The Pittz family of Albany, herein considered, of whom Dr. John Pittz is the head, descend from German ancestry. The grandfather of Dr. Pittz lived to be over ninety years of age, as did his father, John (1), who was born in Battledorf, Germany, in a Rhine province, in 1782. John Pittz, Sr., was a proficient musician, and served in the army of Napoleon the Great, followed that great commander in his disastrous invasion of Russia, and was one of the few who saw the burning of Moscow and lived to return to their homes. He was pensioned for his military service and lived many years to tell of that great campaign. He was a man much loved in his village and sought after for his musical attainments and general good qualities. He died in 1871, in his native province. He married Weyler Dreis, born in the same house in which she was married. Her father was also a soldier of the Napoleonic wars, and held an office under the government. Children:
- Nicholas, born July 17, 1841, yet a resident of the German town of his birth; he served in the German army; two of his sons are soldiers in the German army, and served in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71.
- Jacob, for many years a police guard under the local government, died in 1889, leaving a daughter Catherine. The eldest child, Marguerite, married ———— Heunie, also a soldier in the war of 1870-71.
- Dr. John, see forward.
Nicholas and Dr. John Pittz are the only surviving members of the family (1910).
(II) Dr. John Pittz, son of John (1) Pittz, was born July 16, 1844. He was educated in the public schools. He was but a boy when an epidemic of fever carried off hundreds of the residents of his province, among them many of his own relatives. The boy seems to have been born with an aptitude for treating diseases. He gave water to the sick, although this was strictly forbidden by the physicians. He did it out of pure sympathy, and observing that in every case they seemed to experience relief he gave them cool water in abundance and his four cases all recovered. When the war between Prussia and Austria was being waged he was drawn and assigned to hospital duty. Although without medical knowledge his natural aptitude made him a valuable assistant, and he gained valuable experience. He decided to adopt medicine for his profession. In August, 1869, he left home and came to the United States, landing from the steamship "America" in New York, after a passage of eleven days. He proceeded to Albany, where he soon afterwards began the study of medicine under Dr. Albert Van Derveer, and in 1872 was granted a diploma and state license to practice. He is a very successful physician and has a large practice all over the city. His success in fever cases is marked, few being lost. He is identified with the medical societies, and with the local German singing society, Cecilia and Harmonica. He is a trustee of the German Veteran Association, and a prominent and popular member of German life and society.
He married (first) Theresa Whitemier, who died soon after her marriage. He married (second), in 1878, Louise Heisler, born in Albany, August 1, 1859, of German parentage. Her father, Martin Heisler, born November 11, 1820, died in 1906. His wife, Mary (Smith) Heisler, died in 1878. Children of Dr. John and Louise (Heisler) Pittz:
- John, accidentally drowned in the Hudson river, at the age of fourteen years.
- Anthony, born September 5, 1881, with a wholesale fruit house of Albany; married Elizabeth Hughes; daughter,
- Louise, born December, 1908.
- Joseph, born May 15, 1884; painter; unmarried.
- Louise, married Jacob Decker.
- Edward, born June 29, 1892.