Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Baercheck, Dr Carl M 1818 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 10:19 pm

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

DR. CARL M. BAERCHECK. The lives of many men are humdrum and uneventful, only 
marked by a steady purpose and a quiet performance of the daily duties, while 
around some romance loves to linger, and in their lives interesting or unusual 
events are common. The subject of this biographical notice, who has been 
engaged in the practice of medicine in Joliet for about a quarter of a 
century, is one whose life has been marked with a more than the usual amount 
of romance. Even his descent is unusual, his father, for whom he is named, 
having been a native of France, his grandfather of Poland, and his mother, 
Anna Matinas, a native of San Tandair, Spain. He is the eldest of sixteen 
children born to his mother, while his father's second wife bore six children; 
he is the only one of the family in America, whither he came in 1859. Dr. 
Baercheck was born in Loraine, France, February 6, 1818, and at the age of 
seventeen years he ran away from home in company with a brother and four 
companions. He studied medicine in Paris and in the University at Bohn, on the 
Rhine, and also in Switzerland. In 1842 he began the practice of his 
profession in Metz, Alsace, France, now a Province of Germany. He went to 
China in 1845, on the French warship "Grand Napoleon," on which he afterward 
embarked for the Crimea, becoming a surgeon in the Second Division, Second 
Corps, and serving throughout the Crimean War. He was with Carl Robert, Gen. 
Baelhrsgeh and Gen. McMahon in Africa, following the destinies of the army 
during the entire struggle, meeting with experiences such as few men 
participate in or witness. When he determined to seek a home in the new world, 
he did not leave behind him the exciting and interesting scenes, but after 
reaching America he still carried on his former manner of life. Landing in New 
York in 1859, he went to Boston, where he worked in a drug store for a time, 
but we soon find him again in the metropolis whence he went to Philadelphia 
and enlisted in the Union Army. Joining the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, 
his name was attached to the muster roll of Company D, which was composed of 
Frenchmen. They were with Ellsworth at Alexandria and fought in the first 
battle of Bull Run. His medical knowledge becoming known, Dr. Baercheck became 
Hospital Steward and after holding the position six months, went to Pittsburg, 
where he intended practicing his profession. He soon entered the Provost 
Marshal's office in that city, and again became an army surgeon, laboring as 
such three years. Among his patients now are many whom he treated in the army, 
together with their friends. While performing the hazardous duties which 
devolved upon him, he received two wounds, the one at City Point, and the 
other at Gettysburg, at the latter place a ball passed through his arm. After 
the war Dr. Baercheck came to Joliet, where he has since practiced. He is a 
specialist, devoting his attention to chronic cases, and in the discharge of 
his extensive practice ships prescriptions and medicine to various parts of 
the country, where his reputation as a physician is well known. He has met 
with some misfortunes since coming here having been burned out in 1878. He is 
truly cosmopolitan in his feelings, having gleaned an extended knowledge from 
his travels, which have embraced South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and 
Australia. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. For 
those who enjoy the account of adventures and a traveler's observations, Dr. 
Baercheck proves an extremely entertaining companion, when once he begins to 
speak concerning his past life. He is well known in Joliet, where he is 
regarded with respect for his intelligence and professional attainments, his 
gentlemanly nature and honorable character. In Switzerland, in 1848, Dr. 
Baercheck was united in marriage with Miss Helena Haines, who shared his 
fortunes until July, 1874, when she was called hence. Six children were born 
to her, three of whom are yet living. In 1876 the Doctor contracted a second 
matrimonial alliance, his companion being Miss Jennie Atkins, a lady of 
English descent, who has borne him nine children, only three of whom are 
living. A portrait of Dr. Baercheck accompanies this brief biographical review.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/baerchec556gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 5.1 Kb