The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Marion Township, pages 688-689
Jacob F. Kurtz was born in Floyd Township, Putnam Co., Ind., in 1833, a son of Jacob and Allutia Kurtz, who were pioneers of that county, who emigrated from Kentucky in the year 1828. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he has always followed, living with his parents till their death, he and his wife caring for them in their last years. His father had been an invalid and walked on crutches for over thirty years. He died at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife was an active woman till a year previous to her death at the age of eighty-two years, when she became as helpless as a little child. Our subject then became owner of the homestead, on which he lived till 1878, a period of forty-five years. He was married March 27, 1855, to Eliza Cassity, born Nov. 19, 1838, a daughter of David H. and Susan Cassity. Her parents came from Kentucky and settled in Putnam County, Ind., in an early day. Her mother died, and her father afterward married Mrs. Sarah Ann (Kurtz) Graham, a sister of Mr. Kurtz. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have two children--Edwin M. and Laura Ellen. Edwin M. was born Sept. 30, 1856, and was married Sept. 18, 1884, to Mary Florence Somers, a native of Putnam County, born March 9, 1859, daughter of William C. and Mary Somers, of Kansas. Laura Ellen was born April 14, 1861, and was married Sept. 27, 1882, to Henry Underwood, a son of Joseph and Lucretia Underwood, of Putnam County. In 1882 Mr. Kurtz bought the Edmund Hadley homestead, one of the oldest places in that part of Hendricks County. His homestead contains 173 acres of well cultivated land, and his residence and farm buildings are good. Since his occupancy he has remodeled both house and barn. Politically Mr. Kurtz is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.