Early life John Vertin (sometimes spelled
Wertin) was born on July 17, 1844, in
Dobliče in the
Duchy of Carniola in the
Austrian Empire (present-day
Črnomelj,
Slovenia) and baptized Johann Vertin. He was the second of four children of Joseph and Mary (née Deržaj) Vertin. Vertin received his early education at the gymnasium in
Novo Mesto in Lower Carniola. Joseph Vertin was a merchant who came to the United States in 1852 . He settled in
Michigan and opened general stores in
Hancock and
Calumet (now known as Vertin Gallery). Joseph Vertin returned to Carniola in 1857. Deciding to become a priest, Vertin entered
Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in
St. Francis, Wisconsin, in 1864 to study for the priesthood. It was the first ordination performed in Marquette. Vertin rebuilt the cathedral, laying the cornerstone in June 1881. He consecrated the new and consecrating the
St. Peter's Cathedral in July 1890. The main altar was a gift from Vertin's father and a
side altar was donated by Vertin's brother-in-law.
Death and legacy John Vertin died in Marquette on February 26, 1899, at age 54. He was buried in the crypt of St. Peter Cathedral. ==References==