Michael KETZER

Franz KETZER and his family sailed from the Port of Marseilles, France onthe ship LUCIFER. The ship Captain was J. HALLMANN, and the ship arrivedon July 8, 1852. Franz KETZER was 43 years old. He had no occupationlisted. His wife, Anna, was 44 years old. Their son Michel, was 11years old. A woman, Caroline, age 59, was also with the family. Iassume she was the mother of Franz. The country of origin for the entirefamily was listed as Germany. The "Purpose of Travel" was "Staying inthe USA". The "Mode of Travel" was "Steerage".

Michael and Mary KETZER lived in Feura Bush, NY and ran a Livery Stable.His family was said to have come from the Moesel River area (possiblynear the Rhein), in Germany. The name KETZER means "Heretic" in German,and it is possible that the family may have been tossed out of Germanydue to their revolutionary nature. All of the KETZERS were known as"Black Germans" because of their black hair and dark eyes, as opposed tothe blonde hair, blued eyed Germans.

Michael KETZER signed his Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizenon October 27, 1858. His Declaration said he renounced allegiance andfidelity to the King of Prussia. This document is located at the AlbanyHall of Records, in Book 15, Page 223 of Alien Declarations of Intent.

Michael KETZER was Naturalized on October 27, 1860. Michael was 21 yearsold. He sailed from Antwerp, Belgium and his intended settlement wasCoeymans, NY. This document is located at the Albany Hall of Records, inBook 22, Page 321 of Naturalizations.

The 1860 Coeymans, NY Federal Census said Michael KETSER was 21 years oldand employed as a Blacksmith. He was reportedly born in Prussia.

The August 3, 1870 Bethlehem, NY Census said Michael KETSER was 30 yearsold. He was born in Prussia and reported as a Citizen.

The February 16, 1892 Albany, NY State Census (1st Ward, 3rd ED, Page 8,Lines 16-23) said Mickle KETZER was 53 years old. He was a U.S. citizen,and worked as a Blacksmith and was born in Germany. Wife mary was 49years old and born in Germany. Daughter Lena was 26 years old and bornin the U.S. Son Martin J. was 23 years old and occupied as a Barber.Daughter Katie A. was 21 years old. Son Adam was 18 years old andoccupied as a Blacksmith. Daughter Josephine was 13 years old. DaughterFanny was 8 years old. The family lived at 76 Elizabeth Street.

The 1905 Albany, NY State Census said Michael KETZER was 65 years old.He was a Blacksmith. This census also said Michael was in the UnitedStates for 45 years, which would put his immigration at about 1860. Alsolisted in this census was Michael's wife, Mary and their three daughtersLena, Josephine and Frances.

During his lifetime, Michael KETZER was involved in several Real Estatetransactions. Michael was identified in both the "Grantee" and "GrantorBooks" regarding these property deals, although his surname was writtenslightly different. His wife Mary was also referred to as "Anna M." inone of these transactions as well. Grantee Book transactions recordedwere as follows:

Grantee: Michael KETSER, wife Mary

Grantor: William DEHSOY, wife Catharine

Date: May 1, 1867

Recorded: September 5, 1867

Book: 210

Page: 290

Note: W. 1/2 of Lot 3, W. side Teunis St. to E. side Stephen St; also LotE. side Stephen St, 47 ft. from S.E. corner Van Vechten and Stephen Sts.

Grantee: Michael KETSER, wife Mary

Grantor: Bridget MARTIN, et al

Date: February 15, 1868

Recorded: March 14, 1868

Book: 213

Page: 486

Note: Part of Lot 4, W. side South Pearl St.

Grantee: Michael KETSER, wife Mary

Grantor: Mary LANGUISH, wife of William, et al

Date: February 15, 1868

Recorded: March 14, 1868

Book: 213

Page: 486

Note: Lot W. side South Pearl St.; part of Lot 4, S. side South Pearl St.

Grantee: Michael KETSER, wife Mary

Grantor: Eliza A. MOORE, husband Josephus S.

Date: February 28, 1872

Recorded: June 22, 1872

Book: 253

Page: 420

Note: 63 - 100 acre, on Albany and Greene Turnpike, Bethlehem.

The Grantor Book had this record:

Grantor: Michael KETSER, wife Anna M.

Grantor: William DESOEY, wife Catharine

Date: February 11, 1874

Recorded: February 28, 1874

Book: 270

Page: 422

Note: 63 - 100 acre, on Albany and Green Turnpike Rd, and at N.E. cornerWm. SCHOONMAKER's land, Bethlehem.

The obituary of Michael KETZER was in the Friday, November 19 andSaturday, November 20, 1909 Times Union Newspapers. It said:

"KETZER - Nov. 19, 1909, Michael KETZER. Relatives and friends of thefamily and the Holy Name Society of the Holy Cross Church arerespectfully invited to attend his funeral Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clockat his late residence, 5 Whitehall Street, thence to the Holy CrossChurch."

Michael KETZER is buried with his wife in the KETZER family plot at OurLady Help of Christians cemetery. The KETZER plot is situated right nextto the Leonard YAKEL family plot.

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