IowaJones/Biographies/M. Berger

M. Berger–D. Bittner

Michael Berger
Born October 2, 1860

Though not one of lowa's native farmers and one who has taken up his present occupation comparatively late in life, Michael Berger has been successful beyond the average and by his work has added to the reputation of Madison township, as a progressive agricultural locality. He was born October 2, 1860, in Bavaria, Germany, and is the son of George and Catherine (Iseman) Berger, who were also natives of that land and there lived and died. He acquired his education in the public schools of his birthplace, completing the prescribed course of study in the common branches when in his fourteenth year. Thereupon he went to Nuremberg, where he apprenticed himself to a baker that he might learn the trade, which he followed about twenty-two years both in his native land and in the United States. He served for six weeks in the Laeb, regiment at Munich (or Munchin) Bavaria, in 1882. In 1885 he came to America and, after traversing the country, located in Wyoming, Iowa, where he pursued his vocation for some eleven years, but in 1895 began his career as a farmer. For the first nine years he worked on rented land, and then, in 1901, he purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of the Kinsey Elwood estate and has since resided on it. Endowed with those qualities of industry and frugality which are the proverbial possession of members of his race he has been very successful in his agricultural undertakings and is now one of the substantial men of this community as he was one of its poorest when he came here twenty-four years ago. He still retains his skill as a baker, however, and nearly every fall follows his trade in Anamosa, where the products that come from his hands, and especially the German kuchen he delights to make at Christmas time, are in great demand.

In the year 1888, Mr. Berger married Mrs. Amelia (Grimm) Schullman, of Madison township, a native of Coal Valley, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Berger have been born five children, all of whom live at home. They are John, Emma, Caroline, Walter and Lueverne. By her first marriage Mrs. Berger also had five children: George, a farmer of Madison township; Fred and William, of Omaha, Nebraska; Tillie, the wife of Charles Fiddler, a farmer of Wyoming township; and Ida, who has remained unmarried and lives in Omaha.

Since becoming a citizen of this republic Mr. Berger has supported the democratic party. He is liberal in his political views, however, and at local elections votes for measures and men as he thinks best. He has not aspired to public preferment, though he is vitally interested in the welfare of his townspeople and in advancing educational opportunities in particular. He has served the community by acting as a member of the school board. A man who has been accustomed from his youth to win success, it was for him not an unusual thing to find his agricultural undertakings fraught with so much profit to himself. In his old country home he made bread that was good enough to be placed upon the table of the Emperor and on that of the Iron Chancellor, Bismarck: here the fruits of his labors do not come so directly into the lives of those who know him, but as they see the results of his toil, look at the excellent condition of his fields and regard the substantial income which his harvests bring him, they bestow upon him ungrudgingly their praise and their admiration. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, that being the faith in which they were reared.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 527.

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Levi Berlin
Born 1827

LEVI BERLIN, proprietor of Castle Grove Mills, Castle Grove; born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1827; he removed to Mercer Co., Penn., about 1847; in 1864, he came to Jones Co. and purchased a farm in Sec. 2, Castle Grove Township; in 1872, he and Mr. S. R. Stanbaugh built the mill, which is now owned by Mr. Berlin; this mill is known as the Castle Grove Mill; it cost about $10,000, has two run of stone, with a capacity of about one hundred bushels of wheat per day. Mr. Berlin married Miss Sarah Eberhart; their children are Sarah A., Emma P., Paul E., Calvin T., Clara, Baden B. and Kate.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 698.

Jonathan Bichel
Born July 3, 1824

JONATHAN BICHEL, retired farmer, Anamosa; is a native of Berks Co., Penn., and was born July 3, 1824; he grew up to manhood there, and went to Michigan and lived two years; then removed to Ohio. In 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Brunner, the daughter of John G. Brunner, a prominent man in Fairfield Co., Ohio; they lived in Ohio until 1859, then came to Iowa and located in Linn Co. and engaged in farming; Mrs. Bickel died April 20, 1870; they had seven children, only two of whom survive-Isaac J. and Eli F., both living in Linn Co. After the death of his wife, Mr. Bickel sold his farm, and, in the spring of 1879, came to Anamosa. When he began life he had nothing. He still owns a farm in Linn Co. and has money out at interest.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 650.

Elizabeth Biggler
Born 1824

MRS. ELIZABETH BIGGLER, farmer, Wayne Twp., Sec. 32; P.O. Anamosa born in Pennsylvania in 1824; her mother is living; her father is dead; she came to Jones Co. in 1861; her husband, Mr. Washington Biggler, died in 1877; he was a native of Mercer Co., Penn., and a brother of Hon. William Bigglcr, ex-Governor of that State, who was also United States Senator and one of the Directors of the Centennial. Mrs. Biggler, the subject of this sketch, and her husband were married in their native State May 25, 1847; have had fourteen children, six of whom are now living—William Washington, Ida Annetta, Fannie Elsie, Virginia Lorain, Elizabeth Bertha, Amanda Lillia; the two older are married, viz., William and Ida; William lives in the house with his mother; Ida is married to Mr. Rhue, near Blue Cut, in same county. Mr. Biggler was in the Custom House in Philadelphia for some time before he come West. He was in politics a Democrat, in religion a Methodist, as are also his wife and some of the children. Owns 160 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 621.

W. F. Bingham
Born October 2, 1854

W. F. BINGHAM, dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry and silver-ware, Monticello; is a native of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and was born October 2, 1854; his parents came to Iowa in 1856, and located in Jones Co.; he grew up to manhood and received his education here, and learned the jewelry business; he afterward engaged in business for himself. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the State Retail Jewelers' Association of Iowa. On the 2d of April, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria T. Gill, a native of this county, and daughter of H. W. Gill, Esq., of this city. Mr. Bingham's mother, Mrs. Prusha Bingham, is now living in Monticello; her husband, Elihu Bingham, died February 8, 1874, leaving five children, two of whom are living in Boston and three living here.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 660.

T. O. Bishop
Born September 4, 1805

T. O. BISHOP, farmer, Greenfield, Sec. 6; P.O. Martelle; was born in Williamstown, Berkshire Co., Mass., September 4, 1805. In 1811, he, with his father's family, moved to Cazenovia, Madison Co., N.Y. February 20, 1832, he was married to Fidelia Annas, who was born in Cazenovia March 18, 1814, by whom he had three sons, and two daughters, Justin Dwinnell, Maria P., Francis M., Henry O. and Fidelia; Justin Dwinnell and Maria P., died while young. Mr. Bishop served as Captain of a company of militia four years. In 1847, he was elected a member of the New York Assembly, taking his seat January 1, 1850, as an Old Hunker Democrat. His wife dying in 1846, he married Eunice Lewis, of De Ruyter, N.Y., in 1848. In 1854, he moved to Iowa and bought 150 acres of land in Sec. 6, Greenfield Township, Jones Co., where he now resides. In the fall of 1873, he was elected a Representative of the Iowa Legislature. He had previously been Supervisor of his township for nine consecutive years; was Director of his School District for ten years. Mr. Bishop was a descendant on his mother's side of one of the Judges who condemned Charles I, of England, to be beheaded.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 585.

Dennis Bittner
Born July 10, 1853

Dennis Bittner, who as postmaster has handled the mail of the village of Olin for the past twelve years, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1853. His parents, Herman and Rachel (Vought) Bittner, were also natives of that county, where they were reared and married. Shortly after the inauguration of the Civil war, Herman Bittner enlisted in the Pennsylvania Infantry and had the misfortune to be captured by the rebels and was confined in Libby prison. There his death subsequently occurred, which left his wife with five children to rear and care for. Four of these are still living useful lives and Mrs. Bittner also survives although she has reached the advanced age of eighty years. She has never left Somerset County.

Although so early deprived of a father's love and guidance, Dennis Bittner learned well the fundamental lessons of life at home and at school, so that he has progressed far along the road to success. Until he attained his majority he remained at home, assisting his mother in all that lay in his power and then engaged in teaching. To this profession he devoted, all told, eleven winters, one in his, native state and ten in Jones County, to which he came in 1875. After forsaking that line of work he engaged in farming, but this did not prove sufficiently to his liking to hold him more than four years, when he sold his land, removed to Olin and embarked in mercantile business. His operations were bringing him large returns for his investments, so that he had every reason to be satisfied with his venture, when on the 22d of June, 1892, his stock was totally destroyed by fire. He was not discouraged by this misfortune, however, but starting again with a new line of goods he opened a store in which he has since carried on business. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster and has discharged the duties of this office ever since, but he has also conducted his general store in conjunction. The qualities which have made him a good business man, which have won for him a representative trade from the people of the village and its environs have also contributed to his popularity as a public servant, for he is unremitting in his efforts to secure the satisfaction of those who rely upon him, sparing neither himself nor those in his employ to obtain quick and efficient distribution of the mails, and ready and willing attention to the demands of others.

After coming to this state Mr. Bittner wedded Miss Clara C. Everhart. a native of Taylor county and a daughter of N. M. and Susan Everhart, who are now residents of Olin. She is one of a family of ten children. Mr. Bittner has always supported, the republican party, taking a vital interest in local affairs and in politics generally.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 553.