Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Doescher, John Charles 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 5, 2007, 9:29 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Company

John Charles Doescher, who for years was one of Endor's most prominent men, is 
now making his home in Crete. He was born in Brunswick, Lake County, Ind., 
April 5, 1848. His father, Herman Doescher, a native of the kingdom of 
Hanover, there grew to manhood and married Johanna Margreta Steffens. His 
trade was that of a rope maker and manufacturer of vessel trimmings and for 
several years he successfully carried on a business of that kind at Bremen 
harbor. On coming to America in 1842 he settled at Brunswick, Ind., and became 
one of the farmers of that locality. It had been his expectation, in 
immigrating to this country, to establish a business in Chicago and he bought 
real estate there, but his plans were changed and he remained in Indiana, 
where he became the owner of about three hundred acres. When advanced in life 
he retired from farm pursuits and came to Will County, where he made his home 
with his son, J. C. Doescher, at Endor, dying there when eighty-three years of 
age. When a young man he had served in the Hanover army, in accordance with 
the laws of his country. Politically he was a Republican and in early days 
held a number of public offices. His wife died in Indiana, leaving six 
children, namely: Gesine, the widow of Henry Anderman; Herman N., a farmer in 
Crete Township; Johanna, the widow of Christ Batterman; Frederica, widow of 
Charles Horn (also residents of Crete); Christine, wife of Henry Meyer, of 
Brunswick, Ind., and John Charles, of this sketch.

Until fourteen years of age our subject remained on the Indiana homestead. His 
first work was in a harness shop. Later he was employed in a grocery store in 
Chicago. In October, 1864, when only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in 
Company G, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry. With his regiment he went to Alabama and 
other southern states. He took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Nashville 
and Mobile, and was mustered out at Vicksburg in November, 1865.

Returning to Indiana, Mr. Doescher took charge of the home farm, which he 
conducted for eight years. In 1874 he came to Endor, Will County, and bought a 
store that his brother-in-law, Charles Horn, had established there. Later he 
added windmills, pumps and steamfitting to his business and in 1882 he started 
a sawmill, which he still owns and operates. In October, 1899, he sold his 
grocery and dry-goods store and came to Crete, where he expects to make his 
home in the future. He has built a neat residence in the village and expects 
to continue his windmill and pump business. 

In the local affairs of the Republican party Mr. Doescher has been active. For 
a long time he held office as township treasurer. For almost a quarter of a 
century he served as postmaster of Endor. While living in Indiana he married 
Miss Henrietta Weber, who was born in Sheboygan, Wis. To their marriage four 
children were born, namely: Otto H. H., February 7, 1871; Matilda L., June, 
1872; Ida A., who was born September 12, 1873, and who died April 17, 1898, 
and Henry H., April 6, 1876. The three first named were born at Brunswick, 
Ind., and the youngest at Endor, Ill.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/doescher898gbs.txt

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