Elizabeth Balzer

Elizabeth Hartmann was born in St. Antonien, Ruti Village, Canton Graubünden, Switzerland. Graubünden is the largest and easternmost canton in Switzerland.

Elizabeth Hartman married Andrew Balzer. Elizabeth's sister, Barbara Hartmann married Andrew's brother, Simon Balzer. Many Hartmanns, after immigrating to America, dropped the second "n" and began spelling the name "Hartman." Andrew and Elizabeth Balzer came to Iowa sometime between 1841 and 1848. They were some of the many immigrants from Switzerland to Iowa. They came through the port of New Orleans and up the Mississippi River by barge. they then lived near the town of Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa until they bought a farm about 10 miles north of the original homestead. Andrew was engaged in farming in Keokuk County, Iowa until he died there on 8 March 1885.

Andrew married Elizabeth Hartman ca. 1838 in Switzerland. Elizabeth was born on 13 December 1809 in Germany just across the Switzerland Border. She died on 24 November 1893 in Des Moines County, Iowa and is buried in the Bethel Cemetery in Harper, Keokuk County, Iowa

From the 1860 federal census, Elizabeth Balzer lived in German Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, with her husband and children. The family at the time consisted of:

• Wife Elizabeth Balzer 52
• Head Andrew Balzer 48
• Daughter Eve Balzer 12
• Son John Balzer 5

From the 1880 federal census, Elisabeth Balzer lived in German Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, with her husband. The family at the time consisted of:

• Wife Elisabeth Balzer 70
• Head Andrew Balzer 66

In addition, the Balzer couple had a 16-year-old servant, Mary E. Goering, born in Iowa about 1864. Her father was born in Saxon and her mother was born in Switzerland. The majority of the neighbors were from Switzerland, Germany and Prussia.