J. J. Utz.
One of the oldest and yet most up to
date manufactures in the confines of
Charlottesville is the carriage and
wagon factory conducted by Mr. J. J.
Utz of 247 West Main Street. The
buildings cover some 4550 square feet.
[ILLUSTRATION]
This is used for a ware room and finishing
and trimming departments.
Adjoining this is a large yard used as a
repository for finished material. The
blacksmith, iron working, and wood
working departments are located in the
rear. Mr. Utz manufactures, buggies,
carriages and wagons of every description
and enjoys a trade which extends
over this section. Mr. Utz also does
repair work of every variety and
makes a speciality of this. The business
was established in 1866 by Wingfield
& Utz, both of whom were
thorough mechanics. Mr. Utz was
born in Rappahannock County and
lived there until 1861, when he enlisted
in the "Culpeper Minute Men"
which became Company "B," Thirteenth
Virginia regiment. At the
reorganization of the Confederate
troops during the second year of
hostilities, he entered Company "A,"
Seventh Virginia Cavalry which
formed a portion of General Ashby's
brigade. August 2, 1862, during a
cavalry charge at Orange Courthouse
he received two severe saber gashes in
the head. So severe were these wounds
that he was incapacitated from further
active field duties and was detailed to
artificial limb service his duties being
to measure and cut the limbs and for
this he received the munificent salary
of $100 per week. In 1866 he established
his present business under the
firm name of Wingfield & Utz. For
thirty years this partnership continued
when Mr. Wingfield withdrew
and Mr. Utz has since conducted the
enterprise himself. He has many
relies of the days that "tried mens
souls." Among them being his company
papers and other memorandum.
He is prominent in fraternal circles
being a member of Charlottesville
Lodge of Masons, No. 55, Keystone
Chapter No. 58 and Charlottesville
Commandery No. 3.
