Pennsylvania Fraktur artists were found throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. One such artist, Francis Portzline eventually made his home in what is now Snyder County.

An article in the Public Domain Review reports that “In Pennsylvania and beyond, baptismal records, land deeds, certificates of accomplishment, bookplates, birth registries, and sometimes valentines were lettered in German-language fraktur, and decorated with the hearts, vines, and tulips that came to be characteristic of fraktur art.

Fraktur has its origins in folk art traditions from Alsace, Switzerland, and the Rhineland, but in America it became more colorful, elaborate, and freehand, and far more apt to dominate the script it sought to embellish. The genre’s golden age was the period between 1790 and 1830.” Most Fraktur contain figures such as angels, birds, flowers, and hearts in the artwork.

Charles Francis Portzline was a native of Solingen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and came to the United States in 1777. He first settled in Franklin Township, York County around 1800. There he operated a general store; its account book still exists in the hands of his descendants. He married Sabina Heiges, a member of a local family, and is believed to have been a schoolteacher at Franklin Church. Achieving American citizenship in 1804, in 1812 he sold his York County property and moved to Perry County, and moved again to some years later he moved again, to Snyder County, which would be his home until his death. His property was located along the Susquehanna River in Perry Township, which was, at the time, part of Union County. While living there he continued to farm and teach. 

As an artist Portzline is remembered today for a handful of baptismal records for children in the neighborhood, distinguished by their border designs of brightly colored animals.

Among the Fraktur’s he created, was one for his son Abraham.

Birth and Baptismal Certificate (Geburts und Taufschein) for Abraham Portzline

German to English Translation:

“To these tow married people, namely Frantz Portzline and his lawful wife Sabina, a born Heigelin, a son was born into the world, named Abraham Portzline was born into the world in the year of our Lord Jesus 1817 the 28th February at 8 o’clock in the evening, in the sign of Leo, and Mister Schmit, preacher in the Lutheran congregation, baptized and named her as mentioned above. Sponsors are Jacob Keyser and his wife. Above mentioned was born in the state of Pennsylvania, Union County, Chapman Township. I am baptized, and when I die, how can the cool grave hurt me? I know my fatherland and legacy that I will have with God in Heaven. After death, Heaven’s joy, the garment of celebration, is prepared for me. To God alone be glory.”

The Portzline family cemetery, containing the artist's grave, still exists in Perry Township. Information from the Snyder County Historical Society reports, “The land on which the Portzline cemetery is located was warranted by the Shetterlys and they were listed as living on the tract. One can surmise that this burial plot was established by its first owners as early grave markers for the Shetterly family, that still remain, pre-date any existing marker. When Francis Portzline purchased part of the Shetterly tract, this cemetery was located within the parcel. The land remained with the Portzline heirs ... The cemetery was stipulated as 'set aside,' becoming a separate parcel. The adjoining lands remained with the heirs of Portzline descendants up to 1942, when they were sold by George Washington Portzline to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The cemetery, 1/10 of an acre, was subject to 'right of ingress and regress for the purpose of maintaining and utilizing the same.' ... It is usually cleaned once a year on the Saturday following Ascension Day, by Portzline descendants." - Ruthann Hubbert, "Francis Portzline (1771-1857)," The Snyder County Historical Society Bulletin, 1982, p. 25.

Several pieces of his works are held by art museums. He was among the folk artists featured in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1932 and 1933.