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.