Jermiah T.Fertich

JERMIAH T. FERTICH

Jermiah T. Fertich and Sapronah Isabella Conrad, most likely.

This photo came from Calvin Fertig, son of John Henry Fertig.

John Henry Fertig and Beulah Vera Burrell

Wedding picture, September 7, 1914

Children of Jermiah and Sapronah Fertich:

Leon Arthur, Leo Walter, William T.,

Perchey Merlin, Lert Theodore and Esther E.

Lert Theodore Fertig

World War I veteran

Wagoner, 103rd Ammunition Train, Company G

Lert

Adele (left) and Edith (right)

Perchey Merlin "Merle" Fertich

World War I veteran

Leo (left) and Leon (right)

Leon, Lilly and Leo (left to right)

You will notice that Leo's baseball cap is tipped to his left and Leon's baseball cap is tipped to his right. That is because Leo was left-handed and Leon was right-handed. That is how most people could tell them apart.¹⁵

Leo Fertig and Lilly Andriko, June 18, 1967

Jermiah and Sapronah Fertich old homestead location

381 Main Street, has been torn down

JERMIAH FERTICH

1854-1938

SAPRONAH HIS WIFE

1863-1936

Jermiah T. "Jerry" Fertich was born in Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on June 5, 1854^1,2,3. He was the son of Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich and Anna Bolich^1,2,3. After the early death of his father, around 1863, the family moved to Barry Township and Jermiah took up farming at a young age^1,2,3.

Jermiah united in marriage with 16-year-old Sapronah Isabella Conrad on August 2, 1879. Sapronah was born in March 1863 near Bear Gap, towards Numidea, the daughter of Joseph and Louisa Conrad⁴. Jermiah and Sapronah were honored and blessed with 14 children together: George S., Anna Salome, John Henry, William T., Lert Theodore, Josiah R., Adella, Mertie W., Perchey Merlin, Charles Rollin, Esther Edith, Lillian, Leon Arthur and Leo Walter^{1,4,5,6,7,8,9}.

Lillian, Leon and Leo were all adopted children¹⁰. Lillian Kerner was the daughter of Emma Mae Rissinger and a Kerner from Locust Dale¹⁰. Emma Mae later married Michael Bonniberger and had twin boys, Leo and Leon Bonniberger¹⁰. Michael died while the twins were only eight months old in December 1912¹⁰. Since Emma couldn't properly care for her children, they were adopted by Jack and Adella (Fertich) Manhart¹⁰. Adella also died shortly thereafter, leaving the children to be raised and adopted by Adella's parents, Jermiah and Sapronah Fertich¹⁰. Leo and Leon were identical twins¹⁵. Leon died from injuries received in a bootleg mine accident in March 1940 at the age of 27^15,16,17. He was alive when they recovered him from the mine, but later died at Ashland Hospital due to back and internal injuries^15,16,17. The bottom of the bootleg mine in which he was working dropped into the workings of an old colliery near Lavelle^15,16,17. His brother Leo and another miner, George Lebold, went down into the mine to get him out^15,^16,17.

Several of Jermiah and Sapronah's children changed the spelling of their surname from Fertich to Fertig. John Henry, William T., Lert Theodore, Leon Arthur and Leo Walter all changed their name.

Jermiah and Sapronah were recorded as living in Helfenstein in 1880⁵. They moved to Lavelle by 1890 and lived there for the remainder of their lives^4,6,7,8,9. Their home was located at 381 Main Street, three houses east of the Route 901 intersection, on the north side of the road¹¹. The house has since been torn down.

Jermiah worked as a fireman at a coal boiler for over 30 years^4,6,7,8. He was also a consistent member of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.), Washington Camp No. 260 in Lavelle¹². His membership was recorded from 1917 to 1926 while his nephew, Charles Henry Fertich, maintained the dues ledger¹². Jermiah also publicly acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ through baptism by immersion in water¹.

On November 23, 1923, several of Jermiah and Sapronah's children purchased a home for their parents to live in¹³. Sapronah passed away at age 72 on February 26, 1936¹³. Her sons, John Henry and Lert, were appointed as executors of her will¹³. Jermiah died in 1938 at the age of 83 or 84¹⁴. Jermiah and Sapronah were both buried in the Citizens Cemetery in Lavelle¹⁴.

CHILDREN OF JERMIAH T. AND SAPRONAH ISABELLA:

George S., born January 9, 1880 and died December 28, 1911

Anna Salome, born August 16, 1881 and died May 15, 1882

John Henry, born February 7, 1883, married Beulah Vera Burrell and died March 9, 1961

William T. "Bill", born 1885 and died after 1923

Lert Theodore, born September 19, 1887 and died June 10, 1960

Josiah R., born October 19, 1889 and died March 11, 1891

Adella "Adele", born August 1891, married a Manhart and died before 1920

Mertie W., born March 9, 1894 and died February 11, 1908

Perchey Merlin "Merle", born February 20, 1896, married Marie B. and died October 1967

Charles Rollin, born July 21, 1897 and died September 29, 1911

Esther Edith, born December 30, 1898, married Raymond Franklin Hummel and died April 1980

Lillian "Lillie", born 1909, married an Andriko and died after 1967

Leon Arthur, born April 12, 1912, married Hilda F. Hatzel and died March 16, 1940

Leo Walter, born April 12, 1912, married Mary E. Joyce and died November 1986

REFERENCES:

1. Writings of Esther E. (Fertich) Hummel, daughter of Jermiah T. Fertich

For more information, see the reference section for Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich.

2. 1860 Census of Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich family.

For more information, see the reference section for Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich.

3. 1870 Census of Barry Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich family.

For more information, see the reference section for Adam Joseph Fertig/Fertich.

4. 1900 Census of Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Jeremiah Fertig, head, born June 1853, age 46, married 21 years, fireman, rented house; Safrona Fertig, wife, born March 1863, age 35, married 21 years; George Fertig, son, born Jan 1881, age 19, laborer; John Fertig, son, born Feb 1884, age 16, slate picker; William Fertig, son, born Jan 1887, age 13, slate picker; Leartus Fertig, son, born Sept 1889, age 10; Adella Fertig, daughter, born Aug 1891, age 8; Myrtie Fertig, daughter, born Feb 1894, age 6; Merlin Fertig, son, born Feb 1897, age 3; Esther Fertig, daughter, born Dec 1898, age 1

5. 1880 Census of Helfenstein Village, Eldred Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Jeremiah Fertich, age 25, married, laborer; Sofrana Fertich, age 17, wife, married, House Keeper; George S. Fertich, age 4/12 mo, son

6. 1890 Census of Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Jeremiah Fertich, age 35, fireman; Sophsono Fertich; George S. Fertich, age 10; John H. Fertich, age 7; William T. Fertich, age 5; Lertis T. Fertich; Josiah R. Fertich, age 1

7. 1910 Census of Lavelle, North-West Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Main Street; Jerry Fertic, head, age 56, married 31 years, fireman at the coal breaker, rented house; Safronah Fertic, wife, age 43, married 31 years; John H Fertic, son, age 27, laborer at the coal breaker; William T Fertic, son, age 24, laborer at the coal breaker; Lartis T Fertic, son, age 22, laborer at the coal breaker; Adella N Fertic, daughter, age 18; Merlin P Fertic, son, age 14; Ester E Fertic, daughter, age 12; Charles R Fertic, son, age 9

8. 1920 Census of Lavelle, NorthWest Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Jerry Fertich, head, owned house, age 66, married,fireman at the boiler house; Saponia Fertich, wife, age 55, married; William Fertich, son, age 33, laborer at the coal mines; Merl Fertich, son, age 23, laborer at the coal mines; Edith Fertich, daughter, age 21; Leo Manhart, grand son, age 7; Leon Manhart, grand son, age 7; Lillian Manhart, grand daughter, age 11

9. 1930 Census of Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jermiah T. Fertich family.

Jerry Fertich, head, house owned, $1,500 real estate, age 75, married, age 26 first married; Saphronah Fertich, wife, age 67, married, age 16 first married; Wm Fertich, son, age 44, anthracite colliery; Merlin Fertich, son, age 33, laborer coal mine; Leon Fertich, son, age 17; Leo Fertich, son, age 17

10. Correspondence with Burdell Ann (Fertig) Smith, granddaughter of Jermiah T. Fertich.

Burdell is the daughter of Leo Walter Fertich/Fertig, Sr.

Telephone conversation occurred on September 22, 2002.

11. Correspondence with Charles Elmer Eister, grandson of Calvin Charles Eister, brother of Christie (Eister) Fertich.

The following is an e-mail from Charles Elmer dated March 8, 2004:

Thank you very much for that information on the fertich family. While I do not recognize the persons in the pictures I did know Sapronah and Jermiah, Buelah, who had a son by the name of Lamar, who my wife was good friends with. Merlin, Leo, Leon, (didn't know they were adopted).and Edith, married to Raynond Hummel an d I have a brief recollection of Lillian and Lertes. Raymond and Ediths home still stands in Lavelle, the 3rd house east of the 901/main street intersection on the South side. Jermiah and Sapronah lived directly across the street from Edith and Raymond and my memory of the twins was when they lived with Jermiah and Sapronah. One of the twins died in a mine collapse on the mountain directly north of the homestead. Thanks. Charles

12. The Patriotic Order of the Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.), Camp No. 260, Lavelle, Dues Ledger.

For more information, see the reference section for Charles Henry Fertich.

13. 1923 Will of Sapronah (Conrad) Fertich.

Will Book no. 36, page no. 242-243, Schuylkill County Courthouse

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SAPHRONAH FERTICK, DECEASED.

Last Will and Testament of Saphronah Fertick.

I, Saphronah Fertick of the village of Lavelle in the township of Butler, county of Schuylkill and state of Pennsylvania being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

And first I direct that my body be decently interred and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life.

As to such estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows to viz:

First. I direct that after my death the real estate which I obtained by deed or grant that Twenty-third day of November A.D. 1923 be sold to the highest bidder by my executor hereinafter named.

Realizing that this real estate was obtained through the efforts of my children I direct that the sum contributed twoards the purchase and upkeep and maintenance of said home by each of my children shall first of all be paid to them according to the amounts of the sums they contributed.

After the sums which each child contributed shall be paid to each child I give and bequeath to my children John Fertick, Leartes Fertick, William Fertick, Merrill Fertick and Edith Hummel, nee Fertick all the rest and residue of my estate share and share alike.

I direct that my executors shall not dispose of my real estate as long as my husband Jeremiah Fertick survives me.

In order to carry out the aforesaid provisions I order and direct my executors hereinafter named, or the survivor of them, as soon as conveniently may be after the decease of my said husband Jeremiah Fertich to sell and dispose my real estate, the proceeds of the sale of the said real estate to be considered as a part of my personal estate and for that purpose, I do hereby authorize and empower my said executors, or the survivor of them, to sign, seal, execute and acknowledge all such deed or deeds of conveyance as may be requisite and necessary for the granting and assuring the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof, in fee simple.

And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my said sons John and Leartes Fertick to be the executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I Saphronah Fertick the testatrix have to this my will written on two sheets of paper set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of November A.D. one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the above named Saphronah Fertick, as and for her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at the request as witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said testator, and each other. John Cavanaugh, Charles W. Staudenmeier.....Decedent died February 25, 1936. Examined & compared March 31, 1936.

14. Tombstone of Jermiah T. Fertich and Sapronah (Conrad) Fertich.

The tombstone is located at the Citizens Cemetery in Lavelle, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Directions: From westbound Route 901 at Lavelle, take a left unto Main Street (at the Turkey Hill). Go about ½ mile, and the cemetery is on the left side. The tombstone is located near the northeast corner of the cemetery. The tombstone was photographed and transcribed on April 27, 2002.

JERMIAH FERTICH, 1854-1938, SAPRONAH HIS WIFE, 1863-1936

15. Email from Allen Fertig, son of Leo Fertig, April 2012.

16. Article on Leon Fertig's Death

FERTIG, Leon, 1912-1940

Ashland Daily News Saturday, March 16, 1940

Leon Fertig, 28, of Lavelle, died this morning shortly after 11 o’clock in the Ashland State Hospital from injuries received yesterday afternoon when he fell 80 feet into an old workings at a bootleg mine at Lavelle. Fertig’s death was the second in two days to result from bootleg mine accidents in this section. He was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon after a spectacular rescue by his twin brother Leo, and George Lebold, who were lowered into the 120-foot pit on ropes handled by rescuers on the surface. Fertig remained conscious while the rescue work was being performed and talked with fellow workmen as he was being removed to the hospital. Death was due to a multiple of injuries to the back, face, and head. He also was suffering severely from shock. Fertig, along with Harry Schwalm, 55, of Mowry, were working at the bottom of their 60-foot shaft yesterday afternoon at two o’clock when the accident occurred. Schwalm had crawled into a heading about six feet above Fertig to allow him room to load a buggy. The men talked with each other and it was only when Fertig stopped answering his buddy that his plight was discovered. Schwalm immediately spread an alarm and the two men were lowered into the mine. They found Fertig partly covered with debris but still conscious and immediately devised a plan of removing him to the surface. They carried the injured miner about 50 feet underground to a breach from the old workings and from there had him hoisted along the top rock to the surface. He was taken immediately to the hospital where he was reported suffering lacerations of the face and arms, back, injuries and shock. The mine in which the accident occurred is north of the crossroad in Lavelle and above an old working of a colliery that was operated about 60 years ago by the Bieckel and Bramtzel Coal Company.

16. Leon Fertig Obitutary

Ashland Daily News Monday, March 18, 1940

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon for the late Leon Fertig, 27, of Lavelle, who died Saturday morning in the Ashland State Hospital from injuries received in a bootleg mine accident on Friday afternoon. Fertig was rescued alive from a 120-foot breach in the working of an old colliery near Lavelle after the bottom of the bootleg mine in which he was working dropped, but succumbed to back and internal injuries. Short services will be held from the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hummel, at 1:30 o’clock, followed by services in Christ Evangelical Church. Burial will be made in the Citizens cemetery at Lavelle. He was a member of the Christ Evangelical Congregational Church and was well known as a member of the Lavelle baseball team. Born in Lavelle, a son of the late Jeremiah and Sophonia Fertig, Fertig spent all of his life in that section. He was married to the former Hilda Hatzel of Lavelle, whom he leaves to survive, along with the following brothers and sisters, Leo, his twin, Merlin, and Mrs. Raymond Hummel, of Lavelle, Mrs. Lewis Schilling, of Ashland and John and Lerotis, of Shamokin.