Biography of Charles Barschdorf of Maine, Illinois

Barschdorf, Charles – Maine Township is fortunate in numbering so many native born Germans among its population, for there are no better citizens to be found anywhere that those who come from the Fatherland. Chas. Barschdorf, native of Schlesien, Germany, born July 11, 1844, is representative of this type, and is a son of Charles and Anistina (Thiel) Barschdorf, natives of Germany, who lived and died there, the former about 1887, and the latter in 1893. The father followed the trade of plasterer contractor. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, namely: August, who is deceased; Bertha, who is a resident of Maine Township; Charles; Ernest, who is deceased; Herman; William; and Henry, Fred, Anna and Agnes, who are deceased.

Charles Barschdorf worked on the farm and attended school in his native country, later being employed in the mines there. In 1868 he married Anistina Braser, native of Schlesien, and to this union were born fifteen children, five of whom survive: Bertha, who married Henry Facnicla, has ten children; Charley; Anna, who is a resident of Coal City, married William Lohmar, and has four children; Ida, who is living in Iowa, married Henry Maash, and has ten children; and Henrich, who is a farmer of Maine Township, married Laura Boles and has two children. Mr. Barschdorf came to this country in 1879, settling in Coal City, where he worked in the mines until 1901, at which time he purchased eighty acres of land in Maine Township, where he resides and carries on general farming. The Lutheran Church holds Mr. Barschdorf ‘s membership. Politically he is a Republican. Live and energetic, understanding thoroughly the work he has so well in hand, Mr. Barschdorf is one of the best examples of a modern Illinois farmer as can be found in the entire State.