John Vertin

John Vertin (July 17, 1844 – February 26, 1899) was a Slovenian-born American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie and Marquette in Michigan from 1879 until his death in 1899.

Life 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.