Julius L. Witz

---

Genealogy of Julius L. Witz

This genealogical account was constructed from the family information contained in the biography below. No relationships or life facts have been added from outside sources.

---

Julius L. Witz was born March 8, 1878, in Staunton, Virginia, a son of Isaac Witz and Frances Heller. Named siblings include Rose Frances Witz, wife of Cordell Hull; Lelia A. Witz, wife of W. Woodward Cook; M. Henry Witz; and Clarence I. Witz.

At Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 18, 1900, he married Irene Adams, daughter of Captain Samuel Burton Adams and Sarah Haney. Irene’s paternal grandparents were Major John D. Adams and Catherine Yeiser, and her paternal great-grandparents were Samuel Adams and Rebecca May. Julius and Irene had three daughters: Katherine Frances Witz, who married Paul Hays; Marjorie Burton Witz; and Sarah Dean Witz, who married E. Monroe Bonfoey.

Family outline

Julius L. Witz

• Father: Isaac Witz
• Mother: Frances (Heller) Witz
• Wife: Irene Adams
  • Father: Captain Samuel Burton Adams
  • Mother: Sarah (Haney) Adams
• Daughter: Katherine Frances Witz
  • Husband: Paul Hays
• Daughter: Marjorie Burton Witz
• Daughter: Sarah Dean Witz
  • Husband: E. Monroe Bonfoey

---

Source

This biography appeared in History of the Shenandoah Valley: Family and Personal Records, Volume III (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1952), pages 33-34.

---

Verbatim biography

The following is a faithful transcription of the original biography. OCR errors have been corrected against the printed page images, but the original wording, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and factual claims have not been rewritten.

---

JULIUS L. WITZ—As banker, manufacturer and civic leader, the late Julius L. Witz, of Staunton, exerted a tremendous and lasting influence upon the life of that city, in its commercial aspects and otherwise. He founded, and served as president of, two of its leading industries: the J. L. Witz Furniture Corporation, and the Basic Furniture Company. He served the municipality as mayor. He distinguished himself in the financial, political and fraternal activities of this region. The Shenandoah Valley has profited greatly by his enlightened and able leadership.

A native of Staunton, Mr. Witz was born March 8, 1878, and was a son of Isaac and Frances (Heller) Witz. Both of his parents were of Austrian birth. Isaac Witz migrated to the United States at the age of twelve years and made his home in Virginia, first at Mount Jackson, later at Staunton. In the latter city he became a merchant, and was recognized for his abilities as a business leader. He served the cause of the South during the War Between the States. The seventh born of the eight children of Isaac and Frances (Heller) Witz, Julius L. Witz was survived by two brothers and two sisters. A sister, Rose Frances, is the wife of former Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who served with distinction during the trying war-time years of the Roosevelt Administration, and whose “Memoirs” will continue to be regarded as the highest type of American political and historical writing. Another sister, Lelia A., deceased, was married to W. Woodward Cook, also of Washington, D. C. A brother, M. Henry Witz, resides in Baltimore, Maryland; and the remaining brother, Clarence I. Witz, is a resident of Mint Spring, Virginia.

After completing his preliminary education in the public schools of Staunton, Julius L. Witz entered Washington and Lee University. He later returned to Staunton, succeeding his father in the management of Fulton-Witz and Company. This firm engaged in the manufacture of overalls, and from modest beginnings grew to be a leading industrial plant of the Shenandoah Valley. A co-founder and leader in the management of this firm, Julius L. Witz had much to do with its development into a foremost overall factory of the South. The plant was subsequently acquired and operated by the Staunton Manufacturing Company.

In addition to this overall manufacturing plant, which represented one of Staunton’s first large manufacturing interests, Mr. Witz later turned his attention to the management and development of the first plant of the Basic Furniture Company at Waynesboro, Virginia. Of this organization he became president. Like his previous enterprise, the furniture concern expanded under his competent direction, and in 1920 a second plant, which had formerly been the Putnam Organ Factory, was acquired at Staunton, Virginia, and converted into Plant No. 2. The third and largest of the plants of the Basic Furniture Company was built in 1925-1926; and the business, which had continued to grow, was reorganized at this time. This newest plant achieved independent identity as the J. L. Witz Furniture Corporation, and was indeed, as it has been called, “the brain-child of Julius L. Witz.” It had the capacity of the two former plants, and before the depression of the early 1930s, these companies were considered the largest exclusive manufacturers of dining room furniture. During those difficult years, however, it was necessary to diversify the output, adaptability being necessary to survival. It entered into the production of bedroom furniture as well. Mr. Witz expanded the Basic Furniture Company, and became its president, as well as the president of the J. L. Witz Furniture Corporation of Staunton. These factories became recognized as the largest of their kind in the Shenandoah Valley.

It was not surprising that a man of Mr. Witz’s proven practical abilities should be sought out in connection with other industrial enterprises, and banking organizations. He succeeded his father as a partner of the White Star and Augusta Roller Mills; and became vice-president of the Augusta National Bank. He was also president and director of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel Corporation.

Mr. Witz was a Democrat in his politics, and maintained a lifelong interest in his party and in public affairs. He was elected mayor of Staunton for two successive terms, but resigned during his second term in 1927. Prior to that time he had been an active member of the City Council of Staunton. One of his major interests was education, and he enjoyed assisting many young men through college, always extending these evidences of generosity in a quiet and unostentatious way. Mr. Witz was a director of the Virginia Public Service Company. He was affiliated with the Staunton Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was an active member of the Staunton Rotary Club, and held memberships in the Beverly Club and other clubs. He was a communicant of the Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church.

Finding his favorite recreation in healthful outdoor activity, Mr. Witz greatly enjoyed the hours spent at his home, “Merrifield,” located as it is in rural terrain. He had there many fine thoroughbreds, which he sold as yearlings at the annual sales at Saratoga, New York, center of one of the greatest gatherings of the racing fraternity. In this activity, he was associated with Willis Sharpe Kilmer, noted Virginia live stock breeder, who bred such notables of the turf as “Sun Beau,” champion money winner of all time, “Exterminator,” noted racer, and many others.

At Little Rock, Arkansas, April 18, 1900, Julius L. Witz married Irene Adams, daughter of Captain Samuel Burton and Sarah (Haney) Adams. Captain Adams was a member of a pioneer Arkansas family and was himself a native of Little Rock. He was the son of Major John D. and Catherine (Yeiser) Adams, she being a native of Danville, Kentucky. Major John D. Adams was a son of Samuel and Rebecca (May) Adams, he being the third governor of Arkansas. Captain Samuel Burton Adams was one of a company of cadets of the Virginia Military Institute who fought in the famous battle of Newmarket, Virginia, during the War Between the States. Mrs. Witz is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Augusta Garden Club, and the Episcopal Church. The following children were born to Julius L. and Irene (Adams) Witz: 1. Katherine Frances, educated at the Mary Baldwin Seminary and at Gunston Hall, Washington, D. C. She married Paul Hays of Waco, Texas, and they became the parents of two children: i. Paul Neil Hays, born April 2, 1936. ii. Marjorie Bowden, born April 22, 1938. Katherine Frances Adams (Witz) Hays died in 1945. 2. Marjorie Burton, who died in 1922, at the age of seventeen years, while a student at Mary Baldwin Seminary. 3. Sarah Dean, who received her education at Stuart Hall and at Gunston Junior College. She married E. Monroe Bonfoey, of Quincy, Illinois. They are the parents of two children: i. Katherine Adams, born April 29, 1939. ii. Edward Monroe, Jr., born March 22, 1941.

Mr. Witz died on August 4, 1936, in Staunton. His death was the occasion of deep regret, both in the circles of his business colleagues, and among the rank and file of those fellow citizens who had looked to him for leadership. The following editorial paragraphs from the Staunton “News-Leader” of August 5, 1936, summarize as well as words can do his place in the life of his community and in the esteem of its citizens:

In the death of Julius L. Witz, this community suffered a loss that will be felt personally by a large portion of its population, and civically by all who were capable of evaluating his service to Staunton and Augusta. Mr. Witz has served his generation with unusual ability, contributing in large measure to the economic well-being of this city and county….

As president of the City Council and mayor, he gave sound direction and definite purpose to the municipal government, his service in which should be a challenge to other leading men who fail to give of their time and talent to community matters.

Mr. Witz was unfailingly courteous and kindly. He befriended innumerable persons, and aided many worthy causes. He was beloved by his intimates and generally esteemed by those with whom he came in contact. His plants were free of labor troubles, because he treated labor fairly and well. His guiding hand and wise counsel will be greatly missed by those associated with him in many interests, and the community will sadly miss his service and his personality.

---