ABRAHM KLOTZ, a prominent merchant and planter of Assumption parish, was born in Alsace, France, April 17, 1836, a son of Solomon Klotz, who was also born in Alsace and died in his native land. Abraham Klotz received his education in Alsace, both in German and French, attending school until he was thirteen years of age, but in 1854 he started for the United States to seek his fortune, and landed in Louisiana on January 1, 1855, making the voyage to this country on a sailing vessel. He immediately went to Plaquemine, where he had relatives living, but until 1857 the most of his time was spent in Iberville. He then came to Assumption parish, and until 1861 peddled goods in the vicinity of Bayou Lafourche, and from that place to Lockport. Upon the opening of the Civil war he joined the confederate army, enlisted in the Donaldsonville artillery, and remained in the service until the cessation of hostilities in 1865. He was in many battles, among which may be mentioned Yorktown, Williamsburg, the engagements around Richmond, Cold Harbor, the fighting at Frazier's Farm, was with Stonewall Jackson at Yorktown again, and was with him when that noted commander was killed at Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, the engagements in the Shenandoah valley, Winchester, Leesburg, Fredericksburg, Maryland Heights (where 11,500 men were taken prisoners), Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, and was in many skirmishes with Lee's army while trying to get into Virginia. He was then stationed at Winchester, and a short time later at Fredericksburg, where his command was fighting for about four days. He was afterward at Farmerville and High Bridge, but before crossing the Potomac river was in the bloody battle of Gettysburg, although not an active participant, as his company was on the reserve force. At Williamsport he was taken prisoner, but while left in the care of Octave Landry, who was ill, he managed to make his escape, and carried back to the confederate lines some artillery which was supposed to be so damaged as to be unfit for further use. After the surrender Mr. Klotz walked from Cold Harbor to Farmville, Va., a distance of fifty-five miles in one day, then on to Danville, thence to Petersburg, being all this time in company with federal soldiers, owing to the fact that he wore a blue coat. At the last mentioned place he took a steamer for New Orleans, and for a short time thereafter clerked for a living. For two years thereafter he was engaged in buying and selling horses, and the two following years was in partnership with Gabriel Kling, after which they severed their connection, and Mr. Klotz commenced business for himself as a merchant, and now carries a fine stock of general merchandise valued at $15,000 or more. In 1881 he purchased Star plantation, and in 1884 the Klotzville plantation, the former containing 275 acres and the latter 400. He also owns some very valuable cypress land. He has a sugar-house on Star plantation, and is now putting in a new mill, which comprises some of the latest improved machinery, including a six-foot roller, thirty-two inches in diameter. He makes over 1,100,000 pounds of sugar annually. On March 4, 1868, he was married to Miss Julia Abraham, a native of Alsace, but she died in 1871, having become the mother of two daughters. In 1874 Mr. Klotz married Miss Pauline Abraham, a sister of his first wife, and two sons and three daughters are the result of this union. Mr. Klotz is a Mason and is a member of the Army of Northern Virginia and the Jewish Home of New Orleans. Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana; Chicago; The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892; transcribed by Kim Mohler »
