Rev. George L. Zocher
Reverend George Leopold Zocher was a native of Dresden, Germany, born on August 16, 1872.
George's oral family tradition states that he told his family that he came to the United States in a "wine barrel." In his religious Testimony, written when he became a minister, he states that at the tender age of 17, he left Germany in a dispute with his native country, sailing for America on August 10, 1889, arriving in San Francisco Harbor on September 1 of that year. The 1900 census of St. Francois County, Missouri, confirms the year of registration. His passport was issued on July 18, 1889, in a town near Chemitz, Germany. This town is about 60 miles southwest of Dresden. It is believed that he trained as a carpenter in this area. The passport has neither an exit stamp nor an entry stamp. However, the passport states that he must return to Germany by 1892 to fulfill his military service. It is believed that George was a stowaway on a ship bound for California, where he was traveling to reunite with his brother, Johann Archibald Zocher.
After his Christian conversion in America, he began studying for the ministry at the University of the Pacific in San Jose, California. He became an American citizen on September 9, 1895. A few days later, he married Barbara Lou Lindemeyer, born on April 26, 1872, in Missouri. They became the parents of five daughters: Clara Margarette, Esther Victoria, Irena Ruth, Edna Louise, and Florence Marie.
George's oral family tradition states that he told his family that he came to the United States in a "wine barrel." In his religious Testimony, written when he became a minister, he states that at the tender age of 17, he left Germany in a dispute with his native country, sailing for America on August 10, 1889, arriving in San Francisco Harbor on September 1 of that year. The 1900 census of St. Francois County, Missouri, confirms the year of registration. His passport was issued on July 18, 1889, in a town near Chemitz, Germany. This town is about 60 miles southwest of Dresden. It is believed that he trained as a carpenter in this area. The passport has neither an exit stamp nor an entry stamp. However, the passport states that he must return to Germany by 1892 to fulfill his military service. It is believed that George was a stowaway on a ship bound for California, where he was traveling to reunite with his brother, Johann Archibald Zocher.
After his Christian conversion in America, he began studying for the ministry at the University of the Pacific in San Jose, California. He became an American citizen on September 9, 1895. A few days later, he married Barbara Lou Lindemeyer, born on April 26, 1872, in Missouri. They became the parents of five daughters: Clara Margarette, Esther Victoria, Irena Ruth, Edna Louise, and Florence Marie.
Rev. George Zocher. Source: FamilySearch.com.
Rev. Zocher served in the ministry for 51 years, ministering to churches in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Oregon, and Washington.
After serving at Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland, Rev. Zocher went on to Zion Church in Ritzville, Washington (1928-1933), the First German Church in Dryden, Washington (1934-1936), and St. Mark’s Church in Olympia, Washington (1931-1940).
Rev. Zocher died on December 10, 1944, in Vancouver, Washington. His funeral services were held at the Second German Congregational Church in Portland, with Pastor H. Hagelganz officiating. He was interred at the Rose City Cemetery.
After serving at Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland, Rev. Zocher went on to Zion Church in Ritzville, Washington (1928-1933), the First German Church in Dryden, Washington (1934-1936), and St. Mark’s Church in Olympia, Washington (1931-1940).
Rev. Zocher died on December 10, 1944, in Vancouver, Washington. His funeral services were held at the Second German Congregational Church in Portland, with Pastor H. Hagelganz officiating. He was interred at the Rose City Cemetery.
Rev. Zocher and his daughter Esther on her confirmation day. Source: FamilySearch.com.
Headstone for Rev. George L. and Barbara Lou Zocher. Their daughter Florence was buried with them. Source: Steven Schreiber.
Sources
Eisenach, George J. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States. Yankton, SD: Pioneer, 1938. Print.
Krieger, Joanne, trans. "History of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church." Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1909-1984. Portland, OR: n.p., 2002. 433-36. Print.
George Leopold Zocher - FamilySearch.org
Geo. L. Zocher's Testimony, Champion City, Missouri, circa 1895
Zocher family research prepared by Tilo Rausch, Germany
Krieger, Joanne, trans. "History of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church." Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1909-1984. Portland, OR: n.p., 2002. 433-36. Print.
George Leopold Zocher - FamilySearch.org
Geo. L. Zocher's Testimony, Champion City, Missouri, circa 1895
Zocher family research prepared by Tilo Rausch, Germany
Last updated October 7, 2025