Adam
Floerchinger was born in Germany in 1833, and died in Oxford, Iowa,
February 7, 1886. He was a son of Henry Floerchinger and wife, who
spent their entire lives in Germany, the father dying when Adam
Floerchinger was thirteen years old. The latter was educated in his
native country and took up the occupation of farmer. He came to America
about the close of the Civil War, and came west to Johnson County,
Iowa. He located on a farm of eighty acres in Oxford township, raised
one crop there and then moved to the present site of Oxford, where he
opened a hotel. For eleven years he and his wife conducted this
hostelry, then sold out to his brother George and retired from active
life. This place was a rendezvous for the early priests who came to
minister to the spiritual needs of the Catholics of the region, among
those who are well remembered being Right Reverend Bishop Davis, who
was for some time located in the county. When the town of Oxford was
laid out, Mr. Floerchinger held considerable land which was laid out in
town lots, and was one of the prominent early citizens there. For eight
years prior to his death, he was a great sufferer. He and his wife were
indefatigable in their work for their church and helped very materially
when the first church, known as St. Mary’s, was erected, and later
helped pay for the addition which was made in 1877. Mr. Floerchinger
influenced his brother George to come to America, and the latter has
had no reason to regret this move. In
1862, Mr. Floerchinger was united in marriage with Kathrina _____, who
was born in Germany in 1833. She now resides in Oxford, having seen the
place progress and develop from a hazel brush stage to its prosperity.
Her husband helped in bringing about its incorporation, first as a
village and later as a city, and was much interested in its growth.
Children as follows were born to them: Jennie, wife of Mr. Rohret; John
William, an undertaker of Oxford, married Rose Hiney, of Iowa City, and
they have one son, Ira.
Mr. Floerchinger was one of the most
public-spirited and popular citizens of his township and county,
winning many firm friends during his residence there. He died a devout
Catholic, as he had lived one, and was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery
at Oxford. After his death, his widow removed to Iowa City and held her
residence there some eight years, then returned to Oxford.
(Source: Aurner, Clarence
Ray. Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History. United
States: Western historical Press, 1912; Vol. II, Biographical, pg. 825-826)
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