Obituary from the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, Wednesday, December 23, 1931, page 1&2:
  Henry P. Hotz, president of Hotz Lumber Co. for years and mayor of Edwardsville for fourteen years during early administrations when the municipal affairs were completely revised, died at Riverside Hospital at Jacksonville, Fla., at 5 o'clock this morning. Word of the death was received in a telegram to his son, Wilfred H. Hotz. Death was due to heart trouble with which he had suffered for two years.
  His wife, Mrs. Ottilia Hotz, died here on August 4 after a stroke. Death of Mrs. Hotz caused a relapse in her husband's condition but he had recovered sufficiently during November to make his customary trip to Florida to spend the winter.
  Two years ago specialists at Mayo Brothers Hospital at Rochester, Minn., diagnosed his ailment as due to goiter. He underwent an operation and showed some improvements at intervals since that time.
  The body is being brought back to Edwardsville by two daughters who accompanied him south. The party is expected in Edwardsville sometime Christmas Day. Services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church probably Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.
  Mr. Hotz was born at Grantfork on August 1, 1867 and was in his 65th year. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. George Hotz. His father was elected Sheriff of Madison County in November, 1882 and the official office caused the family to locate in Edwardsville on Thanksgiving Day that year. Sheriff Hotz and his brother, County Clerk Joseph Hotz, drove to Edwardsville to make plans to take over the office.
  During 1883 George Hotz became interested in the lumber firm of Hotz & Knoebel. Henry P. Hotz was 18 years old when he was placed in charge of the lumber yard, a business which he headed for nearly 50 years.
  On February 4, 1891 Mr. Hotz was married to Miss Ottilia Degenfelder. Five children were born to the union, one preceding the parents in death. Those who survive are Mrs. Coleta Werner, Mrs. H.E. Bartlett, Miss Alouise Hotz and Wilfred H. Hotz, all of Edwardsville.
  Mr. Hotz was a man who probably traveled more extensively than any other resident of Edwardsville. He had visited every state in the United States excepting Maine. He made two trips to Europe visiting many places of interest in his extended visits. Numerous trips through the south in visits to Florida were made in the past ten years.
  His first election as Mayor occurred in April, 1903 and he served continuously for five terms until 1913. Then he was out of office for four years. In 1917 friends prevailed upon him to run again and he served four years.
  Shortly after his election he launched a program of city changes that met with early opposition but later received general approval. Old porches at the front of business establishments were ordered torn down through ordinances he urged. Systems of sidewalks, sewers and streets were urged by him and districts organized. The early plans were disapproved by some. Later political opponents became his supporters.
  Establishment of Carnegie Library and of the city park and planting of trees to beautify it, establishment of new Wabash yards and location of the overhead bridge to replace the old Alton Road Crossing were some of the city affairs in which he was interested.
  Building of the McKinley System and the Alton, Granite City & St. Louis Traction Company through Edwardsville were changes here that required much attention. He also had an active part in changes at the Fire Department putting it on a basis with paid men and horses instead of depending upon a volunteer organization.
  For many years he was interested in banking circles. He was one of the organizers of the Madison County State Bank on May, 1897 and remained with the Bank of Edwardsville when a consolidation took place. Later he was an organizer of Citizen's State & Trust Bank and served as president for a time. For a time...[a part of the obituary is unreadable here]...He was interested in Center Grove Park, a place where horse races and baseball games provided entertainment. He owned two or three fast trotting race horses in former years. In early life he was a musician and member of an old Edwardsville band. He was active in organization of the Madison County Country Club ten years ago.