Bureau County IL Archives Biographies.....Bernahard, Jacob
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Virginia Perry vperry@midwest.net January 1999

Biography for Jacob Bernahard, Bureau County, Illinois

Jacob Bernahard, De Pue, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 
13, 1832.  He is the son of Christian and Mary (Lied) Bernhard.  The 
father's occupation was that of a farmer.  He died in 1842, but his 
widow lived till 1859.  Our subject was educated in the schools of his 
native country, and in early life learned the trade of shoemaking.  In 
1853 he came to the United States, and for one year remained in New York 
City, working at shoemaking.  He then went to Hudson City, N. Y., and 
there followed his trade for one year.  In 1855 he came to Bureau 
County, Ill., and began clerking in the store of Benjamin Newell at 
Trenton, now De Pue.  He remained with Mr. Newell for three years, when 
he engaged in business in partnership with Moses Mercer and John W. 
York. After several changes in the firm Mr. Bernhard sold out his 
interest in 1864.  In December, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Forty-
eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till September, 1865, 
when they were discharged.  He participated in the battle of Nashville, 
Tenn., being under Gen. Thomas at that time.  He was also in the 
encounter with Bragg at Kinston, N.C.  In 1866 he engaged in the 
mercantile business again at De Pue, and has since continued here.  He 
carries a general stock of goods valued at about $10,000.  For a number 
of years he has also been in the grain business, buying and shipping by 
water.  For some time the annual shipments of grain have averaged about 
200,000 bushels.  Besides his different business investments, Mr. 
Bernhard owns about 1,000 acres of Bureau County's valuable land.  Such 
is the success attained by energy, industry and a  close application to 
business.  Mr. Bernhard came to this county without any capitol, but his 
business ability soon made him a successful merchant and business man.  
He was married in this county in April, 1858, to Miss Rosina Frey, who 
is a native of Baden, Germany, but came to America the same year as her 
husband.  Her parents, Bernhard and Elizabeth Frey, first settled in 
Philadelphia, but in 1856 came to this county and died here.  To Mr. and 
Mrs. Bernhard eight children have been born, viz.: Lissetta, Charles, 
Emma, Mary, J. A., W. M., Albert and Franklin.  In politics Mr. Bernhard 
is Republican.  He is a member of the De Pue Lodge, No. 669, I.O.O.F.  
He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church of Hollowayville, 
which church he helped build.

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