John R. Fisher, the events of whose life it is our pleasure to record, was born in Lycoming County, Pa., on the 27th of October, 1829. His grandfather was a native of Shenandoah County, and his father was born in Union County, of that State. The grandfather was an agriculturist and distiller all his life. The father of the subject of this sketch lived with his father until he grew to manhood and then moved to Lycoming County. In early days he helped his father in the still-house in the winter, and farmed in the summer. He married Miss Anna Mary Rahorn, daughter of Conrad Rahorn (sec sketch of the latter elsewhere), a native of Prussia, who came to America in 1821. After his marriage, when about twenty-two years of age, he was drafted into the army in the old country and was assigned to duty in the German auxiliary to the French against England and Spain. He served for five years until Napoleon was banished to Elba. One of his experiences was being carried to England three times, and he was in the service of the King of Holland during the 100 days Napoleon was confined on the island. He was sent to France and was in the engagement at Waterloo, with the Hollanders. As a citizen of Southern Germany, he was presented with a medal by the Duke of Nassau and with a ribbon by the King of Holland. Prior to the battle of Waterloo he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. At the close of his military service he resumed the vocation of farmer, and continned thereat until he emigrated to the United States. While in the army he was one of the guards who took Louis, King of France, to Paris.
When Mr. Rahorn came to this country he landed at Baltimore and located on land from that city about thirty miles, and worked as a day laborer. He then went to York County, Pa., where he purchased 100 acres of land which he tilled for several years. He then disposed of his farm and removed with his family to Lycoming County, where he bought land at different times until his possessions aggregated 400 acres. He lived there until the spring of 1849, when he sold his land and came to Oneco Township, Stephenson County, where he spent the last years of his life, dying at the age of sixty-seven years. He divided his property among his children. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Fisher, was Anna Elizabeth Hoffman, who was a native of Prussia, Dukedom of Nassau. They had five children, the eldest of whom was Anna Mary; John H.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Simcox, widow of Jacob Simcox; Conrad, who resides in the eastern part of Oneco Township; Catherine, Mrs. Samuel E. Deal. (See sketch of Mrs. Deal.)
Mr. Fisher was united in marriage, Sept. 2, 1858, with Miss Dora Sophia Geisee, daughter of Fred Geisee, from the northern part of Prussia. They were married in Oneco Township on the old homestead, on which he resided forty years ago. Mr. Fisher taught school in Wisconsin three terms, and two terms in this county during the winter months, and in summer cleared and developed his farm. After years of incessant labor, Mr. Fisher retired from active work, and in the spring of 1886 rented the farm to his oldest son. On all national questions he sides with the Democratic party, but in local matters he aims to vote for the best man, regardless of politics. He has served as School Director in his township. His children are: Mary Ann, Mrs. Grimm, who lives near Orangeville; Catherine G.; Margaret, who died Jan. 26, 1885; Jacob G., who now has charge of the old homestead; Fred G., Emma, John William and Dora Sophia.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 695
