Christian Waltz

Photo of Pettit & Waltz shop in Denison, Texas, latter 1800's.

Christian Waltz was born at Wittenberg, Germany, Sept. 16, 1850.  He left for New York at the age of 16, where he remained for a short time before continuing to Grand Rapids, MI.  In 1876, when Denison, TX was a mere village, Mr. Waltz arrived and entered the employ of Owen McCarthy, who operated a hardware store.  In 1883 he launched out in business which was destined to identify the name of Chris Waltz with plumbing in Texas and Oklahoma,  Mr. Waltz first opened a small sheet metal shop on North Austin Ave. at the rear of the building at 131 West Main street in partnership with Frank Pettit.  On the death of his partner, Mr. Waltz took complete charge of the business, which he later moved to a site later occupied by Dollarhide and Harris Hardware store.  His next move was to 305 W. Woodard, where he remained until 1916, when he opened the business at 201 W. Woodard.

After a few years of sheet metal work, Mr. Waltz added the plumbing business to his shop.  Next, he took over the electrical contracting work of the old Denison Power and Light Company.  He added the electrical work to his already fast growing business at the time electricity was being introduced into general use and probably wired more houses for lights than any other man in North Texas.  In his early days as a plumber he accepted contracts for work throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Having opened one of the first plumbing shops in the state, Mr. Waltz attracted a number of men who took their apprenticeship in his plant.  Heads of several leading plumbing companies of Texas learned the game from the Denison man.  His sons, Leo John and George Waltz, were associated with him in his business.  He was active until his injury to his hip in a fall from an automobile three months prior to his death.  He was an early member of the Texas Master Plumbers' Association, of which he at one time was vice-president.

On 5/20/1883 Mr. Waltz was married to Miss Frances Heger (b. 9/11/1859, d. 9/17/1938) of Denison, TX.  He was a member of the Lutheran Church and the Sons of Herman.  He was buried in Fairview cemetery in Denison.

Descendents of Christian Waltz:

BIRTH	DEATH	AGE	GIVEN NAME
10-02-1885	03-01-1967	81	Anna Lillian
01-09-1888	02-02-1950	62	Leo John
08-22-1889	07-05-1957	67	Clara Frances
10-31-1891	06-29-1924	32	Christian Jr.
11-14-1893	03-30-1990	96	Franz Hugo
09-02-1895	11-03-1955	60	Josephine
08-01-1900	10-08-1944	44	George Everett

Leo John Waltz (1888 - 1950)
 

George Waltz

Christian Waltz, Jr.
 
 

posted by
Leo Waltz
Webster, Texas