Bernard was from Iowa and was known as the "Cherokee Giant" because of the town of Cherokee in Iowa, not because he had native American blood.
He was also known as "The Youthful Giant" and was exhibited but only for a short while.
He reportedly was 8'1" when he died at his home in Oto County in 1921. He had been ill for several months and was only 24 years old.
In a way Bernard paved the way for another giant who came from one state away to the east - Illinois.
Robert Wadlow, who would eventually become the tallest man in the world, was three years old when Bernie passed on. Robert, himself, lived to be only 22.