Maisch, John Michael (30 January 1831–10 September 1893), pharmacist and teacher, was born in Hanau, Hesse, Germany, the son of Conrad Maisch, a retailer of very modest means, and Agnese Louise Liebtreu. Educated in the local schools and taken under the wings of teachers who recognized his special abilities and gave him private tutelage, he gained free admittance to the Oberrealschule (a nonclassical upper high school). He studied languages, botany, zoology, mineralogy, and chemistry and was introduced to the microscope. Ill health, however, thwarted his hope to attend a Gymnasium to pursue a university education. He turned his attention to pharmacy, but involvement with the revolutionary Turners gymnast club of Hanau led to his capture at Sinsheim in 1849. He was imprisoned but escaped with the help of friends and fled to the United States. He arrived in Baltimore in September 1849....
