Edward A. Balz

Edward Andrew Balz (1871–1944) was an employed by the local offices of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. He was a member of the 1912-1914 Charlottesville City Council.

Civic membership

Balz was a member of the City Fire Department and of Charlottesville Lodge No. 389, Benevolent and Protective order of the Elks. He was a member of the Board of Alderman. Balz was a Lutheran and a Democrat.

Personal

Balz was born on September 14, 1871 in Charlottesville, the son of Henry J. and Mary Hartman Balz. He married Margaret Lee Fretwell in 1907, she died on December 14, 1918 (aged 39–40) in Washington DC. Balz later married Elizabeth “Queen” Walker (April 19, 1901 – October 19, 1978).

Edward’s father, Henry J. emigrated from Germany on February 25, 1940 at the age of seventeen. At the outbreak of the war he gave his services to the Confederacy. He saw service at Fort Sumter and later was in the Army of Northern Virginia. After the war, Henry returned to Charlottesville, where, on April 7th, 1870 he married Mary Hartman. He remained in Charlottesville until his death, which occurred on October 25, 1902. Henry was instrumental in organizing the Monticello Guard, and was for many years Second Warden of the Volunteer Fire Department.

Balz died in Charlottesville on May 8, 1944 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. He was survived a daughter, Margaret Hartman Balz Sprung (1923–1989) and a brother, Dr. Albert G. A. Balz.