COL. SAMUEL FOLTZ, one of the most popular and honored citizens of New Philadelphia, has been for years financially interested in various large coal companies, and is also the owner of large landed estates. He is a native of the Keystone State, his birth having occurred in Lancaster County, December 3, 1822.

The Colonel's paternal grandfather was born in Germany, but came to the United States with his brother while he was still a youth. He soon took up his residence in Lancaster, while his brother made his home in New York State. By occupation he was a farmer, as was also his son, Henry, the Colonel's father. Henry Foltz, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in his political faith was a Democrat. About 1832 he removed to Ohio, settling in Wayne County. His death occurred when he had reached his seventy-eighth year, and he was placed to rest at Dalton. In religious views he was a Dunkard. His wife, Sarah, nee Michael, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., and of Scotch parentage. She died at Dalton at the age of seventy-seven years, having survived her husband scarcely two years. Her parents passed their entire lives in Pennsylvania, and they too were identified with the Dunkards. Seven children were born to Henry and Sarah Foltz, namely: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Daniel Groff, and whose death occurred in York County, Pa.; John, who died in Putnam County, Ohio; Henry,

Until he was fourteen years of age Samuel Foltz attended the public schools in the neighborhood of his home. He then started out into the world to try his fortunes. For a time he clerked for his brother Henry, who was then conducting a store at Dalton. For the first year the lad received $3 a month, and the next year his wages were increased to $4 per month. Later he was given an interest in the business, and at that time his industrious and persevering qualities laid the foundation of his future success. The brothers dealt considerably in horses about that time, and our subject made frequent trips to eastern markets, where he sold such animals as he had purchased in this state. It was during this period that he became acquainted with James Buchanan and several members of the Cameron family. In 1850 he embarked in the hardware business with his brother; he also carried on a dry-goods department, and did a milling business.

In 1856 our subject went to Cleveland, and engaged in business there. Four years previously he, in company with his brother and others, started to build a railway from Grafton to Wheeling. This was known as the Wheeling, Medina & Tuscarawas Valley Railroad. In those days money was very scarce, and the enterprise was finally given up. About 1861 Mr. Foltz became interested in the coal business, and continued in this field of work until he retired from business. In all his business ventures he was associated with his brother up to the time of the latter's death, which occurred in 1887, at Massillon. The well known Daniel P. Rhoads was also interested with him in his Massillon business. The companies with which our subject was connected were the Buckeye Coal and Coke Company, the Fulton Coal Company and the Willow Bank Coal Company. He also owned and operated the Walton Ridge Mines in Warwick Township, this county. In the early