Gust E. Bornholt, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Gust E. Bornholt
GUST E. BORNHOLT. A life-long resident of Valparaiso, and a citizen of prominence and influence, Gust E. Bornholt has rendered the public efficient and satisfactory service in various capacities, at the present time being county clerk of Porter county. A son of Hans Bornholt, he was born May 18, 1873, in Valparaiso, coming on both sides of the house of excellent German ancestry.
Born and reared in Holstein, Germany, Hans Bornholt left the Fatherland in early manhood, immigrating to America, the poor man's paradise. Locating in Valparaiso, Indiana, he soon offered his services to his adopted country, enlisting in an Indiana regiment, in which he served as a soldier for nine months, taking part in several engagements of the Civil war. Receiving his honorable discharge from the army, he returned to Valparaiso, and the ensuing eight years was employed in Conrad Horn's meat market. He was afterwards engaged in the meat business on his own account until 1884, when he traded his interest in the market for land in Morgan township, where for the seventeen following years he was profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now living in Valparaiso, retired from active business. Before moving to his farm he served as trustee of Center township, and while engaged in farming was for six years county commissioner. He has always been identified with the Republican party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles.
Hans Bornholt married Antge Harbeck, who was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1845, and of their union four sons and two daughters have been born, as follows: Charles F.; Gust E.; Julius E.; H. Leo; Lydia; and Sadie, deceased.
The second child and second son of the parental household, Gust E. Bornholt, was brought up on the home farm and educated in the district school. After leaving school he assisted in the work at the farm for a time. For some time he has been more or less engaged in the live stock business with his brothers Charles and Julius, an industry that has proved quite profitable.
A stanch Republican in his political views, Mr. Bornholt has always taken a prominent part in local matters, never shirking the responsibilities of public office. While still in the meat market he was elected city treasurer, and served in that capacity until the office was abolished, in 1909. In 1910 he was elected county clerk, and having assumed the duties of the position in January, 1912, is filling the office creditably and ably. Fraternally Mr. Bornholt is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 500, of the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge, No. 184, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He also belongs to the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Bornholt married on Thanksgiving evening, in 1891, Grace Anderson, who was born in Porter county, Indiana, a daughter of J. N. Anderson, and they have two children, namely: Edward Bruce Bornholt and A. Beatrice Bornholt.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 467-468
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook