Bartholomew "Bartl" Lehner was born October 22, 1866, in Schömersdorf, Kreis Schwandorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. He was the son of Georg Lehner (born in Schömersdorf) and Theres Dirnberger Lehner (born in Schneeberg, Kreis Schwandorf).

Bartl emigrated from Germany on the SS Rhein and arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday, March 11, 1887. Also on this ship was Bartl's bride-to-be, Frances Sturm, who was traveling with her sister Barbara Sturm (Mrs. Joseph Schweitzer) and their mother Barbara Sturm. Though passenger number 830 listed "Adam" Lehner, this was actually Bartl Lehner who was traveling using his brother Adam's passport. Adam Lehner remained at the family home in Schömersdorf. A sister, M. Theres Lehner, also remained in Germany. Another brother, Georg Lehner, immigrated to America in 1904.

For about a year, Bartl worked at the Joseph Frank farm in Wilson Creek, Spring Green Township, in Sauk County, Wisconsin. On June 8, 1888, Bartl Lehner purchased his own farm from Thomas Claridge (wife Mary Knight) with the current address of E5096 Peak Lane in Section 30 of Franklin Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin (north of Plain). The Claridge family then moved to a home in Reedsburg.

Bartl married Frances Sturm on October 22, 1889, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin. The officiant was Father Stephen Duren. Witnesses were John Alt, Barbara Alt, Joseph Nachreiner, and Mary Dischler. Bartl and Frances at first lived in the log house that had been built during the Civil War by the Thomas Claridge family. A new brick home was built nearby in 1907 by Peter Pulvermacher. The log house was used as a chicken house for many years until it was torn down in the 1950s.

Naturalization records dated November 5, 1888 (intention), March 3, 1903 and September 19, 1906, show that Bartholomew became a citizen of the United States.

Bartl and Frances had eight children: Margaret Frances Lehner (Mrs. John Bindl), Anna Barbara Lehner (Mrs. Henry Ringelstetter/Mrs. Daniel Nachreiner), Elizabeth C. Lehner (Mrs. Walter Brei), Mary Barbara Lehner (Mrs. Herman Ringelstetter), Joseph John Lehner, Aloysius Bartholomew Lehner, John George Lehner, and Catherine Theresa Lehner (Mrs. Joseph Prem).

Bartl died at age 69 at Franklin Township on November 18, 1935 following a lingering illness. Funeral services were held Thursday morning, November 21st at St. Luke's church, Plain, the Rev. Fr. Beschta officiated.