On May 6, 1888 in Brownstown, Jackson County, Indiana, Bernice Fredericka Ireland was born to Frank and Lillie Wacker Ireland.  She and her older brother William were the only children born to Frank and Lillie.  Bernice received her middle name from her maternal grandmother Fredericka Rush Wacker.

Frank Ireland supported his family as a school teacher while his children were growing up.  Bernice graduated from Brownstown High School in 1904 and later attended Indiana University in Bloomington where she studied to also be an educator.  On February 20, 1919 at the age of thirty-one, Bernice married Walter Greger.  Immediately following the wedding, the couple moved to Chicago where Walter worked as a mail clerk.  On January 20, 1920 in Chicago, Bernice gave birth to their only child Janet.  While living in Chicago, Bernice put her training to good use and taught in the Chicago Public School System.

In 1932, Bernice lost her father to cancer of the lymph glands.  He was seventy-two.  A decade later, her mother succumbed to heart disease mere days after her eighty-first birthday.

Bernice and Walter continued to live in Chicago until their retirement in the mid-1950s when they returned to Jackson County.  Based on the numerous mentions in the local newspaper, Bernice was quite active in the community in various organizations upon their return.  Unfortunately, Walter’s life was taken to soon, as he suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1957.  Bernice continued to keep busy for a few more years, before suffering a fatal stroke in February 1965.  She and Walter are laid to rest in the Fairview Cemetery in Brownstown.

Bernice Ireland Greger was my 2nd cousin 4x removed on my dad’s side.  She is also a first cousin 1x removed of William Puloski Ireland who was previously the subject of a biography.

REFERENCES

• United States Census, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930
• Indiana Death Certificates
• Indiana Marriages
• Find A Grave website
• Jackson County Banner, February 19, 1913, February 26, 1919, September 7, 1932, April 3, 1957 via Newspapers.com