Narrative Franz Berg

Andreas Schamberger

His name at birth was Andreas Schamberger which he changed to Franz Berg after his arrival in the United States, he was also known as Francis C. Berg. "Franz Berg" was also the name of a well-know professor at the University of Würzberg where Andreas attended school and may have taught.

Franz was born on March 7, 1819 at Erlangen, Uberfranken, Kingdom of Bavaria (Germany as presently known was not formed until 1876) and was christened on March 10, 1819 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Erlangen. He was the son of Nicolaus Schamberger and Elisabeth Theresia Nägelein. Nicolaus was a relatively well known sculptor in Erlangen. Elisabeth was his second wife, his first, Catharina, died around 1806-7.

Franz Berg married Maria Antonio Johanna Barbara Josepha Rudolph on September 12, 1847 at Steinberg, Kingdom of Bavaria; the length of her name indicates that she probably was from a wealthy or prominent family.

While living In Bavaria, he was a schoolteacher and organist. Andreas served as Mayor of Heidensfeld near Würzburg and studied law in Würzburg. He was a Lawyer Member of the Municipal Council of the City of Nürnberg from 1845 to 1848. He worked in the law firm of Dr. Karl Harman until he moved to Heidensfeld in 1849. Around the time of his wife's death, was the mayor of Würzburg.

His departure from Germany around 1852 was shrouded, probably connected with the failed German revolution of 1848. He was forced to leave Würzburg suddenly for political reasons, leaving so quickly that he didn't have time to take his children, leaving them in the care of one of his relatives, promising to send for them later.

According to family tradition he came to America disguised as a woman, stopping first in the eastern United States before finally settling in St. Louis. Like many other German immigrants, Andreas Schamberger shortened his last name to 'Berg' when he came to America, but he also changed his first name to 'Franz' and later to 'Francis Charles.' Unlike many immigrants, though, Franz was not poor; he brought some fine linen tablecloths from Germany and some other signs of wealth that his neighbors could recognize. Shortly after he came to this country, Franz moved to the area that was to become Kirkwood in St. Louis County and sent for his children, Francis and Theresa.

According to family history during the Civil War Franz served in the Home Guard. I have not been able to verify his service in the Home Guard, however in St. Louis, volunteers often served on the spur of the moment, sometimes only participating in one skirmish. Frequently no record was kept of their service. After the Civil War, he was back at the same three occupations he had performed in Germany: schoolteacher, organist, and political candidate.

The Missouri General Assembly granted the first charter incorporating the Town of Kirkwood on February 20, 1865 and on April 15 of that year, Franz was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Town of Kirkwood; the other trustees were Richard S. Elliott, Albert G. Edwards and William T. Essex. He served in this capacity from 1865 through 1870. He was the first city clerk and served ex-officio from April 22, 1865 until he resigned on August 21, 1871.

The Kirkwood School District was established on February 17, 1865. Although involved with some affairs of the school district, Franz was not a member of the board, running once unsuccessfully. In 1869 he sold a lot in block number 18 of the City of Kirkwood (bounded by Adams, Geyer [Jackson], Jefferson, and Van Buren) to the Kirkwood School Board for use as a Negro school.

He began teaching German around 1865 in the St. Louis Public Schools and was soon appointed Assistant Superintendent of the St. Louis School District and head of the German department for the system. At that time half of the students enrolled in the public schools were Germans and part of his responsibility was to designed a program that would give the German students an opportunity to "receive instruction in reading and writing the German language, so that their parents would not be compelled to withdraw them from the public schools, and send them to private schools to learn German." At that time most of the suburban communities such as Florissant, Manchester, Fenton and Bridgeton were very remote however it was only a 40-minute, 40-cent train ride from Kirkwood to downtown St. Louis. He was in charge of the students in seven St. Louis Public Schools: Shepard, Charless, Lafayette, Madison, Clark, Carr and Clay and taught at the largest of the schools, Lafayette.

Franz was the first organist at St. Peter's Catholic Church although he did not go to the church and didn't keep up his religion. St. Peter's Catholic Church is the oldest church in the area, starting with a rock church in about 1833. That church was enlarged in 1850 and in 1863 a parish school was established.

After he married Catherine Rosemann, he bought 15 acres of farmland in Des Peres on Manchester Road near Lockett Road; this is now Chastain's Retirement Home. He frequently bought land and sold it in small packages.

He wrote three German textbooks copies of which are in the rare book section of St Louis City Library:

Fibel: oder, Erster Schreib-Lese-Unterricht for Deutsch-Amerikanische Schulen (1872)

Fibel: oder, Erster Schreib-Lese-Unterricht for Deutsch-Amerikanische Schulen (1869)

A key to H. Werz's 1st and 2nd Schreiblese-Fibel (c.1868)

He also wrote a German songbook with Henry Robyn: Der junge Saenger, enthaltend eine systematisch geondinete Sammlung der schönsten deutschen und englischen Linder, nebst einer Anleitung zum Singen für deutsch-amerikanische Schulen.

According to the 1870 U. S. Census for Kirkwood, the value of his real estate was $11,000.00 and the value of his personal property was $1,500.00, this indicates he was well off for that era. He also owned farm property valued at $15,000.

The inventory taken at the time of his death indicated he had a large library of both books and sheet music.

Emigrants from the German principalities prior to 1848 were primarily peasants, rudimentary educated, more interest in farming than in pursuing intellectual activities. In 1848, the discontent of the German middle and artisan classes resulted in a revolt in several principalities. While the revolt was quickly crushed in Prussia, it took much longer to suppress in the weaker states of southwestern Germany, including Bavaria. The principal activists in the revolution, usually persons of education and prominence, fled immediately after the overthrow of the revolutionary government. In 1849 the population of Germany was about 46 million. From 1849-1854 an estimated 1.1 million emigrated. Probably many more emigrated illegally. It was only after the political upheavals of 1848 in Germany that many intellectuals came to America. In the decade following 1850 a great flowering of German culture took place in America. Many local and regional German-language newspapers were founded and German-language schools abounded. Nearly all the new German-Americans were abolitionists opposed to slavery.

Franz immigrated circa 1850 to New York, New York, traveling probably by ship from Germany. He was a widower after the death of his wife, Maria Antonio Johanna Barbara Josepha Rudolph, on April 29, 1852. He may have been naturalized on November 1, 1852 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at Quarter Sessions (QS). His children, Francis and Theresa arrived in New York from Germany on May 2, 1859 on the steamship Bremen from Bremen and Southampton. Franz Berg is a head of household on the 1860 U. S. Census at Central Township, Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri, as "Francis Berg" where he was shown as a 55-year-old white male born in Germany and employed as a school teacher. Enumerated with Franz were Francis Charles Berg and Maria Theresa Berg.

Franz married Catherina Rosemann, daughter of Herman Henry Rosemann and Anna Gertrude Vogelsang, on May 3, 1862 at Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri, the marriage ceremony was performed by Doctor Hugo Krebs, the best man was David Rosemann, the maid of honor was Mary Ann Rosemann. He adopted John B. Berg, whose natural parents were (--?--) Gausepont and Catherina Rosemann, circa 1863.

Franz purchased land on January 22, 1863 on Washington Avenue, Kirkwood, Missouri; the deed stated: "This Deed made on the eight day of December eighteen hundred & sixty two, by and between George H. Gill and Ellen P. his wife of the county of St. Louis State of Missouri, parties of the first part, and Francis Berg of the same county and state of the second part: Witnesseth: that the said parties of the first part in consideration of four hundred dollars, to them in have paid: by the party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged do by these presents Grant Bargain and Sell, Convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part following tract of land located in the Village of Kirkwood, in the county of St. Louis, Missouri, being block No 5 (five) of the town of Kirkwood, as laid down in the part of said town of record in the Recorder's office of St. Louis County: the Eastern half of said block, as conveyed to Henry I Bodley, by deed August 1859 by Thomas C. Reynolds & wife which deed is recorded in the Recorder's Office of St. Louis County in Book 222 page 521: and the Western half was conveyed to said Bodley by Kirkwood association by deed dated 5 May 1859 and recorded in the same office in Book 227 page 62: and both of said portions were conveyed by said Bodley and wife to said George H. Gill by deed dated 16 November 1861 and recorded in the same office in Book 262 page 180. ~ To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances to him the said party of the second part his heirs and assignees forever. ~ The said George H. Gill, hereby covenants that he and his heirs, Executors and administrators shall and will Warrant and defend the title to said property with the said Berg, his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all previous claiming by, through or under him, (??) first part, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year (firm) above written."

He was a beneficiary in the will of Herman Henry Rosemann, his father-in-law on January 31, 1863.

Around 1863 Franz built a house at 309 West Washington Avenue in Kirkwood. After his death Henry Robins, who had written a German song book with him, purchased the house.

Apparently Franz was building a new house on the property in Des Peres at the time of his death. He may have already moved at that time.

Franz Berg purchased land on December 1, 1864 on Adams Avenue, Kirkwood, Missouri; the deed stated "This Deed made on this first day of December eighteen hundred & sixty four, by and between Charles L. Russell and Mary E. Russell his wife both of the city of St. Louis State of Missouri, parties of the first part, and Francis Berg of the county of St. Louis, Mo, party of the second part: Witnesseth: that the said parties of the first part in consideration of six hundred and twenty five dollars (625), to them paid by the party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged do by these presents Grant Bargain and Sell, Convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part following tract of land located in the county of St. Louis, state of Missouri, to wit all of block Eighteen (18) of the town of Kirkwood, according to the plot of said town as recorded in St. Louis County containing four and one half (4 50/100) acres be the same more or less, bounded on the north by Adams Avenue on the East by Van Buren Avenue and on the South by Jefferson Avenue and on the West by Jackson Avenue being the same lot as conveyed to Charles L. Russell by Edward Holland by deed dated the second day of September 1861 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of St. Louis County in Book 260 page 205. To have and to hold the same with the amenities, privileges and appurtenances to the same belonging to the said party of the second part and assignees forever. The said Charles L. Russell, hereby covenants that he and his heirs, Executors and administrators shall and will Warrant and defend the title to the premises to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. In Witness whereof the said parties of the first part, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written."

Franz Berg was identified as a Justice of the Peace for Bonhomme Township in Edwards' St. Louis City Directory in 1866. He was identified in Edwards' St. Louis City Directory as Assistant Superintendent of the German Department of St. Louis Public Schools and living in Kirkwood in 1867.

Franz Berg purchased land on June 27, 1867 in Des Peres, St. Louis County, Missouri; the deed stated: "This Deed made and entered into this twenty seventh day of June eighteen hundred and sixty seven by and between Mary Y. Whiteside acting by her husband James B. Whiteside, duly authorized by power of attorney dated eighth day of May 1867 and with his consent, both of Benton County, State of Arkansas, parties of the first part, Francis Berg of St. Louis County, State of Missouri, party of the second part witnesseth: that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of five thousand four hundred and seventy dollars, to them paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is herby acknowledged by these presents, grants, bargains and sells, conveys and confirm into the said party of the second part the following described tract or parcel of land situated in the County of St. Louis in the State of Missouri to wit: the east half of the northwest quarter of section thirty five (35) township forty five (45) Range five (5) East containing eighty acres originally and now seventy eight acres and 12/100 of an acre. This being the same property, which belonged formerly to William Bournf (?? sp) deceased and was willed to him by his wife Mildred Jane Bournf who died in Texas in the fall of 1865 leaving his as her sole heir. The above Mary Y. Whiteside, who being the daughter of said Mildred Jane Baurn married the above named James B. Whiteside on the 24 day of July A. D. 1864 in Lamargue County, State of Texas. To have and to hold the same, together with all the rights, immenities and appurtenances to the same belonging, unto the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever, the said Mary Y. Whiteside and James B. Whiteside, her husband hereby conventing that they their heirs, executers and administrators shall and will warrant and defend the title to the premises for the said party of the second part and his heirs and assignees forever against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. In witness whereof the parties of the first part have herewith set their hand and seal the day and year first above written."

Franz Berg sold some of the land on August 16, 1867 on Washington Avenue to his daughter and son-in-law; the deed stated: "This Deed, made and entered into this first day of July eighteen hundred and sixty seven by and between Francis Berg and Katharina Berg, his wife of St. Louis County, State of Missouri, parties of the first part and David Roseman of the same state and county part of the second part, witnesseth that the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of four hundred and seventy five dollars to them paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents grant, bargain and sell, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part the following described tract or parcel of land, situated in the County of St. Louis in the State of Missouri, to wit: A strip of block N 5 of the town of Kirkwood commencing at the south east corner of said block, then running thirty (30) feet west on the Southern boundary line of said Block, thence 313 feet and 9 inches North, thence (3) thirty feet east, then 313 feet and 9 inches north to the place of beginning, having thirty feet of front on Washington Avenue by a depth of three hundred thirteen feet six inches. To have and to hold the same with all the rights, ??, privileges and appurtenance to the same, giving unto the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever: The said Francis Berg hereby covanenting that he, his heirs, ??, and administrators shall and will warrant and defend the title to the premises to the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons claiming undue ??. In witness whereof said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals this day and year first above written."

He left a will on October 30, 1868 at Kirkwood, Missouri; recorded June 17, 1872.

Franz was listed in Edwards' Eleventh Annual St. Louis City Directory as Assistant Superintendent of the German Department of St. Louis Public Schools and living in Kirkwood, Missouri in 1869.

Franz Berg is a head of household on the 1870 U. S. Census at Bonhomme Township, Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri, as "Francis Berg" he was listed as a 57-year-old white male born in Bavaria and was a teacher who owned real estate valued at $11,000.00 and personal property of $1,500.00. His mother-in-law, Anna Roseman, lived with him. Enumerated with Franz were Catherina Rosemann, John B. Berg, Anna Antonia Berg, Otto Berg, Frederick Herman Berg, and Anna Gertrude Vogelsang. Franz Berg is enumerated on the Agriculture Schedule of the in July, 1870 U.S. Census at Bonhomme Township, St. Louis County, Missouri. He owned 26 acres of improved land and 60 acres of wood-land valued at $15,000.00 and farm implements valued at $200.00. He owned 2 milch cows and had produced 300 gallons of wine.

Franz Berg was buried on May 26, 1872 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kirkwood, Missouri, in section D, block 37, lot 56. This date is probably incorrect as he didn't die until May 27, 1872. He died on May 27, 1872 at Kirkwood, Missouri, at age 53 of a cerebral hemorrhage. He left Catherina Rosemann as his widow. He was moved from Oak Hill Cemetery and re-interred in the Deutschmann family plot in section 1, row 14, lot 4, grave 9 on June 3, 1947 at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Kirkwood, Missouri.

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