Peter Aloysius Berg (1873-1941)

in bank

with wife Katherine

with wife Katherine

COSTLY FIRE AT P.A. BERG HOME THURS.

ENTIRE UPPER STORY OF RESIDENCE BURNED. ROOF ABLAZE WHEN SEEN.

The fire department was called to the Peter A. Berg home last Thursday when neighbors noticed fire coming through the roof. Soon after the call came in the department was at the scene of the fire, but it had such a start that it was impossible to do much toward saving the upper story of the house. The fire caught in the upper story of the house and had probably burned some time before it was discovered.

As soon as the firemen and neighbors arrived they began carrying out the household goods and clothing in the upper story, but it was impossible to save it all. The goods from the lower floor were all saved and stored with neighbors.

The upper story was a total loss and will have to be rebuilt. The damage to the lower floor was caused mostly by water. The house was exceptionally well built and it is estimated that it will cost from $2500 to $3000 to replace the hosue and the goods that were destroyed. The damage was covered by insurance.

Mr. and Mrs. Berg and family have moved to the Simpson property corner of Main and Halsted streets.

Peter Aloysius Berg, son of John Berg, was born Feb., 14, 1873, and died May 18, 1941. He married Susan Heiser Nov. 22, 1898. She was born Aug. 21, 1877, and died Apr. 29, 1929. On Sept. 3, 1931, he married Katherine E. Heiser (Apr.12, 1876-Feb. 3, 1968). Susan and Katherine Heiser Berg were sisters, daughters of Peter Heiser and Maria Spannon.

The following obituary was found in Lowell Public Library clipping files (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 1, page 36) and was hand dated and identified as being from the June 24, 1981, "Forty Years Ago" column in the Lowell Tribune:

Peter A. Berg, cashier of the Lowell National Bank, passed away in the Mercy Hospital in Hammond, Sunday morning after an illness of several weeks. He was 68 years. During the winter he took a pleasure trip to Florida, and when he arrived home he was not feeling well, and he continued to fail until his passing. Peter A. Berg was the cashier of the Lowell National Bank from its founding 38 years ago until his death. Before assuming the duties of cashier he was the assistant cashier of the old Lowell State bank, having a record of about 45 years as a banker in Lowell, which is a record attained by few people in one line of work. He was one of Lowell’s substantial business men and will sorely be missed not only in the bank where he spent so many years, but by the business men and the citizens of the town and surrounding country. At all times our people felt free to consult him on matters of business and they found that he was giving them sound advice. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Kappinger and Mrs. Virginia Houser, of Chicago, and Miss Catherine of Lowell, two sons, Harold, of California, and Robert, of Lowell. Funeral services were held in the St. Edward’s Catholic church yesterday morning at 10 o’clock, and interment was made in the St. Edward cemetery.