History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, 
from U. S. Gov't Survey to Present Time, with Biographical Sketches
Dessureau. Antigo, WI: Berner Brothers, 1922, p 278
Submitted by Cathy Kubly

One of the prominent pioneers of Langlade County [Wisconsin] is John CHERF, a resident of the town of Antigo, who was born in Bohemia on 17 May 1853.  When [John was] an infant his father died and with his mother and stepfather the young child moved to America.  The family settled in the Township of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County [Wisconsin], where Mr. CHERF lived until he was twenty-three years of age.  Then he [John CHERF], on 01 January 1876, was united in marriage to Katherine SKVOR of the town of Cooperstown.  To this union nine children [one son and eight daughters] were born.  One daughter, Rose, is deceased.  Those living [all of whom are residents of Langlade County, Wisconsin] are:  (1)  Mary, now Mrs. Joseph Sazama of Antigo Township; (2)  James CHERF of Polar Township; (3)  Anna, now Mrs. William CONN of White Lake; (4)  Emma, now Mrs. Charles LEITRICH [pre-1907 Index Wisconsin marriages has Emma CHERF wed in Langlade County, Wisconsin, on 22 Mar 1904 to "Karl DIETRICH"] of Rolling [Langlade County]; (5)  Julia, now Mrs. Morgan HARRISON of Antigo Township; (6)  Christine, now Mrs. George MILLER of Antigo Township; (7)  Tressa, now Mrs. Hiram HORN of Antigo [pre-1907 Index of Wisconsin Births has Tressa H. CHERF, born 30 May 1892 in Langlade County]; and (8)  Bessie, now Mrs. Oliver MADER of Antigo Township.

Upon Mr. [John] CHERF's marriage he purchased a farm in Cooperstown and resided on it for two years.  He then sold the land and moved to Antigo's present site, then known a Springbrook.  For $25 he purchased five lots where Mr. KROM's store, BERNER Brothers' plant, BAUTER's gallery and NEUBERGER's shoe store is.  Here Mr. CHERF erected a little log cabin in 1878, and two years later moved to the town of Antigo, where he has lived since.  He built the first bridge on Fifth Avenue over Springbrook near the old NEFF blacksmith shop.  He now has thirty-two acres of land on Section 32, Township 31, Range 11 East, where he spends his declining years.  Mr. CHERF has led a life of industry, is of high standing in his community, and as one of the first pioneers has lived to see Antigo grow from nothing nearly a half century ago to a thriving city of nearly then thousand souls.  Fraternally Mr. CHERF is affiliated with the Equitable Fraternal Union lodge.