Florian "Flory" Balzer

Florian "Flory" Balzer was a young boy on March 10,1846 when he joined his father, Andrew Balzer, and his mother, Elizabeth (Hartmann) Balzer, and relocated from Schiers, Switzerland, aboard the Sea Lion, departing La Havre, France, and arriving in New Orleans. From there, they arrived in Burlington Township, Des Moines County, in southeast Iowa near the Mississippi River, on July 14,1846. From 1846 until 1857, the family farmed in Burlington. In 1857, the family moved 40 miles south to Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, where they stayed until 1862.

Florian Balzer married Mary Ann Rosina Ostinger on 14 July 1859 in Keokuk County, Iowa.

From the 1860 federal census, Florian Balzer was a day laborer living in German Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, with his wife, mother-in-law and daughter. The family at the time consisted of:

• Head Flora Balster [Florian Balzer] 21 years old (day laborer, born in Switzerland)
• Wife Mary Balster [Balzer] 18 years old (born in Illinois)
• Lucy A Balster [Balzer] 5 months old (born in Iowa)
• Anna Ostinger 50 years old (born in Hanover, Germany)

From the 1870 federal census, Florian Balzer was a dairyman living in Knoxville, Marion County, Iowa. The value of his real estate was $350 and the value of his personal estate was $600.

• Head Florian Balzer 30
• Wife Mary Balzer 27
• Daughter Lucy A Balzer 9
• Son Andrew M Balzer 7
• Daughter Matilda Balzer 5
• Daughter Barbery E Balzer 3

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n.b. The family is split between two pages in the 1870 census. Without knowing this, one could conclude that Florian lived by himself and Mary and the children lived without Florian. When looking at both pages simultaneously, however, it's obvious that the whole family lived together in one house.

Obituary from Marion County Newspapers 1896:

Florian Balzer died at his home, 417 South East Seventh Street, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 1896, Florian Balzer, aged 56 years.
Most of the readers of THE EXPRESS will remember the subject of the above notice. Shortly after the war he located here in the dairy business afterward establishing a saloon in one room of his home, just across the lane from the city limits on the Pella Road. He did a flourishing business and made money, and some twenty years ago went to Des Moines.
Mr. Balzer was one of the best known men in East Des Moines. He was a prominent member of the A.O.U.W. He had been ill for ten years and was confined to his bed for the past three months. He leaves a wife and six children – Andrew, William, Fred, - Mrs. J. W. Christina, Mrs. W. F. Beckman and Mrs. Lucy Rockey. His mother died a year ago. He was a member of the German M. E. Church. For many years he conducted the grocery store, South East Seventh and Scott streets, under the firm name of F. Balzer & Sons.
Mr. Balzer was respected by all who knew him. He was kind hearted, honest and straightforward, and enjoyed the esteem of a very large circle of warm friends.
He was born August 27, 1839, in Switzerland. He came to America in 1846, landing in New Orleans. He then came up the Mississippi to Burlington, when he purchased a farm ten miles north of Burlington. In 1847 he removed to Keokuk County. In 1862 he removed to Washington and engaged in the mercantile business. He was a strong union man, but in deference to his wife's wishes, did not enlist in the Army. In 1868 he moved to Knoxville. In 1847 he went to Des Moines with his wife and six children and engaged in the dairy business, but later engaged in the retail grocery trade.
He was married to Mary Ostinger July 14, 1859, before he was 20 years of age. She still survives him.
The funeral was held on Thursday at 2 p. m., from the German M. E. Church, in East Des Moines.

There is some evidence found on the web to suggest that his date of birth was August 27, 1836; not 1839.