John Kerch, proprietor of the New York House, occupying Nos. 81-89 Galena street, Freeport, has here operated successfully as "mine host" for a period of twenty-eight years. He is well fitted by his genial and active temperament for a business requiring unusual tact and discernment, and it is admitted by the large number of guests which he continuously accommodates that he is a success in this vocation. He possesses good executive ability and an aptitude for taking note of details which have largely aided him to maintain the reputation of his house after the standard by which it was established.

Mr. Kerch was born in the village of Calbach, Germany, March 5, 1819. His parents, George and Katie (Wurtz) Kerch, were also of German birth and parentage. The father was engaged in farming pursuits. There were three brothers and one sister in the family, all of whom are now living. John was reared partly on the farm, and attended school from the time he was six years old until fourteen. He then served an apprenticeship of two and one-half years at the blacksmith trade, and when twenty-two years old determined to cross the ocean and find out if anything lay for him beyond. He embarked on a sailing-vessel at Havre and, after a tedious voyage of fifty-two days, landed first at New York, whence he proceeded to Providence, R. I., and there followed butchering. Later he migrated to New York City, where he commenced operating a brewery, and continued thus occupied successfully until deciding to seek the farther West. He then sold out and, coming to Freeport, took charge of the City Hotel, which he operated from 1855 until 1857. The year following he purchased what is now known as the New York House, in which he was successful from the start, and continued until 1883. He then rented the hotel and retired to private life, turning over its patronage to his son-in-law, Ole F. Johnson, who now conducts it.

Mr. Kerch was married first while a resident of New York, in 1845, to Miss Mary Kraem, who lived only two years. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in 1848, was formerly Miss Mary Huf, and they became the parents of one child only, a daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of O. F. Johnson, of Freeport. Besides the hotel, Mr. Kerch is the owner of other good property in Freeport, from the rent of which he receives a good income. He has been quite prominent in city affairs, and was foreman of the fire department for many years. This was instituted in 1856, and re-organized in 1879, at which time it was turned over to the city. Mr. Kerch donated the ground upon which to erect the engine-house, and has in other ways manifested his interest in the progress of the city, in which he takes an honest pride as the home of his adoption. While a resident of New York he was connected with the State Militia for a period of seven years.

Mr. Kerch landed in New York City with a cash capital of $2 in his pocket, and contrasting his condition then with that of the present, it is easy to imagine what energy and industry he has employed in the accomplishment of the results which we now behold. He is essentially a self-made man, and deserves great credit for the manner in which he has improved his time and opportunities.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 372