From "Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 477-8.

W. H. BERLING is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Berling-Moltz Company at Bluffton. This is one of the large and important industries that give Bluffton its importance and prosperity, and the company also owns plants at Montpelier and Warren, Indiana. Mr. Berling was born at Decatur, Indiana, October 16, 1886, a son of G. and Helen (Hartman) Berling. His father was a native of Germany and his mother of Allentown, Pennsylvania. G. Berling came to Decatur when a young man, and was in business there until his death. The widowed mother is still living at Decatur. There were four daughters and three sons in the family. Joseph J., of Decatur; Mary C., unmarried; William H.; Edward, of Decatur; Agnes, a graduate of the Decatur High School and a teacher; Genevieve, a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy at Yonkers, New York, and now secretary of the Martin Klepper Tanning Company of Decatur; and Matilda, a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy at Fort Wayne. Matilda, Mary, Joseph J. and Edward are proprietors of the H. Berling Company at Decatur.

William H. Berling grew up in his native city, attended the Catholic parochial schools there, and at the death of his father, at the age of sixteen, he joined his brother Joseph J. in taking over the produce business which their parents had built up. He continued actively associated in this line at Decatur until he removed to Bluffton August 9, 1909.

June 20, 1911, Mr. Berling married Edna E. Ehinger, daughter of E. X. Ehinger, cashier of the old Adams County Bank. Mrs. Berling was educated in the parochial schools of Decatur. They have one child, William H., Jr., born June 27, 1912. Both Mr. and Mrs. Berling are active members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Bluffton. He was affliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus at Decatur. Politically he casts his vote as a republican.

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