FAMILY HISTORIES: Bertram Family History  1892, Clinton Co., KY 

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Taken from 7 January 1892 edition of THE ALBANY BANNER. Typed as published
and submitted by Laura Frost Wright lsllwright@fuse.net on 29 July 2000
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(Some parts are missing)
WM. BERTRAM, the father of the BERTRAMS, who first settled in Wayneand Clinton counties, was born 
in Lee county, Va. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war, spending the best part of his 
life for the liberty and independence of his country. About the close ofthe war he moved to N.C., 
and later to White County, Tenn. where he died in his 97th year.WILLIAM BERTRAM, son of the above 
was born in N.C. June 17, 1783. At avery early age he came to Wayne County, Ky and settled in the 
SouthFork, in the eastern part of the county. Later he moved to Carpenter'sFork, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. He was a minister of the gospel and spent much time in organizing the 
Baptist Churches in this part of the state. He led a -missing- life, and possessed high moral 
courage, ever striving to elevate those by whom he was surrounded. He raised a family of twelve 
children, nine boys and threegirls, of the nine boys three were ministers of the gospel, to wit: 
EPHRAM, JACOB, and JOHNATHON. A short time before he died he invited his children, grand-children, and great grand children to gather at his home. The number that responded to the 
invitation was seventy eight. After a short lecture from the old man, they separated never to 
meet again on earth. He died October 23, 1865.

EPHRAM BERTRAM, was born in Wayne County, Ky. He was one of the greatest ministers of his day. He 
professed religion at an early age and united with the church at Plesant Hill, Ky. Like Saul of 
-missing-, after his own deliverance, feeling that it was his duty to go and preach the gospel to 
a cruel and ruined world. He at once set about to prepare himself for his office. 
------Missing---- Barren County. Here he united with Mt. Pleasant church and thus became 
identified with Original Barren River association. Among the people of this association, he spent 
the remainder of his life. He was held in high standing by the people with whom he labored and 
preached. He died at his home in Barren County in the year of 1887.JACOB and JOHNATHON, still 
live near the place of their births, anddevote much of their time to the interests of religion, 
though eachof them has passed his three-score years.

REUBEN BERTRAM was born in Wayne county, Ky. At an early age heprofessed hope in Christ. For 
sometime he devoted himself to thestudy of the Bible. He was then ordained to the ministry and 
gave good evidence of his ability to fill that high office, after about three years of labor, 
death claimed him for its victim. He died January, 1891.

ALVIN BERTRAM was born in Wayne County, Ky. Being of poor parentage,he was uneducated. In 1861 he 
married ROSA B. YOUNG and moved to Clinton County, Ky where he has since resided. In 1866, he professed religion and joined the church at Beech Bottom. In 1872 he was ordained to the ministry 
and for sixteen years had the pastoral careof his church. From time to time he has had the 
pastoral care of different churches. As to his character and standing, it is not for me to say 
but let the people among whom he has lived for the past twenty-seven years be the judge.

Dr. JOEL BERTRAM, son of CALVIN BERTRAM was born in Clinton County, Ky. In the year of 1875 he 
conceived the idea of practicing medicine, though he had never been in medical school. He at once 
purchased a stock of medicines, and begun to practice having some success. Later he attended the 
lectures at Atlanta, Ga. where he obtained a diploma. He now has a fine practice, and is one of 
the foremost doctors of the mountain counties of Tennessee.

JOE BERTRAM, was born in Wayne County, Ky. He proved himself to be agood student and made good 
progress in his studies.. He taught schooland saved money enough to carry him to college. He 
attended the college at Lexington, where he secured a fine education.About the year of 1876, he 
was elected to the State Senate. After his term in the Senate he made the two races for Congress, 
but was defeated in convention. In 1890 he was chosen county judge of his native county, which 
position he now holds. 

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