The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-11-30

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brief sketch Of this estfmable cieiEen,
yet ~ IS had bsen living there = Jack
Sonville hat = few yeaKB, the incidents
~ bic uoafnl life were not ~ well
known thera - Ia TaIlnhansee, where
from tender infancy % appgo1chlng Old
age was HE homa. For this reason
one who bad known him from boyb0od
TO the time Of hio death, nt the request
OF his family, contributes this momento
70 an old and cherished friend.
Henry Bernreuter's parents migrated
to this country from Germany, and
after remaining in New York for q
short time moved 70 Columbus, Ga.
There Henry, the youngest Of three
children, was born IN 1876; the others,
Charles and WiIhemina, were born in
Germany. The father was q man Of
finished education and professor Of
music. When Henry was two months
old his parents moved to Tallahassee,
but In q few short years he was left
an orphan with no one TO look up to
but his elder brother and sister.
There were no public schools then,
because in those days the tuition was
too high and hard to pay by the poor,
but, thanks TO the efforts of the late
Governor Walker, the city had school
of high grade where tuition was free
TO deserving pupils. Here Henry was
educated until he was fifteen; then
came the terrible Civil War between
the States Henry, enthused IN favor
OF the South, slipped off with the late
David 8. Walker. Jr., and volunteered
in CANDLES artillery. Young Walker
being Of tender years his father pro-
cured his discharge and sent him back
to school. His companion had no father
or guardian TO interfere, 80 he re-
manned with the company until the
close of the war. ! well remember
when he first volunteered. He was
mere boy, and as he was UNFIT for the
usual duties of the soldier, he was
made bugler Of the company. How
often have heard him before ''taps"
singing for the benefit of the men.
From his father he Inherited love of
music, and was gifted in both vocal
and instrumental music, and he and
his brother Charlie, who was in the
same company, and like him good
singer, whiled away the tedium of the
camps by their gifted voices. After
four long and bloody years the war
ended and Henry entered upon the
active duties Of civil lifea He was
then a grown man with no means or
pOHGIlul IElSllQh W UdCh Allllg ONbg
nothing daunted, he pushed his way.
His musical genius caused him to be a
favorite in the social circle, and his
genial, obliging disposition secured him
remunerative employment. sta
Soon the dark days Of Reconstruction
commenced, and the bottom rail
was on top. The negro dominated.
there were negroes in the Legislature,
negro Justices of the peace, negro con-
stables. The white man was down.
trOdden and had no rights. Disheart-
ened and discouraged many Of the peo-
ple were quiescent, but not so Henry
Bernreuter. He boldly maintained his
opinions and was active In working
with those who entertained like views.
No man did better work than Henry
Bernreuter. So much so that In 1877
when George Drew was inaugurated
the first Democratic Governor he
promptly appointed Bernreuter sheriff
of Leon county. And now as his i'm
come justified such . step he married
Miss Florida Hogue, youngest daughter
of the late Judge Hogue, who was
Browns administration. This proved
to be a happy match, and never was a
more devoted wife or q more suitable,
helpmate. But with the end achieved
in securing q Democratic government
our friend did not rest in the interest Of
his party. In appreciation Of his SER
vices he was twice elected mayor of
the city of Tallahassee, and was Chief
of Police for number of years. FL
nally he moved 70 Jacksonville about
five years ago, where he filled respon-
BILE positions, first in the A. v. & w.
r. r. and then in the Seaboard.
Though of robust constitution his end
was quite sudden, and was a great sur
prise and regret among his many
friends when the news flashed over the
wires that he was no more. His was
a genial and happy disposition. He had
hosts of friends and but few, If any,
enemies. He was active and energetic
in all he undertook After his removal
to Jacksonville he took no active part
in politics, contenting himself with at
tending to his duties and happy in the
society of wife and children. There
were twelve children born to him, Of
whom seven survive, to-wit Essie,
David, Hayward, Maud, Glover, Willie
and Palmer. His was a checkered life,
and like many who had passed through
three-score years, he had his sorrows
and Affections but he knew on whom TO
depend, and now he rests from care,
and leave behind him a memory that
will be cherished by his loving family
and hoata of fPianda who admired and