[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 591]]

   WILLIAM N. BALTZ, MEMBER OF CONGRESS, 22ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT-
                                ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2000

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the memory of a former colleague, the Honorable William 
N. Baltz, D-Millstadt, who represented the 22nd Congressional District 
of Illinois from March 4, 1913 to March 3, 1915.
  The Baltz family came originally from Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. 
Early records indicate that most members of their family were engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. One was a blacksmith, while another served as 
the Mayor of Gross Bierbrau. Johann II and his wife Maria along with 
their seven children departed Bremen, Germany on June 3, 1834 and 
arrived in Baltimore on August 25. One son disappeared in Philadelphia 
on their trek westward. Johann and his family traveled by wagon and 
boat down the Ohio River valley to St. Louis and in December of that 
year they settled in Sugar Loaf Township, just west of Millstadt, 
Illinois, where that home still stands. Five children were born there 
and their legacy continues today.
  The descendants of Maria and Johann are numerous. The Baltz family 
served as farmers, teachers, storekeepers, postmaster, lawyers, 
bankers, physicians, millers, dentists, engineers, scientists, writers, 
church, school and also civic leaders. Among the most prominent of 
these descendants was William Nicolas Baltz, a farmer and staunch 
democrat. He was born in Millstadt, Illinois on February 5, 1860 and 
attended the public schools in Millstadt. In addition to farming, he 
engaged in milling and banking, helping to establish the First National 
Bank of Millstadt. He served as the President of the Millstadt Board of 
Education from 1892-1917 and also served on the St. Clair County Board 
of Supervisors from 1897 to 1913. He was the County Board's Presiding 
Officer from 1908 to 1911.
  William was elected to the 64th United States Congress on March 4, 
1913 and represented the Illinois 22nd Congressional district in 
Woodrow Wilson's first administration up to March 3, 1915. Referred to 
as ``Honest Bill'' by his constituents, Congressman Baltz played as the 
catcher for the annual House vs. Senate baseball game, I might add, 
without a glove. In the 1914 game, William hit a three bagger off the 
wall of Griffith stadium in Washington and that year the Democrats beat 
the Republicans. William's father, Phillip, was also an appointee of 
President Andrew Johnson serving as the Postmaster of Millstadt. 
William and a brother G.F. (Gus) married two Diesel sisters, Katherine 
and Otillia. Gus, also a lover of baseball, graduated from ISNU in 1900 
and captained that year's baseball team as a center fielder.
  William and his brothers, Richard G. and Fred L., also founded the 
Millstadt Milling Company in 1893. It was purchased by Golden Dipt 
Corp. in 1957. The brothers organized the First National Bank of 
Millstadt in 1903 and it's chief operating officials are still in the 
Baltz family.
  William was unsuccessful in his re-election efforts to the Congress 
and soon thereafter served along with his brother Fred as the Mayors of 
Millstadt. William resumed his agricultural and business pursuits for 
the rest of his life until he passed away on August 22, 1943. He lies 
at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt, IL.
  As the century ended and the new millennium begins, the work of 
William N. Baltz and the entire Baltz family stands as a testament to 
the courage and determination of our immigrant past. Their selfless 
efforts at continuing to support the community both in the last century 
and this century reminds us of our Nation's heritage and the symbol of 
what makes America the greatest nation on Earth.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the service 
and memory of U.S. Congressman William N. Baltz.

                          ____________________