Simeon Gershom Kurtz

     Simeon Gershom Kurtz was born on 10 December 1875 at Whetstone Township, Crawford County, Ohio.² He was the son of Samuel Kurtz and Margaret Elizabeth Rexroth.¹ Simeon Gershom Kurtz first married, at age 25, Emma Elizabeth Stump, age 22, daughter of Isaac Stumpf and Elizabeth Heinlen, on Wednesday, 20 November 1901.² Simeon Gershom Kurtz died on 15 January 1942 at age 66 years, 1 month and 5 days. He was buried in the Whetstone Cemetery, located in Whetstone Township, Crawford County, Ohio.
     A brief account for Simeon has been found in the "History of Crawford County, Ohio and Representative Citizens." Originally published in 1912, editor, John E. Hopley helped to ensured that this bit of history would be saved for his descendants. The following account was found on p. 751:

     SIMEON G. KURTZ, who is a worthy representative of one of the old families of high standing in Crawford county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 121 1/2 acres, which is situated in Whetstone township. He was born in this township, Dec. 10, 1875, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Rexroth) Kurtz, and a grandson of George Kurtz. Samuel Kurtz and wife were both born in Crawford county and for many years lived in Whetstone township, where they are pleasantly remembered, but now live in comfortable retirement at Bucyrus. To them the following children were born: George, Aaron, Simeon G., Catherine, Bertha, Harrison, Paul and Edwin. Of the above, Bertha is the wife of Russell Meyers. All survive except Catherine and Paul. The parents are members of the Reformed church. Simeon G. Kurtz attended the public schools in Whetstone township and one term at Ada College, Ada, O., after which he engaged in teaching school for three winter terms and during the summers carried on farm operations for his father. When he married he rented his present farm from his father-in-law and purchased it three years later and has devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising ever since, keeping up his grade of stock but not making calculations to have any to sell. On Nov. 20, 1901, Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Emma Stump, who is a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Heinlen) Stump. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Crawford county and they now live retired on their farm but one-fourth mile west of their son, Henry J. Stump’s farm in Whetstone township. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have two children: Myron Clinton and LaVerne Simeon. The family belongs to the Reformed church and Mr. Kurtz is superintendent of the Sunday-school.²