In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1830, Heidelburg township
From A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902), The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
WILLIAM H. BERGER, farmer; P.O. Lagonda. He is thesonof Daniel and Ester (Body) Berger, and was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. 21, 1830; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were married April12, 1818; their family consisted of seven children—two boys and five girls; they came to this county in April, 1838, and settled in Lagonda, where they lived about one month; they then purchased (for $16 per acre) and removed to the farm which is now owned and occupied by William; his (Wiliiam's) father was born Nov. 5, 1794, and lived to the advanced age of 84 years; his mother was born Dec. 11, 1797; she is still in good health, living with William at the old homestead. William assisted his father, working for him until 22 years of age; he then rented the farm of his father, conducting it successfully seventeen years; during that time, he saved sufficient amount to enable him to purchase a part of the farm, and, by good management, in a few years more purchased the remainder, consisting in all of about 130 acres. At the age of 20, he taught the winter term of a school in Moorefield Township, this county; this was his first school; he continued teaching during the winter terms of the schools near home twenty-five years, being a successful teacher. He was married, March 18, 1852, to Mary J., daughter of John and Mary Jackson; she was born in Virginia Jan. 11, 1830; being left an orphan while yet a little child, she came to Ohio with her uncle, William Moore, and lived with him until her marriage with Mr. Berger. Five children have blessed their home; they mourn the loss of two of them— Daniel F., who died Nov. 1, 1855, and William H., Jr., who died Nov. 9, 1866; the other three -—John M., Elizabeth A. and Mary E.--still remain, a comfort to their parents. Strict integrity and honorable dealing have been leading virtues of his life; he has frequently been selected and appointed guardian of children and administrator of states. He has filled the office of Sunday-school Superintendent for twenty-five years, in which position he is still serving.
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
WILLIAM HENRY BERGER.
William Henry Berger is one of the best known citizens of Springfield township, highly intelligent, and a useful member of the community. He was born in Heidelburg township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1830, and is a son of Daniel and Esther (Body) Berger, who were natives of the same county. Henry Berger, the father of the last named, was a native of Germany and became the founder of the family in America, establishing his home in Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days. The grandfather of our subject resided in the Keystone state throughout his entire life, while Daniel Berger was there born and reared, and in his native county was married. In his youth he learned the trades of a brick and stone mason and of a plasterer, and followed these pursuits for many years. In the spring of 1838, accompanied by his wife and five children, he left Berks county, Pennsylvania, and traveled overland with team and wagon to Clark county, being four weeks in making the trip. He located in Springfield township when the city of Springfield was but a hamlet. He first occupied a vacant house in Lagonda, and after renting it and establishing his
. family therein he began a search for work, and also sought a farm which he desired to purchase. After a month he bought one hundred and thirty-three acres of land, for which he paid sixteen and two-third dollars per acre, and the log building which then stood upon the place was occupied by him for two years. It was covered with clapboards, rived by hand and held in place by heavy poles.- In this primitive pioneer cabin the family lived for two years and then the father erected a substantial brick residence. In course of time he also built good barns and other buildings which are found upon a modern farm, and placed his land under a high state of cultivation. His educational privileges in youth had been limited
As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1902. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.