REUBEN BORTZ, shoemaker.
Post-office Greenville, was born in Lehigh County, Penn., February 1,
1821, and is the eldest son of Henry and Susannah Bortz, who settled on
the site of Shenango in 1828. Our subject grew up in this county, and
February 18, 1844, was married to Mary Magdalena, daughter of Samuel
Kamerer, of Hempfield Township. Four children are the fruits of this
union: William Allen, Helen, Wilhelmina and Marcus. Mr. Bortz followed
shoemaking up to within a few years ago, when he retired from the
business. His wife died March 20, 1864, in the faith of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He has been a life-long member of the Lutheran
Church, and in politics a Democrat. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A,
One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Militia, and served nine
months. William Allen, eldest son of Reuben Bortz, was born in
Hempfield Township February 17, 1846, and, excepting two years spent in
Kansas, he has always lived in Mercer County. He was married, May 4,
1865, to Elvina, daughter of Abraham and Anna Ludwig, early settlers of
West Salem Township. Mrs. Bortz was born on the old homestead,
and has had twelve children, five of whom are living: Marna M., Mahlon
D. La., Epaphroditus, Eva and Milburn. Mr. Bortz and wife are members
of the Evangelical Association, and in politics he is a Democrat.
Source: (History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 1168 - 1169)
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