Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
George M. Bitzer Records
00160
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biographical Note
- Scope and Contents note
- Arrangement
- Administrative Information
- Controlled Access Headings
- Collection Inventory
- Farm Income Tax Records
- Journals
- Diaries
- Miscellaneous
- Receipts
- Estate Records
- Lutheran Bund Records
- Oversized Materials
- Postcards
- Photographs
- Electronic Resources
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Bitzer, George M.
- Title
- George M. Bitzer records
- ID
- 00160
- Date [inclusive]
- 1905-1967
- Extent
- 5.5 Cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Language of Materials
- Some materials are in German.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."
Biographical Note
George M. Bitzer was raised in Unionville, Michigan. He attended school in Unionville and graduated from the eight grade. When his father promised him land in exchange for his labor, he decided to leave school and return to the family farm. After a few years, he was given seventy acres of land on French Road in Unionville. In addition to this land, George and his brother, Herman, acquired eighty acres of land on Forestville Road (also in Unionville) which they farmed together until Herman's death in 1953. After his brother's death, George continued to own both parcels of land, renting part of it to other farmers.
Bitzer raised a variety of crops, including wheat and beans, in addition to producing milk and eggs. His largest cash crop was sugar beets which he produced for the Michigan Sugar Company. He also worked for hourly wages in the company's plant in Sebewaing for several years. Bitzer farmed actively until he was over seventy years of age, at which time he began to sharecrop his land.
Scope and Contents note
The collection is divided into eleven series:
FARM INCOME TAX RECORDS. 1942-1966. This series contains accounting information for federal income taxes and farm business analyses.
JOURNALS. 1948-1965. This series contains journals consisting of income and expense accounts with some subsidiary ledgers.
DIARIES. 1931-1979. This series contains mainly diaries of George Bitzer and one diary of Tula Bitzer.
MISCELLANEOUS. 1921-1968. This series contains various items such as correspondence, federal income tax forms, Michigan Sugar Company Contracts, Road Maps, Farmer's Bulletins, Worker's Compensation Forms plus many others.
RECEIPTS. 1942-1967. This series contains insurance, investment and property tax receipts.
ESTATE RECORDS. 1868-1953. This series contains estate records between George Bitzer and Hermann and Martha Bizter.
LUTHERAN BUND RECORDS. 1917-1938, undated. This series contains records of the Lutheran Bund of Michigan which was a fraternal beneficiary association organization. The organization would provide aide to its members in the event of illness or death. These records contain the constitution of the Bund, annual reports, memos, meeting minutes, and death notices and payment slips.
OVERSIZED MATERIALS. 1905-1961. This series contains records a Tuscola County (Mich.) road map, confirmation certificate, and marriage certificate.
POSTCARDS.
PHOTOGRAPHS.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES. This series includes digitized photographs, scans of hand written documents, and digital text documents about the Bitzer family.
Arrangement
Arranged into eleven series.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections December 1985
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
Added electronic resource CW October 2014
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Gift of Carol Gregory Wright.
Gift of Eileen Trott.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Detroit Edison Company.
- Jamesway.
- Lutheran Bund of Michigan.
- Michigan Cooperative Bean Marketing Association.
- Michigan Farm Bureau.
- Michigan Sugar Company.
- United States. Department of Agriculture.
Genre(s)
- Annual reports
- Contracts
- Diaries
- Ledgers (account books)
- Letters (correspondence)
- Photographs
- Postcards
- Tax returns
Geographic Name(s)
- New York (State) -- Maps
- Ontario
- Unionville (Mich.)
Personal Name(s)
- Bitzer, George M.
- Bitzer, Herman
- Bitzer, Martha
- Trott, Eileen
- Wright, Carol Gregory
Subject(s)
- Agricultural prices
- Agriculture
- Farm life
- Lutheran Church
Collection Inventory
Farm Income Tax Records 1942 - 1966Scope and Contents noteThis series contains various items such as correspondence, federal income tax forms, Michigan Sugar Company Contracts, Road Maps, Farmer's Bulletins, Worker's Compensation Forms plus many others. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1942 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
1943 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
1944 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
1945 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
1946 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
1947 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
1949 |
1 | 7 | ||
|
1950 |
1 | 8 | ||
|
1951 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
1952 |
1 | 10 | ||
|
1953 |
1 | 11 | ||
|
1954 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
1955 |
1 | 13 | ||
|
1956 |
1 | 14 | ||
|
1957 |
1 | 15 | ||
|
1958 |
1 | 16 | ||
|
1959 |
1 | 17 | ||
|
1960 |
1 | 18 | ||
|
1961 |
1 | 19 | ||
|
1962 |
1 | 20 | ||
|
1963 |
1 | 21 | ||
|
1964 |
1 | 22 | ||
|
1965 |
1 | 23 | ||
|
1966 |
1 | 24 | ||
|
1967 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
1968-1969 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
1970-1971 |
2 | 3 | ||
|
1972-1974 |
2 | 4 | ||
|
1973-1974 |
4 | 29 | ||
|
Farmer's Tax Guides (Federal) 1965-1971 |
2 | 5 | ||
|
|
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Journals 1948-1965Scope and Contents noteThis series contains journals consisting of income and expense accounts with some subsidiary ledgers. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1948, 1949 |
1 | 25 | ||
|
1951 |
1 | 26 | ||
|
1953 - 1954 |
1 | 27 | ||
|
1955 |
1 | 28 | ||
|
1956 |
1 | 29 | ||
|
1957 |
1 | 30 | ||
|
1958 |
1 | 31 | ||
|
1959 |
1 | 32 | ||
|
1960 |
1 | 33 | ||
|
1961 |
1 | 34 | ||
|
1962-1963 |
3 | 1 | ||
|
1964-1965 |
3 | 2 | ||
|
1966-1967 |
3 | 3 | ||
|
1968-1969 |
3 | 4 | ||
|
1970-1971 |
3 | 5 | ||
|
1972-1973 |
3 | 6 | ||
|
|
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Diaries 1950-1960, 1967, 1968, 1979 |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1920 |
4 | 23 | ||
| Box | ||||
|
1950-1954 |
3 | |||
|
1955-1956 |
3 | |||
|
1957-1960 |
3 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1962 |
4 | 24 | ||
|
1965 |
4 | 25 | ||
|
1966 |
4 | 26 | ||
| Box | ||||
|
1967 |
3 | |||
|
1968 |
3 | |||
|
1971 |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1973 |
4 | 28 | ||
| Box | ||||
|
1979 |
3 | |||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Bitzer, Tula 1931 |
6 | 4 | ||
|
|
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Miscellaneous 1921 - 1968Scope and Contents noteThis series contains accounting information for federal income taxes and farm business analyses. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Advertising. Miscellaneous Companies Undated |
2 | 7 | ||
|
Aerial Photos of Bitzer Farms (C-32 - C-34) April 30, 1965 |
2 | 8 | ||
|
Agricultural Stabilitzation and Conservation Service Information 1967-1968 |
2 | 9 | ||
|
Appointment Books 1946, 1950-1952 |
2 | 10 | ||
|
Bang Test Reports 1946, 1953, Undated |
2 | 11 | ||
|
Bean Allotment (USDA) 1950 |
2 | 12 | ||
|
Consecutive Order Book Undated |
2 | 13 | ||
|
Constitution of the United State of America Undated |
2 | 14 | ||
|
Contracts. Miscellaneous 1956, 1957, 1963, 1972, undated |
2 | 15 | ||
|
Correspondence. Financial 1952, 1954, 1957 |
2 | 16 | ||
|
Detroit Edison Stockholders Report 1951 |
2 | 17 | ||
|
Drain Notices 1954, undated |
2 | 18 | ||
|
Equpiment - Operating Manuals undated |
2 | 19 | ||
|
Financial Reports for Columbia Township 1948-1951 |
2 | 20 | ||
|
Finanical Statements - Columbia Township Community Chest 1949-1950 |
2 | 21 | ||
|
Identification Cards 1956-1960, 1976, 1977, 1981 |
2 | 22 | ||
|
Inventories (Misc.) 1944, 1959 |
2 | 23 | ||
|
Federal Income Tax Forms 1952, 1958, 1965 |
2 | 6 | ||
|
James Way Dairy Barn Catalog 1921 |
2 | 24 | ||
|
Livestock Reports 1945, 1951 - 1953 |
2 | 25 | ||
|
Lutheran Dartball League Information 1950, undated |
2 | 26 | ||
|
Lutheran Fraternities of America (LFA) Reports 1951-1952 |
2 | 27 | ||
|
Membership Lists 1952 |
2 | 28 | ||
|
Michigan Cooperative Bean Marketing Association. Correspondence 1955 - 1956, 1958 - 1962 |
2 | 29 | ||
|
Michigan District Stewardship Committee Report 1950 |
2 | 30 | ||
|
Michigan Farm Bureau Information 1950, Undated |
2 | 31 | ||
|
Michigan Sugar Company. Sugar Beets Contracts |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1950-1960 |
2 | 32 | ||
|
1961-1970 |
2 | 33 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Newspaper Articles. Walker, Winnifred Undated |
2 | 34 | ||
|
Notebooks - Farm Bureau Group/Aid Association for Lutherans 1950, undated |
2 | 35 | ||
|
Notebooks undated |
2 | 36 | ||
|
Oil and Gas Leases 1949 - 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956 |
2 | 37 | ||
|
Photographs 1959, 1963, undated |
2 | 38 | ||
|
Publications - Misc. 1949-1951 |
2 | 39 | ||
|
Road Maps. Ontario & New York 1949, Undated |
2 | 40 | ||
|
St. Paul's Congregation (Unionville, MI) Reports 1949-1952 |
2 | 41 | ||
|
Sugar Beet Information for Farmers 1958-1960, undated |
2 | 42 | ||
|
Tile Installation Record 1957 |
2 | 43 | ||
|
U.S. Department of Agriculture |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Farmer's Bulletin 1915-1923 |
2 | 44 | ||
|
Programs 1949-1954, 1962, 1966 |
2 | 45 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Wallet, Notes ca. 1945 |
2 | 42 | ||
|
Wheat Allotments (USDA) 1955-1965 |
2 | 47 | ||
|
Workmen's Compensation Claims 1954-1955 |
2 | 48 | ||
|
Account Book 1931-1932 |
4 | 17 | ||
|
Ration Book undated |
4 | 18 | ||
|
Farm Bureau 1952, undated |
4 | 19 | ||
|
Arthur Maurer Farm Plot undated |
4 | 20 | ||
|
Akron Membership Roster 1950 |
4 | 21 | ||
|
Photo Legend 1919-1920 |
4 | 22 | ||
|
Land Leases 1961-1981 |
3 | 8 | ||
|
Correspondence from Elsie Bitzer 1960-1961 |
6 | 1 | ||
|
Correspondence from Oscar Bitzer 1918-1919 |
6 | 2 | ||
|
Correspondence regarding Oscar Bitzer 1917-1921 |
6 | 3 | ||
|
Dearborn Foundry Company Book 1903 |
6 | 5 | ||
|
Delano Granite Works, Inc. Certificates 1961 |
6 | 6 | ||
|
Hood, Arthur J. Documents 1914 and 1929 |
6 | 7 | ||
|
Michigan Road Map August 15, 1923 |
6 | 8 | ||
|
Miscellaneous papers regarding George Bitzer 1918-1960, undated |
6 | 9 | ||
|
Greeting Cards |
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|
Membership Cards |
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|
Announcements and Memorials 1915-1973 |
6 | 10 | ||
|
Newspaper Clippings 1951, 1965, 1970, undated |
6 | 11 | ||
|
Newspaper Clippings Scrapbook |
6 | 12 | ||
|
Probate Documents involving Tula Seidenstucker June 30, 1992 |
6 | 13 | ||
|
Probate Documents involving Elsie Bitzer and Hermann Bitzer 1948, 1953 |
6 | 14 | ||
|
School Grades for Amanda Stohl 1905-1906 |
6 | 15 | ||
|
School Grades for George Bitzer 1902-1903 |
6 | 16 | ||
|
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Receipts 1942 - 1967Scope and Contents noteThis series contains insurance, investment and property tax receipts. |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Insurance 1948-1953 |
2 | 49 | ||
|
Investments 1942, 1951 |
2 | 50 | ||
|
Receipt Book 1947-1951 |
2 | 51 | ||
|
Property Taxes 1914-1973 |
3 | 7 | ||
|
|
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Estate Records 1868-1953 |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Herman Bitzer Estate 1953 |
2 | 52 | ||
|
Martha Bitzer Estate |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1868-1906 |
2 | 53 | ||
|
1920-1953 |
2 | 54 | ||
|
|
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Lutheran Bund Records 1917-1938 |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
History of the Lutheran Bund (German) undated |
4 | 1 | ||
|
Constitution of the Lutheran Bund 1931 |
4 | 2 | ||
|
Constitution and By-Laws (English and German) 1917, 1919, 1921 |
4 | 3 | ||
|
Annual and Quarterly Reports 1923-1929, 1935 |
4 | 4 | ||
|
Monthly Reports 1924-1938, undated |
4 | 5 | ||
|
Correspondence 1924-1925, undated |
4 | 6 | ||
|
Memos |
4 | 7 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
1927-1931 |
4 | 7 | ||
|
1932-1937, undated |
4 | 8 | ||
|
List of Members Expelled or Withdrew from the Bund 1924-1930, undated |
4 | 9 | ||
|
Death Notices and Pay Slips |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1924-1928 |
4 | 10 | ||
|
1929-1934 |
4 | 11 | ||
|
1935-1938 |
4 | 12 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Application Forms 1924-1928, 1934 |
4 | 13 | ||
|
Pay Slips 1924, undated |
4 | 14 | ||
|
Blank Death Notice Slips undated |
4 | 15 | ||
|
Meeting Minutes Book |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1924-1925 |
4 | 16 | ||
| Box | ||||
|
1925-1938 |
5 | |||
|
|
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Oversized Materials |
Drawer 3 |
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| Drawer | Folder | |||
|
Tuscola County (Mich.) Road Map 1961 |
3 | 1 | ||
|
Confirmation Certificate of Amanda Stoll April 16, 1905 |
3 | 2 | ||
|
Marriage Certificate of Oskar Bitzer and Marie Stoll May 7, 1914 |
3 | 2 | ||
|
|
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Postcards |
Drawer Postcards |
|||
|
Canada. Ontario. London. The Amouries |
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|
Canada. Ontario. London. Springbank Park |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Postcard Album Photos, undated |
6 | 17 | ||
|
Postcard Album Loose Photos undated |
6 | 18 | ||
|
Postcard Album. Miscellaneous Photos. undated |
6 | 19 | ||
|
|
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Photographs |
||||
|
Buildings |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Bitzer House undated |
6 | 20 | ||
|
St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1976 and undated |
6 | 21 | ||
|
Trailer 1969, 1978, undated |
6 | 22 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Confirmation undated |
6 | 23 | ||
|
Families |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Bitzer Family undated |
6 | 24 | ||
|
Engelhard Family ca. 1925 and undated |
6 | 25 | ||
|
Irrer and Stoll Families undated |
6 | 26 | ||
|
Leppel Family 1917, undated |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
Schoeller Family undated |
6 | 28 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Miscellaneous undated |
6 | 29 | ||
|
Negatives undated |
6 | 30 | ||
|
People |
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| Box | Folder | |||
|
1950, 1971, and undated |
6 | 31 | ||
|
Bitzer, Amanda Stoll and her sisters 1955 and undated |
6 | 32 | ||
|
Bitzer, George and Tractors 1945 and undated |
6 | 33 | ||
|
Bitzer, Oscar undated |
6 | 34 | ||
|
Bitzer, Tula 1921 and undated |
6 | 35 | ||
|
Duclos, Mabel undated |
6 | 36 | ||
|
Hampe, Otto 1908 |
6 | 37 | ||
|
Holzworth, Helen undated |
6 | 38 | ||
|
Russell Children undated |
6 | 39 | ||
|
Schulz, John 1962 and undated |
6 | 40 | ||
|
Trott, Frank and Eileen undated |
6 | 41 | ||
|
Werth, Carl and Elsie 1960 and 1998 |
6 | 42 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Play undated |
6 | 43 | ||
|
Scences. Farms. 1920, 1958, 1959, undated |
6 | 44 | ||
|
Scences. Midland Dow Gardens undated |
6 | 45 | ||
|
Travels |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Bitzer, Amanda and her sisters undated |
6 | 46 | ||
|
Bitzer and Menzel Families 1958 |
6 | 47 | ||
|
Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota 1967 and undated |
6 | 48 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Tintypes undated |
6 | 49 | ||
|
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Electronic Resources |
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| Object | ||||
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Family Photographs, Notes on Family History and Church Activities circa 1888 - circa 1973 |
A.2014.0126-0976 | |||
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