The full biographical sketch as printed in 1910, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
FRITZ BERNICK.
Fritz Bernick is successfully engaged in farming in Buffalo township and is well known as a raiser of Scotch shorthorn cattle, to which line of business he gives much of his time. A farm in Blue Grass township, Scott county, was the place of his nativity, his natal day being December 29, 1857. His father, Moritz Bernick, was born in Germany, November 24, 1818. He was married in that country to Miss Catherine E. Reckler, who was born July 26, 1826, the wedding ceremony being performed in the year 1846. They began their domestic life in the land of their birth and there remained until 1857, when, the father believing he could provide a better living for himself and family in the new world, they set sail for America and upon their arrival here at once made their way to Scott county, Iowa. The father rented land of a Mr. Newcomb in Blue Grass town- ship and continued its operation until 1866, when he purchased a tract of land in Muscatine county, this state, to which he removed. He was very successful in his farming operations and became a prominent and influential citizen of that section of the state. There are four living members of the family, those beside
FKIl'Z J!El;XI( l\
our subject being: Moritz, a farmer of Muscatine county; Adolf, who lives in Cedar county, Iowa; and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Sheelie, a resident of Davenport.
Fritz Bernick' was reared on the farm in Blue Grass township to the age of nine years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to their newly ac- quired tract of land in Muscatine county, and it was in the district schools of the latter place that he acquired his early education, completing his studies in Daven- port in 1871. On putting aside his text-books he returned to the home farm in Muscatine county and for a decade worked for his father. During this time he gained an intimate knowledge of the best methods of farming so that when he started out independently he was well qualified for carrying on a successful business.
In 1881 he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Melinda . Harsch, a daughter of Emanuel Harsch, who was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- many, November 7, 1823, and located in Scott county in 1852. He still owns a farm in Buffalo township, which is operated by Mr. Bernick, and he makes his home with his daughter and her husband.
Mr. Bernick prior to his marriage had made arrangements to farm his father-in-law's place and immediately after that important event in his life he took up his abode thereon. He has since purchased land in the same neighbor- hood and altogether has under his supervision two hundred and eighty acres, most of which is under cultivation but a portion of the land is devoted to pastur- age, for he is engaged in breeding and raising Scotch shorthorn cattle, making a specialty of this branch of business. Mr. Bernick also owns a section of land in Kansas, buying this in 1886, and he likewise owns a section in Canada.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bernick has been blessed with five sons and one daughter, namely: Fritz, who is an electrical engineer in the employ of the Ames Electric Company at Ames, Iowa; Emanuel H., who is in Downey, this state ; and Benjamin H., Henry H., Charlie and Lulu M., all at home.
Mr. Bernick is a democrat and takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1906 he was elected justice of the peace, while for the past ten years he has served as township trustee and school director. He is also a stockholder in the Blue Grass Savings Bank. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Scott county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of his county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the coun- try or advance its wonderful development.
Source: History of Davenport and Scott County, Iowa (1910. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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