We will look at another Bergmann birthday boy today. His name was Theopheal Valentine Bergmann, who was born on December 10, 1877. That makes today his 147th birthday. Sometimes, his name is spelled Theophil on documents, but I will use Theopheal, mainly because that is what it says on his gravestone. Theopheal was the son of Michael and Mary (Bergmann) Bergmann. Yes, Theopheal’s parents were a Bergmann/Bergmann pair. Since he was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, we are not able to view an image of his baptism record. Theopheal is found in the 1880 census at the age of 2. His father was a farmer in the Central Township. This would turn out to be the only census entry we can view that shows him as a single person.

Now, we will take a look at the woman who would become Theopheal’s bride. Her name was Adda M. Knoll, who was born on August 4, 1881. Adda was the daughter of Michael and Sarah Georgia (Venable) Knoll. Adda was the firstborn child in a large Knoll family who, according to our German Family Tree, had 10 children. It is likely that these children were also baptized at Peace, Friedenberg. Since Adda was born after 1880 and got married prior to 1900, we are not able to view her in a census before her marriage.

The only item that I located for Adda’s early life was this photo of the first 3 children in her Knoll family. Being the oldest, Adda would be the one sitting on the right.

Theopheal Bergmann married Adda Knoll on February 27, 1900 at Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg. We can take a look at this couple’s Missouri marriage license.

At some point in time, it appears that this Bergmann family chose to remove one of the “n’s” at the end of their surname. I will now begin to use that spelling of their name.

The German Family Tree lists 3 children born to Theopheal and Adda. This couple was married early enough in 1900 to be found in that year’s census as being married. Theopheal was a farmer in the Central Township.

When the 1910 census was taken, all 3 of the Bergman children were in their household.

When the 1915 plat maps were produced, we find the T.V. Bergman farm located not far from Perryville.

In 1918, Theopheal had his World War I draft registration completed. I think it says he was “teaming” for the Special Road District No. 1. I found no record of him getting called into military service during that war.

In the 1920 census, we find the Bergman’s living in Perryville. Even though he was just 42 years old, Theopheal is called a retired farmer.

Next, we find the Bergman’s in the 1930 census. This time, Theopheal was called a bookkeeper for an implement company. In their household was the young family of their son, Hubert, who had married Frieda Deimund. Hubert was working at the shoe factory.

The last census in which we find Theopheal was the one taken in 1940. Theopheal and Adda had an empty nest, but the next entry on the page was that of Hubert and his family. Theopheal was said to be retired from farming at the age of 62.

Theopheal Bergman had his World War II draft card completed in 1942.

Theopheal’s life came to a tragic end in 1947. The article shown below from the Perry County Republican describes how he died after being struck by a falling tree. Theopheal was 69 years old when he died. I had to show this article in 2 images which may have to be clicked to view.

The death certificate for Theopheal is displayed below.

Adda is found in the 1950 census as a widow. She was living with a woman named Theresa Blechle, who was working at the shoe factory.

Adda Bergman died in 1971 at the age of 89. Her death certificate says she died at the Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville.

An obituary for Adda is pictured here.

Theopheal and Adda Bergman are buried together in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Perryville.

Today’s birthday boy’s death became headline news in the local newspaper. I suppose that most of us have no desire to have our deaths get such large headlines as a result of a tragic set of circumstances like that which happened to Theopheal. Most will get just a paragraph or two that give just a few details about our lives and include the funeral arrangements. However, it matters not to the person who dies. They do not get to read their own obituaries.