MERCER COUNTY PAGenWeb Project

Reuben Bortz  


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)


Return to Biographies Index Page