WERT-John P. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John P. WIRT (Wert) John P. WIRT (Wert), a prosperous general merchant at Alamo, is also identified with the agricultural interests of Montgomery County, owning and succesfully managing a well-ordered farm in Jackson Twp, Fountain County. He is a native of this county, born on the old Wirt homestead in RIpley Township, Jan 26, 1854. His father, David Wirt, was born in NJ in 1815, and was married to Miss Rebecca Bolser (Balser) in 1840. They began their wedding life in Brown Township, where Mr. Wirt purchased 40 acres of wild land. Ten years later they removed from that place to this township and at the time of his death he had a well-improved of 280 acres. He was the father of a numerous family of children. The eldest, Nancy was born in Brown Township in 1841 wa sunited in marriage to Francis Humphrey in 1859 and died in 1877, leaving three children: Edna, OD and WE. Miss Edna Humphrey, a resident of Crawfordsville was born in Ripley Township in 1862. Her eldest brother, WE was born in the same township in 1864 is a graduate of Wabash College and is practicing law in partnership with WD White of Crawfordsville. The other brother was born in 1867, is a graduate of Wabash and a teacher in the HS at Crawfordsville. Irena, the second daughter of the Wirt family was born in 1844, married John M. White in 1863 and they reside on the old Wirt homestead. Aaron Wirt, who was born in 1845, gave up his life for his country during the great rebellion. In 1862 he volunteered, became a member of Co. I, 11th Ind Infantry commanded by Col. Wallis (sic) and Capt. Ross and served until his death in 1864, from the effects of a wound received in the battle of Cedar Creek. moses G, who was born in 1848 and died at his mother' shome in 1886, married Elizabeth T. Humphrey who died leaving two children. Sylvia was born in 1855, and married Patrick Daily in 1871. Their first child was born in 1872 and was married in 1992. Nellie was born in 1856 and married Mr. Byerly of Carroll County. Rose was born in 1859 was married in 1877 to Gilbert Titus, of the firm of Wirt & Co., and they have one child. John P. Wirt of whom this biography is more especially written, has had a somewhat varried career in business. When he was but 19 years old he established himself as a druggist in his native town. He afterward sold out his stock and store, and for several years has been actively engaged in a general mercantile business. He has a fine, central location in a neat and well-built block on one of the busiest thorough fares of the village of Alamo, has a store well fitted up and completely stocked with everything in his line, and he also carries a full stock of undertakers' supplies, he being the only undertaker in town. He is a man of good business habits, is prompt and methodical in his dealings, carrying on an extensive trade with profit, and has made his name honored in financial circles. He is prominent in the public life of the town as Town Clerk, which office he has held 4 years and he is also Notary Public. In politics, he is an ardent Republican and stands by his party through good and ill report. Mr. Wirt is energetic in church matters, as is also his estimable wife, and both are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church giving it moral and material support. Both teach in the Sunday school which he has served as Supt. 5 or 6 terms. In his social relations, he affiliates with the Masons as a member of Lodge No. 144, Alamo and of DeBarnard Lodge No 29, K P [Knights of Pythias] at Crawfordsville. Mr. Wirt was married in 1875 to Miss Mandy C, a daughter of Joseph Myers, their marriage taking place in Fountain Co at the home of the bride's parents and the ceremony was performed by the Rev. T. S. Buckles. They are blessed with 3 children, all of whom are at home with their parents. Their eldest, Wiley W. was born in 1878; Fred G in 1881 and Myrtle in 1885. All have been given fine educational advantages and the eldest son has a well established reputation as a good elocutionist, winning the prize of $5 in the county and town oratorical contest. He won a $10 prize at the county fair and has graduated in the graded schools of Alamo.