Charles Bershee
Born: November 22nd, 1825
Died: September 10th, 1916
Obituary
Charles Bershee, an honored old citizen, went to his reward at his home, No. 225 South Either Street, at 6 a.m. last Sunday, after an illness of one week. Prior to the final attack, he had enjoyed comparatively good health and had remained in business and actively employed until a short time ago as the senior member of the firm of Bershee & Son, bricklayers, and contractors. Mr. Bershee, by virtue of his long residence in the city, was known to a very large number of people, all of whom held him in high esteem. He was a skilled worker at his trade and an excellent businessman, his word being as good as government bond.
Charles Bershee was born in New York City, November 22, 1825, but grew up in Williamsburg, LI where he had his schooling and afterward learned the trade of Bricklayer and Plasterer, which he followed the rest of his days. As a very young man, Mr. Bershee took the most important step and married Emeline Kissam. The young people started westward and after stops of some length at Williamsburg, Chicago, and Blue Island, they came to Burlington in 1856, and with the exception of a sojourn of a few years in Oakland, Cal., this city remained their home. The happy union was blessed with nine children, of whom three preceded the father to the other shore. The good wife went to her reward some two years ago.
The surviving members of the family are Charles B., George W., Oliver, Mrs. Ida C. Strack, Emmie A., and Sadie E. Bershee, and the following grandchildren; Charles R., David S., Irma R., and Naomi L. Bershee, Deceased is also mourned by a brother, L. Bershee, of Astoria, Ill.
Mr. Bershee had long been an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the thirty-second degree, and being held in high esteem by all the members of that organization here. In politics, Mr. Bershee had ever been a member of the democratic party, but he had never been an aspirant to public office and had always counted many of his friends in the opposition party.
The funeral services will be held at the family home, No. 225 South Eighth street, at 4 o’clock this (Tuesday)afternoon. Friends are invited to these services. The interment in Aspen Grove will be private.