BERNSTEIN, J. F.

BERNSTEIN, WAGONER, NELSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 1/29/2011 at 16:25:23

One of the progressive merchants of Mitchell county is J. F. Bernstein, who is engaged in dealing in hardware in St. Ansgar. He was born December 23, 1878, in Brodhead, Wisconsin, his parents being William and Gusta (Wagoner) Bernstein. The father was a native of Pommern, Germany, born January 14, 1846. He there resided until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when in 1872 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way to Wisconsin, where he took up his abode. He had been married on the 16th of October, 1871, to Gusta Wagoner and they continued their residence in Wisconsin until 1890, when they removed to Butler county, Kansas, where they resided upon a farm for six years. On the expiration of that period they came to Mitchell county, Iowa, and Mr. Bernstein engaged in farming until 1905. He then sold his farm property and purchased the hardware store which is now being conducted by his son, J. F. Bernstein, while the father is practically living retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Bernstein were born six children: Charles, who follows farming in Mitchell county; J. F.; Albert, who is living at Carpenter, Iowa; Samuel, a resident farmer of Mitchell county; Elsie, the wife of Joe Nelson, whose home is at Goldfield, Iowa; and Rose, at home.

J. F. Bernstein acquired a public school education in Wisconsin and Kansas and through the period of his boyhood and youth worked with his father upon the farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to give his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1907, when his father purchased a hardware store in St. Ansgar, which establishment Mr, Bernstein of this review is now managing. He is numbered among the progressive business men of the community, alert and energetic, and his intelligently directed efforts are bringing a substantial measure of success. He is likewise a stockholder of the Cooperative Lumber Company.

Mr. Bernstein holds membership in the German Evangelical church. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. For three years he has served as a member of the city council and has done effective work for public progress and improvement. He belongs to the Commercial Club and cooperates in all of its well defined plans for the upbuilding of the city, the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of its civic standards. He has membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has held office, and he is manager of the St. Ansgar band. His interests are broad and varied and have much to do with the progress and development of the city in which he makes his home.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. 18, page 344.