BERLIN, AJ "Ozark Jack" - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

AJ “Ozark Jack” Berline, 86, widely known for his many interesting stories of frontier days died Sunday morning at St. Elizabeth hospital in Danville.  He had been a patient for three days entering as a surgical patient. Ozark Jack was one of Veedersburg’s well known personages.  He had a variety of experiences in his travels during his youth and became acquainted with many characters who were prominent in the frontier days of the West following the Civil War.  He was known for his talks with young people, always urging them to lead a clean life. Ozark’s stories made many newspapers throughout the Midwest as a friend of Wild Horse Peter, Buffalo Bill and was one who recently claimed that JesseJames was alive in Missouri.  His last contribution to the Veedersburg News was an interesting story of Lincoln which he picked up while railroad in his early youth.  He possessed a large library and a most interesting scrapbook.  In his later years he operated a trading post as a hobby.  Mr. Berlin was born April 5, 1867 at Olney, Ill son of Andrew Jackson and Hanna Landis Berlin.  He was associated with the Adams-Forpaugh circus when in his teens. He moved to Veedersburg 64 years ago and was married Jan 14, 1890 too Minnie French who died May 15, 1928. He later became an employee of the NY Central Railroad working in the bridges and building department.  Mr. Berlin was a member of the Methodist church. Surviving are a brother, SA Berlin of Monticello, Ind; four children: Mrs. Nora Cox, Mrs. Ruth Benner, Mrs. Marie Songer and a son, Vernon all of Veedersburg. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Fishero Funeral Home in Veedersburg with Rev. Fred Chelan officiating.  Burial was in the Rockfield cemetery.  – kbz