Fritz Bernick Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Fritz Bernick that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Bernick, Sheelie, Harsch. Fritz Bernick is successfully engaged in farming in Buffalo township and is well known as a raiser of Scotch shorthorn cattle, to which line of business he gives much of his time. A farm in Blue Grass township, Scott county, was the place of his nativity, his natal day being December 29, 1857. His father, Mortiz Bernick, was born in Germany, November 29, 1826, the wedding ceremony being performed in the year 1846. They began their domestic life in the land of their birth and there remained until 1857, when, the father believing he could provide a better living for himself and family in the new world, they set sail for America and upon their arrival here at once made their way to Scott county, Iowa. The father rented land of a Mr. Newcomb in Blue Grass township and continued its operation until 1866, when he purchased a tract of land in Muscatine county, this state, to which he removed. He was very successful in his farming operations and became a prominent and influential c! itizen of that section of the state. There are four living members of the family, those beside our subject being: Moritz, a farmer of Muscatine county; Adolf, who lives in Cedar county, Iowa; and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Sheelie, a resident of Davenport. Fritz Bernick was reared on the farm in Blue Grass township to the age of nine years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to their newly acquired tract of land in Muscatine county, and it was in the district schools of the latter place that he acquired his early education, completing his studies in Davenport in 1871. On putting aside his text-books he returned to the home farm in Muscatine county and for a decade worked for his father. During this time he gained an intimate knowledge of the best methods of farming so that when he started out independently he was well qualified for carrying on a successful business. In 1881 he established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Melinda Harsch, a daughter of Emanuel Harsch, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 7, 1823, and located in Scott county in 1852. He still owns a farm in Buffalo township, which is operated by Mr. Bernick, and he makes his home with his daughter and her husband. Mr. Bernick prior to his marriage had made arrangements to farm his father-in-law's place and immediately after that important event in his life he took up his abode thereon. He has since purchased land in the same neighborhood and altogether has under his supervision two hundred and eighty acres, most of which is under cultivation but a portion of the land is devoted to pasturage, for his is engaged in breeding and raising Scotch shorthorn cattle, making a specialty of this branch of business. Mr. Bernick also owns a section of land in Kansas, buying this in 1886, and he likewise owns a section in Canada. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bernick has been bless with five sons and one daughter, namely: Fritz, who is an electrical engineer in the employ of the Ames Electric Company at Ames, Iowa; Emanuel H., who is in Downey, this state; and Benjamin H., Henry H., Charlie and Lulu M., all at home. Mr. Bernick is a democrat and takes an active interest in public affairs. In 1906 he was elected justice of the peace, while for the past ten years he has served as township trustee and school director. He is also a stockholder in the Blue Grass Savings Bank. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Scott county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of his county. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Scott county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of his county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the county or advance its wonderful development. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES