on the ship Lydia. By 1753, (Johann)George Lutz was living near Strasburg, Lancaster co., PA. where his first daughter Maria Magdalena was baptized at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, and where Wendel Traut and his wife were named sponsors. Ancestors of Wendel Traut would later be a part of Perry Co. Ohio's early history. A second daughter Susanna was baptized there in 1754. Baptismal records are not extant for the time period when a 3rd daughter, Catherine Barbara and son Michael were born. Michael's headstone gives his birth date as 14 Dec 1763.
In 1757, George Lutz obtained a warrant for 57 acres of land located in Strasburg Township, Lancaster, PA. By 1770, when his son Michael was age 7, George Lutz moved to Frederick Co. Maryland, where he obtained 3 parcels of land near the town of Taneytown. It was there that Michael later met and wooed his bride Catherine Mohler, daughter of Jacob Mohler (son of Johann Heinrich Mohler)a german immigrant, who also lived in the Taneytown area. Michael and Catherine's 1st son John was born in Oct 1787. By the turn of the century 5 more children were born. In 1793, Michael's father George Lutz wrote his will in Frederick Co. namesing his 4 children. The will was witnessed by Jacob and Solomon Mohler. He died shortly thereafter.
No land record have been found for Michael Lutz in Frederick Co. MD. Most likely he was a tenant farmer or owned land that was given to him by his father, but unrecorded. In the Frederick Co. MD. 1800 Census Michael Lutes was named as head of household with his wife, 3sons and 3 daughters (several children born later).
In 1814 Michael and Catherine moved west to Perry Co. OHIO with all their children other than their son John D. Lutz and t heir daughter Catherine who had recently married John Sower, son of William. Son John D. Lutz married Louisa Leas in MD, and would later follow his parents.
Although Michael Lutz was named on the 1820 Somerset, Perry, OH Census, he did not purchase land until 1824 when a deed was recorded showing his acquisition of 56 acres of land near Somerset. Living nearby was Catherine's brother Solomon Mohler.
Meanwhile back in Fredrick, MD. Michael and Catherine Lutz's daughter Catherine Lutz Sower died in 1823, and her husband John died in 1826, leaving 4 yound orphan daughters. Catherine and Margaret (aka Rebecca) were then sent to be raised by their elder maternal grandparents in Perry Co. OH.
By 1825 all the daughters of Michael and Catherine Lutz had married. In 1839 Michael "Junior" (son of Michael and Catherine), who remained a bachelor all his life, bought the family farm from his mother and father for $1000, most likely with the stipulation that his parents could continue to live with him in the homestead. Father Michael died in 1843 and is buried in Somerset at the Evangelical Lutheran cemetery near his son George, who had died 3 yrs earlier. After the death of father Michael, son Michael assumed the title "Senior". Later his nephew Michael, (son of David Lutz), would be referred to in record as Michael JR.
In 1851 Cathrine Mohler Lutz died and was buried beside her son and husband.
In 1857, Michael Lutz "Jr." son of David, married his 1st cousin Rebecca (aka Margaret) Sowers, who was several yrs his senior. This union of first cousins would provide the blame for the ill health of many of their future descendants. They continues to live with their Uncle Michael. Later that year, their daughter Mary Catherine was born, and in 1860 a son John Albert was born. Prior to his death in 1874, Uncle Michael Lutz made a will leaving the family homestead to his nephew and niece Michael and Margaret Sower Lutz. a legacy was also left to niece Catherine Sower Griffin.
In April 1876, Michael and Mararet (aka rebecca) Lutz, deeded the homestead to their daughter and son Mary Catherine Lutz and John Albert Lutz. The Lutz family farm remained in the family until sometime in the 1950's when it was sold.


Taken from Perry Co. Ohio Pioneers