In Memoriam. 
9 
sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, a company composed almost entirely 
of Germans, and of the division under command of Carl Schurz. 
During the brief period of his active service, he met with rapid 
promotion, reaching the rank of first lieutenant. At the battle of 
Chancelorsville he received a gun shot wound, which necessitated 
the amputation of his left leg. Faulty surgery made several sub¬ 
sequent operations necessary, and as a result of this he suffered 
almost constant, at times agonizing pain, until his death. Follow¬ 
ing the war he engaged in various undertakings, as a means for 
support. Private tutoring, teaching at the German English Acad¬ 
emy, farming, holding public office, 1 printing and mercantile enter¬ 
prises. Possessing a distaste for mercenary pursuits and imbued 
with strong idealistic tendencies, his successes in business were 
but commensurate with these traits. 
From earliest youth he entertained an absorbing love for 
nature, his interest in it embraced many fields, and while not 
strictly scientific, his scientific knowledge was in a degree suf¬ 
ficient to stamp what he said with the force of one who speaks 
with authority. His labors in the field of natural history and the 
results therefrom went largely to the Wisconsin Natural History 
society. 2 One of its earliest members, he was active in all its 
doings and served for many years as its secretary. Devoted to 
its progress he labored for its welfare with untiring love and 
enthusiasm. To the development of the society’s museum in par¬ 
ticular he gave his best and constant efforts, often, at the expense 
of the fulfillment of other duties. 
When in 1883 the Wisconsin Natural History Society donated 
its museum to the City of Milwaukee, 3 Doerflinger was made its 
first custodian—a deserving and well earned recognition of his 
former labors in its behalf. Pressure being brought upon him by 
many friends to accept the custodianship, he gave up his farm near 
1) Secretary City Civil Service Commission 1896-1900. 
2) From 1857-1879 Naturhistorischer Verein von Wisconsin. 
3) Doerflinger suggested such a transfer as early as 1875. 
See report of Society that year. 
