John Joseph Fertig

JOHN JOSEPH FERTIG
John Joseph Fertig Catherine "Kate" (Welker) Fertig and daughter Mary Ellen Fertig Four generations of the Fertig family - circa 1914: (1) Catherine (Welker) Fertig, (2) John William Fertig, (3) Charles Stephen "Charlie" Fertig, Sr. and (4) Virginia Elizabeth (Fertig) Gamber Mary Ellen Fertig

JOHN J. FERTIG BORN IN GERMANY MAY 28, 1826. DEPARTED THIS LIFE DEC. 5, 1907 Lord he was thine. And not my own. Thou hast not done me wrong.	CATHRINA FERTIG Born in Penn. FEB. 14, 1832 Departed this life FEB. 6, 1917 Lord she was thine. And not my own. Thou hast not done me wrong.
Johann Joseph Förtig (John Joseph Fertig) was born on May 28, 1826 at 3:00 p.m. in Ohrnbach, Bavaria, Germany^1,2,3,4. He was baptized the next day at 3:00 p.m. in the Catholic parish of Weilbach, Bavaria¹. John Joseph was the youngest son of John Anthony Fertig and Mary Anna Nothburga Schwaninger¹. John Joseph departed from Ohrnbach and relocated to America with his father's family in 1837². He changed the spelling of his name from Förtig to Fertig and settled in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania^2,3,4. In 1847 or 1848, at the age of 21, John Joseph was forgiven and saved at an old time camp meeting revival⁵. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 On August 7, 1848, John Joseph, along with his brother Francis Matthew and half-brother Adam Joseph appeared at the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County in Sunbury³. He filed a petition for naturalization and renounced his allegiance to Ludwig I, King of Bavaria³. The naturalization petition of John was denied and he reapplied for citizenship on August 6, 1849, while residing in Sunbury, Northumberland County⁴. This second petition included a witness, Henry Bartshar, to testify of John Joseph's moral character and attachment to the principles of the United States Constitution⁴. In 1850, John was recorded as a farm laborer while living with a family in Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County⁶. Several years later, on October 31, 1854, John Joseph united in marriage with Catherine "Kate" Welker^5,8. Catherine was born on February 14, 1832 in Dauphin County, the youngest of Peter Welker's twelve children^7,8. John Joseph and Catherine were honored and blessed with six children: Simon Henry, Mary Ellen, Wilhelmina, John William, Sarah Catherine and George Hunter^{5,7,9,10,11,12,13,14}. John Joseph was a farmer for his entire life⁷. In the mid 1850's, John worked for Congressman William Durard in Augusta Township, now Rockefeller Township, Northumberland County⁷. In 1859 his family moved to Monroe Township, Snyder County and resided on the Durard farm^7,9. The following year, the family moved to the nearby Dunbaugh estate and in April 1861 they relocated to the J.K. Davis farm near Selinsgrove in Penn Township^7,10. John Joseph farmed the Davis farm for 17 years until April 1878 when he relocated to the Kreider farm⁷. John Joseph's son, Simon Henry, relocated to Pawnee County, Kansas on April 12, 1878, after a three-day journey⁷. Eleven months later, on March 4, 1879, John Joseph and his family arrived in Kansas to live near his son in East Pleasant Valley Township⁷^,11. Around 1883, John Joseph applied for a homestead grant for the southeast quarter of Section 10, Township 22 (Logan Township), Range 15^7,15,16. In accordance with the homestead requirements, John Joseph improved the 160 acre parcel by constructing a house and farming the ground for the next five years. On January 26, 1889, John Joseph obtained a patent certificate for the parcel, granted by the United States General Land Office and approved by President Grover Cleveland¹⁵. John Joseph also purchased an 80 acre parcel located adjacent to his south property line, being the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 15¹⁶. His son, John William, owned the east half of the same quarter section¹⁶. John Joseph's other son, Simon Henry, acquired the north half of neighboring Section 16 and Simon Henry's son, John Philip, owned the southeast quarter of Section 16¹⁶. Together, the immediate family owned 800 acres of ground in the vicinity¹⁶. John Joseph continued to farm on the homestead until his death at the age of 81^5,7,12,13,14. His faith became sight at 25 minutes past midnight on December 5, 1907⁵. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. - Matthew 25:21 John Joseph was a member of the Evangelical Association for over 45 years⁵. The funeral service was conducted by his pastor, Loren W. Kemp of the Lincoln M.E. Church⁵. The obituary of John Joseph recorded the following information⁵: The eighty-first milestone passed! As you count time you may call me "old;" but 'tis but the minutest fraction of eternity! He was conscious to the last; about midnight the watchers by his bedside saw him gesturing toward the Heavenly Home; his eyes shined like diamonds as the Lord gave him a vision of the glory world as he gave his servant Moses from Mt. Pisgah. His last words were, "over there-over there." The funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, the writer, at the Lincoln M. E. church, from the Scripture text, II Timothy 4:7,8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." Catherine passed away at her home on February 6, 1917 at 1:00 p.m.⁸. She died of old age and paralysis just eight days prior to her eighty-fifth birthday⁸. The funeral was held at the home and conducted by Reverend Samuel Bees, Evangelical minister of Offerle⁸. Catherine had been a member of the Evangelical Association for more than the last 50 years of her life⁸. John Joseph and Catherine's bodies lie buried at the old homestead, called Fertig Cemetery, their souls of which have passed on to their eternal heavenly home prepared before the foundation of the world^8,17. Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (2) His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. - Psalms 112:1-2 CHILDREN OF JOHN JOSEPH AND CATHERINE: Simon Henry, born September 2, 1855, married Sarah Benfer and died February 19, 1935 Mary Ellen, born May 21, 1860 and died August 18, 1933 Wilhelmina, born November 2, 1857 and died November 1, 1881 John William, born June 21, 1861, married Virginia Elizabeth Umberger and died March 26, 1945 Sarah Catherine, born January 11, 1864 and died March 10, 1871 George Hunter, born March 8, 1866 and died July, 22 1870 REFERENCES: 1. 1826 Birth and baptismal record of John Joseph Fertig. Diözesan-Archiv Würzburg, Pfarrei Weilbach, Kirchenbuch A2 (1636‑1833), Auszug aus den Kirchenbüchern der kath. Pfarrei Weilbach/Unterfranken, Taufregister 1826: Maji die 28va hor. 3tia pom. natus et hor. 3tia pom. alterius diei baptizatus est Joannes Josephus, Joannis Antonii Foertig civis et coloni Ohrenbaci et Mariae Annae Nothburgae natae Schwaninger conjugum filius legi. levante Francisco Mathaeo Bachmann cive et colono in Wiesenthal. English Translation: Excerpts from the Weilbach/Unterfranken Parish Church Books, Baptismal Register 1826, A2 (1636-1833), held at the archives of the Catholic Bishop in Würzburg, Germany. Johann Joseph was born on May 28, 1826 at 3:00 p.m. in Ohrenbach and baptized at 3:00 the next day in Weilbach, a son of Johann Anton Foertig, citizen and cottager in Ohrenbach, and his wife Maria Anna Nothburga née Schwaninger. 2. 1837 Ship Clementine Passenger List. For more information, see the reference section for John Anthony Fertig. 3. 1848 Petition for Naturalization by John Joseph Fertig. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County, Sunbury, Pennsylvania No 200 April Term 1848 Filed Aug 7 1848 State of Pennsylvania. Northumberland County, SS John Joseph Fertig born in Ohrenbach Bavaria being now in the twenty third year of his age, having migrated from Ohrenbach and arrived in New York on the fourteenth day of September A.D. 1837 being them under the allegiance of the King of Bavaria and intending to continue his residence in Northumberland County, reports himself to the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, in compliance with the second section of the Act of Congress, entitled “An Act to establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and to repeal all acts heretofore, made upon that subject, enacted the 14^th day of April, 1802,” and the supplements thereto-with intent hereafter to become a citizen of the U. States. John Josef Fertig Northumberland County ,SS. John Joseph Fertig a native of Ohrenbach being desirous of conforming to the Act of Congress of the United States of America, entitled “An Act to establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and to repeal all acts heretofore, made upon that subject, enacted the 14^th day of April, 1802,” and supplications thereto, comes personally into Court, and being sworn according to law, declares on oath, before the said Court, that it is bona fide his attention to become a citizen of the United of America, and to renounce forever, all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince, Potentate, State, or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the King of Bavaria to whom he has heretofore been subject. Sworn and Subscribed in Open Court, the 7^th day of August 1848 J Farnsworth John Josef Fertig 4. 1849 Petition for Naturalization by John Joseph Fertig. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County, Sunbury, Pennsylvania No 221 April Term 1849 Filed Aug 6th 1849 Et Cert Aug 25 1849 To the Hon J. B. Anthony & his associates, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northumberland County. The petition of John Fertig a native of Bayern (Germany) now residing in Sunbury, county aforesaid, respectfully represents, that your petitioner is desirous of becoming a citizen of the United States and of enjoying the benefit of the good laws + government thereof. The petitioner therefore prays the Court to admit his naturalization, according to the provisions of the acts of Congress on this subject. Your petitioner also represents that he resided in the United States more than three years next preceding his arriving at the age of twenty one years, that he has continued to reside therein up to this time and that he is now about twenty three years of age John Joseph Fertig Northumberland County Jct Henry Bartshar a citizen of the United States being duly sworn, deposeth that to his knowledge the petitioner has resided within the limits + jurisdiction of the United States from the year 1838 or 1839 until the present time and for all that time in Pennsylvania; that during all that time the petitioner has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States + well disposed to the good order + happiness of the same + that he was under 18 years of age when he first came to this county. Henry Bartshar Sworn + subscribed in open court August 6, 1849 J Farnsworth Piet Northumberland County Jct The petitioner being duly sworn, according to law, deposes that he has never borne any hereditary title or order of nobility in the country from whence he came; that for more that three years last past it has been his intention, and that he does hereby renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty whatever and particularly to the King of Bayern (Germany) to whom he was heretofore subject. John Joseph Fertig Sworn + subscribed in open court August 6, 1849 J Farnsworth Piet 5. 1907 Obituary for John Joseph Fertig. Obituary. John Joseph Fertig was born May 28, 1826 in Weisbauden, Germany. Departed this life at 25 minutes past midnight Dec. 5, 1907, aged 81 years, 6 months and 7 days. "Lord, he was Thine, and not my own; Thou hast not done me wrong. I thank Thee for the precious loan Afforded me so long." Father Fertig came to America in 1833, when only 7 years old. Settled in eastern Penn, residing 45 years in Northumberland and Snyder Counties. He came to Kansas 28 years ago, arriving on March 4, 1879, and has lived ever since on the old farm in Pawnee county where his body lies buried and from whence his soul passed on to his eternal home. He was married to Catheren Walker, Oct. 31, 1854. To this union were born six children, three boys and three girls. Three have gone on before, Wilhelmina, Sarah Catheren and George Hunter. Besides his faithful companion those who remain to mourn the loss of this kind and affectionate father are two sons and one daughter, Simon Henry, Mary Ellen and John William and six grandsons and one granddaughter. One great-grand child has passed over the river before. In a conversation a few days before his death he told the writer of his conversion at an old time camp meeting revival in Pennsylvania when he was 21 years old. He also told us he was ready to go, he had a lively hope. Grandpa Fertig was a faithful and consistent member of the Evangelical Association for over 45 years. In 1905 he united with the Lincoln M. E. church of Seward charge, Southwest Kansas Conference, being a member of this church at the time of his decease. Like Father Abraham, the Friend of God, of Olden Time, he began quite young to seek a "better country," and in each place he erected his family altar. He made his pilgrimage through three countries, always seeking a better until he at last found the best. The eighty-first milestone passed! As you count time you may call me "old;" but 'tis but the minutest fraction of eternity! He was conscious to the last; about midnight the watchers by his bedside saw him gesturing toward the Heavenly Home; his eyes shined like diamonds as the Lord gave him a vision of the glory world as he gave his servant Moses from Mt. Pisgah. His last words were, "over there-over there." The funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, the writer, at the Lincoln M. E. church, from the Scripture text, II Timothy 4:7,8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." Loren W. Kemp. 6. 1850 Census of Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, John Joseph Fertig. John Fertig, age 24, laborer 7. 1919 History of Simon Henry Fertig. For more information, see the reference section for Simon Henry Fertig. 8. 1917 Obituary for Catherine (Welker) Fertig. Death of Mrs. Kate Fertig. Mrs. Kate Fertig, a resident of Pawnee county since 1879 died Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock at her home in the country. The cause of her death was old age and paralysis. She was 85 years old. Mrs. Fertig had lived on the present homestead since 1879, for the last few years with her daughter, Mary E. Fertig, Mr. Fertig having died nine years ago. Her sons lived around her on adjoining farms. Of the immediate family she left, two sons, S. H. Fertig and J. W. Fertig, and one daughter, Mary E. Fertig. Three children preceded her in death--Katherine, 7 years old, George Hunter, 4 years old and Wilhelmine, who died at 24. Mrs. Fertig came to Pawnee County from Pennsylvania with her husband in 1879, from Selins Grove. She was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1832, and was married October 18, 1854. She was first a member of the German Reformed church but after her marriage joined her husbands' church, the Evangelical association. Mrs. Fertig's maiden name was Welker and she is the last of twelve brothers and sisters, all of the remaining members of the family have preceded her in death. Funeral services were held today (Thursday) at the home. Samuel Bees, of Offerle, Evangelical minister, officiated. Mrs. Fertig was a woman of fine character, and was one of those pioneers who helped to make the country what it is today. Feb. 8, 1917 Mrs. J.J. Fertig. Mrs. J.J. Fertig died at her home in Logan Township Tuesday, Feb. 6th, at 1:00 p.m. She had been ailing for the past six months and her death was due to advanced age. The funeral services were held at 10 o'clock this morning from the home, and were conducted by Rev. Samuel Beese, pastor of the Evangelical church of Offerle. Interment was in the private cemetery in the southeast corner of the old Fertig homestead, by the side of her husband. Catherine Welker was born in Dauphin county, Pa., February 14, 1832, and had she lived until next Wednesday she would have been 85 years of age. She was married to John J. Fertig, October 31, 1854. To this union were born six children, three boys and three girls, three of whom survive, J.W. Fertig, S.H. Fertig and Mary Ellen Fertig, all of this county. She was the youngest of twelve children, all of whom have preceded her to the great beyond. The deceased moved with her husband and family to Pawnee county in March, 1879. They bought a relinquishment in Logan Township and settled on the farm which has been the family home since. Her husband died December 5, 1907, since which time she and her daughter have lived on the old homestead. She joined the Evangelical Association over fifty years ago, and was a faithful member until her death. 9. 1860 Census of Monroe Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, John Joseph Fertig family. John Fertig, age 34, farmer, $800 personal estate; Catherine Fertig, age 28; Mary Fertig, age 4; Simon Fertig, age 2; Wilhelmina Fertig, age 1; Mary Fertig, age 69 10. 1870 Census of Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, John Joseph Fertig family. John J. Fertig, age 44, farmer, $11000 real estate, $1225 personal estate; Catharine Fertig, age 40, keeping house; Simon H. Fertig, age 14; Wilamina Fertig, age 12; Mary E. Fertig, age 11; John W. Fertig, age 8; Sarah C. Fertig, age 6; George H. Fertig, age 4 11. 1880 Census of East Pleasant Valley Township, Pawnee County, Kansas, John Joseph Fertig family. John Fertig, age 52, head, married, farmer; Catherine Fertig, age 48, wife, married; Wilhemina Fertig, age 22, daughter; Ellen Fertig, age 21, daughter; John Fertig, age 15, son 12. 1885 Census of Kansas, John Joseph Fertig family. John Joseph Fertig, age 60, farmer; Catherine Welker Fertig, age 50; John William Fertig, age 24; Mary Ellen Fertig, age 25; Simon Henry Fertig, age 29; Sarah Benfer Fertig, age 29; John Philip Fertig, age 5; Molly May Fertig, age 2 13. 1900 Census of Logan Township, Pawnee County, Kansas, John Joseph Fertig family. John J. Fertig, head, born May 1826, age 74, married 45 years, immigration to the United States in 1837, 63 years in the United States, naturalized citizen, owned house free; Kate Fertig, wife, born February 1832, age 68, married 45 years; Mary E. Fertig, daughter, born May 1859, age 41, house keeper 14. 1910 Census of Logan Township, Pawnee County, Kansas, John Joseph Fertig family. Kate Fertig, head, age 78, widow, house work, own house, Mary E. Fertig, daughter, age 50 15. 1889 Homestead Patent Record for John Joseph Fertig. PATENT RECORD, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Homestead Certificate No. 4507, Application 4585 and 9336 Whereas, There has been deposited in the GENERAL LAND OFFICE of the United States a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Larned Kansas whereby it appears that, pursuant to the Act of Congress approved 20th May, 1862, "To secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers on the Public Domain," and the acts supplemental thereto, the claim of John J. Fertig, has been established and duly consummated, in conformity to law, for the South East quarter of section ten in Township twenty two South of Range fifteen west of the sixth principal meridian in Kansas, containing one hundred and sixty acres, according to the official plat of the survey of the said land returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor General: Now, Know Ye, That there is, therefore, granted by the United States unto the said John J. Fertig the tract of land above described: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land, with the appurtenances thereof, unto the said John J. Fertig and to his heirs and assigns, forever. In Testimony Whereof, I Grover Cleveland PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the GENERAL LAND OFFICE to be hereunto affixed. <(SEAL.)> Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty sixth of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States one hundred and thirteenth. By the President: Grover Cleveland, By M McKean Secretary. Recorded in Vol. 9, page 420. Robin W Ross, Recorder of General Land Office. State of Kansas, Pawnee County, ss: This instrument was filed for record on the 17th day of June A.D. 1889, at 1145 o'clock AM., and duly recorded in Book BO Page 71. F.D. Taylor, Register of Deeds. 16. Property Map of Logan Township, Pawnee County, Kansas. 17. Tombstones of John Joseph Fertig and Catherine (Welker) Fertig. The tombstones are located in Fertig Cemetery in Logan Township, Pawnee County, Kansas on the old homestead of John Joseph, the southeast quarter of section 10, township 22, range 15. Directions: From Larned, Kansas, go south on Route 19. Less than 0.5 miles from town, take a left onto Route 19 eastbound (NW 140th Street). Go east approximately 8 miles and turn right to go south. Go 1 mile and the cemetery will be on the near right corner of the first intersecting street (NW 130th Street). JOHN J. FERTIG, BORN IN GERMANY, MAY 28, 1826., DEPARTED THIS LIFE, DEC. 5, 1907, Lord he was thine. And not my own. Thou hast not done me wrong. CATHRINA, FERTIG, Born in Penn., FEB. 14, 1832, Departed this life, FEB. 6, 1917, Lord she was thine. And not my own. Thou hast not done me wrong. 18. 1905 Will of John Joseph Fertig. WILL. FROM JOHN FERTIG TO KATE FERTIG. et al, page 488 WILL. I, John J. Fertig, of Logan Township in Pawnee county State of Kansas, being of sound mind and memory and knowing the uncertainty of this life do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking any and all former wills by me made. First: That after my death I do desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses if any then exist be first paid, Further I do desire that I be given a christian burial, Second: I do devise and bequeth unto my beloved wife, Kate Fertig a life interest only in all my property both real and personal of every description to have the use thereof only during her natural life and at her death to be disposed of as follows: Third: That after the death of my beloved wife, Kate Fertig, I do will devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Ellen Fertig, the south half of the southeast quarter of section ten (10) in township twenty two (22) south of range fifteen west in Pawnee county, Kansas. Fourth: That after the death of my beloved wife, Kate Fertig, I do will devise and bequeath to my, son Simon Henry Fertig the north one half of the southeast quarter of section ten (10) in township twenty two (22) south of range fifteen (15) west of the 6" P.M. in Pawnee county, Kansas. Fifth: That after the death of my beloved wife, Kate Fertig, I do will devise and bequeath to my, son John W. Fertig the west one half of the north east quarter of section Fifteen (15) in township twenty two (22) south of range fifteen (15) west of the 6" P.M. in Pawnee county, Kansas. Sixth: That I do will devise and bequeath after the death of my beloved wife Kate Fertig, in addition to the foregoing all he personal property together with all additions and accretions thereto then remaining unto my said three children to wit: Mary Ellen Fertig, Simon Henry Fertig, and John W. Fertig, share and share alike each one third. It being my will and desire that none of the real estate which I may die seized shall at any time during the life time of my said wife, Kate Fertig be sold, conveyed or incumbered in any manner but that my said wife shall have the rents and profits therefrom for her use. In Witnes whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of December A.D. 1905. in Pawnee county, Kansas. I nominate J.H. Singer executor hereof. J.J. Fertig. We, George W. Finney, Henry F. Barstow and Abram S. Ackerman do hereby certify that the above named John J, Fertig signed the above instrument of writing in our presence..... Filed for record Nov. 6th. 1922 at 2:30 P.M. Manda Chears Register of Deeds.