Advertisement

William Frederick Berghofer

Advertisement

William Frederick Berghofer

Birth
Missouri, USA
Death
8 Jan 1920 (aged 71)
Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Plot
Block 12, Lot 229
Memorial ID
View Source
The Quincy Daily Herald, Friday, January 9, 1920; page 10.

DEATH CALLS
GOOD CITIZEN

WILLIAM F. BERGHOFER
DIED AT HIS HOME.

Well Known Manufacturer
Was Seventy-One Years Old
-- Came to Quincy
When a Boy --
Long and Useful Life.


Death came to William F. Berghofer at his home, 217 South Fourteenth street, at 3:10 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and terminated a period of impaired health the beginning of which dated back to October, 1918.

He suffered from an internal ailment, the treatment of which baffled the skill of physicians, and on August 13 last, accompanied by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Mitchell, he went to the Mayo institute at Rochester, Minn., where on the 27th of the same month, he underwent a surgical operation.

On the 5th of October, he returned home, and every day after that until the last day of the year, he was at his office. New Year's day he remained in bed, and during the succeeding days had grown steadily weaker. He retained consciousness until the last, and passed away peacefully.

Was 71 Years of Age.

Born November 8, 1848, Mr. Berghofer attained the age of 71 years and 2 months. He was the son of Henry and Henrietta (Schaller) Berghofer, natives of Prussia, who had immigrated to the United States about 1845 and located at LaGrange, Mo., moving thence to locate at Palmyra, where their last years were spent, the father living to the age of 87 and the mother to the age of 81.

Of the four sons and two daughters, William F. is the second to pass away, he being preceded by his sister Catherine, who died at the age of 30 years, unmarried. Henry J. Berghofer, brother of the deceased, is retired and resides at 1122 Kentucky street; Mary, the only surviving sister, is the widow of Dr. Bremmer of Ashton, Ill.; Jacob Berghofer of 514 1/2 Jersey street, and Edward Berghofer who resides in Florida, are the other brothers.

Until he attained his twelfth year, William F. Berghofer made his home with his parents, and attended school. This was before public schools as now maintained were established, and the lad attended what was called a "pay" school, his tuition paid for directly by his father.

Ambitious to be doing something for himself, the boy came to Quincy and entered the employ of Henry C. Dasbach, an uncle, under whom he served a three-year apprenticeship learning the trade of tinsmith. As a journeyman, he remained several years in the employ of Mr. Dasbach, and in 1878, engaged in business on his own account at Slater, Saline county, Missouri, manufacturing tinware and dealing in general lines of hardware and furniture. He remained at Slater until 1888, returning to Quincy, and established a sheet metal factory, the parent plant from which has grown [to] the present extensive stove and cornice and poultry supply establishment at 510 to 514 Jersey street, employing an average of twenty-five men skilled in tin, sheet metal, and copper work.

The factory was erected in 1891, a building covering a ground area of 25 by 185 feet and using the rear part of the ground floor of Knights of Pythias hall, adjoining on the east as a warehouse. Between 1900 and 1908, the business was conducted under the firm style of Berghofer & Ohnemus, Alex Ohnemus being the junior partner. In the latter year, the firm was dissolved, and [with] Mr. Ohnemus retiring, Edward H. Mitchell became a member, and there was organized the Berghofer-Mitchell company, another member of the company being H. J. Elmer Berghofer, son of the founder of the business. Mr. Mitchell spends much of his time traveling throughout the Mississippi [river] country where the company has extensive business relations.

Married in 1870.

In this city March 24, 1870, Mr. Berghofer and Miss [Mary] Niemeyer were wedded -- the bride born in this city where she had been reared and educated. Three children were born to the union, and two [of those], with their mother, survive father and husband. Walter died at the age of 5 years, while the family was in Missouri. The other two are H. J. Elmer, mentioned above, and Kathryn, wife of Edward H. Mitchell. There are two grandchildren, Gladys and Bernice, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. E. Berghofer.

In the demise of Mr. Berghofer, Bodley lodge No. 1 of the Masonic fraternity loses a member of long and zealous standing. The family is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal religious denomination. The deceased took a keen interest in local affairs of public character and in politics was an independent, preferring to exercise his suffrage for candidates because of their fitness for offices aspired to, rather than because of affiliation with any one particular party.

He was a man of marked personality, firm in his convictions, and ready at all times to enter into argument to prove himself right on any position taken. His opponents in such arguments fared badly, unless exceptionally well informed on the subject under discussion, for Mr. Berghofer was a student and gifted with a retentive memory and a native ability to express himself forcefully and convincingly. In his business career, he pursued a policy of integrity and probity, and in all things he was an honest and honorable man, proud of his lineage, devoted to his family, a citizen who had an abiding faith in the future of the city of his adoption.

Quincy loses a good citizen in the death of William F. Berghofer, a man held in high regard in the community, and with hundreds of friends who mourn his passing and sympathize with his bereaved family.

_____________________


The Quincy Daily Herald, Tuesday, January 13, 1920; page 14.

WILLIAM BERGHOFER
IS LAID TO REST

Rev. A. L. Koeneke
Delivers Eloquent Eulogy
Other Pastors Assist
in Funeral Services.


Rev. A. L. Koeneke of St. Louis delivered the principal eulogy, most eloquent and effective, at the funeral service held in the Kentucky Street Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon for William Berghofer. He was assisted by the Rev. E. S. Eitelgeorge, pastor of the church; Rev. Carl Buch, pastor of the Bethel M. E. church; and Rev. C. W. Schultze of the Old People's Home, in conducting the services.

A brief service was held at the family residence, 217 South Fourteenth street at 2 o'clock; and interment was made in Woodland cemetery.

The singers were Mrs. George Roth, Mrs. Rudolph Wilms, M. T. Koelsch, and Charles F. Eichenauer. The service at the grave was in charge of Bodley lodge, A. F. & A. M., with Wilton E. White as master of ceremonies. The honorary pallbearers were George Stahl, Ezra Best, John Batschy, G. H. Earhart, George Cottrell, William Schlagenhauf, Harvey Chatten, and Norman Getty; and the active bearers were Fred W. Brinkoetter, Albert Berger, Seward Best, Charles D. Center, August Scheipering, Thomas John, Ed Buerkin, and R. R. Swaynie.

______________________


Additional: William Berghofer's aunt (his mother's sister) is memorial number 90650153. She went by the name Christiana. Her husband was the Henry Christopher Dasbach mentioned in this obituary; and his page is linked on hers.


- research and transcriptions by Tree Leaf.





The Quincy Daily Herald, Friday, January 9, 1920; page 10.

DEATH CALLS
GOOD CITIZEN

WILLIAM F. BERGHOFER
DIED AT HIS HOME.

Well Known Manufacturer
Was Seventy-One Years Old
-- Came to Quincy
When a Boy --
Long and Useful Life.


Death came to William F. Berghofer at his home, 217 South Fourteenth street, at 3:10 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and terminated a period of impaired health the beginning of which dated back to October, 1918.

He suffered from an internal ailment, the treatment of which baffled the skill of physicians, and on August 13 last, accompanied by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Mitchell, he went to the Mayo institute at Rochester, Minn., where on the 27th of the same month, he underwent a surgical operation.

On the 5th of October, he returned home, and every day after that until the last day of the year, he was at his office. New Year's day he remained in bed, and during the succeeding days had grown steadily weaker. He retained consciousness until the last, and passed away peacefully.

Was 71 Years of Age.

Born November 8, 1848, Mr. Berghofer attained the age of 71 years and 2 months. He was the son of Henry and Henrietta (Schaller) Berghofer, natives of Prussia, who had immigrated to the United States about 1845 and located at LaGrange, Mo., moving thence to locate at Palmyra, where their last years were spent, the father living to the age of 87 and the mother to the age of 81.

Of the four sons and two daughters, William F. is the second to pass away, he being preceded by his sister Catherine, who died at the age of 30 years, unmarried. Henry J. Berghofer, brother of the deceased, is retired and resides at 1122 Kentucky street; Mary, the only surviving sister, is the widow of Dr. Bremmer of Ashton, Ill.; Jacob Berghofer of 514 1/2 Jersey street, and Edward Berghofer who resides in Florida, are the other brothers.

Until he attained his twelfth year, William F. Berghofer made his home with his parents, and attended school. This was before public schools as now maintained were established, and the lad attended what was called a "pay" school, his tuition paid for directly by his father.

Ambitious to be doing something for himself, the boy came to Quincy and entered the employ of Henry C. Dasbach, an uncle, under whom he served a three-year apprenticeship learning the trade of tinsmith. As a journeyman, he remained several years in the employ of Mr. Dasbach, and in 1878, engaged in business on his own account at Slater, Saline county, Missouri, manufacturing tinware and dealing in general lines of hardware and furniture. He remained at Slater until 1888, returning to Quincy, and established a sheet metal factory, the parent plant from which has grown [to] the present extensive stove and cornice and poultry supply establishment at 510 to 514 Jersey street, employing an average of twenty-five men skilled in tin, sheet metal, and copper work.

The factory was erected in 1891, a building covering a ground area of 25 by 185 feet and using the rear part of the ground floor of Knights of Pythias hall, adjoining on the east as a warehouse. Between 1900 and 1908, the business was conducted under the firm style of Berghofer & Ohnemus, Alex Ohnemus being the junior partner. In the latter year, the firm was dissolved, and [with] Mr. Ohnemus retiring, Edward H. Mitchell became a member, and there was organized the Berghofer-Mitchell company, another member of the company being H. J. Elmer Berghofer, son of the founder of the business. Mr. Mitchell spends much of his time traveling throughout the Mississippi [river] country where the company has extensive business relations.

Married in 1870.

In this city March 24, 1870, Mr. Berghofer and Miss [Mary] Niemeyer were wedded -- the bride born in this city where she had been reared and educated. Three children were born to the union, and two [of those], with their mother, survive father and husband. Walter died at the age of 5 years, while the family was in Missouri. The other two are H. J. Elmer, mentioned above, and Kathryn, wife of Edward H. Mitchell. There are two grandchildren, Gladys and Bernice, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. E. Berghofer.

In the demise of Mr. Berghofer, Bodley lodge No. 1 of the Masonic fraternity loses a member of long and zealous standing. The family is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal religious denomination. The deceased took a keen interest in local affairs of public character and in politics was an independent, preferring to exercise his suffrage for candidates because of their fitness for offices aspired to, rather than because of affiliation with any one particular party.

He was a man of marked personality, firm in his convictions, and ready at all times to enter into argument to prove himself right on any position taken. His opponents in such arguments fared badly, unless exceptionally well informed on the subject under discussion, for Mr. Berghofer was a student and gifted with a retentive memory and a native ability to express himself forcefully and convincingly. In his business career, he pursued a policy of integrity and probity, and in all things he was an honest and honorable man, proud of his lineage, devoted to his family, a citizen who had an abiding faith in the future of the city of his adoption.

Quincy loses a good citizen in the death of William F. Berghofer, a man held in high regard in the community, and with hundreds of friends who mourn his passing and sympathize with his bereaved family.

_____________________


The Quincy Daily Herald, Tuesday, January 13, 1920; page 14.

WILLIAM BERGHOFER
IS LAID TO REST

Rev. A. L. Koeneke
Delivers Eloquent Eulogy
Other Pastors Assist
in Funeral Services.


Rev. A. L. Koeneke of St. Louis delivered the principal eulogy, most eloquent and effective, at the funeral service held in the Kentucky Street Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon for William Berghofer. He was assisted by the Rev. E. S. Eitelgeorge, pastor of the church; Rev. Carl Buch, pastor of the Bethel M. E. church; and Rev. C. W. Schultze of the Old People's Home, in conducting the services.

A brief service was held at the family residence, 217 South Fourteenth street at 2 o'clock; and interment was made in Woodland cemetery.

The singers were Mrs. George Roth, Mrs. Rudolph Wilms, M. T. Koelsch, and Charles F. Eichenauer. The service at the grave was in charge of Bodley lodge, A. F. & A. M., with Wilton E. White as master of ceremonies. The honorary pallbearers were George Stahl, Ezra Best, John Batschy, G. H. Earhart, George Cottrell, William Schlagenhauf, Harvey Chatten, and Norman Getty; and the active bearers were Fred W. Brinkoetter, Albert Berger, Seward Best, Charles D. Center, August Scheipering, Thomas John, Ed Buerkin, and R. R. Swaynie.

______________________


Additional: William Berghofer's aunt (his mother's sister) is memorial number 90650153. She went by the name Christiana. Her husband was the Henry Christopher Dasbach mentioned in this obituary; and his page is linked on hers.


- research and transcriptions by Tree Leaf.







Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement