Henry Hotze & Sons 1862 - 1962

by Bent Hotze

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This is the story of a saddlery company started by a German immigrant that existed for a hundred years through good times and lean times, and through four generations of Hotze's.

The founder was Henry Hotze (Heinrich in his native town of Leser on der Weser (river) near Hanover, Germany). One of his jobs as a young man was to herd geese down the lanes in the vicinity of his home. At age 18 he was to be inducted and do the goosestep in the Kaiser's army. His prospects at home were not good, as he was the son born of a second marriage. He did, however, have four step sisters (Nee Manze) by his mothers first marriage, living in America; three in Philadelphia, and one in New York city. They had evidently married well. The New York family was named Krane and  one of the Philadelphia sisters married last name was Fleck, (Who later on became a wealthy owner of a plumbing business).

Henry went to Philadelphia and through his sisters became an apprentice in a saddlery factory. Saddler's apprenticeships were for four years. They received their board and lodging, and at the end of their apprenticeship, received a sum of money.

The life of an apprentice was not easy. They carried water, hides, and other supplies to where it was used, and stored inbound supplies; particularly hides, which were stacked carefully on skids. The hard part was learning the saddlers trade as the saddlers hid their work from him. Saddlers wore a knee length apron of canvas that was used for a lot of purposes - polishing finished edges on straps after dyeing, working tallow into leather, and, it protected their clothing.

After completing his apprenticeship (The final test was to make a saddle under the critical eye of the boss). Young Henry, age 22, married Katherine Kaeb, age 18, daughter of a Philadelphia brewer. She was born in Bielefield, near Herman's Denkmal, was a babe in the arms when the family emigrated to the U.S.A.. She learned Philadelphia cooking, and was one of the best. As I, her grandson found out when I left home.