Berger Hill Homestead Occupants
Photos
John Berger married Mary Elizabeth Metz on 2/4/1865. They lived in downtown Cincinnati, but Mary wasn't happy there. She wanted to move out in the country closer to her parents, so later in 1865 John bought 8 1/2 acres out west in Green Township on Lick Run. Mary's parents lived in the 2nd farm west of John's property.
1865-1894 Mary & John Berger's home
As the children were born they, of course, became occupants. John Leander, their first born son was just with them until 1881.
Anna, George, Amanda, Tillie, Theresa and Joseph were residents as they arrived.
Agatha, born in 1984 lived only about 6 months.
Meinrad Berger, John's father, moved to Berger Hill in 1881. He died in April 1882.
Nauni, John's half sister probably moved to Berger Hill when Meinrad did in 1881.
Jacob Metz moved to Berger Hill in 1886, and lived there until he died in 1893.
John died in 1894.
1894-1927 Mary's home
Children left home when they were married. Amanda was married in 1895. George was married in 1897. Tillie was married in 1899. Theresa was married in 1905. Joe was married in 1920.
Nauni was put into a home for the aged in the fall of 1905.
Mary died in 1927
1927-1954 Anna's home
Upon Mary's death the home was given to Anna for as long as she wished to live there.
Norma Richter is in a picture with Mary and Anna Berger on the Hill in 1925 and also with her mother Anna Richter in 1927, but I think she moved in with Anna after Mary died. I remember both Norma and her mother living with Anna in the early '30s. I don't know how long they lived on the Hill.
After Jack Sheblessy's death in the fall of 1938 Theresa moved back in with Anna.
The old homstead was not insulated and the old windows were very drafty so in the later years Anna and Theresa only lived on the Hill in the summer. In the winter they had an apartment on Digby in Clifton Heights.
1954-1965 Theresa's home
Aunt Theresa continued to live in the homestead in the summer for a while after Aunt Anna died.
After Aunt Theresa did not come out to the Hill the homstead was rented to a friend for 1 or more years, then to various families for 2 or 4 weeks at a time for $1.00 per month.
During the winter months when the homestead was not occupied to home was occasionally broken in to an vandalized
1966-date Fred & Gail Berger leased the homestead
Fred and Gail immediately repaired, tightened up, and restored the entire exterior of the homestead. They moved the kitchen back into the northwest room of the main house, and redecorated the complete interior of the home. They replaced the heating system and have added air-conditioning.
Gail died on July 31,2013 at 71 years old. Fred continues to live in the homestead.
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