Lotz family papers

The Lotz family was one of the oldest pioneer families in the Jay and Delaware County area, and family patriarchs such as Orlando Lotz, Jacob E. Lotz, Dumont Lotz, and John Lotz were prominent in local politics and government. The collection was started by Jacob E. and Keturah (Winters) Lotz of Portland, Indiana. Jacob was the son of Abraham and Nancy (Carpenter) Lotz, and served as the sheriff of Jay County. Jacob and Keturah had five children: Florence, Dumont, Minnie, Myrtle, and Markie (Florence and Markie passed away as children). Dumont earned degrees from Purdue and Indiana Universities, and served on the faculty of Indiana University before becoming the principal at DeSoto High School. He later taught chemistry at Royerton School. Dumont married Nannie (Bloss) Lotz in 1894 and had four children: Helen, Margaret, Dorothy, and John. Dumont passed away in September 1930 from an apparent suicide. Minnie taught in many schools in the Portland, Indiana area, and also spent time studying at Ridgeville College. She married Richard Bosworth in 1892 and had one son, Cecil. Myrtle attended nursing school at Chicago's Illinois Training School for Nurses and also held an Indiana teaching license.

Dumont's son John held many public office positions in Delaware County, including Hamilton Township trustee, Delaware County assessor, and bailiff of Delaware County Superior Court 4. He married Helen D. Rozelle in 1937 and had two daughters, Lynda and Nancy. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 87.

The family correspondended with many extended family members and friends across the country. Some extended family members include Cliff Crowell, Bertha Crowell, Charley Lotz, and Jeremiah Lotz.