Father Bertram was born in Montigny les Metz, in the Lorraine province of France on 23 July 1870. He offered himself to Father Boutelant, the procurator of Madurai mission. Being a feeble boy with a very weak physique, he was a remarkably broad-minded man, the perfect type of a man of honour, a great organizer and an ideal priest. He served as the Principal of St. Joseph's College, Trichy, from 1908 to 1916, during which the college reached remarkable growth. He became a university syndicate member in the year 1916 and held the post till his death.

He founded Loyola College in Chennai on July 1925 and was the Principal of the college from then on till 1935 and also served the community as Rector from 1926 to 1935. On 2 June 1936 he peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in the Van Allen hospital, Kodikanal.