A progressive and popular
citizen of McGregor, which has represented his home
from the time of his birth, holds place as one of the
sterling business men of his native city, with a
circle of friends that is limited only by that of his
acquaintances. With recognized eligibility, Mr.
Bergman appeared in the spring of 1916 as a candidate
for nomination for the office of sheriff of Clayton
county, on the Democratic ticket, and the result of
the primary election was that he was defeated by 41
votes.
Mr. Bergman was born at
McGregor on the 12th of November, 1875, and is a son
of Frederick and Margaret (Daubenberger) Bergman,
both of whom were born in Germany. Frederick Bergman
immigrated to the United States when a young man and
for a time maintained his residence in the State of
Pennsylvania, whence he removed in an early day to
Wisconsin and established his residence at LaCrosse,
where he remained about two years. In 1865 he
numbered himself among the pioneer settlers at
McGregor, Iowa, where for many years he successfully
conducted a meat market, though he lived virtually
retired for a number of years prior to his death,
which occurred in May, 1910, the wife of his youth
having passed away in 1874, and their children having
been ten in number: Frederick, the first-born, is
deceased; Frank still maintains his home at McGregor;
Henry is deceased; Edward resides at McGregor; Albert
is deceased; Ernest A., of this review, was the next
in order of birth; William likewise maintains his
home at McGregor; Odilda is the wife of John A.
Walters, of McGregor; and Misses May and Charlotte
still reside in their native place.
Continuing his studies in
the public schools until he had duly profited by the
advantages of the McGregor high school, Ernest A.
Bergman then became associated with the operation of
his father's meat market, and later he was engaged in
the hotel business at McGregor for a period of about
five years. He then resumed his connection with the
meat-market business, of which he has since continued
a prominent and successful representative in his
native place. He has been a zealous supporter of the
cause of the Democratic party and an active worker in
its local ranks, though he never appeared as a
candidate for public office until he announced his
candidacy for the Democratic nomination for sheriff
of his native county, in the spring of 1916.
He is affiliated with the
local organizations of the Masonic fraternity, the
Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Brotherhood of
America. On the 22d of August, 1913, was solemnized
the marriage of Mr. Bergman to Mrs. Clara (Nelson)
Elder, widow of Howard Elder and daughter of Nels
Nelson. By her first marriage Mrs. Bergman has one
son, Howard.
source: History of
Clayton County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical
Times Down to the Present; by Realto E. Price,
Vol. II; pg. 45
-OCR scanned by S. Ferrall
