LOUIS EMIL BALZ.  For many years Mr. Balz continued an active, prominent figure in the business circles of the Capital City, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him during his busy and highly useful lifetime.
     Mr. Balz was born in Kirchheim, Wuertenberg, Germany, on Aug. 25, 1843, his parents being Christian and Christina (Schaefer) Balz, whose family consisted of five members of whom one son and two daughters now survive.
     Louis Emil Balz was educated in the public schools of Germany, and at the age of 21 emigrated to the United States, landing at New York, from whence he proceeded to Philadelphia, and, successively, to Fort Wayne and Milwaukee, following the tanning trade, which he had learned in Germany.  In 1865 he came to Columbus, where he secured employment in the tannery of Louis Buchsieb, on Front street, and he remained there until 1866.  His health failing he resigned, and engaged with Reed, Jones & Co., wholesale dealers in shoes, as salesman, and remained with them until 1867, and then worked for various concerns up to 1873, when, with a partner, he organized the firm of Schreiner & Balz, retail shoe merchants, on South High street.  About 1883 Mr. Henry Schreiner sold out his interest to Peter Ambos, and the firm changed to Balz & Ambros, the co-partnership lasting about five years, when Mr. Ambros sold out his interest to Charles Gerhold when the firm title became Balz & Gerhold.  In June, 1895, Mr. Balz sold out to Mr. John Zuber, and in September of the same year his death occurred from tuberculosis of the sinews.  His burial took place from the homestead, No. 903 South High street, where he had lived from 1865, and where his widow and children still reside.  Mr. Balz was a member of the Masonic Order, the Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and four many years he was an active member of the Columbus Maennerchor, the oldest German male chorus in the United States, and was in every respect a highly esteemed citizen.
     On October 15 ,1871, Mr. Balz was married to Miss Louise Buchsieb, who was a teacher in the public schools for six years prior to her marriage, and a family of five children resulted from the union, three sons and two daughters, their names being as follows:  Miss Louise C., Christian F., Miss Emilie, Ernst and Emil.  The latter is attending public school.  Christian F. and Ernst are students in the Ohio State University.  Emilie is a teacher in the third grade in the Stewart Avenue School, while Miss Louise C. Balz, has been a teacher in the public schools of Columbus for nine years, her position being in the first grade, in the Third Street school.
Source:  Franklin County at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century - Compiled and Published by the Historical Publishing Co., Columbus, Ohio - Page 336

Source:  Franklin County at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century - Compiled and Published by the Historical Publishing Co., Columbus, Ohio - Page 446