Jerome was born December 26, 1826, son of Markus Bitler and Anna Maria Reber Bitler.

In April 1849, Jerome married Rosina 'Rosanna' Link and together had the following children who survived to adulthood:

Nelson J. Bittler (1850-1926)

Amanda Bittler Fritz (1852-1917)

John C. Bittler (1856-1937)

Alvenia F. Bittler Schellhammer (1858-1904)

George Wallace Bittler (1861-1934)

Oscar Monroe Bittler (1865-1939)

Douglas Montgomery Bittler (1868-1933)

Ellen C. Bittler Vanblargan (c. 1868-1894)

Theodore Cornelius Bittler (1869-1960)

Jerome and Rosina had two other children of whom there are no records beyond early their childhood, Elmira and Syrus.

Jerome was a farmer and laborer in Union Township, Schuykill County, Pennsylvania.

Jerome volunteered to serve in the Pennsylvania 173rd Regiment, Company A from October 25, 1862 to August 17, 1863.

The regiment was organized at Harrisburg in October and November, 1862. The regiment left Harrisburg for Washington, D.C. on November 30, 1862; then moved to Suffolk and Norfolk, Va. The regiment was then attached to District of Norfolk, Va., 7th Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to July, 1863 and then to the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 11th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1863.

Service of the 173rd Regiment of Pennsylvania was Guard, outpost and provost duty at Norfolk, Va., until July, 1863. The regiment was ordered to Washington, D.C. on July 9; then moved to Frederick, Maryland in pursuit of General Robert E. Lee from July 12-24, 1863. The regiment was assigned to guard duty on Orange & Alexandria Railroad until August.

Jerome was mustered out August 17, 1863 and returned home to Schuykill County where he resumed working on his farm and other jobs to support his growing family.

Jerome passed away in June, 1900 and was survived by his wife, 8 children and numerous grandchildren.