HON. LOUIS BERKA.

Hon. Louis Berka, ex-judge and a well known attorney of Omaha, was born in Bohemia, April 28, 1855, a son of Mathias and Maria (Vacek) Berka. The father, a native of Bohemia, came to America with his family in 1862, first settling in Wisconsin, but after a short time removed to Michigan, where he engaged in farming. Subsequently he became a resident of San Jose, California, and was there residing when death called him in 1908 at the age of eighty-one years. His wife passed away in San Jose in 1907, when eighty years of age. In the family were five children, two of whom have passed away, the others being: Frank, now residing in Santa Rosa, California; Mrs. Kate Mikan, living in Durand, Michigan ; and Louis, of this review.

The last named acquired his early education in Michigan, becoming a high school pupil in Flint, that state, after which he determined upon the practice of law as a life work, and with that end in view became a law student in the State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1883. He then located for practice in Omaha, where he has continuously remained in close connection with the bar for more than a third of a century. He was elected police magistrate of Omaha and so served for eleven years at different periods, first under the metropolitan system in 1887-8. He was a member of the city council for a term of three years and was president during the last year of that period, being acting mayor a portion of the time. He served as justice of the peace prior to becoming judge and he has made a most excellent record in the various offices which he has filled.

In August, 1878, Judge Berka was married to Miss Zela Remington, of New Haven, Michigan, and they have become the parents of seven children, of whom one is now deceased. The others are: Mrs. Grace Hill, who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, is now a resident of Kingsley, Iowa, and has one child, Doris; Mrs. Bertha Roben. who was born in Grayling, Michigan. now resides in Omaha and has one child; Mrs. May Coleman, who was born in Omaha and there resides, and is the mother of three children ; Mrs. Ethel Hachten, of Omaha, who has two children; Mrs. Mabell Gross, now residing at Spalding, Nebraska; and Eloys, a pupil in the Omaha high school.

Judge Berka is a supporter of the Christian Science faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias, while in Masonry he has attained the commandery degrees and become a member of the Mystic Shrine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and upon that ticket he has been elected to the offices which he has filled. He has membership in the Douglas County, the Nebraska State and the American Bar Associations and he is regarded as an honored and representative member of his profession, holding to the highest ideals of professional service and at all times proving a capable and conscientious minister in the temple of justice. He gained his education through determined effort, providing the means necessary for his university training through his own labor. He has ever set his mark high and put forth every effort to raise himself to its level. His professional associates speak of him in terms of admiration and warm regard.

source of portrait and biographical sketch: "Omaha: the Gate City and Douglas County, Nebraska", 1917, volume II, biographical sketch on pages 370 & 373, portrait on page 371

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LOUIS BERKA DEAD;
OMAHAN 47 YEARS
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Came to Omaha in 1883; Served Terms in State Legislature.
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ILL FOR PAST YEAR
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Louis Berka, 75, a public figure of two decades ago and an Omaha resident for 47 years, died Saturday night at Rochester, Minn., where he had entered the Mayo clinic four days previous for treatment for heart trouble. Bronchial pneumonia was the immediate cause of his death.

Mr. Berka had been in ill health for the last year. He had practically retired from his practice of law and his real estate business when he left Omaha last Tuesday. An operation, though contemplated by attending physicians, was not performed.

After being graduated from the University of Michigan law school, Mr. Berka came to Omaha in 1883. He was a native of Bohemia. Ho served as municipal police judge for 11 years in three terms between 1887 and 1906. In 1919 he went to Lincoln as a state representative for one term, Immediately followed by two years in the state senate. From 1909 to 1912 he was a city councilman.

Once Acting Mayor.

During his term as a member of the state legislature he introduced a bill legalizing the practice of Christian Science in the state. At one time he was acting mayor of Omaha.

Mr. Berka is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage two years ago. Mrs. Berka is 73.

Ho also has six daughters, Mrs. William Rohen of Omaha, Mrs. Perry Hill of Kingsley, Ia., Mrs. R. F. Coleman of Belingham, Wash., Mrs. Walter Hatchen of Huntington Park, Cal„ Mrs. Harry Gross of Albion, Neb., and Mrs. M. J. Gilman of Des Moines. He leaves 22 grandchildren and ono great-grandchild.

Active In Lodges.

He was active in local lodges, being a past president of the Masonic Veterans' association. He was a member of Covert Masonic lodge, No. 11; Mount Calvary Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Tangier Shrine Temple, Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias and Tel Jed Sokol.

Funeral services, in charge of Masonic lodges, have been tentatively set for Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be in the Bohemian National cemetery. Tho body is at the Cole-McKay mortuary.

source of obituary: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), morning edition, September 15, 1930, page 1, column 3

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Masons Are in Charge of Louis Berka Funeral

Services for Louis Berka, 2314 South Tenth street, who died at Rochester, Minn.e Saturday, were held Wednesday at the Masonic temple. Masonic services conducted, by Neil Haze, worshipful master, were preceded by a brief Christian Science service.

Pallbearers, were Harry G. Browne, Dr. J. B. Lichtenwallner, Dr. Robert J. Jones, Lewis E. Smith, W. C. Ramsey, William A. Robertson, John W. Disbrow and Adolph Musil. Burial was at Bohemian National cemetery.

source of obituary: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), evening edition, September 17, 1930, page 2, column 5

source of obituary (identical text): Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), morning edition, September 18, 1930, page 4, column 5

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Will Torn Up in Pique May Delay Settling $40,000 Estate, of Berka

(text NOT transcribed)

source of news article: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), evening edition, November 22, 1930, page 2, columns 6 & 7

HON. LOUIS BERKA.

Hon. Louis Berka, ex-judge and a well known attorney of Omaha, was born in Bohemia, April 28, 1855, a son of Mathias and Maria (Vacek) Berka. The father, a native of Bohemia, came to America with his family in 1862, first settling in Wisconsin, but after a short time removed to Michigan, where he engaged in farming. Subsequently he became a resident of San Jose, California, and was there residing when death called him in 1908 at the age of eighty-one years. His wife passed away in San Jose in 1907, when eighty years of age. In the family were five children, two of whom have passed away, the others being: Frank, now residing in Santa Rosa, California; Mrs. Kate Mikan, living in Durand, Michigan ; and Louis, of this review.

The last named acquired his early education in Michigan, becoming a high school pupil in Flint, that state, after which he determined upon the practice of law as a life work, and with that end in view became a law student in the State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1883. He then located for practice in Omaha, where he has continuously remained in close connection with the bar for more than a third of a century. He was elected police magistrate of Omaha and so served for eleven years at different periods, first under the metropolitan system in 1887-8. He was a member of the city council for a term of three years and was president during the last year of that period, being acting mayor a portion of the time. He served as justice of the peace prior to becoming judge and he has made a most excellent record in the various offices which he has filled.

In August, 1878, Judge Berka was married to Miss Zela Remington, of New Haven, Michigan, and they have become the parents of seven children, of whom one is now deceased. The others are: Mrs. Grace Hill, who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, is now a resident of Kingsley, Iowa, and has one child, Doris; Mrs. Bertha Roben. who was born in Grayling, Michigan. now resides in Omaha and has one child; Mrs. May Coleman, who was born in Omaha and there resides, and is the mother of three children ; Mrs. Ethel Hachten, of Omaha, who has two children; Mrs. Mabell Gross, now residing at Spalding, Nebraska; and Eloys, a pupil in the Omaha high school.

Judge Berka is a supporter of the Christian Science faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias, while in Masonry he has attained the commandery degrees and become a member of the Mystic Shrine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and upon that ticket he has been elected to the offices which he has filled. He has membership in the Douglas County, the Nebraska State and the American Bar Associations and he is regarded as an honored and representative member of his profession, holding to the highest ideals of professional service and at all times proving a capable and conscientious minister in the temple of justice. He gained his education through determined effort, providing the means necessary for his university training through his own labor. He has ever set his mark high and put forth every effort to raise himself to its level. His professional associates speak of him in terms of admiration and warm regard.

source of portrait and biographical sketch: "Omaha: the Gate City and Douglas County, Nebraska", 1917, volume II, biographical sketch on pages 370 & 373, portrait on page 371

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LOUIS BERKA DEAD;
OMAHAN 47 YEARS
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Came to Omaha in 1883; Served Terms in State Legislature.
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ILL FOR PAST YEAR
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Louis Berka, 75, a public figure of two decades ago and an Omaha resident for 47 years, died Saturday night at Rochester, Minn., where he had entered the Mayo clinic four days previous for treatment for heart trouble. Bronchial pneumonia was the immediate cause of his death.

Mr. Berka had been in ill health for the last year. He had practically retired from his practice of law and his real estate business when he left Omaha last Tuesday. An operation, though contemplated by attending physicians, was not performed.

After being graduated from the University of Michigan law school, Mr. Berka came to Omaha in 1883. He was a native of Bohemia. Ho served as municipal police judge for 11 years in three terms between 1887 and 1906. In 1919 he went to Lincoln as a state representative for one term, Immediately followed by two years in the state senate. From 1909 to 1912 he was a city councilman.

Once Acting Mayor.

During his term as a member of the state legislature he introduced a bill legalizing the practice of Christian Science in the state. At one time he was acting mayor of Omaha.

Mr. Berka is survived by his wife, with whom he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage two years ago. Mrs. Berka is 73.

Ho also has six daughters, Mrs. William Rohen of Omaha, Mrs. Perry Hill of Kingsley, Ia., Mrs. R. F. Coleman of Belingham, Wash., Mrs. Walter Hatchen of Huntington Park, Cal„ Mrs. Harry Gross of Albion, Neb., and Mrs. M. J. Gilman of Des Moines. He leaves 22 grandchildren and ono great-grandchild.

Active In Lodges.

He was active in local lodges, being a past president of the Masonic Veterans' association. He was a member of Covert Masonic lodge, No. 11; Mount Calvary Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Tangier Shrine Temple, Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias and Tel Jed Sokol.

Funeral services, in charge of Masonic lodges, have been tentatively set for Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be in the Bohemian National cemetery. Tho body is at the Cole-McKay mortuary.

source of obituary: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), morning edition, September 15, 1930, page 1, column 3

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Masons Are in Charge of Louis Berka Funeral

Services for Louis Berka, 2314 South Tenth street, who died at Rochester, Minn.e Saturday, were held Wednesday at the Masonic temple. Masonic services conducted, by Neil Haze, worshipful master, were preceded by a brief Christian Science service.

Pallbearers, were Harry G. Browne, Dr. J. B. Lichtenwallner, Dr. Robert J. Jones, Lewis E. Smith, W. C. Ramsey, William A. Robertson, John W. Disbrow and Adolph Musil. Burial was at Bohemian National cemetery.

source of obituary: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), evening edition, September 17, 1930, page 2, column 5

source of obituary (identical text): Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), morning edition, September 18, 1930, page 4, column 5

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Will Torn Up in Pique May Delay Settling $40,000 Estate, of Berka

(text NOT transcribed)

source of news article: Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska), evening edition, November 22, 1930, page 2, columns 6 & 7