JOHN A. BURRICHTER (deceased) was for many years identified with the mercantile interests of Galena, and for a long time carried on a wholesale and retail grocery. He was well thought of in this community, and was a representative self-made man, coming to this country a poor boy, and by his industry and attention to his work when in the employ of others, his prompt and systematic business habits and careful attention to his own interests when he became independent, worked his way up to a position of wealth and influence.

He was born in Hanover, Germany, and was there educated. When a boy of seventeen he caught the idea of bettering his prospects in life by emigration to America, and soon was on the way to this land of promise. He landed at Baltimore, and from that city proceeded to Cincinnati, where he found employment in a hotel as porter and waiter. He was soon taken sick, and during his illness his clothes and money were taken from him. His employer liked him, as he was attentive to his duties, and wishing to help him to a better position recommended him to Mr. Crocker, a merchant from Galena who was visiting Cincinnati to buy goods. Our subject came to this city with that gentleman, who employed him in his store as clerk. He remained with him several years; and, in the meantime, had wisely saved up his earnings, so that he was then enabled to go into business for himself. He formed a partnership with J. V. Hellman that year, and they engaged in the grocery business together for twelve years. In 1856 they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Burrichter, selling his interest in that business, in 1857, established himself in the wholesale grocery business, which he carried on until his death, Aug. 4, 1885. A public-spirited, generous citizen was thus lost to this community; and to his family, a kind husband and indulgent father; and to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a liberal member.

In 1851 our subject secured a good wife by his marriage to Miss Mary Strothmann, and to her devotion and helpfulness he owed much of his prosperity. Of their union twelve children were born, eight of whom are living, as follows: Mary, wife of William Duneback, of Dubuque, Iowa; George, Harry, John, Frank, Adelle, William, and Lulu. Their daughter Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Stendebach, died at Morning Sun, Iowa, in 1885.

Mrs. Burrichter was born in Westphalia, Prussia, near Rittberg. Her father Joseph Strothmann, was also a native of Westphalia, and his father was a native and life-long resident of the same place. In 1840 the father of Mrs. Burrichter came to America with his wife and six children, landing at New Orleans after a voyage of ten weeks. The family spent the winter at St. Louis, and then removed to Lee County, Iowa, near West Point, and were early settlers in that part of the country. Mr. Strothman bought a small tract of land, to which he added more in after years as he became prosperous, and at the time of his death before the war he had improved a good farm. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Antfenger, and she was also a native of Westphalia. She died in her adopted country in 1886, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Burrichter came to Galena about the year 1848, to make her home with and elder sister, and here made the acquaintance of her husband that resulted in their mutual attachment and marriage. During her many years’ residence in this city Mrs. Burrichter has gained the respect and esteem of all who know her; and her geniality, kind and charitable spirit, and cheerful helpfulness (whenever her neighbors are in trouble or need her assistance), have given her a warm place in the hearts of many. She is also a communicant in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, as was her husband, and is one of its devout supporters.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)