BIO: Samuel ERTEL, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  SAMUEL ERTEL. The history of this gentleman, who is one of the 
leading farmers of Gregg township, Centre county, is a forcible 
illustration of the exercise of perseverance and resolution under the 
pressure of financial difficulties as well as amid the sunshine of 
prosperity. His ample possessions comprise 460 acres, and his homestead 
with its appurtenances forms one of the most attractive features of the 
landscape.
  Mr. Ertel was born December 27, 1837, near Penn Hall, in the township 
which is still his home, and comes of a family that has long been 
identified with the interests of Centre county, his grandfather being a 
resident of Brush Valley at an early day, where he engaged in farming. 
There the father, Philip Ertel, was born in November, 1796, and at 
Aaronsburg he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for many 
years in Gregg township in connection with his farming operations. His 
tannery was located on his farm, and there he did an extensive 
business. He was a strong and robust man who started out in life empty-
handed; but by perseverance and industry became one of the substantial 
citizens of the community, where he was widely and favorably known. His 
political support was also given the men and measures of the Democratic 
party, and in religious belief he was a Lutheran. 
  Philip Ertel was joined in wedlock with Catharine Bartges, who was 
born in November, 1799, a daughter of William Bartges. Six children 
blessed their union: David, who died in Green Briar, Penn township, 
Centre county; Daniel, a resident of Marshall county, Iowa; Elizabeth, 
wife of A. G. Burrell, of Gregg township; Samuel, of this sketch; Adam, 
of Gregg township; and Caroline, wife of George Gentzel, of the same 
township. The mother was called to her final rest in 1846, and the 
father in June, 1875. His remains were interred in Green Grove 
cemetery, while the mother was buried in the Heckman cemetery.
  Samuel Ertel began his education in the Cross Roads school under the 
instruction of John Mayer, and for several years built the fires in the 
school house for the different teachers for $1.50 per winter. He saved 
the wages thus earned until he had $9, with which sum he purchased his 
first watch - a long-cherished possession. Upon the home farm he was 
reared to manhood, and continued under the parental roof until his 
marriage, in Aaronsburg, May 1, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Minich, the 
ceremony being performed by Rev. Joseph Welker. She was born in Penn 
township, November 16, 1835, a daughter of Daniel and Lydia (nee Kuhns) 
Minich, and received very limited school privileges, her parents being 
poor. From the age of fifteen years until her marriage she was employed 
as a domestic. By her marriage she has become the mother of two 
children: Amanda C., born December 25, 1859, is the wife of John W. 
Gobble, of George's Valley, Centre county; and Ida C., born September 
19, 1868, is the wife of Seward C. Becker, of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Ertel took his bride to the home farm in Gregg township, which he 
operated until 1881, and then removed to his present place, known as 
the "Hettinger farm," in George's Valley, Gregg township, which he had 
purchased the year previous. During the twenty-two years he lived upon 
his father's farm he had often worked along into the night, and, saving 
his money, was able to buy his own farm without going into debt for any 
of the amount. It comprises 125 acres of excellent land, which he has 
transformed into richly cultivated fields, and in addition to this he 
owns other tracts, aggregating 460 acres, all the result of his 
untiring labor, energy and good management. In securing his comfortable 
fortune he has been ably assisted by his excellent wife, who has indeed 
been a true mate to him, and they now expect to spend their declining 
years in ease and retirement and enjoy the fruits of their former toil. 
They are active and con-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  431

sistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as both 
deacon and elder for a number of years. Fraternally he affiliates with 
the Grange, No. 158, at Spring Mills, and in politics is an ardent 
Democrat.