Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Wertz, John J. 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


JOHN J. WERTZ, a well-to-do farmer and highly respected 
citizen of Cumberland Valley township, is a representative 
of the self-made men of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where 
he has resided since his birth, March 7, 1829.  He is a son 
of the late John Wertz, who was a lifelong resident of 
Cumberland Valley township, and whose father, Paul Wertz, 
was one of the earliest settlers of this place.
  John Wertz assisted his father in the pioneer labor of 
clearing a farm from the wilderness, and after reaching 
man's estate he made farming his principal occupation.  A 
loyal and faithful citizen, he served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812.  Of his union with Elizabeth Williams nine 
children were born, as follows: Henry; William; Rachel; 
Banner; Catherine; Mary; Josiah; John J., the subject of 
this sketch; and Rebecca.
  John J. Wertz obtained his education in the subscription 
schools of his day, whose curriculum consisted of reading, 
writing, and arithmetic, or the "three R's"; and under his 
father's instruction he received a good industrial training. 
 By persevering industry and a wise economy he accumulated 
sufficient money to buy land when a young man; and he now 
owns a farm of three hundred acres, a part of which is under 
cultivation.  He has been a tireless worker throughout his 
long period of activity, and did much of the pioneer labor 
of clearing his land with his own hands.  Having been always 
dependent upon his own resources, Mr. Wertz has practically 
made his own way to his present position among the respected 
citizens of the community.  He is a Democrat in politics; 
and, though taking a keen interest in the progress and 
development of this section of Bedford County, he has 
persistently declined to accept the nomination for local 
office.  He, however, served for eight years as Postmaster 
at Patience.  He is a Lutheran in his religious belief, and 
belongs to the church of that denomination.
  Mr. Wertz married on December 28, 1854, Mary E., daughter 
of the late Samuel Boor, of Cumberland Valley township.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Wertz have had eight children, as follows, namely: 
Samuel N.; James, deceased; Clara, wife of Joseph Schafer, 
of Fostoria, Ohio; Emma C., wife of Samuel Cessna, of 
Toledo, Ohio; Harry E.; John A. N.; Mary, wife of Jesse 
Growden, of Cumberland Valley township; and Fannie E., who 
married Ward Growden, of Rush, Md.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa