Pennsylvania teacher, politician, and jack of all trades George M. Wertz. (Photo credit: Pennsylvania State Senate)

George M. Wertz, a teacher, a politician, and a jack of all trades, is just one example of the many fine instances where skillful educators have also made their mark in the political realm. In addition to his career as an educator, George also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the US House of Representatives.

George was born July 19, 1856, near Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Hoffman) Wertz, and was born one of seven children on the family farm homestead. As a youngster, he attended public schools, including Ebensburg Academy, and the National Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. In later years, National Normal School merged with Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio.

After his graduation from college, George found employment as a teacher, working in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, from 1876 to 1884. He continued his service as an educator working as a school director from 1886 to 1894.

George began his career in politics when he was elected Cambria County Commissioner, a position he held from 1893 to 1896. He went on to serve as sheriff of Cambria County from 1897 to 1901. In 1909, the former teacher was elected on the Republican ticket to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he served until 1913. Once he left the state senate, George organized and managed the Johnstown Daily Leader, where he worked from 1911 to 1917. Between 1923 and 1925, George served in the 68th United States House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania’s 20th District. After he left Congress, George worked as a real estate agent.

This talented educator and politician passed away at the age of 72 on November 19, 1928. He is buried in Grand View Cemetery in Johnstown. The family farm where he was born has been named a state forest. To read more about George M. Wertz, see this link to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.