An American Family History

Gilles Joseph (Joe) Bertrand was born in Seraing, Liège Province, Belgium on October 10, 1863. His parents were Francois Bertrand and Catherine Hocquette. 

He came to the United States in 1870 when he was seven years old. He lived in Illinois for a few years and later moved to Chariton.

Joseph Burtram (sic) appears in the 1880 census in White Breast Township, Warren County, Iowa. He was age 16 and was working on the L. H. Rice Farm.

He married Viola Belle Long in 1887 in Des Moines, Iowa when he was 23 years old. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Joseph and Viola Bertrand.

He is listed in the 1889-1890 Des Moines Iowa Directory as a plumber for Laing & Scoville and in 1891 as a plumber for Scoville Plumbing Company. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 

Joseph's daughter, Emma Bertrand Smith, kept a postcard collection which includes cards from Joe. The online collection includes both the messages and the pictures from these cards.

He died on April 18, 1910 in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa of organic heart disease when he was 46. He was buried in the Chariton Cemetery after a service at the United Brethren Church. He is buried with his brother Henry, his sister-in-law, Flora, his nephew Robert Frances and Izetta F., 1902-1903.

Giles Joseph Bertrand
The many friends of the family will learn with sorrow of the death of Joseph Bertrand, which occurred at his home in this city on Monday morning, April 18, 1910, after an illness of four months with organic heart trouble. Largely attended funeral services, conducted by Rev. Bonsell, pastor of the United Brethren church were held at the family residence, 628 South 7th St. on Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock, and other services were conducted at the grave in the Chariton cemetery under the auspices of the M.W.A., of which deceased was a member.

Giles Joseph Bertrand was born in Seraing, Belgium on October 10, 1863.  He came to this county in 1870, living in Illinois for some time and about twelve years ago came to Chariton where he  has since resided. He was married in Des Moines, Iowa on August 25, 1887 to Miss Viola Long. To this union eight children were born, six daughters and two sons. One daughter and one son preceded him to the better land. Those who survive are Mrs. Emma Smith of Stanton, Iowa; Mrs. Marie Shimp, Blanche, Francis, Lura and Merle, of this city, who with his dearly beloved companion are left to mourn the loss of a true and loving father and husband. 

He is also survived by two brothers, Henry J., of this city and Samuel of Des Moines, both of whom were present at the funeral services. Deceased was a man of strict integrity and during his residence here had won the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. His demise will be mourned by a host of friends who will extend sincere sympathy to the sorrowing relatives.

Those in attendance at the funeral services from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Long, of Napoleon, North Dakota, parents of Mrs. Bertrand; Mrs. Emma Smith, of Stanton, daughter of the deceased; Samuel Bertrand, of Des Moines, his brother; Mr. and Mrs. James Hamilton of Valley Junction, a nephew and niece; and Mr. David Higgins of Ottumwa.