Colonel Nicholas Lotz (Lutz)
(Feb. 20, 1740 - Nov. 31, 1807)

Nicholas Lotz, who was born Feb. 20, 1740, in the Palatinate, Germany. He emigrated to Pennsylvania when still a young man, first settling in the western section of the county of Berks. Some time previous to the breaking out of hostilities in the Revolution, he located at Wyomissing creek, where he became the owner of two miles at its mouth, a princely possession, and he conducted it very successfully.

When the struggle for independence demanded his services, he was prominently identified with the patriotic movement at Reading. In January, 1775, he was selected chairman of the standing committee. He served as delegate to the Provincial Conference in June, 1776, and upon his return home he took an active part in the enlistment of men. He himself was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and took part in the campaign of the "Flying Camp" at New York, where he was engaged in the battle of Long Island and taken prisoner. He was admitted to parole within certain bounds on April 16, 1777, and exchanged on Sept. 10, 1779. He showed great interest in militia matters, being at the head of the battalion in the central section of the county from 1775 through a period of many years. In 1780 he was appointed commissioner of Forage, and as such purchased supplies for the army until the close of the war. The executive council addressed him as colonel, and recognized him as holding such rank. Col. Lotz represented Berks county in the General Assembly from 1784 to 1786, and again from 1790 to 1794, and he filled the office of associate judge of the county from 1795 to 1806. Gov. Thomas Mifflin gave him the appointment, not only because of his belief that he was the best man for the exalted position, but also because of the deep friendship which existed between them. While President Washington was a t Reading on his way to Carlisle, in 1794, Col. Lotz commanded the imposing parade which honored the presence of the distinguished visitor. The review took place in Penn square, and the President was stationed on the second story of the "Federal Inn" (now the site of the Farmers Bank building). Col. Lotz was a tall, finely proportioned man, over six feet in height, and weighing about 300 pounds, and upon that occasion, he attracted marked attention not only on account of his commanding presence, but also because of his military, political, and social prominence. Col. Lotz died at Reading Nov. 28, 1807, and his remains were interred in t he graveyard of the Reformed church, but later they were removed to the Charles Evans cemetery. Eight children survived Col. Lotz: Philip, Nicholas, Jacob, John, Henry, Michael, William and Rosa (m. to John Yeager).

From:
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