The Bernays Family
1866 – 1878
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The Bernays Family
It was in 1860 that a German immigrant family by the name of Bernays had relocated to Lebanon and purchased the house.
This Bernays family intrigued me, leading me through a path of distinguished heritage, religious turmoil, and fierce determination. Notable names found while learning of this family included an Episcopal Bishop of Calcutta, another built the Chatham Dockyard and yet another was consulted by Napoleon (although no great details were documented as to what Napoleon consulted a Bernays about). However, if these descriptions or names don’t impress you, the Bernays children were also related to Sigmund Freud! Although the relationship was by marriage to an aunt, this information was certainly remarkable. One thing is for certain, the Bernays family has an interesting story to be told!
George and Minna (Doring) Bernays immigrated to the United States from Bavaria, eventually settling in Highland. Both Augustus and his sister Thekla were born in Highland, Augustus in October 1855, Thekla January of 1856. A younger brother, Clemmens and sister Lily followed, although they were not born in Illinois.
Augustus became a world renowned surgeon, Thekla a newspaper reporter, author, and women’s suffrage movement leader. The children all attended McKendree University, although the women couldn’t receive a degree at this point in our history.
Thekla ran around with the likes of Zoe Akins, Sarah Teasdale, and was a favorite friend of William Ready. These names may not make much sense now, but back at the turn of the century (1900, not 2000) they were the jet setters! If social media would have been a thing they would have been the influencers of the day!
Thekla wrote a book about her brother Augustus, in the book she talks about living in Lebanon and living in the house. The title, Augustus Charles Bernays a Memoir, gives a glimpse into the world so many of us wonder about.
This section in her book is my favorite – as it talks about Lebanon, McKendree, and life in our home. You can read it for free on Google books!
Riggin-Pesold House 