Isaac Bergen was born October 3, 1873, to Franz Bergen and Eva Neudorf. He came to Canada from Russia, with his parents on the S.S. Peruvian. This ship arrived in Quebec City on July 13, 1875.

His parents then homesteaded at Blumenhoff, Manitoba. In 1895, Isaac came to Saskatchewan with his parents. Isaac took up a homestead south of Hague on the NE 36- 40-W3, and his parents homesteaded the southeast quarter of the same section. Issac built a 18 x 30 ft. house in 1895 valued at $100. He also built a stable, and a granary and dug two wells, all valued at $50.

In order to raise money to make the necessary improvements on his homestead, Isaac Bergen returned to Manitoba and worked as a laborer. He came back each spring and fall to work his land.

In 1895, he broke 21 acres and cropped 0; in 1896, he broke 0 acres and cropped 21; in 1897, he broke 15 acres and cropped 30; in 1898, he broke 10 acres and cropped 39; in 1899, he broke 10 acres and cropped 46; in 1900, he broke 4 acres and cropped 56.

Isaac Bergen married Katharina Gerbrand on Dec. 25, 1899. She was born on Dec. 5, 1877, to Jacob Gerbrand and Aganetha Klassen. The Gerbrands had come to Canada on the S.S. Quebec on July 20, 1875. They lived at Neuenberg, Man. The Gerbrands moved to Chortitz, Sask. in 1898.

Isaac moved his house from his homestead into the village of Hochstadt (south of Hague). The Bergens lived at Hochstadt for a few years and then moved to a farm west of the village of Chortitz. Isaac Bergen died on June 16, 1960 and his wife on Nov. 16,1963.

The photograph was contributed by a grandson of the Bergens, Isaac Bergen, Hepburn, Sask.