Berger Hill Homestead
Occupants
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.
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.
Eckerle Homestead
Occupants
1895-1945 John & Amanda's home
As the children arrived they, of course, became occupants. Viola, John Jr.,Eugene, and Adolph.
As they married they moved out. Viola married in 1920. Adolph married in 1921. John Jr. married in 1922.
Only Eugene was left at home with his parents.
Amanda died in July 1944 and John died in January 1945.
1945-1952 Eugene's home
Eugene wanted to move to California. He sold the homestead to Aunt Elsa.
1952-1998 Elsa & Wally Meyer's home
Elsa, Wally, Jeff, Linda, and Fred Trefzger moved into the homestead.
They remodeled the kitchen immediately. Later they enclosed the front porch and made it a bar area.
1999-date David & Angela Berger's home
Fred a Gail bought the home for David. After much repair and redecorating David and Angela moved in. Sidney arrived in 1999 and Emma in 2001.
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