Oak Creek Historical Society

Christoph & Johanna Zacher

 

Arrived in Oak Creek, WI in1851

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Christoph and Johanna Zacher left Ehrfurt, Prussia, which is now Germany, in 1851. They were in their early 30’s. The ship manifest from Castle Garden, New York shows they arrived in New York on May 9, 1851. They traveled on the ship named Minna. Traveling with them were their three children: Henriette, Andreas, and Ludwig.

 

On May 27, 1851, the family purchased an existing 10 acre farm in Oak Creek on the southeast corner of 27th St. and Ryan Rd. Shortly after their arrival in Oak Creek, another son, Christian Zacher was born, followed later by another son, Oscar. In total they had nine children. The 1860 and 1870 United States Federal Census lists Christoph Zacher’s occupation as a blacksmith and farmer. In the early 1860’s the family moved to a 40 acre farm on the southeast corner of Howell Avenue and Ryan Road.  In May of 1864, they purchased an additional 20 acres of land located just west of the current Oak Creek Police Station on Ryan Rd.

 

Family lore includes a story that Christian Zacher saved a man and his horse-drawn wagon from plunging into a river. The horse was startled and Christian quickly grabbed the reins to save them from a disastrous outcome. The horse and wagon were pulled back onto the road by the swift actions of Christian and the wagon driver. But in the process of getting the horse under control, Christian’s arm was seriously injured.  He later had to find a different line of work because he could no longer work at his current occupation with the disabled arm.

 

Oscar Zacher married Emma Sophia Studer, the daughter of Henry Studer, the proprietor of Studer’s store which was a combination saloon, dry goods store, grocery, post-office and dance hall at 812 Oakwood Road. The Studer building is now well known in the area as the Cellar Restaurant and Tavern.