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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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NICHOLAS J. H. GERWIG, merchant, Wilkinsburg, was born in Ross township, this county, November 14, 1846. His parents, Henry and Mary (Voegtly) Gerwig, now reside in the city of Allegheny; the former was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1822, and the latter in Allegheny in 1826. Henry Gerwig came to this county in 1836, and established a rope-factory in Pittsburgh, which is now succeeded by Bentley & Gerwig, of New Brighton, Beaver county, in which he is still interested. Nicholas J. H. Gerwig was reared in the city, attended the German Evangelical school three years, and the public school four years. After a course at Penn Institute, he, in 1861, set about learning the trade of rope-making, at which he labored five years. He was then employed in his father’s warehouse as bookkeeper and salesman, and Jan. 1, 1871, became a partner in the business. The firm is now H. Gerwig & Sons, dealing extensively in ropes and cordage; our subject is also interested in the New Brighton factory. He owns sixteen houses in Wilkinsburg, four in Pittsburgh and four in Mansfield. He attends the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a republican. Jan. 8, 1874, he married Anna Mary, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hui) Beckert, natives of Alsace, now residing in Reserve township, where Mrs. Gerwig was born. Mr. and Mrs. Beckert were married Nov. 7, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Gerwig’s living children are Frederick H. N., Clara Mary, Alma, Theodore Charles and Lucy Anna; three died in infancy.

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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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