John Zurcher Interview

Collection

Identifier: SC 1923

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Typed summary of an interview with Bill G. Reid concerning Zurcher's mother and sisters who emigrated with him from Switzerland in 1892 to Jackson, Minn. and his life in McHenry County, N.D. Includes mention of his mother's remarriage, losing the farm at Jackson, Minn., settling at Ulen, Minn., traveling to McHenry County, N.D. and back to Ulen, building his farmstead, poisoning gophers, his involvement in McHenry County government, bridge repairs, Nonpartisan League, election to the N.D. House, building a country school, and improving his farmland.

Dates

1972

Creator

Zurcher, John, 1878-1976. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are held by the Institute.

Biography

Born at Bern, Switzerland, immigrated with his mother and sisters in 1892. They settled near Jackson, Minn. In 1898, he moved to Ulen, Minn. where he purchased land. John and his stepfather, Christ Fuhrer, filed a claim in McHenry County, N.D. in 1900. Wed Ida Rindlesbackerin 1905. He was elected to N.D. House in 1948 and 1950, and was active in McHenry County government. In 1946, he sold his farm to his son and moved to Towner, N.D. Ida died in 1958.