Biography - JOHN GOSCH

For fifty-two years Bunker Hill has been the home of John Gosch, who was born in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 15th of March, 1834. He is a son of Claus and Christina (Kolb) Gosch, who were also natives of Schleswig-Holstein, where they spent their entire lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Gosch there were born ten children.

John Gosch was educated in the common schools of his native land, after which he was apprenticed to a shoemaker. He followed his trade in the fatherland until 1857, when he decided to emigrate to the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he first settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he continued to work at his trade for two years. At the expiration of that period he came to Bunker Hill where he established a shop and in 1883 he extended the scope of his activities by the addition of a fine line of shoes.

In 1860 Mr. Gosch was united in marriage to Miss Julia Rottger, who was also a native of Germany, and they became the parents of three children: Herman P., who is associated in business with his father; Otto, who is a resident of Webb City, Missouri; and John C., who is a grocery clerk in St. Louis. Mrs. Gosch passed away in 1904.

Although he was reared in the Lutheran faith, for thirty-two years Mr. Gosch has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was a member. He is also affiliated with Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 258, I. O. O. F., of which he was treasurer for thirty-one years. His political support he always accords to the candidates of the republican party, and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs. He has served as an alderman and mayor of Bunker Hill, also as treasurer and school director. He was one of the thrifty and enterprising sons of Germany who came to America with a very limited capital, and through sheer force of his own industry and determination has won a position for himself in the community where he resides, whose citizens accord him the highest respect.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 657-658.