SYLVESTER HERTIG, a prominent farmer and wool-grower of Donegal township, is a son of John G. Hertig, who was born in 1804, in the Canton Neufchatel, near the beautiful city and lake of the same name, the country being at that time an annex of the French Empire. The Hertig family were ardent admirers of the world-renowned Napoleon, and Charles (the eldest son of the family) though a youth of barely twenty years, had already won the epaulets of a subaltern officer, in the sanguinary battle of Waterloo, where he received a severe wound. The father of this family was a battle-scarred veteran and had then been placed on the retired list. John G. Hertig was to have been educated for the church in accordance with his parents' desires, but the ideas of the youth did not agree with the expressed wishes of the family. He had no taste for the life of a churchman, but secretly determined to secure as good an education as possible, and then flee to America, whose free institutions imparted so roseate a tint to his boyish dreams. Quitting school at the age of sixteen years, with the reputation of being a prodigy in scholarship, he gained the consent of his parents to go to Holland, as the fall of Napoleon had given the then hated Prussians the control of his birthplace. He was limited in finances at this time, which fact prevented his coming at once to America, but it was only hope deferred. The long- cherished ambition was hidden for a time, but never once forgotten. John Hertig soon became tutor in a wealthy family, and giving them four hours daily of his time, received a liberal compensation. In addition to the luxuries of aristocratic life, which included unlimited quantities of the most elegant wearing apparel, he also received the annual sum of $300 in gold. But certain galling restraints were imposed, and his proud spirit, brooking no fetters, longed eagerly for absolute freedom. He must realize the dream of his life, naught else would satisfy, and at the end of two years he decided that the time for action had arrived. Having saved $1,000, the daring youth bid adieu to the family with whom he had been an honored guest (who entreated him to remain with them), and sending a farewell to his parents, looked his last on the shores of Europe. Perhaps a faint regret came over him as the banks of his sunny France faded from sight, and he realized that he was forever leaving all who loved him, to dwell a stranger in a strange land. But youth is buoyant, and seldom spends much time in vain regret; new scenes were before him, a new life lay just beyond. In 1824 the young man landed in New York, where he remained some time, then went to Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., entering in a partnership school with an American, who attempted to cheat the young foreigner. After discovering the treachery, young Hertig withdrew from the school, and began teaching in George township, Fayette Co., Penn. Soon afterward he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Showalter, a farmer of the neighborhood, and eleven children were born to their union, of whom eight are yet living. Mr. Hertig passed many years of his life in Fayette county, Penn., and was one of the best-known and most popular men of the county. He possessed remarkable mathematical skill, and never saw or heard of a problem which he could not solve. He was a fluent scholar, speaking, reading and writing the English, French and German languages with perfect ease; translating Latin as a pastime; solving the most difficult mathematical problems readily as if but child's play; surveying lands, drawing plats, and drawing up all kinds of legal documents, with more ease than an average lawyer. Mr. Hertig was indeed a man of wonderful power and versatility. The latter years of his life were passed in Tennessee (where he owned some real estate), thinking that the balmy southern air might lessen the pain of the infirmities he was obliged to suffer, although not confined to the bed, and never accepting a physician's aid. He died August 24, 1885, at Cleveland, Tenn.; his widow still survives him. Sylvester Hertig was born January 20, 1850, in George township, Fayette Co., Penn. He received a common-school education, and passed his boyhood on his father's farm. On February 19, 1880, he was married to Emma L. Eberhart, who was born March 25, 1861, daughter of Adolph and Sarah (Beatty) Eberhart, and she has borne him children as follows: Charles, Adolph, Hortense and John G.. After his marriage Mr. Hertig resided some time in Springhill township, Fayette Co., Penn., and followed farming and stock raising. He then moved to Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and located about six miles west of Washington. In 1888 he came to Donegal township, this county, locating on the "James Dickey" farm, which he now owns, lying about one mile and a half south of Dunsfort, near the line of West Virginia, where he is extensively engaged in wool-growing. Mr. Hertig casts his ballot for the one he considers most capable of filling the position, regardless of political standing.

Text taken from page 1231 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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