Walter Caleb Betz, GW#5

W. C. Betz is actually a man.  Walter Caleb Betz was born on 26 June 1867 in Pennsylvania, probably East Vincent Township, Chester County, to John and Harriet (Mole) Betz.  John was a farmer but gave that up to work in a paper mill.  In 1880, the family was living in Spring City.  The Royersford church began in 1889, followed by the Spring City church in 1892, which probably explains Betz’s introduction to the MBC.  In 1892, Caleb Betz is listed as an evangelist.  The following year, he is listed as a probationer, submitting himself unconditionally to the Conference.  He was then assigned to preach at Loop and Fairmount.  Loop is in Indiana County, Pa.  He was assigned there again in 1894, and Betz was in the first year reading course.  In April of 1895, Walter Caleb Betz married Anna Mary Young in Blair County, Pa.  In 1895, he continued on to the second year of the reading course.  Betz did not pass the examination for traveling preachers; instead of being assigned to a circuit, he is listed as an evangelist.  The following year, in 1896, Betz continued on to the third year of the reading course.  He and J. B. Knerr were found unsatisfactory; they acknowledged their error and promised to do better.  Betz was then assigned to Western Pa.  Before conference was adjourned, Betz resigned.  On page 15 of the 1896 yearbook, we find, “Bro. W. C. Betz having been for several years on probation as Preacher, has desired to resign as a minister and member of our church, saying that he don’t think he should ever be converted to our discipline in all things.  He said, however, that he respects the conference for not ordaining him, and believes they have done right, Therefore, Resolved, That we receive his resignation.”  Betz went on to work with his hands.  In 1900, he was living in Spring City with his widowed mother and some others of his family, working as a stone moulder.  He is listed as married five years, but his wife is not in the household.  By 1920, Betz had moved to Newark City, Licking County, Ohio, next to his brother Alfred.  Betz is working as a moulder in a stone foundry.  A Caleb McKinley Betz, son of Caleb W. Betz and Anna M. Burtnett, is found in the records of the Social Security Administration.  Walter Caleb Betz died on 13 July 1929 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio, and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery of that town.  His mother is buried there also.