Herman Berndt
Beaver Valley Booster; Cedar Bluffs Ks.
Thursday, October 12, 1916; Pg 1, Col 1
Herman Berndt was born in Germany, May 10,1846. Like many of his German friends
across the waters today who are serving their country in the great struggle of
war so Mr. Berndt while in Germany served his native land in a four years
struggle in the French-Prussian War. He like many of our fathers knew from
actual experience the horrors of war that to many of us is so like a tale that
is told.
In the year of 1871, Brother Berndt crossed the great ocean to America, arriving
in Chicago, in October just in time to view the flames of its great fire of that
time.
He settled for time at Sterling in White Cloud [Whiteside] County, Illinois.
It was there he became acquainted with and later, March 7, 1873 was united
in Bonds of Holy Matrimony to Metilda Copisch [Emma Matilda Kopisch] of that
place.
Brother and Sister Berndt were converted while at Sterling and united with the
Methodist Church at that place.
Later, he with his wife moved to Clay County Nebraska and then about 1884 came
on west and homesteaded on what now is known as the G. W. Justice farm in
Decatur County, Kansas From that time on has been one among us and like many
others was known as one of the pioneers of our country. He has seen the fields
of golden grain, also the many failures but was always cheerful, and was
esteemed as a true neighbor by all who knew him and as a faithful husband to his
devoted wife until death claimed her in October 1898.
Thus for 18 years he has been a lone companion, devoting his life to his
children, all of whom have been spared to manhood and womanhood except the
eldest daughter Sarah, who was called home to be with Jesus at the age of three
months.
The savior called Brother Berndt October 2, 1916 at the age of 71 years, 4
months and 22 days.
His children have lost a devoted father, and we neighbors a worthy friend.
God truly said, "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden
bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at
the cistern; then shall the dust return to the earth again as it was; and the
spirit shall return to God who gave it."
Funeral services were held October 4, at 2 P. M. at the Methodist Church in
Cedar Bluffs, Kansas, which was conducted by Rev D. T. Decker of that place.
Services opened by signing "It is Well with My Soul,"
"Someday," and "Fade, Fade each Earthly Joy." Words
for the foundation of the sermon found in Eccl. 12 6,7.
At the close of the service the choir sang, "In the Sweet Bye and
Bye." This song was one of Brother Berndts favorites and many times
he had asked the children to sing it for him. As the choir sang this heart
thrilling song, the thought came to us that Brother Berndt while listening to
his children sing it, would feast on the confident hope of meeting his dear wife
and daughter that had gone on before. Possibly, at the same time wondering
if he might have the privilege of meeting the loved children who were singing
for him. That song has become a reality for Brother Berndt, his wife, and
daughter. But the question remains, can the children sing this song with
the same confident hope swelling up in their souls of meeting their father,
mother and sister, and can we neighbors sing it with the confident hope of
meeting this our neighbor?
After singing "Nearer My God to Thee," we took the sad lonely trip to
Fairview Cemetery where we laid the last remains of our loved one and neighbor
in its last low resting place.
Submitted by Lanita Goul; lanita24@aol.com