John L Bert (1835 - 1918)

Born 7 Apr 1835 in Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri

Died 21 Jan 1918 at age 82 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Very few of the present residents of Quincy date back so far as Mr. John L. Bert, who has lived here continuously more than sixty years. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., April 7, 1835, and came here with his parents in July of the same year. His father, the late Jean Phillippe Bert, was for many years the leading merchant tailor of the city. He first located here in February, 1835, and built a home on the east side of Fourth street, between Maine and Jersey, which was ready for occupancy when the family arrived. He continued in the merchant tailoring business up to the time of his death, in 1860. Mr. John L. Bert was first employed as a clerk in the dry goods store of John Murphy, on the north side of the square, in 1853. Two years later he secured a position in the dry goods and carpet store of Henry Root, remaining with him until 1865, when he associated himself with Mr. Van B. Shinn and Mr. Fred T. Hill and bought out the business, the firm being Shinn, Bert & Hill. On the death of Mr. Shinn, the year following, the firm became Bert & Hill and was so continued until January 1, 1871, when Mr. Bert became sole proprietor.

In 1879 Mr. Bert built his present handsome stone-front carpet house, one of the finest business blocks in Quincy. For more than thirty years he has been engaged in business on the west side of Washington Park and all of his long and active business experience has been on the square. In the growth and development of the city he has borne his full share of the burdens and has assisted materially in making Quincy a beautiful city. Mr. Bert was married in 1860 to Miss Mary E. Fox and they have one son, Mr. Harry L. Bert, who is associated with his father in business.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Representative Men and Homes, Quincy, Illinois, 1899

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156353923/john-l.-bert