Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Stocker, Henry 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 5:35 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Henry Stocker

From the Fatherland came the ancestors of this gentleman.  Prominently 
connected with affairs in Germany, they at length determined to seek a home in 
America and some of the present representatives of the name are now among the 
leading Citizens of Grundy county. Henry Stocker was born in Chicago, July 21, 
1856, a son of George and Ellen (Diehl) Stocker. His father was a native of 
Baden, Germany, born October 28, 1828, and in 1849 crossed the Atlantic to the 
new world. Before his emigration he had learned the cooper’s trade, and on 
arriving in this country he secured work in a cooperage establishment in New 
York city, but believing he would find better opportunities for advancement in 
the west he located in Chicago, where he became a foreman in the cooper shop 
of the Lill & Diversy Brewing Company. He remained with that firm until 1857, 
when he came to Morris. Two months after his arrival in Chicago Mr. Stocker 
sent for his parents, two brothers and a sister, who took passage in a vessel 
that was wrecked off the coast of the West Indies. The members of the Stocker 
family were among those saved, and with others they reached the isle of Nassau 
in their lifeboats. Subsequently a passing vessel carried them to Charleston, 
South Carolina, and later they came to Illinois. Members of the Stocker family 
had taken part in the Baden revolution and for this reason much of their 
property was confiscated by the German government. It was this which had led 
them to seek a home in America. They left the Fatherland with little of this 
world’s riches, and when they were shipwrecked they lost nearly all that had 
remained to them. The grandparents of our subject with their two sons and 
daughter joined their son George in Chicago and with him came to Morris, where 
they spent their last days. Their son Charles enlisted, in the Union army 
during the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Jonesboro. William 
Stocker, the other son, also joined the army and returned home with shattered 
health, which resulted in his death in 1874. The daughter married a Mr. 
Singer, and a few years ago her death occurred in Peoria, Illinois. George 
Stocker, the father of our subject, was married in Chicago, in 1855, to Ellen 
Diehl, who was born in Darmstadt, Germany in 1832, and now resides in Morris 
with her son Henry, having been left a widow July 14, 1887. Mr. Stocker became 
a member of Star Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., on the 22d of January, 1864, and 
also belonged to the German Gesang Verein. Unto George and Ellen Stocker were 
born the following children:  Henry; William, who died in 1887; Louis, of 
Johiet; Carrie, wife of J. D. Owen, of Morris; and Teanie, wife of William 
Lacard, of Big Grove.

Henry Stocker was educated in the public schools of Morris, and early in life 
became a clerk and bookkeeper for the shoe and harness firm of Woelfel & 
Sparr, doing business on Washington street, Morris, in the store now occupied 
by the firm of Sparr & Stocker. Gradually our subject mastered the business, 
and in 1884, forming a partnership with William Sparr, succeeded the firm of 
Woelfel & Sparr, by purchase, and under the firm name of Sparr & Stocker they 
have since successfully conducted the store. They now have a large trade and 
well merit the success which has come to them.

When twenty-four years of age Mr. Stocker was elected alderman of the city, in 
which capacity he ably served for four years. He has also been city treasurer 
for two years, was chief of the fire department for ten years, and for the 
past nine years has been the township school treasurer. He is accounted one of 
the representative citizens of Morris, whose deep interest in the welfare of 
the place has been manifested in his efficient service in its behalf. A 
leading, zealous member of the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to Cedar Lodge, 
No. 124, F. & A. M., of which he has been master; Orient Chapter, No. 31, R. 
A. M., of which he has been high priest; Blaney Commandery, No. 5, K. T., of 
which he has been eminent commander; Medina Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of 
Chicago, and Laurel Chapter, 0. E. S. In his life he exemplifies the humane 
and benevolent principles of the fraternity and is a leading member of the 
Masonic order in Morris. During his long residence here he has become widely 
known and now occupies an enviable position in social, political and business 
circles.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p443-445

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