Fayette County Genealogy Project

BERG, p 132-133

Contributed by Keely Deuschle

The family originally from Germany settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was founded in Fayette county by David Berg, who came from Lancaster county and settled in Salt Lick township, Fayette county, about the year 1880. He was a prosperous farmer, and had a large family of stalwart sons who were actively identified of the township, where decedents yet reside. His sons: John, Frederick, Benjamin, David, Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, George, and Emanuel, of whom further. (Order of birth not known).

(II) Emanuel, son of David Berg, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and with his father and brothers was an early settler of Fayette county. He was a man of some means, owned land, gave his children the benefit of good education, and was held in good repute in his town. He married, and left issue, including a son, Benjamin F., of whom further.

(III) Benjamin F., son of Emanuel Berg, was born in Salt Lick township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was well educated, and taught school several winters; later was a farmer and miller, operating a mill built in 1796 by Henry While, who sold it to the Berg family. This mill still remains in their possession in good preservation, but useless for modern milling. The mill was located on Back Run, not far from its mouth, and was known as "Berg's Mill." The family were members of the Baptist church. He married Mary Robinson. Children: 1. David, now living retired in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. 2. Joseph, a farmer of Westmoreland county. 3. Anna, deceased; married Adam Snyder, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. 4. Barbara, married Austin Bungard, of Mount Pleasant. 5. Benjamin L. 6. Jacob, of whom further.

(IV) Jacob, son of Benjamin F. Berg, was born in Salt Lick township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 1842, died March 25, 1876. He was educated in the public school, and grew up a farmer. He later purchased and cultivated a small farm in Salt Lick, but his principal business was dealing in horses and cattle. He was a large dealer in Virginia, bred horses, purchasing in carload lots, frequently being associated in such dealings with Cyrus Echard. He served in the Union army for a time near the close of the war, his brothers David and Joseph serving during the entire four years. He was a Democrat, and served as constable of Salt Lick township two terms. He was a member of the Evangelical church, and faithful to his obligations. He married Sarah Beal, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, near Petersburg, April 31, 1841, who survives him. She is the daughter of Daniel Beal, a stone mason, and Elizabeth Lichty, married in Somerset county, where both were born, and both of German ancestry. Children of Jacob Berg: William, now living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Charles, now living in Uniontown; Ida, married Thomas Goodwin; Benjamin L., of whom further. Mrs.. Sarah (Beal) Berg married (second) in 1880, Peter Martin, a grocer of Connellsville, who died in 1899; child, Lulu, married Carroll Snader, of Connellsville.

(V) Benjamin L., son of Jacob and Sarah (Beal) Berg, was born in Salt Lick township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1866. He attended the public school in Salt Lick until his mother's second marriage. The family then moved to Connellsville, where he continued his studies in the public school for a few years, also assisting Mr.. Martin in the grocery store out of school hours. He acquired knowledge of machinery, and took a position as stationary engineer at Leisenring, Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1890. He then spent two years with the construction department of the Bell Telephone Company; then for six years was manager of the Connellsville district for the Tri-State Telephone Company. In March, 1909, he resigned his position to become superintendent of the Second National Bank Building in Connellsville, a position he now holds. He is a Democrat, and the present councilman from the Third Ward, holding until 1913. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church; his family also belonging to that church.

He married, December 25, 1889, Margaret Stillwagon, born in Connellsville, December 28, 1867, daughter of Rev. George Stillwagon, a minister of "The Brethren Sect," and granddaughter of Peter Stillwagon, an early settler. Rev. George Stillwagon, born in Connellsville, married Jane French, born at Wharton Furnace, Fayette county. Children of Benjamin L. and Margaret Berg: Margaret, born March 28, 1894; Dorothy Catherine, January 1, 1907.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County by John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.

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