John Waltz was the first born child of George M. Waltz and Catharine Hines.  He was born on August 27, 1825  in Riedseltz, France and emigrated with his family to the United States on April 19, 1831.  The family left France from the port of LeHavre, and first settled in Hollidaysburg, Huntingdon County, PA. (later to become Blair County.)

By 1841, the family had permanently moved to the farm they bought in Chest Township, Cambria County. 

John married Elizabeth Yahner on April 14, 1856 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carroltown, PA, Cambria County.  The officiating priest was Valentine Felder, and their witnesses were Michael Waltz and Magdalena Gill.  Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, the daughter of Martin Yahner and Elizabeth Chardon.

John and Elizabeth had 3 children:

I found this family in the 1860 census for Chest Township.  This census listed John and Elizabeth and their two children, Elizabeth and George M.  Please see "Waltz Documents" for a copy of this census page.

John was a farmer on the old homestead in Chest Township.

During the Civil War, John enlisted in Co. E, 135th Inf. Reg. PA.  He mustered out at Harrisburg, PA on May 24, 1863.  He died on October 23, 1863 from smallpox just a few months after he returned home to Cambria County.

 John is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Chest Township, Lot #A105.   John's estate appraisal took place the day after he died, probably right after the funeral party got back from the cemetery! 

On May 10, 1864, Elizabeth asked that a legal guardian be appointed for her children, Elizabeth, George, and Edward, all under age 14.  Legal guardianship had nothing to do with adoption. It was a formality of the time whereby the court would appoint someone to manage the financial and legal affairs of a minor whose parent did not feel up to the task. Local lawyers were frequently the "guardian" of dozens of kids.  (per  Probate file #1296)  Please see the "Waltz Documents" section for a copy of various estate papers on John Waltz.

Elizabeth next married Conrad Yeager on July 16, 1866 at St. Lawrence Church, St. Lawrence, Cambria County, PA.  Elizabeth and Conrad had 6 children:

I found the family in the 1870 Census living in Chest Township.  Conrad must have been married prior to his marriage to Elizabeth, because I found three Yeager children living with them who were born before Conrad and Elizabeth's marriage.  Name: Conrad Yeager, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1813; Age in 1870: 57; Birthplace: Bavaria / Bayern; Home in 1870: Chest, Cambria, Pennsylvania; Race: White; Gender: Male; Post Office: Summit; Elizabeth Yeager 35; Elizabeth Yeager 11; Peter Yeager 9; Maggie Yeager 7; Philip Yeager 3; Lenus Yeager 7/12; Elizabeth Waltz 13; Edward Waltz 7; George Waltz 10

In the 1880 Census, the family was living in Elder Township, Cambria County.  Conrad Yeager, estimated birth year: about 1833; age 47; farmer; father's birthplace:  Bavaria; mothers birthplace:  Bavaria; Elizabeth Yeager, age 44; Peter Yeager, age 19; Margaret Yeager, age 17; Philip Yeager, age 12; Lewis Yeager, age 9; Joseph Yeager, age 8; Albert Yeager, age 7; Edward Waltz, age 17; George Waltz, age 20

In the 1900 Census, the family is still living in Elder Twp, Cambria County.  Conrad's marriage date to Elizabeth was incorrectly listed as 1857 (they were actually married on July 16, 1866). Also listed in the family were: Elizabeth, 65; Lewis, age 30; Albert, age 26, Jacob, age 19.  Living with them was a Yahner relative (from Elizabeth's side of the family): Cecilia Yahner, age 21.

The 1910 Census finds Conrad (age 77) and Elizabeth (age 75) still living in Elder Twp.  With them are two of their grown children:  Philip (age 42) and Jacob (age 29).

Elizabeth died on September 19, 1910.  Conrad died on Nov. 9, 1916.  They are both buried in St. Boniface Cemetery, Elder Township, Cambria County, Pa.