Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 20

A successful dealer in hardware and farming implements, whose previous experience as a practical farmer assists him every day to understand the problems of the agriculturist and to forestall his wants, is William Wertz, a native of Streator, Ill., and the son of John Wertz, a farmer, for a while in Livingston County, that state, who eventually returned to Streator and now resides there. His mother was Jane Reed before her marriage, and she was a native of Illinois. She is still living, the mother of four children.

Born the second eldest of the family, on January 9, 1878, William was fortunately a "home boy," and was reared at Streator, where he attended the public schools. Later, having finished with his books, he began to work on the farm and then, desiring a handiwork that would be some guarantee for the future, he learned the plumbing trade, apprenticing himself to a Streator plumber. Once more he returned to the farm, this time in Livingston County; and when he had finished there, he was probably as well-informed a farmer, for his years and length of practical experience, as any man in the Middle West

Having had his attention, fortunately, attracted to California and its wonderful resources, and especially to the many advantages Fresno County has to offer, Mr. Wertz in 1913 came to Clovis and located here, buying a forty-acre vineyard where, for a couple of years, he engaged in the science of viticulture. Then he sold out and bought a twenty-seven-acre vineyard which he ran for a year, finally disposing of that.

Prior to selling out the second time, Mr. Wertz had purchased the business of Hawkins Brothers, the hardware dealers, and now he embarked in that line. He not only bought their extensive stock of hardware and agricultural implements, pumping plants, steel, tanks and plumbing, but also the building they had occupied; and he prepared for a larger business along the same lines. Now he installs, among other outfits, pumping plants, and sells the Waterloo Boy engine; he carries a full line of P. & O. implements and belting, etc., and his establishment on Front Street makes an excellent display.

While in Illinois, Mr. Wertz was married to Miss Gertrude Clark, a native of Mr. Wertz's birthplace; and their union has resulted in two promising children — Gladys and Blanche. The family attend the Methodist Church; but far beyond the circles of that live religious organization Mr. and Mrs. Wertz are known for their loyal citizenship, their qualities as friends, their capacity as neighbors. Clovis has no more successful business man, and it has no more devoted couple.