The Bergman Ancestors
My Grandfather, George A. Bergman, was born in East Syracuse, New York on May 17, 1889, and died December 9, 1978. According to the 1920 census, he was a machinist in the railroad engine house. He started working for the railroad when he was 16 and retired in 1954. His Grandfather, Fredric, was born in 1834 in Berlin, Germany and died in Syracuse, New York on November 8, 1901. His cemetery marker shows that he was a private in Co. E, 40^th NJV. In 1898 he was listed in Enumeration of Inhabitants of Manlius. He supposedly owned a doll factory. Fredric and Julia’s first child, Francis, was born in New York or Connecticut. Some census records show New York while others show Connecticut. Francis, nicknamed Frank, was born in August 1866 and married Apollonia Walter, nicknamed Abbie, who was born April 1864 in Collamer, New York. Apollonia’s Father and Mother, Adam and Apollonia Walter were immigrants from the German State of Hesse-Darmstadt. Frank and Abbie had a very large family of thirteen. George was the sixth child. George and Leota Pennock married some time before 1912. They lived in Chittenango, New York where they raised a family of six children. Their children were: Viola – born 1912 and died Georgia - May 25, 1915–Dec 22, 1988 Arthur - May 18, 1919-Nov 1983 Robert – Jul 30, 1920 – Mar 3, 1996 Harold “Hud” – Sep 9, 1926 – Dec 30, 2003 Carolyn – Nov 13, 1931 – Nov 1, 1991 Their youngest son shares the following about his Mother and Father and growing up during the depressions. She had flower beds that people came just to admire. We had an acre of muck in Chittenango that grew everything from watermelons to peanuts - melons - every veg that exists - quince trees, popcorn, you name it, we grew it thanks to my Mom & Pop. We had potatoes for all winter plus seed for spring plant. Her flowers and the beds I turned over, one bed a long one, every year. I found 3 cent pieces, 1 cents, 1/2 cents, etc. etc. It seems that a bar room along the canal tow path was located there and had burned down - neat coins every year. I would like to get in that flower bed today & sift the soil. My Mother played the piano beautifully only when she was alone. I caught her one day when I snuck in. She was so kind, so thoughtful, so smart. She made a lot of thoughtless kids although. I went to work at Oneida Ltd and made 30.00 per week. My Dad said "Give your Mom 15.00". Well at the time it sounded like a lot but my Mom had new dresses, had her hair done - It was the best money I have ever spent in my life. I recall kids in our melon patch after I was in bed. We had so many. No smoking - drinking - had to go to church - Sunday school - there were 6 of us kids - I think this is the only time my parents had alone.! Home on leave - Dad said "put your money & leave papers in the drawer at home". I said "I'm a big boy." but he said "Do it!". I lost my wallet. Mom had a peaches & cream complexion, smooth, pretty lady - went without for kids things. Your Mom was quite like Leota - looked alike - and quite alike in many ways. Your Mom knitted hats & scarves when we were snow mobiling. A beautiful job! My Mom could cook anything out of nothing. I was a Depression kid as my bros were - food was tough to come by. My Dad worked at the New York Central Round house - worked on trains, jobs were few. I'm sure my folks went without so us kids were fed - none of these things happen in today's world. I remember this, every day I would wait for Father to come home and there was always something in his lunch box for me, always - this is amazing. I bet he would have liked to eat that 1/2 sandwich many times. Mom baked bread, baked beans, had boiled potatoes in the frig. Corn meal mush, so good, the remainders she would pour in a bread tin, next A.M. would slice, fry, add butter, syrup - out of this world - make frogs - donuts. She could cook anything never a failure, always gone in a short time. If I needed money for movies, etc., she would send me to the garden, cut rhubarb, green onions, asparagus, etc - sell them to the neighbors. How smart she was. This got me to fend for myself - talk to neighbors - sell things. Today's kids would have trouble. I walked 2-1/2 miles for milk many times never thought to gripe, unloaded coal for lumber yard, worked on turkey farm, worked at a pea vinery. Always had something to do, never bored. Kids today "I don't have anything to do". What a shame & waste. All encouraged by Leota. She was the reason to be here on this earth.	My Great Great Grandfather George A. Bergman, Grandfather May 17, 1889 – Dec 11, 1978 George Adam Bergman
Last revised: August 27, 2004