IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.

Ernest A. Bergman

A progressive and popular citizen of McGregor, which has represented his home from the time of his birth, holds place as one of the sterling business men of his native city, with a circle of friends that is limited only by that of his acquaintances. With recognized eligibility, Mr. Bergman appeared in the spring of 1916 as a candidate for nomination for the office of sheriff of Clayton county, on the Democratic ticket, and the result of the primary election was that he was defeated by 41 votes.

Mr. Bergman was born at McGregor on the 12th of November, 1875, and is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Daubenberger) Bergman, both of whom were born in Germany. Frederick Bergman immigrated to the United States when a young man and for a time maintained his residence in the State of Pennsylvania, whence he removed in an early day to Wisconsin and established his residence at LaCrosse, where he remained about two years. In 1865 he numbered himself among the pioneer settlers at McGregor, Iowa, where for many years he successfully conducted a meat market, though he lived virtually retired for a number of years prior to his death, which occurred in May, 1910, the wife of his youth having passed away in 1874, and their children having been ten in number: Frederick, the first-born, is deceased; Frank still maintains his home at McGregor; Henry is deceased; Edward resides at McGregor; Albert is deceased; Ernest A., of this review, was the next in order of birth; William likewise maintains his home at McGregor; Odilda is the wife of John A. Walters, of McGregor; and Misses May and Charlotte still reside in their native place.

Continuing his studies in the public schools until he had duly profited by the advantages of the McGregor high school, Ernest A. Bergman then became associated with the operation of his father's meat market, and later he was engaged in the hotel business at McGregor for a period of about five years. He then resumed his connection with the meat-market business, of which he has since continued a prominent and successful representative in his native place. He has been a zealous supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and an active worker in its local ranks, though he never appeared as a candidate for public office until he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for sheriff of his native county, in the spring of 1916.

He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Masonic fraternity, the Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Brotherhood of America. On the 22d of August, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bergman to Mrs. Clara (Nelson) Elder, widow of Howard Elder and daughter of Nels Nelson. By her first marriage Mrs. Bergman has one son, Howard.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; pg. 45

-OCR scanned by S. Ferrall

 

Return to 1916 Biographies Index