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- BIOGRAPHY:
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/h/r/David-Alan-Christianson/FILE/0004text.txt
GOTTLIEB F. AND SALOMEA BERTSCH Gottlieb F. and Salomea (Schaeffer) Bertsch Gottlieb F. Bertsch was born February 20, 1865 in Bergdorf, South Russia. In 1884, he was dissatisfied with conditions in Russia and made the trip to America with his brother, Jacob, and one sister. Their ship arrived in New York City and from there, they traveled by train to Menno, South Dakota. Gottlieb was the son of Jacob Friedrich Bertsch and Elizabeth (nee Rau) Bertsch. He was one of six children. His siblings were: Elizabeth (Mrs. John Leicht); Louisa (Mrs. Gottlieb Wolff); Jacob, John, and Friederika (Mrs. Gottfried G. Werre). Salomea Schaeffer was born November 7, 1869 in Neudorf, South Russia. She was the daughter of Johann and Eva (nee Hauck) Schaeffer. The original German spelling of this surname was "Schafer". Salomea, at age 15, arrived in this country with her family on the "SS AMERICA" No. 123, on October 23, 1884. She was one of seven children. Her siblings were: Jacob, John, Eva (Mrs. Jacob Bentz), Magdalena (Mrs. John Mayer), Daniel, and August. Gottlieb and Salomea were married in Menno, South Dakota, on December 25, 1886 and lived in that area for two years. In 1888, Gottlieb filed for a homestead in McPherson County, near Eureka. His father, Jacob Friedrich, had already established a homestead about 13 miles east of Eureka and allowed him one-fourth section of land on which to build his homestead. When Gottlieb, Salomea, and their little daughter, Albina, arrived at the site of their new home, there was nothing but grass and rocks to welcome them. They built their home of stones and mortar from clay and hay, grass, or straw. They broke up sod for flax. The Bertsch family worked hard and prospered. There was a total of sixteen children (three sons and thirteen daughters) of whom five daughters preceded their parents in death. The children who lived to be adults included: Albina (Mrs. Jacob Schmitt), Gottlieb J., Pauline (Mrs. Emanuel Schmitt), Magdalena (Mrs. Gottlieb Kirschenmann), Eva (Mrs. Jacob Wolff), Lydia (Mrs. John Leicht), Mathilda (Mrs. Christ Kirschenmann and Mrs. Ed Wolff), Ruth (Mrs. Christ Hagel), Martha (Mrs. Arthur Beck), Emma (Mrs. Andrew Delker), Emanuel, and Helmuth Bertsch. The children now living include: Emma and Lydia in Aberdeen, South Dakota; Emanuel in Yankton, South Dakota; and Helmuth in Sacramento, California. With so many children around and not much space, it was necessary for the children to sleep three in a bed. Salomea was kept busy, besides homemaking, sewing dresses for the girls and preparing food. Seven hogs and a cow would be butchered, meat smoked and cured, and then hung in the granary for winter food. Trips into town were made by horse and buggy. During the harsh South Dakota winters, such trips were rigorous and there were many hazards. In 1919 Gottlieb and Salomea retired and moved into Eureka. Their home was located one block south of the Eureka Community Hospital. Gottlieb had been baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Bergdorf, South Russia. Gottlieb was a founder of the Hoffnungsfeld Church east of Eureka. The children attended the Congregational Church, later to become the United Church of Christ. Gottlieb's motto was "No sweat, no gain". He was in poor health during the last three years of his life, suffering a number of heart attacks. He died on February 6, 1929. Salomea became ill in 1925, developed Hodgkin's Disease and died on August 22, 1931. The funeral services for both were conducted by Reverend R. Knaus.
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1865 - 1929 (63 years)