Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Wertz, George F.     
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


GEORGE F. WERTZ, of Cumberland Valley township, Pa., a 
veteran of the Civil War, was born April 6, 1829, in Bedford 
County, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Sarah M. (Abraham) 
Wertz.
  His paternal grandfather, Paul Wertz, was born in Germany. 
 He emigrated to this country when young, and became a 
pioneer settler of Bedford County.  The family to which he 
belonged were active in public affairs; and his nephew, 
Henry Wertz, Jr., a son of Henry Wertz, Sr., was a 
Representative to the State legislature.
  Henry Wertz, the father of George F., was born and brought 
up in Cumberland Valley township, and here spent his mature 
life, dying on his homestead, May 26, 1872, at an advanced 
age.  He was well known throughout the county, having been 
actively identified with the Democratic party as one of its 
most efficient supporters.  He served a number of years as 
Road Supervisor and for several terms as Township Collector. 
 His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah M. Abraham, was born 
in England, but lived in Bedford County from the age of ten 
years until her death, having come to America with her 
parents when a girl.  Of her children the following survive: 
John, a resident of Bedford, Pa.; George F., the subject of 
this brief sketch; Tolliver, a physician in Evansville, 
Ind.; and Paul, who resides in Richmond, Mo.
  George F. Wertz began to make himself useful on the 
parental farm while yet a boy, helping in the lighter kinds 
of labor required in its management.  Before he was old 
enough to do much hard work he attended the district schools 
regularly, and for some time afterward he went whenever he 
could be spared from the fields.  Continuing to follow the 
occupation to which he was bred, he has spent his time and 
energies to good purpose, his farm being finely kept and 
well-improved in every respect.  In 1864, Mr. Wertz 
responded to his country's call for troops by enlisting in 
Company F, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 
which was assigned to the Fifth Corps of the Army of the 
Potomac.  He participated in the siege of Petersburg, and 
was at Appomattox Court House on the memorable 9th of April, 
1865, which witnessed the surrender of General Lee.  
Discharged from the service soon after the close of the war, 
he immediately returned home, arriving here July 9, 1865.
  On June 2, 1863, Mr. Wertz married Hannah Smith, who was 
born in Cumberland Valley township, a daughter of the late 
William Smith.  Their only child is a daughter, Frances V. 
Wertz.  Mr. Wertz is a Democrat in politics.  He has never 
been an aspirant for official honors, although he rendered 
acceptable service for three years as School Director of the 
township.


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