Fifth Generation

14. Konrad "Conrad" BERNHARDT was born on 13 August 1828 in Auersburg, Bayern (Bavaria) Province, German Confederation.^2,3,4,5,6,7

The Bernhardt name has had more than one spelling. In the original German script found in a family bible, the name was written in German that translates to "Bernhard." Conrad's marriage certificate used that same spelling, as did most other church records related to his siblings and ancestors.

After a time in America, Conrad used "Bernhard," "Bernhart" and "Bernhardt" interchangeably. He eventually settled on "Bernhardt." It is listed that way in the 1860 Census. The baptism record of his son Herman in 1861 also used the spelling "Bernhardt," but the baptism record of his daughter Anna in 1868 used "Bernhard."

. He emigrated in 1854 from Auersburg, Bayern (Bavaria) Province, German Confederation.³ He appeared in the census in 1860 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶ His occupation was listed as "farmer." Conrad appeared in the census in 1870 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ He appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁹ He appeared in the census in 1900 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰ Conrad appeared in the census in 1910 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹ He died on 8 June 1913 at the age of 84 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^3,12

Obituary Notes: "Died June 8, 1913, Conrad Bernhardt, in the 85th year of his age. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in the year 1828. As a young man he left home and sought his fortune in America, making his home at Hartford, Wis., for a while. He was married there in 1856 to Caroline Roeder. In 1862 he moved to Monroe county, settling on a farm in the town of Wilton. That same farm was his home until his death. The union was blessed with twelve children, of whom three preceded their father to the life beyond. His departure is mourned by the widow and the nine children, viz: August, Henry, Mrs. Wm. Fischbach, Frederick, Mrs. John Hildemann, Mrs. Wm. Schwalbe, Albert, Mrs. Paul Walters and Louis, who resides on the old homestead.

The funeral was held from the Catholic church of this city on Wednesday, Father Worst officiating. Interment was at Oak Grove cemetery. The funeral cortege was one of the largest ever witnessed in Tomah, fitting tribute to the rugged honesty and unblemished integrity of this pioneer resident.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were: Mr. And Mrs. Henry Bernhardt, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Fischbach and son, of Hartford; Mrs. Aug. Werner, of Hartford; Miss Julia Schwank, of Beaver Dam; Albert Bernhardt, of Racine; Mr. and Mrs. Schwalbe, of Thiensville; and Mr. and Mrs. Hildemann of Wausau."

. He was buried on 11 June 1913 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^3,13,14 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Konrad "Conrad" BERNHARDT and Ernestine Karolina "Caroline" ROEDER were married on 15 June 1858 in Slinger, Washington County, WI.^{3,10,12,13,15} (Slinger was originally named "Schlesingerville.")

(According to the 1900 Census and their obituaries, they had 12 children, of whom 9 were still living as of 1900 and at the time of the parents' deaths. St. John's Lutheran Church records indicate that they may have had 13 children, as there are records of two daughters, Anna Juliana and Julia Jane, who were born within a year of each other. Unless they were the same child, it appears that there were 13 children.) Ernestine Karolina "Caroline" ROEDER, daughter of Christian ROEDER and Anna TORNOR, was born on 8 September 1839 in Gross Drenzen, Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).^{4,5,6,13,16,17,18} (She was listed as "Caroline" in the 1860 Census. The baptism record of her daughter Anna and the marriage record of her son Johann listed her surname as "Roder," with an umlaut.) She emigrated in July 1857 from Gornitz, Kreis Filehne, Bromberg Regierungsbezirk (District), Posen Province, Preussen (Prussia).^3,13,19,20

Her passport description: 4' 11", blond hair, and blue/grey eyes. She appeared in the census in 1860 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶ Caroline appeared in the census in 1870 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.⁹ She was Lutheran in 1889 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.²¹ She and some of her children are listed in the Communion Register at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Caroline appeared in the census in 1910 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹ She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²² She was living with her daughter Luella and her family. She died on 28 April 1926 at the age of 86 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^{3,12,13,16,23}

Obituary Notes: "It has pleased God in his good providence to take by death from this present life Ernestine Carolina Roeder Bernhardt. Carolina Roeder was born September 8th, 1839, in Gornitz Circuit of Bronburg, Prussia, Germany.

She came to the States in 1858. On the 15th day of June 1858 she was united in marriage to Conrad Bernhardt of Schlesingerville, Wisconsin. They resided at Hartford, Wisconsin for two years, then moving to the town of Wilton, Monroe County, Wisconsin, where they lived until the death of her husband, Conrad Bernardt, on June 9th, 1913.

After her husband's departure, Mrs. Bernhardt made her home with her son Louis Bernhard of Wilton, Wisconsin. The last years were spent with her daughter, Mrs. Paul Walters, where she passed away on the 28th day of April 1926 at the age of 86 years, seven months and 18 days.

She is survived by nine children, three having preceded the mother to eternity. The children living are: August of Tomah, Wis.; Henry of Milwaukee, Wis.; Emma Fishback of Hartford, Wis.; Fred of Wilton, Wis.; Julia Hildenman of Los Angeles, California; Louis of Wilton; Mrs. Minnie Schwalbe of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Albert of Racine, Wis.; Luella Walters of Tomah, Wisconsin; and John Bernhardt of Schofield, Wisconsin, also 44 grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Also two brothers, John and William Roeder of Tomah, Wisconsin, and three sisters, Mrs. J. Deichler of Clifton, Mrs. Schwandt of Beaver Dam and Mrs. Carl Bartels of Tomah, Wisconsin, besides many friends.

Mrs. Bernhard was one of the oldest settlers of the town of Wilton. She was a hard worker, a kind and loving mother and a faithful Christian."

.

Caroline was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^3,14 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Konrad "Conrad" BERNHARDT and Ernestine Karolina "Caroline" ROEDER had the following children: