OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

419

George M. Wertz, whose name heads this record, was reared a farmer boy on the old homestead, and received a liberal education; he attended the public schools of his township, and then took advantage of a course in the county normal schools, after which he entered Lebanon institute, at Lebanon, Ohio. On leaving school he returned to his home and assisted his father on the farm. In 1881 he purchased the old home farm, which has been in the family for three generations, and now resides on the original plot purchased by his grandfather.     In politics he endorses the principles of the Republican party. In 1890 he was elected school director of his township, and in 1893 was elected one of the commissioners of Cambria county, which position he fills at the present time. He is also chairman of the Republican county committee. In religious opinions he is a member of the Lutheran church at Johnstown, this county.     In 1881 he married, and his marriage union has resulted in the birth of six children, of whom five are living.     But few men are better known throughout Cambria county than Mr. Wertz. He is a fitting representative of the masses, and a man of broad and liberal convictions. His opinions and counsels are often sought in political matters, and he enjoys the confidence and respect of a large following in both parties. F.J. CRAIG, a young and enterprising business man of Morrellville, is a son of J. E. and Mary (Shultz) Craig, and was born in Buffington township, Indiana Co., Pennsylvania. The progenitor of the Craig family in this country was Jacob Craig (grandfather), who was born and educated in Ireland, which he left in early life to seek his fortunes in the

western part of this State, where he settled in Indiana county. He died at sixty-five years of age. His son, J. E. Craig, was born near Taylorsville, Indiana county, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Craig received his early education in common and select schools, the latter of which were taught in summer, while the former were generally limited to a winter term of three months. Leaving school, he found the pursuits of a farmer congenial to his tastes, and has been engaged in farming ever since. He enjoys a reputation as one of the discriminating and successful farmers of his community, has been identified for many years with the Lutheran church and has always been a supporter of the Republican party. Mr. Craig married Mary Shultz. To their union were born: Valletta, wife of J. H. Hess, and a resident of the State of Kansas; F. J.; Chalmers, now in Cleveland, Ohio; Blanche, wife of Harry Miller, of Indiana county; Maud, Pearl, Florence and Bert, still at home; Mabel, Cornelia and Charles, who died in infancy; John and Samuel.     F. J. Craig was reared principally in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg, Indiana county, received his education in the public schools, and was engaged with his father in the cultivation of the homestead lands until his marriage in 1889. He then commenced to work in the mills of the Cambria Iron company, but in a short time returned to farming, which he followed continuously for four years. At the end of that time, in 1894, he concluded to change his line of business and embark in merchandizing, and coming to Morrellville, was so well satisfied with the inducements which he found there as to open a store. This store he conducted with good success for a year, and then, on April 1, 1895, purchased his present store and premises, which are oppo-

Title Page

Contents

Image

Index