Mr. John C. Doerr, one of the oldest and most respected citizens, died in this city on Thursday morning, November 10th, of pneumonia, which he had contracted a few days before his death. Mr. Doerr lived a long and useful life, and he was widely and favorably known in this and adjoining counties.
He was born April 3rd 1833 in Neusalz, province of Silisia, in the kingdom of Prussia. His parents, Andrew and Christina, immigrated with him to America when he was less than two years old. Landing at New Orleans on New Years day 1835, and from there coming by boat directly to this county.
They bent on a farm just east of Perryville, where he remained until he was seventeen years of age, when he went into the store of Rozier and Wilkinson, which stood where the Bank of Perryville now stands, and proving an efficient and trustworthy salesman, he remained with this firm for nine years.
He married on October 4th 1859 to Mrs. Louise Mattingly, a daughter of Robert Greenwell. In the spring before his marriage, he, in partnership with Zeno Brown, established a general store at St. Mary's Mo., where he continued in business until 1865, then he sold his interest in the store to his brother Louis. Shortly before this, he bought an interest in a
store with Barney Cissell, at Perryville, and soon returned to this city, where he lived the remainder of his life.
In 1868 his brother Louis bought Barney Cissel's interest in this store and two years later August Doerr, another brother, bought an interest in the store. It was thereafter successfully conducted by the three brothers for eight or nine years.
Politically Mr. Doerr was a Democrat, and he was elected Collector of the Revenue of Perry County for four successive terms in 1872, 1874, 1876 and 1878. After retiring from office, he accepted a position in the store of Mr. W. H. Furth, where he remained for a number of years with Mr. Furth, and after Mr. Furth's retirement from business, he continued in the same
store which is conducted by Mr. C. H. Vogt.
His last public service was as a member of the Federal grand jury in the Federal Court at Cape Girardeau, at its October Term, 1911.
Mr. Doerr leaves his aged widow, now eighty-one years old, a daughter, Mrs. P. F. Halbrook, a son, William Doerr, four grandchildren and his brother Louis, who have the sincere sympathy of a host of sorrowing and sympathizing friends.
Mr. Doerr was a man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. In the eloquent and touching funeral service, over his remains, Father Powers paid a beautiful tribute to his memory, among other things saying:
"That, though age furrowed his cheeks and whitened the hairs of this head, his heart remained young, and he was always good company for both old and young."
He was a devoted and loving father and a true friend, and he will be greatly missed in the community.
His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Mount Hope Cemetery last Friday afternoon followed by a large crowd.
