ELNATHAN N. WERT.

ELNATHAN N. WERT, of Humboldt, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 20th of January, 1839, and was the third child born unto Richard D. and Amanda Wert. His father was born in Germany, March 10, 1810, and with his parents came to America in 1813, landing at Jersey City, residing there two years and subsequently removing to Cincinnati. In early life he learned the cooper's trade, but afterward engaged in farming. In 1839 he married Miss Amanda Compton, a native of Ohio, and removed to Indiana, securing a homestead near Crawfordsville, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife passed away in January, 1865. They had six sons and six daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity.

E. N. Wert spent his youth in Montgomery county, Indiana, where he

attended the common schools, after which he spent two years in Wabash College of that state. When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 for three months' service as a member of Company B, Tenth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. When his term had expired he received an honorable discharge, but re-enlisted for one year's service in Company B, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry. He was detailed for duty in the secret service and received a lieutenant's pay. On the 1st of September, 1863, he resigned, but soon afterward was appointed recruiting officer and recruited sixty-four men, with whom he joined Company B, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, being assigned to the position of corporal. Successive promotions came to him as orderly sergeant, second and first lieutenant, and he was detailed to act as General Cox's body guard with the Third Division and Twenty-third Army Corps, thus serving until November 30, 1865, when he was discharged under general orders at David Island in New York harbor. He was ever a loyal soldier, true to the stars and stripes, but when the country no longer needed his services he gladly returned to his home and family.

Mr. Wert was married on the 22nd of January, 1860, to Elizabeth Copner, a native of Indiana. After following carpentering in the Hoosier state until the fall of 1867, he brought his family to Kansas, arriving in Humboldt on the 22nd of October. Here he secured a clerkship in the United States land office, under Colonel Goss, with whom he worked for three months. He then secured a homestead three miles north-east of Humboldt, residing thereon until December, 1869, when he returned to the city and entered into partnership with Messrs. Gilbert and Suits in the law and real estate business. This connection was maintained until 1873, when Mr. Wert sold out and became traveling salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which he represented on the road for ten years. He went into the livery business in Humboldt and traded his livery stock for a Woodson county farm which he moved to and operated some years. On selling that property he became owner of eight hundred acres in Gove county, Kansas, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising for four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his land, purchased property in Humboldt and has since made his home in this city.

On the 16th of August, 1869, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died leaving three children, but William and James are now deceased. Nettie, the only surviving child is the wife of John Dornburg, of Allen county. For his second wife he chose Frances E. ScanIon, their marriage being celebrated September 19, 1878.

Mr. Wert has always been an active worker in the Republican party since attaining his majority. He was deputy sheriff for four years, filled the office of justice of the peace, and in both positions discharged his duties in very commendable manner. He is a valued member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Humboldt, in which he has filled all the chairs. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and was a delegate to the national encampments in San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. In his early life he twice sailed round Cape Horn as a cabin boy, the voyage, in those

days of primitive navigation, consuming six months. He has visited every state and territory of the Union, gaining that experience and knowledge which only travel can bring. His has been an active, useful and honorable life and now he is enjoying a well-earned retirement from labor, occupying a pleasant home in Humboldt, where he has the warm regard of a large circle of friends.

Previous | Home | Next