BIO: Amos C. Wertz, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER XLVII.

                             HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

484  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  AMOS C. WERTZ, fence builder, P. O. Good Hope, is a native of this 
county, born in Monroe Township in 1840.  His father, Samuel Wertz, 
still lives, aged eighty years.  His mother, nee Elizabeth Fry, died 
six years ago.  Both parents were natives of York County, Penn.  The 
father of Samuel Wertz was a native of Baltimore, Md., and died in York 
County, Penn., when Samuel was but six years old.  Samuel learned the 
trade of shoe-making, and, notwithstanding his advanced age, still 
carries it on in Silver Spring Township, his son Adam doing the more 
active part of the work.  Amos C. Wertz, when eleven years old, hired 
out on a farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Ohio, 
where he stayed four years, and from there enlisted, in 1862, in the 
Ninety-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Six weeks later he was 
captured and sent to the Confederate prison at Versailles, Ky., where 
he was soon paroled, and, after experiencing many hardships, made his 
way to Columbus, Ohio.  He soon re-enlisted in the general mounted 
service of the Regular Army, and his record is a brilliant one.  In 
August, 1865, he received his discharge (as sergeant), and on the back 
of it the officer mustering him out has put a list of the battles and 
skirmishes in which our subject took part, numbering thirty-five.  This 
splendid record is one to which he can point with just pride.  He 
received several wounds, but fortunately has not been permanently 
disabled, although he will always feel their effects.  In 1869 Mr. 
Wertz was married to Rebecca, daughter of William Miller, of Hampden 
Township, this county; they have no children.  Mr. Wertz has been 
school director and secretary of the board for four years, auditor six 
years and collector two years.  In every position to which he has been 
chosen he has faithfully discharged its duties.  An intelligent and 
upright man, a brave soldier and a good citizen, he has always born 
himself with honor, and has acquired the respect of all who know him.