Bernhard Domschke [also frequently spelled Domschcke] was born and educated in Germany. Cincinnati was his first American home. He was an early and ardent Republican, as early as 1856. Bernhard was an editor of the Milwaukee Atlas before the war. In 1862 his entire staff at the newspaper closed down and enlisted. He was appointed Mar. 15, 1863 from 1st Lieutenant of Co. F. Bernhard was captured at Gettysburg. He was latter released and resigned his commission on April 24, 1865. He became an editer of the Milwaukee Herold after war. Bernhard was president of the Milwaukee Turnverein, from 1866 to 1867. He also chaired of the 7th Ward Republican Club, and became a member of the State Board of Immigration. Mr. Domschke wrote a book on his experiences in Confederate prisons, but he died due to effects of Confederate prisons on May 5, 1869.Also from the ‘History of Milwaukee’, Western Historical Company, A. T. Andreas Propriator, 1881.
BERNHARD DOMSCHCKE.-One of the most talented German editors who ever lived and died in Milwaukee was Bernhard Domschcke. Born in Saxony, the best schools of Dresden and Leipsic supplied his education. But his independent spirit brought him in collision with his government, and he came to this country. In his nervousness and grief, upon his arrival in New York, be wrote an article on “Freedom” for the German papers, which attracted general attention and admiration. He next appeared in Boston and Louisville. In the latter place the poor young editor lost all his worldly possessions by fire, and when he arrived, in Milwaukee, soon afterwards, he possessed just one good bundle of newspapers and twenty-five cents in money. But his name and his family had gone before him, and be was considered worthy the steel of F. Fratney, the talented editor of the ‘Volksfreund’, a prominent Democratic leader of the city and State. The brilliant manner which he acquitted himself, induced Gen. Rufus King and men who admired Mr. Domschcke’s talent, and metal, to put him in the way of editing a newspaper, and on October 7. 1854, the first number of the ‘Corsar’ was issued -a weekly publication. He struggled and suffered for fourteen months before he abandoned the enterprise and started, in a few days, the Daily Journal. Then followed “ten weeks agony,” the history of which appeared in the ‘Atlas’, the next newspaper enterprise. After its collapse, the Herold successfully filled the gap. The next seven years of his life is thus set forth in a daily print, at the time of his death, May 5. 1869: “In 1862 be entered the ranks of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer, and marched to the seat of war as Commandant of Company H. In the battle of Gettysburg Captain Domschcke, together with Major Wallber and forty-six soldiers of the regiment, were taken prisoners and marched off to Richmond and to Libby Prison. Here and elsewhere South an imprisonment of twenty months implanted the germ of the disease which led to his death. After his liberation he assumed the duties of editor-in-chief of the Daily Herold, in which position be continued until his death, which occurred in his 43d year. He had no relations in this country. His mother resided in Dresden. His remains were escorted to their resting place by the Turn-Verein and the several military organizations, an oration upon his faithful life and editorial services being delivered by Emil Wallber.
{MS} Obituary in the Milwaukee Sentinal – 5/8/1869
(Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society)
BERNHARD DOMSCHCKE.-One of the most talented German editors who ever lived and died in Milwaukee was Bernhard Domschcke. Born in Saxony, the best schools of Dresden and Leipsic supplied his education. But his independent spirit brought him in collision with his government, and he came to this country. In his nervousness and grief, upon his arrival in New York, be wrote an article on “Freedom” for the German papers, which attracted general attention and admiration. He next appeared in Boston and Louisville. In the latter place the poor young editor lost all his worldly possessions by fire, and when he arrived, in Milwaukee, soon afterwards, he possessed just one good bundle of newspapers and twenty-five cents in money. But his name and his family had gone before him, and be was considered worthy the steel of F. Fratney, the talented editor of the ‘Volksfreund’, a prominent Democratic leader of the city and State. The brilliant manner which he acquitted himself, induced Gen. Rufus King and men who admired Mr. Domschcke’s talent, and metal, to put him in the way of editing a newspaper, and on October 7. 1854, the first number of the ‘Corsar’ was issued -a weekly publication. He struggled and suffered for fourteen months before he abandoned the enterprise and started, in a few days, the Daily Journal. Then followed “ten weeks agony,” the history of which appeared in the ‘Atlas’, the next newspaper enterprise. After its collapse, the Herold successfully filled the gap. The next seven years of his life is thus set forth in a daily print, at the time of his death, May 5. 1869: “In 1862 be entered the ranks of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer, and marched to the seat of war as Commandant of Company H. In the battle of Gettysburg Captain Domschcke, together with Major Wallber and forty-six soldiers of the regiment, were taken prisoners and marched off to Richmond and to Libby Prison. Here and elsewhere South an imprisonment of twenty months implanted the germ of the disease which led to his death. After his liberation he assumed the duties of editor-in-chief of the Daily Herold, in which position be continued until his death, which occurred in his 43d year. He had no relations in this country. His mother resided in Dresden. His remains were escorted to their resting place by the Turn-Verein and the several military organizations, an oration upon his faithful life and editorial services being delivered by Emil Wallber.
{MS} Obituary in the Milwaukee Sentinal – 5/8/1869
(Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society)