John Wertz

"JOHN WERTZ, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Gettysburg, was born on the farm where he now resides, November 7, 1819, a son of Henry and Susan (Thoman) Wertz, natives of York County, Penn. The paternal and maternal ancestors were natives of Switzerland, and early settlers of Straban Township, this county. The Wertz family first settled in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1743, where the grandfather of our subject and his three brothers enlisted in the Revolutionary war, in which struggle the last three mentioned lost their lives in defense of their country. Henry Wertz, who was a farmer, settled on the place where his son now resides, in 1810. His family consisted of six children. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He chose farming for his vocation and is the owner of 128 acres of land. He is a Democrat; is unmarried; served twelve years as school director in this township. He is a deacon in the Reformed Church, a great reader and well posted."