From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1991). —

Brother of George Berger; with Anton Dressel in Hollfeld, [Bavaria]; in his own business in Bamberg, [Bavaria,] 1843; immigrated 1849 to Baltimore, Maryland, established his own firm there; in Jefferson Station, York Co., in Pennsylvania, 1855; in Tiffin, Ohio, 1862; died July 24, 1864.

Staff: (H. Mayer?); George Berger; Ernst A. Humitsch; George Rovial; Fred Schmidt.

Sources:

• Martin Kares, The German Element in American Organbuilding, 1700-1900 (dissertation, Marburg 1990).


• Orpha Ochse, The History of the Organ in the United States (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1975), 179.


• Cleveland Fisher, "Henry F. Berger: His Organ at Old Fork Church", The Tracker, 8:2 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1964), 1.


• Stephen L. Pinel, "Organbuilders and Their Families: in the Population Schedules of the Federal and State Census Surveys", The Tracker: 32:1 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1988), 21.

The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) · Wed, Jan 25, 1854 · Page 2 carried notice that George F. Berge had bought the entire business and factory and contents from his brother, Henry, intending to carry on the business "on a much larger scale...". See DOCUMENTS tab for announcement.

Steve Bartley on August 27th, 2026:
from Tiffin Tribune July 25 1862 pg 2; October 24, 1862 pg3; Jackson County OH directory -
The Berger family show up in Tiffin in 1861, Henry sets up his organ shop. He always had a number of organ workers living in his home, so probably did so when they left York PA and landed in Tiffin. He was, for a while organist at St. Mary's RC church. His wife Anna remained in Tiffin until her death in 1904.
The 6 children used the home as base when they were not traveling in their various music performing groups. In 1862, Henry is said to be dead. His affects are sold by the Tiffin Sheriff. Both Henry & his organ builder brother George had enlisted in the Union army, while in York PA. A note under Henry's name indicated he also went under the name Henry Schmit. George spent time in a southern prison camp and was released after the war.