Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Adolph Bertschinger
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
ADOLPH BERTSCHINGER, who is engaged
in general farming on section 12, Banner
Township, is one of the early settlers of
Dickinson County having here made his
home for more than a quarter of a century, and
during all of that time he has resided upon one
farm. He owns one hundred and forty-four acres
of land, which he purchased in 1866 and has
developed from the wild prairie, transforming it
into a good farm. Upon this tract he has erected
good buildings, including all modern improvements,
and the well-kept fields and neat appearance
of the place indicate the thrift and enterprise of
the owner.
Our subject was born in Switzerland, April 30,
1843, and in his native country was reared to
manhood upon a farm. During his youth, he also
learned the carpenter's trade. On attaining his
majority, he bade adieu to his old home, and in
the fall of 1864 emigrated to America, crossing
the Atlantic to New York City. Immediately
after landing in this country, he made his way to
Madison County, Ill., and followed his trade in
Highland for one year. His next removal brought
him to Kansas. Locating in Douglas County, he
here spent a few months, and one year in what was
then Davis County, and in the spring of 1866
came to Dickinson County and purchased his present
farm in Banner Township. As before stated,
he is one of the early settlers of the community,
and has been an eye-witness of the greater part of
the county's growth and development. He has
aided in its upbuilding, and well deserves to be
numbered among its representative citizens. He
was in limited circumstances at the time of his location
here, and for about a year worked at whatever
he could find to do, whereby he might earn
an honest dollar, but as time passed his industry
and good management brought him a comfortable
competence.
Mr. Bertschinger was married in Douglas County,
Kan., in March, 1869, to Miss Anna Gerstenberger,
who was born in Prussia, Germany. They began
their domestic life upon the farm where they now
reside, and their home has been blessed with a family
of eight children: Fred, the eldest, is a minister
of the Gospel, preaching in Kansas for the United
Brethren Church; Ernest W. died in infancy; Albert
C. is the next younger; Bertie died in infancy;
Ida A., Mary L., Emma E. and Edward A.
are still under the parental roof.
The cause of education finds in Mr. Bertschinger
a warm friend, and while serving as a member of
the School Board for several years he did effective
service in its interest. He has also filled the
office of Road Overseer, but has never been an aspirant
for official positions to any great extent.
Himself and wife hold membership with the
Methodist Church, and are highly respected people,
whose many excellencies of character have
won them the sincere regard of many friends.
During the long years of their residence here, they
have become widely and favorably known, and
well deserve representation in the history of their
adopted county.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP