Edward Berns

Among the well-known business men of Linton is he whose career is here set forth, a gentleman of social standing and sterling worth, whose connection with leading financial institutions of the city indicates ability of a high order and faithfulness in the discharge of important official functions. The Berns family is of German origin, as is also the Linderman’s, the subject’s antecedents on the maternal side. Peter Berns, Edward’s grandfather a native of the Rhine, immigrated to this country many years ago, and in due time moved westward to Indiana, locating in Greene county when the country was a wilderness, securing a tract of wild land, which in the course of a few years he improved and converted into a good home. He was a typical pioneer of the early day, strong, daring and of great industry and thrift. He lived long enough to see the wilderness give place to thickly settled and prosperous communities, bore his share in bringing about the latter condition, and after a long and active life on the farm, retired to Linton, where he passed the remainder of his days. William Linderman, who was also a native of the Rhine country in Germany, came to Indiana about the time of Mr. Berns’s arrival and located on land adjoining the latter’s farm. He, too, became a successful tiller of the soil and highly respected citizen, and died after rearing a family and seeing his children well settled in life. Both of these families were more than ordinarily prosperous, Mr. Berns having accumulated a handsome fortune, consisting largely of real estate in various parts of the country, which increased greatly in value with the settlement and development of the county.

John Berns, son of the above mentioned Peter Berns, was born in Stockton township, where he still lives. Like his antecedents for several generations, he, too, has devoted his time and energies to the ancient and honorable vocation of husbandry, with the result that he is now one of the enterprising farmers and substantial citizens of the township in which he resides. When he grew to manhood he married Catherine Linderman, daughter of his father’s old friend and neighbor, and in due time became the head of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: Edward, of this review; Ernest J., Charles H., Mamie E., John I., Ethel and William, all living except Ethel, who departed this life when nine years of age; the six surviving children still live in their native township of Stockton and thus far none have taken upon themselves the duties and responsibilities of the marriage relation. Edward Berns was born October 28, 188O, and spent his childhood and youth on the family homestead, where he early acquired the habits of industry, thrift and frugality which make for successful manhood, and developed the correct habits and the spirit of self-reliance which proved such potent factors in shaping his future course of life. In the public Schools which he attended at intervals during his minority he laid a foundation for the more thorough mental discipline which he subsequently received; in the Indiana State University, and on leaving that institution he devoted a part of three years to teaching, assisting with the work of the farm in the meantime.

In 1902 Mr. Berns accepted a clerical position in the Linton Bank, with which institution he has since been identified, meanwhile, by successive advancements, reaching the important and responsible place he now so acceptably fills. He enjoys in full. the confidence of his superiors, discharges his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, being familiar with the various details of banking and well informed on financial matters, proving. an accomplished accountant and an all-around business man of progressive ideas, whose future prospects are in every respect encouraging.

Mr. Berns is a Democrat in politics, and as such has rendered efficient service to his party. In 1903 he was appointed city treasurer of Linton, to fill a vacancy, and so capably did he discharge the duties of the position that at the expiration of the term he was elected to the office and now holds the same, his present term expiring January 1, 1910.

He is influential in secret benevolent work, holding membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Knights of Pythias, including the uniform rank of the order, being at this time esteemed leading knight in the former society.

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"Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. with Reminiscences of Pioneer Days", B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN, 1908, Vol. 3 pg. 1181-3

Last updated 10.11.2009