This was John A. Semro. He was born Johann August Semerau on March 2, 1855 in Pempersin, Kreis Flatow, West Prussia, a former province of Germany. He was the son of David Semerau and Henriette Ristau also of Pemperson. There's is evidence that David & Henriette stayed behind in the "old county". We believe he immigrated around or near 1880 and came to Wisconsin. At some point, his name permanently changed to "John A. Semro".

John Married Ida Louise Emilie Schmudlach in Wisconsin. They made their way to Lamberton, Redwood County, Minnesota for a while before eventually settling in Washington State.

Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

JOHN A. SEMRO is at the present time operating a first class hotel in Wilson Creek. Although not classed as one of the earliest pioneers of the Big Bend country, still, Mr. Semro has manifested such energy and zeal in the building up of the country since coming that he is entitled to the rank with the leading citizens of Douglas county. He was born in West Prussia, Germany, on March 1, 1855, the son of David and Henrietta (Reston) Semro, also natives of Prussia. His education was received in his native land and there he resided until 1882, when he shipped for the United States, landing in Brooklyn. After a short service there, he came west to Milwaukee and did general work in that city for some time. Then he went to Ripon, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. ………………………………………………………………………………..

Two years later, he journeyed to Redwood county, Minnesota, and after two years in general work, he bought a farm. That was his home until 1901 when he sold and came to Washington. He first settled on a ranch near Wilson Creek which he later sold. After that, he moved to Wilsoncreek and bought a hotel which he is now operating. In addition to this, he has erected a fine dwelling house and he also owns other property. He has improved the hotel until it is now a very pleasant and convenient stopping place and Mr. Semro has the happy faculty of making his guests comfortable and entirely at home. Mr. Semro has one brother, Julius, who also lives in Douglas.

In Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in November, 1883, Mr. Semro married Miss Ida Schmidlock, who was born in Green Lake county, in 1866. To this union nine children have been born, named as follows, Sarah, Arthur, Agnes, Harrison, Augusta, Alice, Lenora, Grace and Ralph. Mr. Semro is a man of reliability and integrity and has won many friends since coming here. He keeps a fine hotel and is popular with the traveling public.

Obituary

Obituary
Unknown newspaper
No typing errors corrected

John Semro Dies in Oregon
Former Wilson Creek Man Passes

John A. Semro, formerly a resident of Wilson Creek, and owner of the Semro Hotel, died suddenly at Cottage Grove, Ore., last Saturday night. Death was caused by heart trouble. Little is known here of the details. Arthur, a son, went to Oregon. The family still lives here, and operates the Melrose Hotel.

John A. Somoro was born March 1, 1855 in Pempissen, (should read Pempersin, West Prussia) Germany, and came to America in 1883. He married Miss Ida Schmudlach in Princeton, Wisconsin. They moved to Wilson Creek in 1902. Nine children were born to this couple, All of whom are living.