Jacob Wertz, 1815-1888, and Mary Hoffman had four known daughters and three sons. The photo now on the opening page of this website is of these three sons (left to right): John A. Wertz, born 1848; George Munson Wertz, 1856-1928; and Jacob Marion Wertz, born 1859.
Thank you to Dave Wertz and his cousin Marilyn Wertz Hawthorne for sharing this photo. Jacob M. Wertz is their great grandfather.
George M. Wertz, 1856-1928, married in 1881 to Louisa Glitch. George held a number of elective offices in Cambria County, PA, including State Senator and US Congressman. His biography is in the "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress" at http://bioguide.congress.gov
Jacob M. Wertz married to Lena Glitch. Dave Wertz of Alamogordo, New Mexico (dwertz@phelpsdodge.com) , is now working on updating our records of their descendants.
John Wertz, born 19 Feb. 1848, married Susan Strayer, and their family (all born PA) is recorded on the 1880 Census of Stony Creek, Cambria Co., PA; page 181B: "John Wertz, age 32; wife Susan, age 31; daughter Mary Alice Wertz, age 7; daughter Martha Wertz, age 6; son Alvin Wertz, age 5; daughter Elizabeth Jane Wertz, age 3; son George B. Wertz, age 1; and son Harry Elmore Wertz, age 2 months."
Also recorded on the 1880 Census of Stony Creek, Cambria County, PA; page 180D; also all born PA: "Jacob Wertz, age 64, farmer; wife Mary, age 62; son George M. Wertz, age 23, teaching school; son Jacob Merian Wertz, age 21, works in rolling mill; grandson Anderson Wertz, age 17, farms; servant Nancy Peterson, age 39; and school children George M. Harshbarger, age 18; and Harry Hildbran, age 6."
Who are the parents of this Anderson Wertz, born about 1863, listed as a grandson of Jacob and Mary Wertz? Anderson is too old to be a son of John, George, or Jacob Wertz. Was he a son of one of the daughters, perhaps born out of wedlock, who retained his mother's maiden surname?
Or could he be a son of a son who perhaps died early?
The biographical sketch of this Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz family in the "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, PA" states that Jacob and Mary Hoffman Wertz had 13 children born to them, six of whom were still living in 1896. We have the names and dates of seven of their children. Who were the other six??
Anyone with additional information on this family, please write us at
Choppin.Carolyn@usa.net
