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- JOHN F. BERG, who is now living practically retired after many years spent in agricultural pursuits in Outagamie county, is one of Grand Chute township's representative citizens. He was born in Buffalo, New York, March 27, 1853, a son of John and Elizabeth (Webber) Berg, natives of Luxemburg, Germany, where the former was born December 21, 1824, and the latter December 21, 1828.
John F. Berg attended school in the town of Ashford, Wisconsin, and by the time he had reached seventeen years of age had learned the carpenter trade with his father, an occupation which he followed for others until 1876. He then began to work at carpenter contracting, which he continued for thirteen years, and in 1889, bought the old homestead of his wife's family, near Hortonville, on which he lived until 1898. In this year he sold out, and moved to Greenville township, but after four years there came to the farm which he now operates, a tract of 123 acres. This is now being operated by his sons, as Mr. Berg has practically retired from all activities. He is a democrat in politics, and for some years served as justice of the peace. His religious connection is with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Appleton. On January 9, 1879, Mr. Berg waa married to Anna Steffen, born at Hortonville, Wiconsin, November 6, 1859, daughter of Ignatz and Mary (Bongert) Steffen, the former born February 14, 1833, and the latter January 29, 1831, both in Luxemburg, Germany. They came to America about 1854, and located in Hortonville, near where Mr. Steffen was engaged in farinng during the remainder of his life, his death occurring February 14, 1907. Mrs. Steffen still resides at Hortonville. They had three children, of whom Mrs. Berg was the oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have had seven children: Ignatz G., a farmer of Grand Chute township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Laura. E., born September 17, 1883, wife of Louis Sager, manager of Potts & Wood Creamery, Appleton; Fred W., born November 18, 1886, living on the farm in Grand Chute township, married Alice Langenberg, and has one child, Marcella, born May 31, 1910; Elmer J., born February 5, 1891, single, and residing with his parents; and Leo N., born June 1, 1895; Louis A., born June 1, 1896, and Harold M., born February 10, 1898, residing at home.
1920 Census finds him in Appleton with Anna and sons Louis and Harold next door to Fred
Early in life, John F. Berg learned the trade of carpenter, and this he followed during a long period, but in recent years he has been residing on a farm in Grand Chute township, although he does none of the hard labor, merely overseeing the work. He is also the owner of a milk route which is operated by his son. Mr. Berg has held various minor township offices and is respected and esteemed by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Berg had a family of seven children, as follows: Ignatz George; Laura, who married Louis Sager, a buttermaker of Appleton; Frederick, residing on the farm adjoining his brother Ignatz, nmarried Alice Langanburg; Elmer, residing with his father; Leo and Louis, residing on the farm with Ignatz; and Harold, who attends school and lives with his father.
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