Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Wertz, William C. ************************************************ 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 WILLIAM C. WERTZ, a prosperous farmer and a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Cumberland Valley, Pa., was born in this township, April 14, 1814, a son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Wertz, both lifelong residents of this section of Bedford County. His paternal grandfather, whose given name was Paul, was born in Germany. Emigrating when a comparatively young man, Paul Wertz became one of the early settlers of Cumberland Valley. He at once identified himself with the best interests of his adopted country, in every way proving himself a loyal and faithful citizen. In the War of 1812 he served as a soldier on the Niagara frontier, his regiment being stationed at Black Rock, just below Buffalo. William C. Wertz was brought up as a farmer's boy, receiving his early education in the pioneer schools of his day. On coming of age he began life's battle on his own account by putting into practice the knowledge of agriculture that he had obtained while living beneath the parental roof-tree; and in course of time he transformed the wild land on which he commenced work into a valuable farm, on which he has since resided. The one hundred and fifty acres of land contained in his estate is finely improved, a large part of it being in a good state of cultivation. Throughout his active years Mr. Wertz labored with unremitting toil, and, as a result, met with a deserved success; but more recently he has left the management of his property to his son, Scott A. Wertz. In his political affiliations he is a sound Democrat, and for two terms rendered his district good service as Road Supervisor. He is a member of the Lutheran church, to which his family also belongs. On November 3, 1839, Mr. Wertz married Elizabeth Boor, a daughter of Michael Boor, the descendant of a pioneer settler of Cumberland Valley township. They have reared six children, as follows: Mary J., wife of John A. Beegle; Melvina; Scott A.; Amanda E., wife of M. B. Smith; Ann C., wife of W. E. Oster; and Rachel E. Scott A. Wertz, the only son, was born July 6, 1845, on the home farm, which he is now conducting in a thorough and skilful manner, employing the most approved modern methods and machinery. Nor is this all: he gives a part of his attention to the cultivation of about thirty-eight acres of his own. Energetic, practical, and possessing much business ability he takes a deep interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the town, which he has served one term as Assessor. He is an active member of the Lutheran church, of which he has been the treasurer and is at the present time a Deacon. Of his union with Rachel Smith, a daughter of William Smith, late of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, one son has been born; namely, William W. Wertz. Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa