Bio of BERNARD, John A. (b.1845) and wife, Rose Ella MOORE, Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 636-641
J. A. BERNARD, M. D. and MRS. J. A. BERNARD-"LITTLE MOTHER"
(John A. Bernard)
During the long period of his professional connection with Minneapolis Dr. J. A.
Bernard made steady advance and reached a most creditable position among the
successful practitioners of the city. By reason of his activity in his chosen
field and also his cooperation with interests of public moment he became widely
known here and his many admirable characteristics gained for him the friendship
and regard of all with whom he came into contact. Pennsylvania numbered him
among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Westmoreland county, October
25, 1845. In the acquirement of his education he attended Elders Ridge College
in that state and in young manhood he left the east to become a resident of
Minnesota. Here he made preparation for the practice of medicine by
matriculating in the Medical School of the University of Minnesota and was
president of the first medical class graduating there from. He then entered upon
active practice and as the years passed by his patronage steadily grew in volume
and importance. He always kept abreast with the trend of modern professional
thought and scientific investigation and utilized advanced methods in the
treatment of his patients. He belonged to the Hennepin County Medical
Association and enjoyed the high regard of his professional col­leagues and
contemporaries. He was a devout Christian and a member of Minnehaha Lodge of the
Royal Arcanum, and his life was actuated by manly principles and high purposes,
which gained for him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he was
associated.
In the year 1881 Dr. Bernard was united in marriage to Miss Rose Ella Moore, a
daughter of the Rev. George W. Moore, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs.
Bernard now largely devotes her time to the Union City Mission and the story of
her life has been most entertainingly told in one of the city papers as follows:
"Soft gray hair, a gentle face, a matronly figure-those spell Mother to every
man, no matter what his age, his station, or his hardness in criminality. Proof
of that fact lies in the experience of Mrs. Rose M. Bernard, for thirty years
associated with the evangelistic work of Union City Mission and known to
thousands of criminals, paupers, derelicts and other types who make up the
flotsam population of the mission, as 'Little Mother.' Through her mothering
Mrs. Bernard has won back to respect­ability and a clean life many of the most
hardened convicts known in the history of Minneapolis. Her record is a unique
one, for she is the only 'Little Mother' engaged in her particular work not only
in Minneapolis but in the entire Northwest. Her repu­tation is practically
international, for the men and girls she has helped are, many of them, now
scattered in all parts of the earth, whence they still write to her to keep her
informed of their welfare and their victories over the old temptations. The
secret of her influence Mrs. Bernard attibutes to the Spirit of God. She
possesses the most universally beloved thing in the world-a mother face. And by
this and her genuine spirit of mother love she melts the antagonisms which many
years of rebellion against society have engendered and achieves the repentance
and resolu­tion to new manhood which prison bars have failed to accomplish. Mrs.
Bernard started her evangelistic work in the Gateway district in Minneapolis
thirty years ago. As a child she had longed to go on the stage but because she
was a minister's daugh­ter she was not permitted to carry out that ambition. So
after she was married she turned her dramatic talents to gospel work. She was
first dubbed 'Little Mother' because she was so small and because she took the
place of the absent mothers of all the men at the mission. She has never had a
child of her own, so she has di­vided her love among her 'boys.' In the
successes made by the men whom she res­cues, Mrs. Bernard takes true mother
pride." Many of these men have later become forceful factors for good in the
world today. One of these with a record as a thief and convict, over whose early
Christian life she had great influence, is now at the head of the Hadley Hall
Mission for men in New York city and also chaplain of the Tombs prison. Another,
who informed Mrs. Bernard that before his conversion he had never done an honest
day's work in his life, running away from home when ten years of age and
developing into a professional thief, became assistant superintendent of the
Union City Mission in Minneapolis. It is a very usual thing for those whom Mrs.
Bernard has aided in their work of reformation to become ministers or mission
workers. One such is at the head of the Volunteers of America in Detroit. Scores
and scores of cases could be related where men under her influence have turned
to right living, and the work of humanizing and Christianizing the world is
still being carried on by her and indirectly through her influence over the
lives of those whom she has assisted back into the path of rectitude. "Not the
good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the
measure of our success." In testimony of "Little Mother's" Christian life we
append the following extracts:
First Baptist church,
J. G. Greenwood, Minister,
216 Park St.
Detroit, Minnesota.
Rev. W. E. Paul, Oct. 23, 1922.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear Brother: -
I want you to know something of the blessings we have received through the
ministries of Rev. Wilknes and wife and Mrs. Dr. Bernard-"Little Mother." Mrs.
Bernard is the strongest spiritual force in many ways I have ever met. Her
mes­sages from the pulpit have gripped her audiences and held them so that you
could have heard a pin drop. Her evangelistic equipment is simply wonderful. I
do not wonder that the boys at the mission call her "Little Mother." She has
touched hearts here that will vibrate with love for her and for her Lord
throughout eternity. The Union Mission will hereafter have a warm place in the
hearts of this church.
Sincerely, C. J. Greenwood.
(On a postal card with picture of the church). "Little Mother":
May this picture remind you of a spot in the Lord's harvest field where he used
you mightily in winning souls and deepening the life of the church, and where
you will ever hold the love and goodwill of a grateful congregation.
Sincerely, the Pastor.