Source: Past and Present of Bureau County, IL
Originally published 1906
Pioneer Pub. Co.
Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 627

Theodore J. Berge, a farmer and stock-raiser, living on section 17, Fairfield township, was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1862, and is a son of Andrew Berge, who now owns and occupies a farm in Fairfield township. The father was born in Hessen Cassel, Germany, and came to America in 1861. He made his way westward to Peoria by boat and located in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he resided continuously until his removal to Bureau county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Muensterman, was also born in Hessen Cassel, Germany, and they have now reached the ages of sixty-eight and sixty-four years, respectively. In their family were nine children, of whom Theodore J. Berge is the eldest. Three brothers now reside in Lincoln, Nebraska, two of whom are lawyers, while one is engaged in the real estate business. G. W. Berge, who is a member of the bar there, was a candidate for governor of the state on an independent ticket in 1904. Another brother is living in Kansas City, Missouri, and two sisters are residents of Minnesota, the family thus being widely scattered.

Theodore J. Berge was largely reared in this county, whither he accompanied his parents on their removal from Tazewell county in his boyhood days. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and he early became familiar with the occupation of farming, which he has followed to the present, now owning and operating a well improved  tract of land of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 16 and 17, Fairfield township, and also owns property in Minnesota and Kansas. He carries on general farm work and stock-raising, and his close application and unremitting diligence constitute the salient features in his success.

Mr. Berge was married in this county to Miss Sabine E. Salzman, a native of Germany, and they now have four children, all of whom were born in Fairfield township, namely; Olga, Emma, Regina and Rudolph. In his political views Mr. Berge is independent, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and not considering himself bound by party ties. He has served for sixteen years as a collector, and is now school treasurer, and the public duties thus devolving upon him have been dicharged with promptness and fidelity. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Yorktown, and his religious views are indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church.