PORTAGE COUNTY OHIO ****************************************************************************** File contributed to the Ohio Biographies Project by: Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net 17 November 2000 ****************************************************************************** Copyright Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net November 200 MICHAEL BLETZER, manufacturer, P.O. Suffiend, born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, September 1, 1833, son of Philip Peter Bletzer, who died in 1853. The same year his widow, accompanied by her family, emigrated to America, landing in this county May 5. Our subject at once located in Randolph Township, this county, where he established a blacksmith shop in "Johnny Cake Hollow." On June 4, 1855, he was married to Miss Albertine Helwig, by whom he had thirteen children, four of whom survive: George Henry, Eva Harriet, Philip Hartmann and Emanuel Emil. On the night of March 26, 1867, the family residence was burned to the ground, and five of the children perished in the flames. After eleven years' residence in Randolph, our subject removed to Suffield Township, where he established a wagon and blacksmith shop, and where he is known as a skillful mechanic. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church. Our subject's mother is residing with him, and is eighty-two years of age. Mr. Bletzer has been a sound Democrat all the days of his life, and has never voted any other ticket.