Bio: Bernitt, Frank (Retirement - 1954)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Amacher, Bernitt, Kelsey, Rilling

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 7/08/2015

Originally published in the Abbotsford Tribune, July 8, 1954

Frank Bernitt has retired for his work as water superintendent for the village. His time of service in this department dated from the beginning of the village water system.

In 1934, with the help of WPA labor, the project was started. George Kelsey was village president and Dr. J. A. Rilling was chairman of the water committee.

The village purchased 22 acres of land and the stand pope from the Soo Line for $500. With this transaction, included was an eight inch main from the present location of Miller Dray to the stand pipe, as well as other mains used by the Soo Line, which pumped water from a creek east of Abbotsford to the stand pipe.

Water supplied to the village comes from four wells. At the start, the village leased the south well from the Soo Line and, about five years later, leased the north well. Both are still leased by the village on a 10 and five year renewal basis.

As more people are connected to the water mains, it became necessary to increase the water supply. About 10 years ago, the east well was drilled and, two or three years later, H. J. Amacher donated a piece of land, 150 feet deep by 50 feet, where the west well was drilled.

About 1938, the disposal plant was built and a sewer disposal system was laid in the village.

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Bio: Bernitt, Frank John #2 (Retirement – 1954)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Amacher, Bernitt, Gallup, Kelsey, Rilling, Weller

Source: The Marshfield News-Herald 7/12/1954

Water Department Head Retires at Abbotsford

Abbotsford – Frank Bernitt, whose career as superintendent of the Abbotsford water department dates from the beginning of the village water system in 1934, has retired from his position.

At 75, Bernitt still is hearty and active but has decided to “take it easy.” He will continue as a consultant on village water system matters.

The new superintendent is Clarence Weller, who has been street commissioner for Abbotsford.

Bernitt has been a resident of Abbotsford since 1940, and served on the Abbotsford police force for a year and a half before becoming superintendent of the water department.

Before coming to Abbotsford he made his home in Medford and was a construction superintendent. He was born in Chippewa Falls April 25, 1881, moved to Medford as a youth, and received his education in Medford schools. Two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Gallup and Ida Bernitt, are Medford residents.

Bernitt played an active part in the entire development of the Abbotsford water system which began in 1934 while George Kelsey was village president, and Dr, J. A. Rilling was chairman of the water committee.

At that time the village purchased 22 acres of land and a standpipe from the Soo Line railroad for $500. Included in the transaction were a number of mains connected to the standpipe. The railroad at that time drew its water supply from a creek east of Abbotsford.

The village now obtains water from four wells, two of which are leased from the Soo Line. In the past 10 years demands on the water system necessitated two new well installations. One of them is located on land donated by H. J. Amacher.

A sewage disposal plant was placed in operation in 1938.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernitt live on Highway 13 near the center of the village, Smoking and listening to baseball game broadcasts, are Bernitt’s only hobbies.