From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 50-51
 
REV. JOHN H. BROCKMANN.  For many years this worthy gentleman has ministered to the 
spiritual wants of his fellow-man and his career has been honorable, useful and upright.  He was 
born in Bergen, Hanover, Germany, February 8, 1833, a son of Henry BROCKMANN, who was 
born in the same place July 2, 1802, and became a cabinet maker and joiner by trade.  His wife, 
Sophia BRANDT, was also born in the Province of Hanover, December 24, 1802, a daughter of 
George BRANDT, who was a well-educated man and a soldier by calling.  To Henry 
BROCKMANN (who died in 1876) and his wife a family of eight children were given: Fred, who 
died at the age of twenty-six years; John H, Ernst, Louisa, Dorothea, Henrietta, and Fredericka.  
The mother of these children was called from this life in 1882.  In the town in which he was born 
John H. BROCKMANN was reared and the principal part of his literary education was secured in 
the Mission Institute of Hermannsburg, Hanover, and there he was fitted for the life of a 
missionary, graduating in 1861.  In the fall of the following year, after a voyage of three weeks, he 
landed in the City of New York, and after a stay of three weeks in Watertown, Wis., was sent to 
Ahnapee, Wis., where he continued his labors as a minister of the Gospel for about four years, at 
the end of which time he was called to Mosel, thence to Fort Atkinson, and in January 1875, took 
charge of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of Watertown.  This congregation was first organized as 
"German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, of Watertown and vicinity" October 22, 1854, and in 
1887 changed its name to "Evangelical Lutheran St. Mark's Congregation."  The first church was 
built in 1855 for about $4,000 and in 1887-88 a nice, large church building was elected at a cost 
of $25,000 and dedicated September 9, 1888.  When first organized there were about twenty-five 
male members, and now there are about  360 - about 1600 souls in all.
 
A parochial school was founded as early as 1855.  In 1864 the congregation erected a 
schoolhouse of two recitation rooms and a residence of the principal, which school in 1874 was 
enlarged to four rooms and has now four teachers and four classes.
 
Mr. BROCKMANN is an active worker in the vineyard of his Master, has made himself familiar 
with the various phases of life to which his parishioners are born and reared; hence he is in 
peculiar sympathy with them and well qualified to be the leader of his flock.  He was married 
October 2, 1862, in the land of his birth and sailed with his young bride, Sophia SCHEELE, who 
was born in the same place as himself, for America, on the16th of October.  Her father, Henry 
SCHEELE, was a gardener by occupation, and the maiden name of her mother was Sophia 
MEINECKE.  To Mr. and Mrs. BROCKMANN three children have been given: Johanna S., 
Theodore P. and Paul T.  Mr. BROCKMANN was many years a member of the board of trustees 
of Northwestern University and since he has held the position two substantial buildings have been 
added to the university.  He is a worthy man and is highly respected.