Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Berscheid, Matt 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 6, 2008, 4:05 am

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Matt Berscheid, well known in musical circles in Joliet, having for a quarter 
of a century devoted his time to the art, while for a number of years he has 
been leader of the orchestra in the Joliet theater, was born in Mendota, 
Illinois, in 1857. His father, Bernard Berscheid, was born in Germany and came 
to Illinois in 1853, settling in Lockport. He was a miller in his native 
country, and after arriving in Will county he followed his trade in Lockport, 
Mendota, Hennepin, LaSalle and Joliet, continuing in that line of business 
until his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was seventy-two years of age. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Zahren, was born in Germany and 
came with her parents to America about 1854, the family home being established 
in Will county. She survived her husband for some time and passed away March 
29, 1906. In the family were eleven children: Henry; Matthew; Peter, deceased; 
John; Frank, who is alderman of the third ward in Joliet; Julia, the wife of 
James Maloy; Mary, the wife of John Harrigan; Kate, the wife of Jerry 
Harrigan; Bert; Anna, deceased; and Bart. Mr. Berscheid of this review became 
a resident of Joliet in 1871, when fourteen years of age. In early life he 
learned the barber's trade, which he followed for a number of years and while 
thus engaged he took up the study of music preparatory to devoting his life to 
that art. He has given twenty-five years to that line of business and for a 
considerable period has been leader of the orchestra at the Joliet theater. He 
has superior talent and skill as a musician and his ability has won him wide 
and favorable recognition. Mr. Berscheid was married in Joliet, in 1900, to 
Miss Elizabeth Horan, who was born in this city, and they have three children, 
Marie, Matthew Stanley and James Robert. In his political views Mr. Berscheid 
is a democrat and is one of the local leaders of the party. In 1903 he was 
elected city clerk and was again chosen to that office in 1905, so that he is 
the present incumbent. His re-election was proof of his capability, his 
promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties. He has been a resident 
of Joliet for more than a third of a century and its history is well known to 
him. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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