ROBERT BERNHARDT OF FORESTVILLE, WIS BY JOHN C. ENGEL - UPDATED MARCH 18, 2024.

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Robert Bernhardt was born in or near Neisse, Silesia, Germany, now Nysa, Poland.

The family surname is found in various records spell as Bernhardt, Barnhardt, Bernhart, and Barnhart.

Although we have much information about Forestville pioneer Robert Bernhardt, maybe you can help fill some of the gaps in our knowledge:

1. Several resources indicate that Robert's birth family was from Neisse in Silesia, Germany. But no records have been found yet. Was he from the city of Neisse or was it a nearby town? What parish? Neisse is now known as Nysa in Poland.

2. We have found the 1850 ship passenger list from Robert's older brother, Ernst, from 1850 but none for Robert, his mother, or his three other brothers somewhere between in or around 1853. Any leads?

3. Robert is listed in election poll lists, but we have not yet found any of his naturalization papers- first or final. The 1900 census says he was fully naturalized. Perhaps Sheboygan County?

Robert Bernhardt was the son of Michael and Bejettia (Machinsky) Bernhardt. Michael "followed the occupations of farming, fishing and tailoring" in Germany, where he died in 1843. See the biographical sketch of their son, Julius, in Holand's History of Door County, Vol. II (1916).

Bejettia came to the U.S. in about 1853 as a widow. She settled in Sheboygan Falls with her four sons: Ernst, Robert, Franz, and Julius.

Ernst and his wife, Otilee, had arrived in New York on the Brig Ellen, from Hamburg, Germany, on August 8, 1850. They settled in Sheboygan Falls, where they purchased property.

Robert bought a parcel of land from Ernst and his wife:

6 July 1854 Warranty Deed.

Ernst Bernat and Ottilie Bernat his wife to Robert Bernat, all of Sheboygan County, the South 1 half of the South 1 half of the SW Quarter of Sec. 4 in Town 15 North of Range 22 E, 40 acres, for $490. Vol. R, p. 252. Recorded 6 July 1854.

In 1855 the family moved to Forestville in Door county, settling on government lands for which Robert and Franz filed preemption claims. Those preemption claims enabled Robert and Frank to buy the land at 75 cents per acre rather than the usual government charge of $1.25 per acre. Ernst took an assignment of a seaman's U.S. Military Bounty Land Warrant for 160 acres in the nearby Town of Ahnapee in Kewaunee County. On his parcel, Robert built a 14x16 foot cabin with one window, one door, a shake roof and heated by a fireplace. Franz's cabin was similar but had a stove rather than a fireplace.

According to Martin's History of Door County (1881), Robert and his brothers, Ernst and Frank, operated the first sawmill and blacksmith shop under the name "Bernhardt Bros." in Forestville, Door Co., Wisconsin. Holand's History of Door County, Vol. I, p. 436 (1916) tells more about the building of that first sawmill.

Some historic records and newspaper items are transcribed below to illustrate Robert's life:

27 June 1856 Preemption claim

U.S. Land Office, Menasha, Wis., June 27, 1856

I, Robert Bernhart claiming the right of Pre-Emption under the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled "An act to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of the Public Lands, and grant Pre-Emption Rights," approved September 4, 1841, to the N.W. Quarter of Section No. 28 in Township No. 26 North of Range No. 25 East, subject to sale at Menasha Wisconsin, do solemnly swear that I never had the benefit of any right of Pre-Emption under this act; that I am not the owner of Three Hundred and Twenty Acres of land in any State or Territory of the United States, nor have I settled upon and improved said land to sell the same on speculation, but in good faith to appropriate it to my own exclusive use and benefit, and that I have not, directly or indirectly, made any agreement or contract, in any manner with any person or persons whatever, by which the title which I may acquire from the government of the United States shall enure, in whole or in part, to the benefit of any person except myself.

(signed) Robert Bernhart, Pre-Emptor.

I, John A. Ryan, Rgr. of the Land Office at Menasha, Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the above Affidavit was taken and subscribed before me, this 27 day of June 1856

(signed) John A. Ryan, Register

27 June 1856 Affidavit in support of preemption claim

In the case of the pre-emption claim of Robert Bernhart to the NW Quarter of Section No. 28 in Town No. 26 in Range No. 25 in the Menasha Land District Ernst Bernhart, being duly sworn, says that he is acquainted with the said Pre-emption claimant, Robert Bernhart and the said described tract of land; that the said Robert Bernhart is a citizen of the United States and the head of a family, having a wife, that he commenced his improvement in person on said tract of land on the 14th day of August A. D. 1855, by cutting & clearing a place for a house, that he on the 14 day of Sept. A. D. 1855 had completed a dwelling house 14 by 16 feet square, One & 'h stories high, with a Shake roof, two floors, two rooms, One outside door, one inside door, one window, and furnished with a fire place; that he immediately moved into said house with his wife and still continues to reside therein as a housekeeper and settler on said tract of land, that he has about two & y, acres of said land under cultivation, and has raised. a crop on two & 'h acres of the same; that he did not move off from his own land in this state to make this settlement; and that he is not the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in any state or territory of the United States.

(signed) Ernst Bernhart

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 27 day of June A. D. 1856

(signed) John A. Rhyan, Register

13 June 1857 Mortgage

[Ainst Bernhardt, Frank Bernhardt, and Robert Bernhardt, of the firm of Ainst Bernhart & Co. mortgage to John Peters of Ahnapee for $262 to secure a certain promissory note bearing even date, twelve percent per annum. Beginning at a point ten and three quarter rods directly south of the SW Corner of Bernhart& Co's Saw Mills on the WY, of the NW'A of Sec. 33ofT 26 N R 25 E, running thence North 74'14 rods, thence East 21 rods, thence South 74'14 rods, thence West 21 rods to place of beginning, 10 acres more or less. Vol. A Mortgages, p. 15.]

24 July 1857 Mortgage

[Earnest Bernhardt& Otelia Bernhardt mortgage to Francis Bernhardt for $300 to secure a certain note bearing even date. NW'A of Sec. 33 in Town No. 26 N Range No. 25 E, except 58 acres off the South end. Vol. A, p. 524. Satisfied 13 October 1857.]

24 July 1857 Dissolution of Partnership

This Agreement, made this day between Earnest BARNHART, Robert Barnhardt, and Francis Barnhardt

Witnesseth That the Partnership hereuntofore existing under the name of Barnhardt Brothers is this day dissolved by mutual consent Earnest Barnhardt to have possess and own all the company property and demands also to collect all debts due to said co. and to pay all demands due and owing by said company saving the said Robert and Francis harmless from all said debts and demands

Signed sealed and delivered

Ernst Bernhardt (L.S.)

Robert Bernhart (L.S.)

Frank Bernhart (L.S.)

ln presence of

J no(?) L. Yates

Dated at Wolf this 24th day of July A. D. 1857

8 October 1857 Deed

[Robert B. warranty deed to Beatta B. for $200. NW'A of Sec. 28, 160 acres. Vol. A Deeds, p. 99. Witnessed by John A. Daniels & Topa_ Matghinsky.]

22 February 1858 Land Record

[Robert B. land patent.]

ln April1866 and April1867, Robert was elected as a supervisor in the Town of Forestville -perhaps in April of 1865 as well. In other years, Robert was elected as a constable and as a road overseer in Forestville.

17 April1879 Ahnapee Record Local Jottings.

Patrick Redden will commence a two story stone house for Robert Barnhardt, of Forestville, about the middle of next month. The building will be 22 x 32 feet.

15 May 1879 Ahnapee Record

About half past eleven o'clock last Friday, the manure pile in front of Robert Barnhardt's barn in some manner took fire at the south end and with a stiff southerly wind was fanned into a flame and rapidly spread over the whole yard and was driven to the large barn which in a few seconds was in flames, but on being discovered almost immediately after it started, and with the prompt assistance of his neighbors, it was extinguished without loss to property, though some of his farm implements were badly scorched. It seems almost a miracle that the property was saved. Had the barn burned nothing could have saved the house and other buildings from the same fate.

4 September 1879 Door County Advocate

Fire in Forestville.

Mr. Jos. Defaut, Sr., informs us that the barn of Robert Bernhard, of Forestville, was totally destroyed by fire last Friday, together with all the hay and grain of this season's growth. The fire is said to have originated from the burning woods in the vicinity of the barn. The loss must be heavy. We have been unable to learn whether the property was insured or not.

4 September 1879 Ahnapee Record

Destructive Fires.

For a week past forest fires have been raging furiously in the towns of Ahnapee and Forestville, and a large amount of property, especially in the latter town, has been destroyed. The weather during the time has been clear and dry, and high winds have prevailed, causing the fires to burn fiercely and spread with great rapidity. A large number of farmers, who have lost no buildings, have had fences and tracts of valuable timber consumed by the flames.

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The barn of Robert Barnhardt, of Forestville, in which was stored his season's harvest of hay and grain, was also consumed. Mr. Barnhardt had an insurance of about $800 or $900 on his barn and grain.

5 September 1879 The Expositor (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.)

Alarming forest fires again made their appearance in the vicinity of Forestville last week. In two instances barns were burned, the fire running along the "stubble" in the fields, igniting the buildings. A drenching rain has pretty nearly put an end to the fire for the present. When will our farmer brethren learn the important lesson to be careful about starting forest fires.

18 September 1879 Ahnapee Record

Robert Barnhart and Martin Miller, who recently had their barns destroyed by fire, will each build a new barn during the coming fall and winter. Mr. Barnhart will probably get the amount for which his barn was insured, but Mr. Miller has some doubts about receiving his insurance money.

13 October 1881, Door County Advocate

John Stoneman of Forestville thrashed more than 1,600 bushels of grain on his farm this ear. Of the amount, 725 bushels were wheat. Stoneman, Andy Sloan, John Machia and Robert Barnhardt have the largest and best cultivated farms in the Forestville area.

24 November 1881 Ahnapee Record

Local Jottings.

Accident- Robert Barnhart, of Forestville, met with a painful and serious accident Monday. He was helping August Pflugolt cut fodder with a power feed cutter. Barnhart was on the horse-[power?] and in some manner got one of his feet caught in the gearing. His foot was badly mangled, all the toes being taken off in the machinery. We are unable to give full particulars.

10 February 1887 Door County Advocate

Personal Mention.

John Fetzer, Wm. Duwe, Robt. Barnhardt, and Charles Miller, of Forestville were in town on Friday last assisting in the organization of a "sang-vereign."

24 May 1889 The Independent (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.)

Robert Barnhardt raised a frame barn last Saturday.

17 November 1894. Door County Advocate.

Forestville.

Robert Bernhardt, who has been ill for several months past is rapidly convalescing.

2 April1898 Door County Advocate

Joseph Meyer this week sold a twenty of his forty acres of his land to Robt. Barnhardt for $950. This includes the residence. Joe has not fully decided whether he will rebuild on the remainder of his land or remove to Algoma.

1 June 1899 Door County Advocate

Robert Barnhardt is building a large and commodious frame stable, 36 x 44 feet. Joseph Meyer is doing the carpenter work.

24 August 1901 Door County Advocate

Forestville

There was a red-hot game of ball played at the corners last Sunday, between the Forestville nine and a team from Rankin. There was no need to ask at the end of the contest which club was defeated, for it was plain to be seen by the sorrowful look on our boys' faces. A team has been gotten up to play the boys next Sunday, composed of the following players: Andrew Sloan, sr., M. Schmitz, sr., Philip Stick, Fred. Awe, sr., Jos. Immel, sr., Martin Miller, sr., Robert Barnhardt, Henry Brockhausen, sr., and John Gordon, sr. The old gents are favorites and promise to give the boys their trimmings.

18 April1902 Ahnapee Press

Herman Kolmorgan and family moved onto the Robert Bernhart farm. He has quit railroading and will run his father-in-laws plantation this season.

6 November 1903 Algoma Record

Forestville.

Another old pioneer, Robert Barnhart departed this life Monday of this week. Deceased was 75 years of age and leaves a widow, eight daughters and two sons to mourn his loss. The funeral was held here Wednesday and was largely attended.

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Riverside.

A number of people from here attended the funerals of Mrs. Krueger and Mr. Robert Bernhart at Forestville last Sunday and Wednesday respectively. They both died of old age.

7 November 1903, Door County News

Death of Robert Barnhardt.

On Monday noon, Nov. 2, occurred the death of Robert Barnhart, one of the oldest settlers of the town of Forestville, he passing away very suddenly at his home in that town. He was sitting on the porch, enjoying the sunshine, when he became faint and went into the house and laid down on the bed. Soon afterward he had another sinking spell from which he died.

The deceased was born in Germany in 1828 and came to America in 1852, settling in the town of Forestville in the year 1855,48 years ago, where he has lived ever since. He was married in 1862 to Bertha Trousy [sic], who with ten children survive him. Two brothers, Frank and Julius Barnhardt, of this city, also are left to mourn his loss. The funeral was held from the residence at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.

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Please note: the William Fagg Diaries are preserved on microfilm at the UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library, as part of the Green Bay Area Research Center of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Call Number: Green Bay Micro 41; Micro 581. William Fagg was a resident of Forestville and Ahnapee. He served many years as a justice of the peace and notary public. He was the father-in-law of Frank Bernhardt.

The William Fagg diaries include many brief references to Forestville and Ahnapee pioneers including Casper Hettiger, the Bernhardt brothers, John Qualmann, and many others. The references include marriages, death, barn raisings, sharing work, fires, dances, and the stuff of life.

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The dates shown below for Louis are approximate. He is said to have been born between his sisters Helen and Martha, and died as an infant.