Bercher, Cora Anna

Submitted by Mike Miller

Cora Anna Bercher. Living practically all her life at Shreveport, which she saw grow from village to city, Cora Anna Bercher likewise responded to the expansive forces of her environment, and in character and good work, in the deeds that spring from generous impulse, her life was one to reflect honor on her community. She exercised the influence of a noble woman on those about her, and throughout her mature years she was unwavering in her duties to her home, her family, her church and the broader movements in the welfare of her city.

Cora Anna Bercher was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 14, 1861, a daughter of Charles Joseph and Mary (Daly) Stickels. She was a girl when her family moved to Shreveport, and she grew tip and married and spent forty-two years in the home to which she was taken as a bride. She finished her education in the St. Agnes Academy at Memphis, Tennessee. On January 6, 1881, she was united in marriage with William Albert Bercher.

Mr. Bercher, who was born at Marshall, Texas, May 17, 1852, and died November 1, 1898, represented a family that came from Bizil, Switzerland, into Texas in the pioneer period. The Berchers were prominent in the timber industry in the vicinity of Marshall, Texas, and subsequently extended their interest and also their residence to Shreveport.

William Albert Bercher was for many years engaged in the mercantile business at Shreveport. The Bercher store, on Texas Avenue, was an early landmark of the commercial activities of the city, and to the successful conduct of that business he gave the best energies of his mature years and experience.

To the marriage of William Albert and Cora .Anna (Stickels) Bercher were born four children: Alberta. now Mrs. Charles L. Home, of Shreveport; Ludy, deceased wife of Samuel T. Lockard; Miss Ethel M., of Shreveport; and William Walter Bercher, a resident at Long Beach, California. There were four children born to the union of Samuel T. Lockard and Ludy Bercher, as follows: Walter Bercher, Cora Ellen, Samuel Thomas and William Albert Lockard.

The death of Cora Anna Bercher on January 11, 1924, brought sincere sorrow not only to her immediate family but to the community in which she lived for so many years, and in which there are so many evidences of her faithful labor and loving care. Among her many good works should be noted her part in organizing St. Anthony's Aid Society of Shreveport and in which she was active until her death. She organized the Shreveport branch of the Catholic Daughters of America. For twenty-five years she served as treasurer of the United Aid Society, and was also on the board of directors for the Training School for Girls. She was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Shreveport.

NOTE: The referenced source contains a black and white photograph of the subject with his/her autograph.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 257-258, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.