Lois Rich has been doing some detective work in the records of Holt County, Nebraska recently, and located the following records and photos:
From the History of Holt County: "Alexander Wertz came to Holt County in 1881 and his wife Althea followed in 1882. They had a homestead and a sod house. They had 9 children. Emmet was the oldest, and never married. He was Treasurer of School District #49 for 54 years. He was noted for his herd of Black Angus Cattle. He was still living in 1973 and still doing some writing. In 1885 A. R. Wertz took the census of Willowdale Township. Al Wertz was a carpenter John Wertz was a brother to Alexander, and homesteaded near Alexander and built a sod house. He called his place Willowdale. He taught the first school in his sod house and the school became known as Willowdale. The postoffice had trouble keeping postmasters and had 20 different ones in 94 years. John Wertz was postmaster from 1892 to 1896 and again from 1900 to 1908.
The Stuart Ledger, a live paper, bright, and vigorous and one of the best in Holt County was established in 1883. Sometime in 1886 J.W. Wertz became the editor and continued in this capacity until 1896. During Mr. Wertz's ownership, the Ledger was listed as a "red hot Republican journal" and he added Brown County to his list of best interests. He sold the paper in 1896."
In an effort to learn the parentage of this John W. Wertz and his brother Alexander, we would like to locate any other records on their family like the 1900 or later census records.
The Social Security Death Index records show "Emmett Wertz, born 10 Sept. 1886, died January 1973 in Holt County, Nebraska."
Who were the other eight children of Alexander and Althea Wertz? Were they still living in Holt County, Nebraska in 1900? 1910? 1920? Is his brother John W. Wertz also listed in those census records? Where were these two brothers born? Who were their parents? Did they have any other siblings?
There are at least six OTHER John Wertz's who lived in Nebraska. They are:
John Wertz, 1827-1864, married Catherine Pickens, 1832-1922, parents of John Pickens Wertz, 1858-1940 of Gering, Nebraska. (See Wertz News. #34, page 3)
John Wertz, born about 1823, Ohio, died near Schuyler, Colfax Co., Nebraska; son of John Wertz and Delilah Yount. (See Wertz News. #34, page 4)
Listed in the 1880 Census of Nebraska:
John R. Wirts, born about 1845, Iowa; living in Boone County, Nebraska with wife Joann, and three step children.
John Wertz, born about 1860, Ohio; in Burt County, Nebraska; living with the Kessler family.
John Wertz, born about 1838, Ohio; living in Colfax County, Nebraska with wife Nancie and five children. (He is probably a son of Henry and Hesteran Wertz; and a grandson of John Wertz and Delilah Yount.)
John S. Werts, born about 1851, PA; living in Greeley County, Nebraska in 1880; a single farmer.
Trying to sort out these several John Wertz's and attach them to the correct ancestors is proving to be quite a challenge. Anyone who can contribute any additional records to help in this matter please write!!
