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category now called "basement barns," in this case exhibiting German cultural influence. It is a two-level, three -bayed structure. The lower level (basement) was intended for stabling horses and cattle. The upper level, reached by a ramp, was used for hay, grain and implement storage, the middle bay a threshing floor. The foundation consists of field stone; • some sections have been repaired with concrete. In St. Joseph County the principal crops of the nineteenth century were corn, oats, wheat and hay; livestock and dairying were important additional sources of farm income. Barns such as this were ideal for these mixed agricultural pursuits. Like the house, the barn retains architectural details reminiscent of the Italianate style: ventilation openings on the east and north sides are tall and narrow and have rectangular window crowns; the roof has moderately -wide overhanging eaves. Four small basement windows on the east and west sides have pedimented crowns, an additionally attractive detail. German cultural influence in this type of barn construction is exhibited by the cantilevered overhang at the rear of the structure. This overhang is copied from the German farmers of Pennsylvania who built enormous "Swisser" or "Schweitzer" barns with a cantilevered "forebay" over the lower level of the barnyard side (rear) to serve as additional protection for stock. These structures were built into a bank if one was available --or ramps were built to the second level --hence the name "bank" barn. In the Midwest smaller versions of these were built over a basement in the smaller, three -bay English form. More often than not these barns had a ramp to the second floor. These smaller versions became popularly know as bank barns, although they should more accurately be called basement barns.[2] HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT •This farmhouse and barn were constructed in 1872 for John and Belinda (Kollar) Wertz.[3] John Wertz was born in Ohio in 1831, the son of George and Catherine (Raff) Wertz. He moved to St. Joseph County in 1853, first settling in Centre Township. He relocated to German Township in 1872 and built this farmhouse and related structures soon thereafter. The property is shown in the Illustrated Historical Atlas (1875) as consisting of one hundred and twenty acres straddling what was then called the Niles Road (the main road leading north and west to Niles, Michigan) and the northeast corner of Auten Road. The Wertzs were farmers. John and Belinda were married in 1855. Belinda was also a native of Ohio. The couple had six children, five boys and a girl. The History of St. Joseph County (1880) relates that John Wertz' "educational advantages were limited" (he signed his deed and mortgage with an "x") but that he "was an industrious man, upright and honest."[4] In 1878 the Wertz' sold the portion of the property on the west side of the Niles Road, consisting of eighty seven acres, to Godfrey and Dora Bestle (spelled Bestley in early records). Godfrey Bestle was born in Germany in 1826; he came to the United States in 1852. He first lived in Michigan and then came to St. Joseph County in 1864. Godfrey was married to Dora Byerer in 1855. Dora was also German, born there in 1835. The couple had nine children. Godfrey Bestle was described as being "educated" in the 1880 History, where he was noted as able to read both German and English. The couple owned one hundred and forty acres of property in German Township and one hundred and fifteen acres in Michigan. They also were farmers.[5] • After Godfrey Bestle died, the property was sold by his heirs in 1908 to Charles A. Bestle, the son of Godfrey and Dora for $8000.00. It remained in his possession at least into the late 1.920s.[6] 9