Albert C. Berger is the founder and president of the Atchison Leather Products Company, one of the newer industries of the city, but one which adds to the distinction of Atchison as a manufacturing and disprosperity of the community, since its goods go over a large territory and the business furnishes employment to many hands.
Mr. Berger is one of the forceful and enterprising tributing point, and it is a factor in the commercial younger men of Kansas. He came here in his twenties and was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1885. His father, Albert Berger, Sr., was born in the Kingdom of Wuertemberg, Germany, in 1844. He was reared and educated in Germany and as a regular soldier in the German Army served with a cavalry regiment in the Franco-Prussian war of 1871. It was soon after that war, in 1872 that he immigrated to America and settled at Williamsport. By trade a stone mason, which he had learned in Germany, he followed that work all his business career and died at Williamsport in 1899. After taking out citizenship papers he allied himself with the democratic party. He was a member of both the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was devout in his attendance upon the services of the German Lutheran Church. After coming to Pennsylvania he married, and his wife, Louise Berger, was also a native of Wuertemburg, Germany, and had come to America about the same time as her husband. She was born in 1846 and died at Williamsport February 28, 1912. Their children were: Mary, wife of Christ Durrwachter, a baker living at Williamsport; Barbara, wife of Abraham Metzger, a wagon and carriage builder and blacksmith at Williamsport; Emma, wife of George Gehron, a carpenter of Williamsport; Albert C.; and Herman J., who is also a resident of Atchison and is shipping clerk for the Atchison Leather Products Company.
In the city of his birth, which is a considerable manufacturing town in Pennsylvania, Albert C. Berger grew up and attended the public schools until he had completed the graded course. In 1899 he was graduated from the Williamsport Commercial College, and soon afterward entered the office of the Williamsport Staple Company, where he remained until July, 1908. On September 3, 1908, Mr. Berger arrived in Atchison, locating here as a suitable place for the establishment of the business he had in mind. He began manufacturing leather specialties on a small scale and had carefully and effectively guided that business until it is now a corporation employing from sixty to seventy hands. The offices of the plant are located at 316 Commercial Street. Mr. Berger is president of the company.
In politics he is independent and takes a good citizen’s interest in everything promoted for the welfare of the community. He is a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and is affiliated with Washington Lodge No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Washington Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar; Abdallah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Leavenworth; and also belongs to Friendship Lodge No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Berger’s home is at 107 North Terrace Street. He was married in 1907 at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to Miss Minnie Kuntz. Mrs. Berger was born and reared in Williamsport. They have two children: Walter E., born June 21, 1908; and Marian E., born March 8, 1910.