Bernatz, Anthony 1843 - 1914

BERNATZ, DENNIS, MINERT, MARSH

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/17/2014 at 10:37:08

Anthony Bernatz, who has lived in honorable retirement at Decorah during the past decade, was for a number of years prominently identified with milling interests here but has turned over his business to his sons, who operate two flour mills under the firm style of A. Bernatz & Sons. His birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, in August, 1843, his parents being Michael and Martha Bernatz, the former born in the kingdom of Bavaria, on the river Rhine, on the 4th of October, 1815. Michael Bernatz learned the baker's trade in that country and in 1846 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Rochester, New York, where he worked at his trade until 1849. In that year he went to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and there conducted a bakery until 1854, when his wife died. He then moved across the Mississippi river to McGregor, Iowa, where he built the fifth house in the town and opened a bakery which he conducted until 1857. In that year he erected the White Springs brewery but did not find the business congenial and disposed of his interests in 1859. He then started for Texas but, being threatened by yellow fever, then raging in Galveston, turned back after journeying as far as New Orleans. In i860 he purchased the Smithfield flouring mills at Smithfield, Iowa, and in 1865 bought the Eagle flouring mills in Winneshiek County, east of Decorah, operating them for three years. On the expiration of that period they sold out and purchased the Riceford flour mill at Riceford, Houston County, Minnesota, which Michael Bernatz operated in association with his two sons, George and Anthony. In 1868 Michael Bernatz also built a mill at Newburg, Minnesota, and two years later went to Chaska, that state, erecting a water power mill near Minneapolis. He operated his three mills until 1874 and in that year returned to Iowa because of impaired health, purchasing the Evergreen flour mill at Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, in partnership with his two sons. At the end of about fifteen years he retired and sold out to his sons, who continued the operation of the mill for about four years longer or until it was destroyed by fire. His demise occurred at Fort Atkinson, in 1886, and thus the community lost one of its most substantial and respected citizens.

Anthony Bernatz was three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States and a little lad of six when the family home was established in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he acquired his education. After leaving school he began working for his father, with whom he remained in partnership until the latter sold out to him and his brother George. When their mill at Fort Atkinson had burned the two brothers purchased the Ames flour mill at that place and operated the same for two years. At the end of that time they sold out and came to Decorah, Iowa, here purchasing the Ice Cave and Hivly flour and feed mills, which they operated together for about two years or until George Bernatz disposed of his interest to his brother Anthony, who continued operating the mills until 1903. In that year the latter retired and turned over the business to his sons, who have since operated the two flour mills under the same name—A. Bernatz & Sons. The Ice Cave mill has a capacity of two hundred barrels, while the other mill is largely utilized in the handling of feed of all kinds and rye flour. Their output includes the White Lily and Oneota brands of flour. The three sons engaged in the conduct of the business are Charles, who has charge of the Ice Cave mill; William, who has charge of the Stone mill; and John, who has general supervision and also goes on the road to dispose of their products. They are men of enterprise and good business ability who are following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather and are meeting with similar success.

On the 5th of August, 1866, Mr. Bernatz was united in marriage to Miss Cassie A. Minert, her parents being John and Amy (Dennis) Minert, the former a native of Holland and the latter of Ohio. John Minert, an agriculturist by occupation, immigrated to the United States, locating on the Wabash River in Indiana in an early day, and there he carried on farming for some time. Removing to Wisconsin, he purchased a tract of land which he cultivated for several years and then took up his abode in Postville, Allamakee county, Iowa, helping to organize the county. He entered and improved a tract of land and cultivated the same until 1867, when he met a tragic end, being killed with an ax by a drunken neighbor. His wife passed away in 1851. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bernatz were born nine children, as follows: Charles, William and John, who are engaged in the milling business at Decorah; Emily, the wife of Lewis Marsh, of Decorah, Iowa; Hallie M., whose demise occurred on the 26th of June, 1898; and Bertha, Archie Dennis, Blanche and Hazel, all at home.

Mr. Bernatz owns a handsome, modern residence at No. 300 East Decorah Avenue, which stands in the center of ten city lots or one block. In political circles he is known as a Bryan democrat and for one term served as a member of the city council. He is now seventy years of age and by reason of a well spent life is enabled to spend his declining years in ease and comfort. The circle of his friends is a wide one, for he has won the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated in business or social relations.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

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