Joseph G. Berstler

BERSTLER, JOSEPH G. — Auditor of Iowa county. Was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th day of July, 1832. When 3 years old his parents moved to Guernsey county, Ohio; here our subject was reared on a farm until he was 19, when he went to Beverly, Ohio. He here engaged in a woolen manufactory and learned the trade. In 1855 he came to this county but remained only a short time, when he went to Linn county and there worked at his trade about two years. He then returned to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war when he enlisted in company I, Thirteenth Iowa infantry, November 2, 1861, as fifth sergeant, was mustered out on July 31, 1865, as second lieutenant. He was engaged in the following battles: Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, first and second Bolivar, Siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta, Sherman's march to the sea and through to Washington. On his return from the army he continued farming until 1869, when he was elected county auditor, to fill vacancy, and same fall was elected for a full term. He was again appointed in June, 1877, to fill vacancy, and elected the following fall, and re-elected in 1879. Mr. B., as a county official, has a good record and good business qualifications, is energetic and reliable in all business transactions, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. He was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Mary E. Plummer Jan. 1, 1857. She is a native of Bangor, Maine. They have had a family of seven children, of whom there are six living: Lydia A., Jennie, Wallace F., Charles S., Ella C., John. Lillie M. (died in April, 1878, aged 6 years).

SOURCE: Union Historical Company, The History Of Iowa County, Iowa (1881), p. 519