[p. 384] In recalling the
prominent citizens of New Castle who have
passed off the scene of life, the late Samuel
Foltz commands attention, both for the
sterling qualities of the man and for the
useful and honorable activities of his life.
Samuel Foltz was born at Butler, Pa., in
1826, and died October 22, 1878. His parents
were Nobert and Elizabeth (Riddle)
Foltz.
Nobert Foltz, father of Samuel, born at Kirchstadt, Germany, in 1774, came to America in young manhood, was married in 1819, and died in 1869, at his home in Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he was accounted one of the section's largest capitalists. He married Eliza Riddle, and they had seven children, namely: Mary, Eleanor, James, Madison, Samuel, John Adams, Francis Marion, Julia and Horatio Nelson. Two of the above, Francis Marion and James Madison Foltz, enlisted at Leavenworth, Kan., when President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers, and they were in the service as members of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.
Samuel Foltz was given the best educational advantages his native place afforded, and when he decided to make the practice of law his business in life, he prepared for his examinations under the tutorship of Charles C. Sullivan, a leading attorney at that time, and from Mr. Sullivan's office was admitted to the bar. Mr. Foltz proved an able lawyer, but he did not confine his activities to the practice of law. When opportunity offered, he became interested in industrial and financial enterprises, with which he remained honorably connected for many years. In association with his father-in-law, William Stewart, he owned and operated the Margaret and the Will Roy and Winfield furnaces, located in Butler and Lawrence counties, and until the close of his life was identified with the manufacture of iron. In 1873, he went into the banking business, establishing at that time the private bank of Foltz & Sons, and in 1874 he accepted the presidency of the First National Bank of New Castle and remained at the head of this institution until his death, which was accidentally caused by a runaway horse.
Samuel Foltz was united in marriage with Amanda G. Stewart. She is a daughter of William and Margaret (Sullivan) Stewart. William Stewart was born on the site of the present city of Pittsburg, in 1802, and died at New Castle, in 1888, From the beginning of his career, Mr. Stewart was prominently identified with the iron interests of Pennsylvania, owning and operating for many years furnaces in different sections. He was one of the directors of the First National Bank, of New Castle, and vice president at the time of his death. In his early political life he was a Whig, but later became an ardent Republican. He was prothonotary of Butler County for seven years, and during the incumbency of John Gilmore, in the office of State treasurer, really performed all the duties, as Mr. Gilmore was an invalid. Mr. Stewart served in the State Legislature as a representative from the district which included Mercer, Butler and Lawrence Counties. For a period of forty years he was also an ordained local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Margaret Sullivan, who was a daughter of Charles Craven and Susannah (Johnson) Sullivan. Charles Craven Sullivan was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was with General Washington at Valley Forge. It was there that he met the modest Quakeress who subsequently became his wife. On a mission of mercy, she, with her sister, had gone to the camp of the starving patriot soldiers with baskets of food. After the close of his military service, Charles C. Sullivan sought her and married her. She was consistent in her religious belief, always wore the Quaker garb, and, by her request, was dressed in it at her burial.
The mother of Mrs. Foltz was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, at Noblestown, in 1797, and died May 20, 1884. She was an admirable woman, one who was respected and beloved to the close of her life. The children of William and Margaret Stewart were: Elizabeth, Mrs. Mary McKee, Mrs. Samuel Foltz, Mrs. Melissa P. McKee and Charles William, the last mentioned of whom died aged two and one-half years.
To Samuel Foltz and wife were born the following children: William Stewart, Leroy Sullivan, Mrs. Margaret Stewart Brown, Samuel, Richard, Duroc and Mary Amanda. Three of the above family, Leroy Sullivan, Duroc, and Mary Amanda, are deceased. Prior to the death of their father, William S. and Leroy Sullivan Foltz had been associated with him in his banking enterprises, and carried on the Foltz Bank until 1883, when it was consolidated with the First National Bank. Upon the death of Samuel Foltz, William S. Foltz was elected president of the First National Bank and Leroy S. Foltz, cashier. Since the death of the latter, in 1902, Samuel Foltz, Jr., has been cashier. Possibly the sons have inherited a measure of their business capacity from their late father, at any rate they are numbered with the leading financiers of this section, and are prominent members of the community. The mother survives, and resides, with her eldest son, at her residence No. 122 West Grant Avenue. The home of Samuel Foltz Jr., is at No. 107 East Wallace Avenue.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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