George Wertz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's20th district | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Brooks |
| Succeeded by | Anderson Walters |
| President pro tempore of thePennsylvania Senate | |
| In office May 25, 1911[1] – January 7, 1913 | |
| Preceded by | William Crow |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Gerberich |
| Member of thePennsylvania Senate from the35th district | |
| In office January 5, 1909 – January 7, 1913 | |
| Preceded by | Jacob C. Stineman |
| Succeeded by | Jacob C. Stineman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1856-07-19)July 19, 1856 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 1928(1928-11-19) (aged 72) Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Louisa Glitch |
George M. Wertz (July 19, 1856 – November 19, 1928) was aRepublican politician, teacher and publisher fromPennsylvania.
George Munson Wertz was born nearJohnstown, Pennsylvania on July 19, 1856. He attended the public schools,Ebensburg Academy and theNational Normal School inLebanon, Ohio.
His father,German-Dunkard Jacob Wertz, an ardent Republican andabolitionist, was the great grandson of a 1735Palatine immigrant and rose to prominence as a farmer.
His daughter Ada Olive Hager (née Wertz) attendedVassar, graduating in 1908. She was one of the original graveyardsuffragettes.[2]
A teacher in his community's public school system from 1876 to 1884, George M. Wertz was elected as a Republican member of the Board of School Directors in 1890. As he progressed in his political career, he became chair of his county's Republican Party committee.
In 1893, Wertz began a three-year term as Cambria County commissioner, and in November 1897, Cambria County sheriff, a position he held until 1901. Through the influence of his iron manufacturer father-in-law, Wertz assumed a post as manager of the Cambria Steel Company, where his accomplishments included securing options for control of the Manufacturer's Water Company, Somerset County.
A member of thePennsylvania State Senate from 1909 to 1913, he served as the body'sPresident pro tempore from 1911 to 1913.
Wertz later organized and ran theJohnstown Daily Leader from 1911 to 1917, creating Cambria County's first afternoon newspaper. He was also an ardent farmer and fruit grower.[3]
Wertz was elected to theSixty-eighth Congress, but was defeated in the 1924 Republican primary.
He belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church; the Summit Lodge Masons; the Johnstown School of Instruction – Masons; and was knighted by the Oriental Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar.
Wertz sold real estate until his death in Johnstown on November 19, 1928. He was interred in theGrandview Cemetery, Johnstown.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 20th congressional district 1923–1925 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | President pro tempore of thePennsylvania Senate 1911–1913 | Succeeded by |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the35th District 1909–1913 | Succeeded by Jacob C. Stineman |
