Bernard Difani

Bernard Difani

Bernard Difani was born in Baden, Germany April 12, 1830 and came to America in 1850, landing at New Orleans on the first day of May of that year after a tedious sea voyage of nearly three months. From New Orleans, he went to St. Louis, where he engaged in the shoe business until 1857, when he moved to St. Mary, Missouri. In 1862, he was married to Miss Mary Redford, who bore him eight children, four boys and four girls.

Having fought in the Revolutionary Army under Fritz Hecker in Baden, Germany in 1848, it was natural that he entered the militia during the Civil War here. He enrolled as a Private on August 25, 1862 in the Company D, 78th Enrolled Missouri Militia. In May 1863, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. On October 16, 1864, he was ordered into active service to help repulse Price's raid into Missouri and relieved from duty on November 25, 1864.

During the last years of his life, he conducted the Difani Hall and Saloon in St. Mary, Missouri. He was a member of the J. Felix St. James Grand Army of the Republic Post #326 in St. Genevieve, Missouri. He died on February 7, 1895.

Photographs and information submitted by Bernard Difani's great great grandson, Joe Difani.

Bernard Difani