Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1934-01-18
JOSEPH BERNHARD DIES
AT HOME OF DAUGHTER

Funeral services for Joseph Bern
hard whose death occurred Sunday
evening at the home of his daugh-
ter Mrs. Cora Mercer in McConnels-
vile, were held at one O'Clock
Tuesday afternoon from the Mercer
residence, conducted by DR.. H. H.
Scott, pastor of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. Burial was made at
Chesterhill, the Masonic order con-
ducting their service there. The
Mayor Bernhard Mercer, grandson
Of the deceased, was read by the
minister who .officiated at the fu-
neral.
Some 85 years ago the subject of
this sketch was born on a farm in
Penn township, son of the late
John and Esther Thompson Bern
hard, one of a family of six who
have gone on. John Bernhard came
to this county, when a very young
man, from eastern Ohio. His peo-
pie were Pennsylvanians, who were
educated in the German schools of
Philadelphia. 1t was not uncom-
mon in those days to combine var
ious ways to support life, so with
his farming interests he entered the
milling business, in lumber, flour
and feed. The large flour mill
on upper Wolf creek was long a
monument to his industry. where
he worked night and day to supply
the needs of a community. When
he made short business trip he
was saved from danger by the in
tuition of his horse. for the driver
was sleeping while he travelled.
The father died while the son
was a mere child, and Joe Bernhard
grew to manhood developing sturdy
traits of character and regular
habits of industry which he con-
tinued zealously almost to the close
of life, for work was part of life
which he greatly enjoyed. It's rou-
tine he carefully watched, for he
had mind for detail, and he did
with care and aptitude any work
which he undertook. He was a
skilled mechanic in early life, and
later entered the mercantile busi-
ness from which he retired at the
age of IS. His kindness kept him
in demand as a helper in the sick
room, and in all night vigils at
many patients side, he saw the
changes anxiously. In early life he
was affiliated with the Christian
church. Fraternally he was active
in the 1. o. O. F. and Mt. Olive Ma
sonic lodges, at Chesterhill, and
only a few weeks ago he was invited
to participate in the past masters
ceremonies for comforting the half
century jewel on a candidate at Ma
rietta. He was q constant reader
Of a daily paper and observant of
the changes and conditions through
which we are passing. Always in
terested in education, the writer re-
well his diligence in keep
ing children in school when the
fashion of attendance was irregu-
larity. He was fond of music, and
singer of no mean ability. He we'll
understood the rudiments of music
which he had taught to many class
es. He had wide circle of friends
in Morgan, Washington and Athens
for practically his entire
life had been spent in these yicini-
ties.
His wife was the late Miss Mary
7. Whitaker, and their marriage
Dec "a, 1871. The only
,hild, Cora Bernhard Mercer, at
whose home he spent the last ten
vears, survives. So closes a long
ife whose honesty was unquestion-
I'd and whose loyalty to the tasks
If life was manifested by cheerful
performance of it's ordinary duties,
which makes the passing through a
no less than virtue.
John Ellis Bernhard Doan of
and Nettie Doan Harris
re the last survivors of this fam
ly.