Wert - John P.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 648
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 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.