Ferdinand Berg

(1896-1942)

Ferdinand is Steven L. Berg's paternal grandfather.

Parents

George Berg
Margaretha Henningsmith

Spouse

Emma Ehmann

Children

Calvin Berg
Lorain Berg

Information About Individual

Ferdinand Berg was born in Tittabawassee, Michigan on 15 January 1896. From before 1900 to after 1930 he lived in Williams, Michigan. From 1934 until his death in 1942, he lived in Unionville, Michigan. In 1930, he, his wife, and oldest son Calvin Berg were living on the farm of his father-in-law Louis Ehmann.

In 1910 he was employed as a farm laborer on his family farm. Except when he was in the military from 1917-1919, Ferdinand worked as a coal miner from 1916-1942. During most, if not all, of that period he was employed by the Robert Gage Mining Company. We know that he worked both in their St. Charles, Michigan mine as well as their mine in Unionville, Michigan.

On 5 June 1917, Ferdinand registered for the draft. Five months later, on November 22, he enlisted as a private in the army. On 1 January 1918, he took out application for $5,000 for War Risk Insurance and sometime after May 1 saw foreign service. Unfortunately, most of Ferdinand's war records were lost in a first that destroyed a government building. However, we do know that he served with the Company C, 311th Engineers (Sappers), 86th Division, National Army. On 6 August 1919, Ferdinand received an honorable discharge at Camp Sherman, Ohio.

On 22 August 1927, Ferdinand married Emma Johanna Ehmann were married by Fr. William Walsh in Auburn, Michigan. Early in their marriage, they lived with Ferdinand, his wife, and their son Calvin lived with his father-in-law, Louis Ehmann and his brother-in-law, Otto Ehmann.

Ferdinand was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Unionville, Michigan as well as a member of the American Legion.

On 22 January 1942, after an illness that lasted six months, Ferdinand died at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Wood, Wisconsin. The cause of death was Carcinoma (bronchogenic) of the right lung with generalized metatases.

Ferdinand's funeral took place on 26 January 1942. A high funeral mass was sung by three priests: Fr. S. A. Van Gessel, Fr. A. P. Hafner, and Fr. William Walsh. Full military honors presented by the Stamnitz-Lindeman Legion from Sebewaing, Michigan. Ferdinand Berg was buried later that day at the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Sebewaign.