My Genealogy Hound

C. F. BERTRAM. The fruit farm belonging to Mr. Bertram is one of the best in Berrien County, and is located on section 36, St. Joseph Township. The property consists of twenty acres, all of which are planted to fruit, ten acres being devoted to blackberries, three and one-half acres to grapes, two acres to raspberries, and there are also two hundred and sixty peach trees, one hundred apple and three hundred pear trees. The purchase price of the farm was $2,500, but the many improvements since added thereto have greatly increased its value and it is now worth about $7,000.

Germany has contributed many of her most enterprising sons to the United States, and among the number who have sought fortune and friends in the New World may be mentioned the name of C. F. Bertram, who was born in Hanover. His father, Frederick, was likewise a native of Hanover, and for a time followed the occupation of a wagon-maker, but later secured a position as gardener for a nunnery. In his native land he married Miss Louisa Queston, who died in Germany after having become the mother of seven children, five of whom are now (1893) living. They are Louie, who is engaged in farming in South Dakota; C. F., of this sketch; Minnie, who is married and resides in Chicago; Ernest, a successful agriculturist of South Dakota; and Christina, who is the wife of Conrad Heine, a resident of Chicago.

In 1872 the father of the family emigrated to the United States and remained with his children until his death, which occurred in 1890. C. F., the subject of this sketch, was the recipient of excellent advantages in his native country, and has a thorough knowledge of the German language. Since coming to America he has learned to read and write the English language. He emigrated to this country in 1861, and for a time worked on a farm in Cook County, Ill., later spent six months in Chicago, and afterward resided for a short time in St. Louis and Nashville. During the late war he was in the Commissary Department of the United States army.

After a short sojourn in Chicago Mr. Bertram went to California, making the journey via the Isthmus of Panama, and upon reaching the Golden State followed farming for nine years. During the most of the time he raised hops, meeting with varying success in that business. From California he returned to Chicago, where he resided for six years, and thence, in 1881, he came to Berrien County and located upon the place where he now resides. His marriage took place in 1873 and united him with Miss Dora Reyniers, who was born in Germany and came to this country when about twenty years old. They are the parents of four children, Bernhart, Berthel, Hilda and Bruno, all of whom are with their parents.

In his religious convictions, Mr. Bertram is an active member of the Lutheran Church and is a liberal contributor to its various enterprises. Socially, he is identified with the Order of Foresters of Chicago. He is a man who delights in witnessing the advancement of his township and county, and who may always be relied upon to contribute his quota to the attainment of the desired result. In his political belief, he adheres to the principles of the Republican party and is prominent in local politics.