John E. Bierhardt, 'Syracuse, is a native of the same city, born Aug. 4, 1852, and is a son of John, who came to this city from Prussia with his Parents in 1841, at the age of nine years, and still resides here, engaged in the furniture business. His wife is by birth Frances Schemel. John E. moved with his parents to Chittenango when one year old and remained there until he was fourteen, receiving his preliminary education in the schools of that village, attending for a time the Yates Polytechnic Institute under William Velasko. Returning to Syracuse he finished in the public and high schools of the city, after which he became a messenger in the branch office of the Western Union Telegraph Co., in the First ward, where he remained until 1872, when he was transferred to the main office as an operator. Dec. 15, 1875, he was made night manager of the operating room, and on Feb. 24, 1884, he became general manager of the office, a position he still holds. In 1877 he was married to Miss Ida D., daughter of W. O. Shelley, of Rome, N.Y." Source: Bruce, Dwight H. (Ed.), Onondaga's Centennial. Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. II, Family Sketches, p. 7.