We know William from his baptism at Mertz Church by his parents Jacob and Elisabeth. The sponsor was his Uncle Wilhelm who would soon move to Columbia County. He is designated H1b1.

I believe his middle initial L may stand for Link, which others say was his mother’s maiden name.

He was listed in the 1840-1870 Census in Maxatawny Township where his grandfather had lived and then in 1880 in Richmond Township.

William L Mertz is on find-a-grave, buried at Union Cemetery of Bowers. His birth date on his tombstone matches exactly his birth date from his Mertz Church baptism record.

From the 1850 Census, we know Benjamin age 14, Reuben C age 11, William age 7, James (it was Jairus actually) age 5 and a second James age 2. The 1860 Census adds Thomas age 10, Alfred age 6 and Peter age 4.

I typically track further only those born before 1850, so the sons of William’s I have tracked and their designations are:

H1b1a Benjamin born 1836
H1b1b Reuben C born 1838
H1b1c William C born 1843
H1b1d Jairus born 1845
H1b1e James C born 1848

William’s sons Benjamin, Jairus and Alfred all moved to Clinton County and are buried at the same cemetery as their grandfather and several of their uncles. Jairus and Alfred are named Mertz on their tombstones, all the others became Martz.

A release signed by William and Maria says she was the daughter of Peter Clauser. At least five of her sons had the middle initial “C” — for Clouser, I suspect.

I found her obituary in the Reading Times 27 Jan 1904. She died “Monday” at her home in Bowers age 87y, 10m, 29d. Survived by Peter at home, William Jr. of Bowers, Reuben of Reading, James of Eagle Point and Jarius of Mulberry, IN.