BERNHART-Stanis - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Stanis Bernhart

His first job was with the Wabash Railroad which was being built through here at that time. There was an extensive demand by the Wabash Railroad for building stone for use in the construction of piers and abutments for bridges and this was a business opening which young Bernhart was quick to see and he grasped the opportunity which it presented to enter business for himself. He formed a partnership with Henry Ahrens and they opened up the quarry just across the river from Attica which is still referred to as the Bernhart Quarry although its operation ceased years ago when concrete became a substitute for stone. For about 30 years the Bernhart quarry was one of the chief industries of Attica and furnished practically all the stone for bridges on the Wabash railroad, all along the line from Kansas City MO to Toledo, OH and Detroit, MI. Mr. Bernhart not only furnished the stone but he constructed and supervised the construction of the piers and abutments for the bridges. He worked a large force of men both in the quarry in getting out the stone and in the construction work on the piers and abutments. Mr. Bernhart also furnished the stone and constructed foundations for dwellings, business buildings, churches and public buildings, the pay roll for the men employed amounting to many thousands of dollars a year. Stanis Bernhart was a man of wonderful personality and a foreceful, yes a dynamic character. No movement for the advancement of the business interests of Attica was ever started here during his active career without Mr. Bernhart being one of its leading figures. Whether the question was one for business improvement, educational advancement, the improvement of the streets or the beautification of the city, Stanis Bernhart was always one of the leaders. In politics, Mr. Bernhart was a democrat of the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian type. While always active in politics he was never a candidate for office, his interest centering in honest efficient officers who would serve the people well. One of the outstanding characteristics of Stanis Bernhart was his frankness. You always knew where he stood on any question when he was in favor of a movement you knew it and when he was against any project he said so. But he was liberal in his beliefs. He accorded to others the same privelege he exercised for himself -- that of forming judgements as his intellect pointed out and to act as his conscience dictated. Probably the most striking attribute of Mr. Bernhart was the bigness of his heart as exempliefied by his thoughtfulness for the welfare of his family, the kindness and generous treatment of the men in his employ and the strict orders he gave his men with reference to the care of the many horses and mules which were used in the operation of the stone business. The kindness shown his men was in turn reflected by their strict loyalty to their employer. While their work was heavy it was made to seem lighter by the kindness and sympathy shown them by the man under whom they worked. The nature of Mr. Bernhardt's business necessarily called him away from home frequently and for many days at a time, but that he never forgot the members of his family it is related that he rarely returned home without bringing them something and when possible it was something new and not found in the home stores. A few of the men who were in his employ are still living and many incidents are related which illustrate his ever readiness to reward the men under him for efficient service and for honesty. A little incident is told by one of his men who saw Mr. Bernhart's pocket book drop unnoted by him into a deep trench frmo his side pocket while he was bent over in order to pass under some scaffolding. This employee secured the pocket book which contained quite a sum of money and returned it to Mr. Bernhart who took from the pocket book a five dollar bill and handing it to the employee told him to "have a good time." Another occurrence is told of one of his men having discovered more money in his weekly pay envelope than the contract price. He reported to Mr. Bernhart that his envelope contained too much money. Mr. Bernhart simply replied, "the amount is correct I have raised your wages" although the increase had not been asked. Many other incidents are told of this man's life which exemplifies his kindness, his fairness and sympathy for those associated with him in any way. Persons in close touch with the life of Stanis Bernhart recall with pleasure his many strikingly human traits of character which will linger with them as cherished memories to the end of this days. File Created: 21 July 2010 -- thanks muches Richard !!