John Wirtner (1795-1848) was the eldest son and the third born; he emigrated to the U.S. and was married in Loretto, Pa., to Mary Rufina Hertzog (1813-1846) by Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin on September 6, 1836. The couple lived about a half mile south of Bradley Junction, Pa., where John had a tannery. Five children were born to this union: John Baptist (see more on John below); Rufina, born in 1840; Matilda, born in 1842; Nicholas, a Civil War veteran; and one other. One year after his wife's death, John married Caroline Richter, who bore him one additional child. John died in 1848 when he was thrown from a horse while on the road home from Loretto, Pa.