Conrad GERTSCH

                   Conrad Gertsch Sr., was born 18 August, 1828, at Wengen, Bern, Switzerland. He died on 27th of April 1909 at Midway, Utah. He was theson of Christian Gertsch, and Maria Glaus, who were born and also livedand died at Wengen Switzerland.

Grandfather Gertsch was married twice. The first time the was married toMargaretha Von Allmen, who was born 3 February, 1839 and died 19 March,1871. This happy marriage ended very soon.

Grandfather later remarried to Margaretha Gertsch, also of Wengen.Grandfather had seven brothers and sisters. One of his sisters was themother of Aunt Maggie (Huber) Boss?. He had two brothers. One of hisbrothers was Christian Gertsch, who was the grandfather of Kate Maxfieldand Anna Pickering. Four children were born to Grandfather andGrandmother Gertsch: Margaretha, Susanna, Conrad, and Elizabeth.

Our Grandpartents were accuainted with privation, hard work and selfdenial, but they found strength to do whatever was required of them.

Grandfather's vocation was making wooden Shingles and cheese. All summer he would make cheese in the alps and then in the fall the cheese would be sold. Grandfather did not receive money but would take his pay in cheese.the Gertsch families daily menu consisted of cheese, goats milk, smoked meat, vegetables, and bread bought in Lauterbrunnen.

Grandfather had the reputation of being particular about his work and an excellent yoodler. He taught his children to work hard and to share what they earned. Conrad, their only son, helped tourists carry their luggage. He promptly brought all the earned money home and laid it on the table, keeping all of it. Grandfather was strict, yet he had a fun loving nature and certainly a rare type of courage. This was made manifest when theMormon missionaries introduced Mormonism to the family. Grandfather accepted this message and declared that they would leave for America.Grandmother's tender heart protested in leaving beautiful Wengen and all her friends, but Grandfather was resolute and unafraid of the unknown. When they finally left Stuzevedli, Grandfather yoodled. Even the four ministers and neighbors plead and denounced, warning them that the elders only wanted their daughters, it made no difference to Grandfather. He believed that the Elders had borne a true testimony. Although there was bitter oposition to the Mormons.

One night, when the Elders had arranged a meeting, the young boys ofSimeathal took the bells off the cows, grazing on the Alps, and proceeeded to break up the meeting. It is recorded in the church history in Switzerland that when the bells were again replaced on the cows that every single cow died.

Grandfather was a heavy smoker, and really enjoyed it, but nevertheless, after his conversion he struggled hard, and overcome this habit. He used to light his pipe with shavings held over a lamp chimney to save matches, which were so scarse.

Grandfather's family attended church in Leuterbrunnen. They were member of the Luthern church.

Written by Nephi Probst

Conrad & Margaetha Gertch both had the same surname