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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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MICHAEL K. BERGEY, the well known business man and postmaster of Souderton, belongs to an old Montgomery county family who have organized into an association for the purpose of holding family reunions annually, and are engaged in gathering information in relation to their early ancestors in this country. They are descended from Ulrich Berge, who settled in Upper Salford township early in the eighteenth century. In the line of descent from him was Samuel Bergey, great-grandfather of Michael K. Bergey, subject of this sketch. He resided in Lower Salford township, and was the owner of a large tract of land. Among his children was Aaron (grandfather). Aaron Bergey was born on the old homestead in Lower Salford township. He was a farmer by occupation and a Whig in politics. He married a Bergey, and had eight children, among them Michael, father of Michael K. Bergey.

Michael Bergey was born on the homestead in Lower Salford township, in 1836. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and then assisted his father on the farm for a time. Later, with the aid of a friend who was in good circumstances, he was given a good start in life, opening a store at Franconiaville. He was successful in his new business, in which he remained many years, retiring therefrom in 1888, when he opened a hosiery mill in the borough of Souderton. He was successful in this business also, and now owns a large mill in that borough, employing about eighty hands, and having a ready sale for his product all over the United States. He has retired from active business, owing to his hearing having become somewhat impaired. He is an earnest Republican, and has held the office of school director, for which he is well qualified, being an earnest friend of education. He and his family attend the Mennonite church. Mr. Bergey married Miss Catherine Kulp, of Franconia township, who is also living. Among their children is Michael K. Bergey.

Michael K. Bergey was born January 2, 1868. He was educated in the public schools, attending also the Brunner Academy and School of Business at North Wales. After remaining at home for a time he went west and located in Kansas, and followed farming. Returning to his home, he at once assumed the superintendency of his father’s hosiery mill, filling that position very creditably for some time, and doing much to build up the business to its present high standard. He remained there until 1897, when he was appointed by President McKinley postmaster of Souderton, and he has recently been reappointed by President Roosevelt. He has brought the office to its present excellent condition, is popular with the patrons of the office, and has the con- Sdence of the entire community. He is also a fire insurance agent, representing some of the leading companies in that line. Mr. Bergey is an active Republican, and is a party leader in that section of Montgomery county. He has filled the position of county committee man for twelve years, and has exerted himself vigorously to bring out the full party vote. He served for several years as clerk of town council. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Free and Accepted Masons, including the Royal Arch Chapter, and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.

He married, in 1890, Miss Martha Nyce, daughter of Abraham Nyce, of Harleysville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. They have the following children: Matthew S., Milton R., James I., Mary M., Frederica, and Michael A.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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