Bernard Kirchner

BERNARD KIRCHNER was born December 2, 1833 in Weimar, Saxony Germany to Christian Kirchner and Dorothy Gepford, and died November 27, 1906 in Nichols, IA. Bernard was a German Protestant, who came to the U.S. in 1852 where he spent two years in New York before moving to Rock Island, IL. In 1855, he came to Muscatine.

In 1860 Federal Census, Bernard is listed as living in Moscow, Muscatine, IA with his brother Frederick Kirchner's family. He married Charlotte LENZ on December 23, 1863 in Nichols, IA, daughter of Valentine LENZ and Barbara Geis(e). Their marriage certificate was witnessed by Valentine LENZ and George FUHR. By the 1870 Federal Census, Charlotte and Bernard have 3 children, Fred (1864), Lizzie (1867), and Margaret (1869) and living the town of Pike in Muscatine County, IA. In 1880, they are listed as living on Main Street in Pike, Muscatine, IA and have added 4 more children, Henry (1871), Bernard (1873), Anna (1877), and John (1879). In 1882, they gave birth to another daughter, Gertrude. Bernard was a stockholder in Lone Star Savings Bank. Bernard was a Farmer, Merchant, and Banker. He finally retired in 1895 at the age of 62. In 1906 Bernard passed away at the age of 73. At this time, Charlotte moved in with her son Henry and his family. Bernard is buried in Nichols Cemetery with his wife and children.

Taken from History of Muscatine County, pg. 268 (written about 1910)
....For fifty years Bernard Kirchner, deceased was a citizen of Muscatine County, assisting in an important degree in the development of its agricultural interests. At the the time of his death, November 27, 1906, he was the owner of five hundred acres of well improved land, which he had acquired through perseverance and energy. He won his way to success by the sterling characteristics of courage thrift, and industry, which are so prominent in the Teutonic race, of which he was a representative.

....Born in Weimar, Saxony, Germany, Dec. 2, 1833, he was the son of Christian and Dorothy (Gepford) Kirchner, both of whom passed their entire lives in the fatherland. Mr. Kirchner came to America as a young man in 1852, and, after spending two years in New York, lived in Rock Island, Illinois, for a short time, and in 1855, began his career as a farmer in Muscatine County by renting land. Subsequently, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Pike Township, which he cultivated unitl 1873, when he came to Nichols and opened a mercantile establishment. He was highly successful both as a farmer and as a merchant, but in 1894 he retired to enjoy a well earned rest, his sons taking charge of the business. In addition to being the owner of a valuable farm and of a good business house, he was a stockholder of the Lone Tree Savings Bank, and as a man of high financial standing his advice was much sought after in matters of business by persons who desired to be guided aright. He had two brothers, both of whom are now deceased.

....On December 23, 1863, Mr. Kirchner was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Lenz, who was also a native of Germany, a daughter of Valentine and Barbara (GEIS) Lenz. The family came to America in 1856, and settled upon a farm in Muscatine County, which Mr. Lenz cultivated until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1874. .....

....To Mr. and Mrs. Kirchner eight children were born, namely: Frederick H. of Lone Tree, Johnson County, Iowa who is married to and has one child; Elizabeth, the widow of William Bowen, who lived in What Cheer, Iowa, and of Nichols, and was called away October 20, 1910; Margaret, who is now the wife of Dr. Carl of Nichols, and has two children; Henry and Bernard A., both of whom are in the mercantile business at Nichols; Anna who is the wife of Louis Mapes, Lone Tree, and has two children; John of Portland, Oregon, who still owns land in Muscatine county, and is married and has two children; and Gertrude, at home. The mother of these children in now living at NIchols and is sixty-five years of age....

....Bernard Kirchner, whose name introduces this review, was a supporter of the candidates and principles of the democratic party. He was a sincere friend of education and served on the school board for many years. Religiously, he was identified with the Lutheran Church, while his widow was a member of the Evangelical church. He was greatly interested in the growth of Muscatine county and lived to see marvelous changes in this section, which now contains many of the most productive farms of the state. He was recognized as a man thoroughly trustworthy, who loved the country of his adoption, having here established a home where he enjoyed what he came to America to find--peace, happiness and prosperity.

ANCESTORS
1 Christan KIRCHNER b: abt 1808 d: (in Germany) ...m: Dorothy GEPFORD b: abt 1810 d: (in Germany)

.. 2 Bernard KIRCHNER b: Dec.2, 1833 Weimar, Saxony Germany d: Nov 27, 1906 Nichols, IA ..... m: Charlotte LENZ b: Nov 27, 1845 Hessen, Darmstad Germany d: October 27, 1931 Nichols, IA ..... m: Dec. 23, 1863 in Nichols, IA ..... Burial: Nichols Cemetery, Muscatine, IA

DESCENDANTS

............. 3 Fredrick Henry KIRCHNER b: Dec 2, 1864 Nichols, IA d: March 15, 1935 ................ m: Anna May CONSTANT b: May 14, 1869 Johnson Co, IA d: Feb 19, 1938 ................ m: Dec 1895 Nichols, IA ................ Burial: Lone Tree Cemetery, Lone Tree, IA

...................... 4 Gildra Bernard KIRCHNER b: Mar 11, 1898 d: Mar 21, 1956 Iowa City, IA ........................... m: Lucy Laurel HOLDEMAN b: Aug 2, 1895 d: Feb 1986 Iowa City, IA ........................... m: Aug 23, 1923 ............................Burial: Lone Tree Cemetery, Lone Tree, IA ................................. 5 Don Frederick KIRCHNER b: Apr 21, 1928 Lone Tree, IA d: July 7, 2000 - Obituary .................................... m: Betty Catherine Eden .....................................m: Sep 26, 1954 Lone Tree, IA ..................................... Burial: Lone Tree ................................. 5 Gwendolyn Ruth KIRCHNER b: Apr 21, 1928 Lone Tree, IA d: Mar 1987 in Oxford, OH .................................... m: Loren Coover STAATS, PH.D .................................... m: June 16, 1949 .................................... Burial: Lone Tree Cemetery

............. 3 Elizabeth KIRCHNER b: Feb 1, 1867 Nichols, IA d: Jun 15, 1937 ................ m1: William BOWEN b: Dec 29, 1867 Nichols, IA d: Oct 20, 1910 ................ m1: Nov 12, 1901 ................ m2: Charles F KALLING b: Apr 20, 1858 d: Aug 16, 1923 ................ m2: Dec 2, 1913
Elizabeth Kirchner

............. 3 Margret KIRCHNER b: Jan 8, 1869 Nichols, IA d: Aug 4, 1940 ................ m: Frederick F. CARL II b: Oct 6, 1860 d: Feb 6, 1938 Nichols, IA ................ m: Oct 6, 1886 in Nichols, IA ................ Burial: Lone Tree Cemetery, Lone Tree, IA
Margaret Kirchner Carl (1869-1940)
...................... 4 Evan E. CARL b: July 14, 1887 Nichols, IA d: May 29, 1964 ...........................m: Elizabeth V. BAIR ...........................m: Abt. 1912

................................. 5 Evan Franklin CARL b: April 7, 1913 d: Jan 24, 1986 .................................... m1: Wynette SNOWDEN .....................................m2: Janet M.
...................... 4 Verna Maleta CARL b: May 10, 1895 Nichols, IA d: Oct 30, 1982

............. 3 Henry KIRCHNER b: Apr 13, 1871 Nichols, IA d: Feb 24, 1948 Nichols, IA ................ m: Emma Margaret HACKE b: Feb 21, 1876 Muscatine Co, d: Apr 1, 1961 Iowa City ................ m: Sept 4, 1895 Nichols, IA .................Burial: Nichols Cemetery - Headstone ...................... 4 Alvina KIRCHNER b: Jan 9, 1897 d: Feb 1986 Muscatine, IA ......................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery - Headstone ...................... 4 Elise Pearl KIRCHNER b: June 10, 1899 d: May 1981 in West Liberty, Muscatine, Ia ......................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery - Headstone ...................... 4 Floyd KIRCHNER b: Aug 14, 1902 Nichols, IA d: Feb 26, 1988 Iowa City, IA - Obituary .......................... m: Edna Josphine PETERSON b: Sep 14, 1903 Victory, CO d: Sep 24 1988 Nichols, IA ...........................Burial: Nichols Cemetery - Headstone ...................... 4 Marguerite Fern KIRCHNER b: June 28, 1908 Nichols, IA d: Oct 9, 1999 Muscatine, IA .......................... Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Muscatine, IA - Obituary .......................... m: Edward H. GRIMM b: Nov 10, 1903 Muscatine, IA d: Jan 17, 1993 Muscatine, IA .......................... m: June 28, 1908 Muscatine, IA

............. 3 Bernard A. KIRCHNER b: Sep 16, 1873 Muscatine, IA d: Apr 4, 1929 Nichols, IA ................ m: Nannie Elizabeth BLACK b: May 1, 1879 Nichols, IA d: Mar 26, 1901 Nichols, IA ................ Burial: Nichols Cemetery - Headstone ...................... 4 Clara Frances KIRCHNER b: Apr 25, 1899 d: Jun 22, 1999 Bettendorf, IA -Obituary ...........................m: Charles Wesley ELDER b: Jun 24, 1891 Nichols, IA d: Battle Lake, MN ...........................m: Oct 9, 1917 First Methodist Parsonage, Muscatine, IA ...........................Burial: Nichols Cemetery ................................. 5 Kathryn Claribel ELDER b: May 25, 1918 d: Oct 27, 1982 ................................. 5 Jeanne Anne ELDER b: Jan 4, 1920 Louisa City, IA d: Sep 27, 1996 FLA .................................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery .................................... m: George POELTLER b: Nov 29, 1919 Cransford, NJ d: Apr 30, 1997 FLA .....................................m: July 20, 1945 Muscatine, IA ................................. 5 Charles Robert ELDER b: May 17, 1921 Nichols, IA d: Sep 5, 1965 Iowa City, IA .................................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery ................................. 5 Betty Irene ELDER b: Jan 30, 1923 Nichols, IA d: Mar 5, 2000 Iowa City, IA - Obituary .................................... m: Roy BIERI b: Jul 8, 1922 Lamar, MO d: Feb 17, 2001 Iowa City - Obituary .................................... m: July 20, 1945 Muscatine, IA .................................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery ...................... 4 Robert Bernard KIRCHNER b: Mar 8, 1901 d: Sep 4, 1902 ......................... Burial: Nichols Cemetery

............. 3 Anna KIRCHNER b: May 25, 1877 Nichols, IA d: After 1931 in Oskaloosa, IA ................ m: Louis MAPES b: June 1880 Adams Station, Pike, IA d: Sep 22, 1940 ................ m: March 1, 1905 ...................... 4 Dorothy Charlotte MAPES b: Dec 17, 1905 IA d: Oct 1984 San Clemente, CA .......................... m: Joseph MERRILL b: Apr 28, 1909 IA d: Dec 1982 San Clemente, CA .......................... m: Apr 28, 1930 ...................... 4 Bernard Lewis MAPES b: Sep 10, 1908 d: May 1983 Le Grand, Marshall, IA
............. 3 John KIRCHNER b: May 29, 1879 Nichols, IA d: 1940 Ft Worth, TX ................ m1: Lucy Elizabeth MAPES b: Aug 1879 Nichols, IA d: Sept 4, 1963 Des Moines, IA

...................... 4 William KIRCHNER b: 1905 d: Jan 2, 1964 Des Moines, IA ........................ m: Mary
...................... 4 Charlotte Alice KIRCHNER b: Mar 15, 1907 Oregon d: July 17, 1986 .......................... m: Arnold Edward BARTELT b: Apr 4, 1910 Wisc d: Feb 18, 1984 .......................... m: Dec 15, 1933 Nichols, IA .......................... Burial: St. Mary's Cemetery, Muscatine, IA

...................... 4 James KIRCHNER b: 1911 d: August 10, 1978 Nichols, IA .......................... m: Ruth Unknown b: July 13, 1917 d: Sep 1982 Nichols, IA ...................... 4 Genevive KIRCHNER b: 1912 m: Bert BEAN ................................. 5 Dick BLACK m: Delores BLACK ................ m2: Mrs. Icy Villa (Kirchner) b: abt 1881 d: Jan 6, 1965 .................m2: presumably 1922 ...................... 4 John Lafayette KIRCHNER b: Jan 23, 1923 Fort Worth, Tarrant, TX d: Oct 30, 1996 Azle, TX ........................... m: Myrtle CAMPBELL

............. 3 Gertrude KIRCHNER b: Jun 21, 1882 Nichols, IA d: Feb 20, 1949 Nichols, IA ............... Burial: Nichols Cemetery

Census Listings 1860 Census, IA, Muscatine, Moscow Frederick Kirchner, 30, Farmer, $385, Saxony Barbara, 25, Hesse Bernard, 4, Iowa Charles, 2, Iowa Barnhart Kirchner, 26, Farmer, $380, Saxony 1870 Census, IA, Muscatine, Wapsinoc Bernard Kirchner, 36 Farmer, $5,000, $800, Saxony Charlotte, 24, Hesse Fred, 5, Iowa Lizzie, 3, Iowa Margaret, 2, Iowa 1880 Census, IA, Muscatine, Pike Bernhart Kirchner, 46, Head, Merchant, Saxony, Saxony, Saxony Charlotte, 34, Wife, Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Darmstadt Fred H., 15, Son, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt Elizabeth, 13, Daughter, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt Margaret, 11, Daughter, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt Henry, 9, Son, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt Bernhart, 6, Son, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt Anna, 3, Daughter, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt John, 1, Son, Iowa, Saxony, Darmstadt 1900 Census, IA, Muscatine, Pike Bernhard Kirchner, Head, Dec 1833, 67, M-37, Germany, Germany, Germany, 1851, 51 yrs in US Charlotte, Wife, Nov 1845, 54, M-37, 8/8 Children, Germany, Germany, Germany, 1857, 43 yrs in US Elizabeth, Daughter, Feb 1867, 33, Iowa, Germany, Germany Anna, Daughter, May 1877, 23, Iowa, Germany, Germany John, Son, May 1879, 21, Iowa, Germany, Germany Gertie, Daughter, Jun 1882, 17, Iowa, Germany, Germany


Marriage Certificate	Kirchner Births	Kirchner Marriages	Kirchner Deaths


Nichols Cemetary, Nichols, IA