Gasconade Biographies R-Z
Gasconade County
Biographies
R-Z
August W. Reinholz, a resident of Richland Township, was born in Han-
over, Germany, February 11, 1849. His father, John Reinholz, was also
a native of Germany, who crossed the ocean and is now living with his
son, August W. The latter came to the United States in 1867, and after
living about one year near Chicago spent considerable time in traveling
through the West. He then returned to Franklin County, Mo., where he
lived upon a farm until the fall of 1878, when he purchased his present
farm and settled upon the same. This fine farm consists of over 159
acres, upon which our subject is engaged in stock raising, fruit grow-
ing, etc. In 1872 he selected his companion through life in the person
of Miss Mina Fraese, daughter of Henry Fraese, of Franklin County, Mo.
This marriage resulted in the birth of six children, two now living:
Annie and Emma. Mrs. Reinholz died in November, 1882 and in 1883 Mr.
Reinholz married Miss Dora Teman, who bore him four children, three now
living: August, Louis and Otto. He and his wife are members of the
Lutheran Church.
Andrew Rengeisen, farmer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1820, the
son of Frederick and Catherine (Schmidt) Rengeisen. The father was a
farmer and died in 1838, at the age of sixty-five. Previous to his
marriage to Miss Schmidt he had married a Miss Marks, who bore him
five children. Six children were born to the last union. In 1848 the
mother and four children, including Andrew, came to the United States
and settled in Pennsylvania. There they remained until 1866, when the
mother and the daughter came to Gasconade County, where the mother died
in 1869, and the daughter about 1883. Two brothers live in Pennsyl-
vania, one a coal miner and the other a farmer. Andrew Rengeisen mined
coal for several years in Pennsylvania, and then engaged in farming. He
was married in Bavaria in 1845 to Philipina Waggener, a native of Bav-
aria, who bore him ten children, nine now living: Michael, Frederick,
Louis, Andrew, Henry, Adam, George, William and Barney. Since 1866 Mr.
Rengeisen has lived on his present farm of about 350 acres, three miles
southeast of Bem, and is one of the influential and progressive farmers
of the county. He is an earnest worker for the cause of education, and
for the general upbuilding of the country. Politically a Republican,
his first presidential vote was for Scott in 1852. He is a member of
the Presbyterian Church.
Arnold Rhump, an enterprising farmer and present assessor of the
county, is also of German nativity, born in Westphalia, December 14,
1834. Peter Adolph and Minnie (Knipp) Rhump, his parents, were also
natives of that country, where they lived and died. The father was a
wire manufacturer and served in the German army under Gen. Blucher,
during the war with Napoleon, participating in many battles, among
which was that of Waterloo. Three sons and three daughters were born
to them, four of whom survive, two living in Germany, and Arnold and a
sister, who came to the United States in 1855, locating in St. Louis
County, Mo. The subject of this sketch was engaged in farming for
five years, then moved to the city of St. Louis, where he was occupied
as salesman in a mercantile establishment another five years. Coming
to Gasconade County he started a store at Woolam, which he disposed of
after conducting some six years, and again became engaged in merchan-
dising as a salesman at St. Louis. Two years thereafter he became
permanently located in this county, and since then has farmed in diff-
erent localities, having owned a number of farms. In 1883 he was
elected assessor of Gasconade County, again in 1885 and in 1887 was
re-elected, serving in an acceptable manner. Mr. Rhump's career has
been a successful one, for his present position has been obtained en-
tirely through his own unaided efforts. During the late war he served
in the State Militia. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican, and
anti-prohibitionist, and while a merchant at Woolam served as post-
master. It is worthy to mention that while not a man to court notor-
iety, he is a liberal contributor to those measures tending to the
upbuilding of the county and vicinity in which he makes his home.
Judge August Riek, associate judge of Gasconade County, and farmer, of
Section 35, Roark Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, December 9,
1827, and is the son of Ernst Adolph Riek (deceased), a native of Sax-
ony, who immigrated with his family to the United States in 1842,
settling in Hermann, and here died in 1861, at the age of eighty-eight
years. In 1855, August, in partnership with his brother, Constance
Riek, now of Dallas, Tex., established the Music Hall in Hermann.
October 22, 1859, he married Anna Weher, daughter of Christian Weher
(deceased), and the result of this union was the birth of thirteen
children, twelve now living, viz.: Louise, Constance, Augusta, Huldah,
Ida, Lina, Otto, Oswald, Max, Anna, Adam and Lola. Louise married
Charles M. Linhart, of St. Louis, and has two children: August and
Anna. Constance married Clara Heckmann, and is living in Dallas, Tex.
He has one child, Henry. Judge Riek moved to his farm in 1867, and
was made United States general storekeeper and gauger of the First
District of Missouri, with his office at St. Louis, for eight years.
He was elected associate justice of this county in 1876, served two
years; was elected again in 1886, and still holds that position. He
has also served on the English and German school boards several times.
He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for several years, and
of the I. O. O. F. for the past thirty-six years.
Robert Robyn, the present popular cashier of the Hermann Savings Bank,
was born at St. Louis, Mo., March 24, 1852, and is the second of seven
children born to Henry and Alvine (Angelrodt) Robyn. The former was
born near Emrich, in Holland, September 9, 1824, the son of Diedrich
Robyn, a cloth dealer of that place, and in 1841 he immigrated to Amer-
ica, locating at St. Louis, where he followed the profession of music
teaching, teaching in the public schools a number of years, and also in
the State Blind Asylum, where he adopted the now universal Braille sys-
tem to music, for the blind, and invented the type for printing the
same. In November, 1878, he started to return to his old home on a
visit, but, while en route, the vessel on which he took passage colli-
ded with another, and he was drowned. The mother of Robert was born at
Carlsruhe, Baden, May 15, 1831, the daughter of Ernst C. Angelrodt, of
Baden, who for several years was the Baden German consul at St. Louis,
and later consul general for the Grand Duchy of Baden. He was quite
prominent in St. Louis affairs, platted and laid out the town of New
Bremen, as an addition to the city of St. Louis, and was one of the
incorporators and an original director in the Missouri Pacific Railway,
etc. Returning to his native country, he died there in 1872. Mrs.
Robyn now resides in New York City, where she moved in 1879. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared at St. Louis, obtaining a good education
in the public schools, and in March, 1866, accepted a position in a
commission house. Later he entered the employ of the Traders' Bank,
and afterward was appointed messenger of the St. Louis city council.
In 1870 he commenced railroading as brakeman on the Missouri Pacific,
came to Hermann in February, 1875, and since that time has been vari-
ously engaged. In 1876 he was occupied in the grocery business; in
1877 was appointed justice of the peace, and the same year was also
appointed town clerk and elected to the school board; in 1878 he dis-
continued the grocery business; in April, 1879, was re-appointed town
clerk and re-elected to the school board. In May, 1879, he entered
into the real estate business with Mr. E. Neuenhahn, and purchased a
set of title abstracts of Gasconade County; in April, 1880 was a dele-
gate to the Missouri Immigration Convention; on the 19th of the same
month was appointed cashier of the Heramnn Savings Bank, and in May,
1883, elected a director. In 1884 was made president of the school
board, and again in 1885; in September, 1884, was elected chairman of
the Eleventh Congressional District Republican Committee, and in 1886
served as chairman of the Congressional Convention at Rolla. In April,
1886, he was elected treasurer of the school board, and in 1887, presi-
dent. Mr. Robyn was married August 22, 1874, to Carolina Wesselhoeft,
who was born in New York, January 11, 1851, the daughter of Carl Wess-
elhoeft. They have one son, Hans Bodo, born September 9, 1877.
Joseph Roth, farmer, is the son of Matthew and Margaret (Bovarie) Roth,
both natives of Bavaria, where they spent all their lives on a farm, he
being burgomaster. In their family were nine children, eight sons and
one daughter. The father was born in 1785, and died in 1854. The moth-
er was born in 1796, and died in 1854. Of the children four of the sons
came to the United States, the first in 1845 and the last in 1854.
Joseph was born in Bavaria, in 1830, and followed the occupation of a
butcher in the old country. In 1853 he came to America, and worked in
the rolling mill at Wheeling, Va. Two years later he came to this
county, and settled where he now lives, owning 240 acres of choice
land. In 1857 he went to Wheeling, and chose his wife in the person of
Miss Jane Oberg, who was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1833. When Mr.
Roth came to America he had little or nothing with which to make a
start, and all he has was made by his own efforts. He is a Republican
in his political views.
Henry Ruediger, farmer, of Roark Township, is the son of Jacob and
Catherine E. (Schaefer) Ruediger, who were born in Hesse Cassel, Ger-
many, in 1802 and 1799, respectively. After marriage they farmed in
Germany until 1849, then came to America and settled in Gasconade Co.,
Mo., where they passed the remainder of their days. In their family
were three sons, two of whom came to the United States before the
parents and the other with them. The father lived to be about fifty
three years of age, and the mother about sixty-eight; both were mem-
bers of the Evangelical Church. Henry was the second child of the
above marriage, and was born in Hesse Cassel, in 1828. At the age of
twenty he left his native country to escape military service, immigra-
ted to America, and here engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the
war he served in the Home Guards. In 1862 he married Miss Regina T.
Oetterer, who was born in Prussia, in 1838, and when ten years of age
was brought to this country by her parents; they were among the early
settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruediger were born five children, of whom
four are now living. All the family are members of the Evangelical
Church. After marriage Mr. Ruediger settled upon his present farm,
which consists of 160 acres. He has been a resident of this county
for forty years and is accounted a good citizen. He is a Republican
in his political views.
Henry H. Ruediger, farmer, of Gasconade County, and son of John H. and
Anna C. (Armbruester) Ruediger, was born in Roark Township in 1852, and
received a limited education in both English and German. He remained
working for his father until twenty-four years of age, when he began
for himself as an independent farmer. In 1876 he married Miss Mary
Louise Buttermann, a native of Roark Townshi, and the daughter of John
G. Buttermann. The result of Mr. Ruediger's marriage was the birth of
three children, two sons and a daughter. After marriage Mr. Ruediger
settled on his present farm, which now consists of eighty acres. Both
he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is an intell-
igent, stirring farmer, and a member of one of the old settled families
of the county. He is a Republican in politics, and has been road over-
seer for three years.
John H. Ruediger, a leading armer of Roark Township, Gasconade Co., Mo.,
is the son of Louis and Catherine E. (Siebert) Ruediger, both natives
of Hesse Cassel, Germany, the father born in 1771. After marriage they
spent the balance of their days in their native country, the father en-
gaging in agricultural pursuits. The latter lived to be sixty-four
years of age. Out of the family of thirteen born to this marriage, two
came to the United States, John H. and a brother named Jacob, who died
leaving two sons. John was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1821, was
reared as a farmer boy, and, after reaching manhood (in 1847), took for
his companion through life Miss Anna C. Armbruester, also a native of
Hesse Cassel, born in 1826. After marriage they came direct to Gascon-
ade County, and after living two years in Hermann, settled on their
present farm, which consists of 120 acres. The fruits of this marriage
were fourteen children, six sons and eight daughters. Mr. Ruediger has
given to his sons 120 acres, besides what he now has. He is a Repub-
lican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical
Church. While in Germany he was one of the body guards of the Grand
Duke of Hesse Cassel, and after coming to this country was in the
militia. His father was in the war against France from 1813 to 1815.
Herman H. Rulle, dealer in hardware, stoves and agricultural implements
was born near Berlin, Germany, July 19, 1849, and immigrated to the
United States in 1851, settling in Hermann, Gasconade Co., Mo. His
father, Hermann Rulle, who is now deceased, was married to Wilhelmina
Flake. She is yet residing in Hermann, Mo., and is sixty-six years old.
The immediate subject of this sketch left home at the age of fourteen
and went to St. Louis, where he learned the tinner's trade, at which he
still works more or less. He began his present business in Hermann, in
December, 1878, and carries a full line of goods pertaining to his kind
of business. In 1872 he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Annie
W. Strickland, daughter of John Strickland, of St. Louis. To their
union were born seven children: Rosa, Edward, William, Alwin, Rudolph,
Tillie and Frank. Mr. Rulle is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the Lutheran Church.
John M. Schaumburg, one of the old and prominent settlers of Gasconade
County, was born in 1822, in Hesse Cassel, Germany, and is the son of
Henry and Catherine (Schaefer) Schaumburg, both also natives of Hesse
Cassel. The father was a farmer and an inn keeper, and for about
twenty-five years burgomaster of his native village. He lived to be
sixty-five years of age and she seventy-four. Their family consisted
of seven sons, of whom five came to America. John M. grew to manhood
on the farm, and in 1847 came to America, and has made Gasconade County
his home ever since. In 1848 he married Miss Christina Humburg, who
was born in Hesse Cassel, in 1825, and came to Gasconade County with
her parents, Jacob and Anna C. Humburg, in 1867. To this marriage were
born nine children, five sons and four daughters. During the war Mr.
Schaumburg served in the Home Guards. He is a Republican in politics,
and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He has a
fine farm of 205 acres, and has been a resident of the county for forty
one years. He had a fair start in life but by hard work has kept add-
ing to his property until he now owns his fine farm.
Louis Schaumburg, teacher, and son of John M. and Christina (Humburg)
Schaumburg, was born near Hermann, October 22, 1850. He was reared on
a farm and educated in the common schools until seventeen years of age,
when he entered the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., where
he remained a year. He afterward attended the Iowa Wesleyan University
one and a half years, and made a special preparation at the Kirksville
Normal for the profession of teaching. He has taught fourteen terms
successfully, as will be shown from the fact that eleven of these terms
were taught in the same district. In 1883 he was chosen county school
commissioner, and served two terms. In 1879 he married Miss Caroline
Huxol, who was born in this county, February 16, 1856. They have no
children born to them, but have adopted a boy named Bennie Schaumburg.
Few teachers in this county have taught more terms than Mr. Schaumburg,
and none have given better satisfaction. He is a Republican in his
political views.
John Scherer, one of the oldest, and justly conceded to be one of the
most influential citizens of Hermann, was born in the Grand Duchy of
Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, July 4, 1822, receiving as he grew up an ex-
cellent education in both public and private schools. Subsequently he
served an apprenticeship of five years in a store, and then filled a
position as clerk until 1853, when he immigrated to America. Upon
reaching this country he joined a brother in Detroit, Mich., and in
1861, upon the inducements of Michael Poeschel, was led to come to
Hermann, Mo., to engage in the wine growing business. Together they
established the firm of M. Poeschel & Scherer, which, in 1878, was
sold to the present owners, they remaining in the firm, however, until
1883, under the firm of M. Poeschel, Scherer & Co., when the firm was
changed into the Stone Hill Wine Company. At this time Mr. Scherer is
a member of the Gast Wine Company, of which he has served as president
for several years. He was instrumental in the organization of the
Hermann Savings Bank, and in 1883 was elected its president, a posi-
tion which he still holds. He has also been connected officially with
the public schools of Hermann, and for a number of years has served as
president of the Agricultural Association. In 1864 Mr. Scherer was
married to Miss Mary Steiger, a lady of American nativity. Their happy
union has been blessed with seven children, five of whom survive. The
father of the subject of this sketch, John Scherer, was also a native
of Germany; his wife's maiden name was Sophia Koch. They died when
their son was a small boy.
Hermann Schlender, retired merchant, of Hermann, was born in Hanover,
Germany, January 14, 1820, and is the son of Christ Schlender (deceas-
ed), a native of the same place. Hermann came from the old country in
September, 1848, and settled in Hermann, then a small village. When
in his native country he clerked in a store, and after coming to Her-
mann worked in a tanyard, and later was engaged in the wine growing
business. In 1857 he engaged in merchandising, which he continued
until 1876, when he retired. He was married February 6, 1857, to a
widow, Mrs. L. C. Franksen, born Wesselhoft, who died January 14, 1888.
She was a noble woman, full of good deeds, loved and respected by all.
Mr. Schlender was secretary of the Hermann Mutual Fire Insurance Comp-
any for twenty years, was for seven years treasurer of the town of
Hermann, and was also a member of the school board for several years.
He is a man much respected and esteemed by all his acquaintances.
Since living in Hermann he has seen many changes to the advantage of
the place.
Casper Schuebert, lumber dealer and furniture manufacturer, of Hermann,
was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 12, 1825. His father, Michael
Schuebert (deceased), was a native of the same place, and came with his
family to the United States, in 1833, settling in Ohio, and here Casper
remained with his father until fourteen years of age. The parents then
removed to Cincinnati, where the father was engaged in the lumber busi-
ness. In 1843 Casper went to New Orleans and purchased cedar lumber
for his father. In 1844 he came to Hermann, which city he has since
made his home. He went to California, in 1850, overland, with an ox
team, and here mined gold for a year and a half. He then engaged in
the coffee and spice business, lost all in the great Sacramento fire of
1853, and returned to Hermann in 1854. He made star candles a year,
and then returned to his former business of cabinet making and lumber
dealing, which occupation he has followed since, except during the late
war, when he enlisted in the three months' service, Company P, Missouri
Battalion, and then served almost a year in Company B, Fourth Missouri
Volunteer Infantry, in which he was first lieutenant. He resigned for
disability, and was on guard duty the remainder of the time. May, 1855
he married Mary Star, who bore him one child, now deceased. Mrs. Sch-
uebert died January 20, 1857. October 20, 1859, he was united in
marriage to Miss Louisa Link, the daughter of Louis Link (deceased),
and the result of this marriage was the birth of four children: Louisa,
Albert, Matilda and Anna. Louisa married Fred Ochsner, of Hermann; and
Albert was married December 13, 1887, to Miss Malvina Rincheval, of
Hermann. Mr. Schuebert has been town trustee, also a member of the
school board, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
Frederick Schuetz (deceased) was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he
grew up and received his education. In early life he learned the sadd-
ler's trade, though later he engaged in agricultural pursuits. For a
companion in life he chose Christiana Prenzel, also a natibe of Wurtem-
berg, and to their union were born nine living children, of whom seven
are in the States, and two in South America. In 1865 the parents and
children came to America, found their way to Gasconade County, and here
the father and mother passed the remainder of their days, the former
dying at the age of fifty-eight, and the latter at the age of sixty-
five. The youngeest of the boys, August, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger-
many, in 1851, and was educated in the old country. On coming to this
county he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has since continued
this occupation, being the owner of 138 acres. In 1878 he married
Margaret Pfotenhauer, a native of Gasconade County, who bore him six
children, two sons and four daughters. He is a Republican in politics,
and is a wide awake, thrifty young farmer, being highly respected by
all who know him.
William W. Schulte (deceased) was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1813,
where he grew up, and for ten years worked at making tile for roofing
and brick. In 1838 he married Miss Anna M. C. Ahring, who was also
born in Hanover, in 1812. They then started for America, settled in
St. Louis for some time, and then came to Gasconade County, settling
on Second Creek, and here Mr. Schulte died, in 1875. He was a member
of the Presbyterian Church, as is his wife who is now living on the
old farm. Of their family of seven children, William F. is the only
son now living in this county, where he was born in 1845. While grow-
ing up he learned the blacksmith's trade, but never worked at the same
to any great extent. Having worked among the farmers until 1865, he
married Miss Louise C. Danna, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born
in 1845, and the result of this union was the birth of three children,
all sons. In 1870 his wife died, and the following year he married
Miss Henry G. Doerman, a native of Gasconade County, born in 1859. To
them four children were born, three sons and one daughter. In 1865 Mr.
Schulte settled upon the place where he now lives, and which consists
of 324 acres. He has passed all his life in this county, and is accou-
nted a good farmer. He is a Republican in his political belief, and he
and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
John H. Schwarze, of the firm of Binkhoelter & Co., merchants at Morri-
son, is one of the county's most successful young business men. He was
born in St. Louis, Mo., June 29, 1861 and until the age of twelve years
remained at home with his parents, then going to St. Louis again from
the farm to which they had moved, and while there he passed two years
in attendance at the public schools. Subsequently he entered the
employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company, and later occupied a prominent
position, continuing with the concern some eleven years. In February,
1887, upon coming to Morrison, a partnership was established with Mr.
H. Binkhoelter, in general merchandise, and they now carry a very com-
plete stock of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, groceries
etc., conducting the largest business of the kind in the county. In
connection with their store they have a lumber yard and wheat elevator,
where, as elsewhere mentioned, they handle annually 100,000 bushels of
wheat. October 4, 1884, Mr. Schwarze was married to Miss Charlotte
Klute, of St. Louis, and they have two children: Richard H. and an in-
fant. Mr. Schwarze is a member of Morrison Lodge, No. 390, A.O.U.W.
His parents are still residents of Warren County. Hermann Schwarze,
the father, was born January 1, 1831, in Prussia, and there followed
merchant tailoring; while a young man he immigrated to America, locat-
ing at St. Louis, Mo., and was engaged as a mechanic until his removal
to Warren County, in 1863, where he now attends to farming. Mrs. Louisa
Schwarze was born in January, 1837. Six of their original family of
eight children are now living.
George W. Sewell, judge of the southern district of Gasconade County
was born January 18, 1833, in Roane County, Tenn., of which locality
his parents, William and Sarah (Lacey) Sewell, were also natives. They
came to Missouri after their marriage, locating in Pulaski (now Phelps)
County, where the father attended to farming in connection with his
ministerial labors, until his death shortly after. His widow subse-
quently married John Miller, a resident of Gasconade County. George W.
was the fourth of five children in his parents' family, two of whom are
living. At the age of nineteen he left home and commenced life for
himself as a hired hand, remaining in the employ of others until Novem-
ber 17, 1853, when he married Miss Cyrena Pryor, daughter of Pleasant
Pryor. She was born in Warren County, Mo., April 15, 1835. This union
has been blessed with eleven children: Pleasant, Jennie, John L., James
A., William E., Ben. L., Cleon C., George A., Arva A., Mary E. and B.B.
Following his marriage, Mr. Sewell rented land and began farming on his
own resources, finally, by energy, perseverance and economy becoming
the owner of 160 acres, a comfortable place, which he succeeded in
getting under cultivation. In 1855 he went to Maries County, remaining
there until 1863, when he settled upon his present location, and for
the last few years, in connection with agricultural pursuits, he has
worked some at the carpenter's trade. In November, 1886, he was elec-
ted judge of the southern district of Gasconade County, a position the
duties of which he has since proved himself well qualified to discharge.
Judge and Mrs. Sewell are members of the Baptist Church. In politics
the former is a Republican.
Capt. Jackson Smith, farmer, of Bourbois Township, was born in St.
Louis County, thirteen miles southwest of the city, in 1833, and is the
eighth of six sons and four daughters born to Henry and Jane (Watson)
Smith. The father was probably born in St. Louis County, and the moth-
er in one of the Carolinas. Mr. Smith's people were among the pioneers
of St. Louis County when the city of St. Louis was a mere French trad-
ing post of bark shanties. Henry Smith married, and lived there until
1839, when he removed to Gasconade County, on Bourboise Creek, where he
built a water mill, and operated the same until his death, in 1851. He
served a number of years as a ranger against the Indians, and was for
many years justice of the peace in St. Louis and Gasconade Counties.
The mother of Jackson died in 1841, and of the seven children now liv-
ing only two are in the same county. After the death of his first wife
Mr. Smith married Mrs. Mary Ann Sorrell, who bore him one child, now
deceased. Jackson Smith received his education in the common schools,
and after the death of his father began working for himself as a farm
hand, which he continued but a short time. He then began teaching
school in the winter and followed farming in the summer, for about
eight or nine years. In 1858 he married Miss Mary, daughter of Hon.
James A. and Elizabeth Matthews, formerly of Tennessee, where Mrs.
Smith was born, but early settlers of Gasconade County. Her father was
county judge fourteen years, was a member of the Legislature, and was a
prominent citizen. He died in 1871. Her mother is still living, and
is eighty years old. The following five children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Smith: Webster A., James A., Henry A. W., Scippio A. and Elizabeth
Jane. Since 1859 Mr. Smith has been on his present farm of 240 acres,
situated two miles east of Cleavesville. He was captain and adjutant
of the Thirty-fourth Enrolled Missouri Militia. He was formerly elec-
ted lieutenant of Company K, but received the commission of captain and
adjutant first, and held the same until the close of the war. A Demo-
crat politically, his first presidential vote was cast for James Buch-
anan, in 1856. He voted twice for Abraham Lincoln and once for Grant,
but since that time has voted the Democratic ticket. His eldest brother
Judge Samuel Smith, now of Cuba, but formerly a prominent citizen of
Bourbois Township, served some years as county judge of the southern
district of Gasconade County.
Hermann Sobbe, a prominent citizen and extensive wine grower of Morri-
son, Gasconade Co., Mo., was born in Salzkotten, Germany, February 21,
1841. His parents were William and Agnes von Sobbe, nee Meyer, also
residents of that place. The father, William von Sobbe, was born in
August, 1803, and died at the age of fifty-six, in 1859, at which time
he was serving his country in the capacity of postmaster, at Salzkotten.
The mother, Agnes von Sobbe, nee Meyer, was born in 1799, and ended
this life July 4, 1851. The elder Sobbe served his country in the army
as lieutenant. Of this union two children were born: Hermann, the eld-
er (the subject of this sketch), and August, and they were educated in
the schools of their native place. After completing their course Her-
mann served as apprentice in a mercantile house, after which he enlist-
ed in the Prussian army, participating in the war with Denmark. After
the war, securing his leave of absence, he immigrated to America, lo-
cating at this place in the year 1864, where he at once engaged in
farming. In 1867 he began the culture of grapes, which proved so succ-
essful that he discontinued agricultural pursuits to devote his entire
time to the latter. In the spring of 1866, at the time of the Austrian
War, he again returned to Germany, to report for duty to the Prussian
Government. In the fall of the same year, returning to this country
with his young wife, Ferdinandine, nee Kerchoff, he again took up his
profession of farming. Of this union two children were born, who, how-
ever, preceded their mother in death, which occurred in January, 1869.
In March, 1878, Mr. Sobbe married Miss Ottillie Rommel, of Hermann, Mo.,
his present wife. Of this union two children were born: Hugo and Hed-
wig. Besides being engaged in the culture of grapes he is also engaged
in the nursery business, as a member of the firm of Rommel & Sobbe,
whose business extends all over the United States. He is a member of
Lodge No. 123, A. F. & A. M., and Robert Bloom Lodge, No. 46, I.O.O.F.,
both of Hermann, Mo., and is a Republican in politics. In this connec-
tion it is fitting that a short sketch be inserted of Mr. Sobbe's
cousin, Julius Meyer, who was instrumental in laying out the town of
Morrison. He was born near Salzkotten, but owing to the death of his
parents, which occurred when he was quite young, he was taken into the
family of his aunt, Mr. Sobbe's parents. In the year 1861 he came to
America, locating in Montgomery County, staying, however, only a short
time, when he returned to Germany. Again returning to America, he lo-
cated at Morrison, in 1864. In 1868 he married Miss Emelina Ahrns, a
native of Missouri, by whom he has two children, Walter and Mathilda.
Henry Sohns, wine-grower and lime-burner of Hermann, was born in Baden,
Germany, January 28, 1838, and is the son of John G. Sohns (deceased).
Henry came to the United States in 1865, and lived for some time in
Cincinnati, Ohio and Aurora, Ind., until 1866, when in April of that
year he came to Hermann, and has there lived ever since, engaged in the
wine business since 1869 or 1870. He has three acres of grape vines,
and made 3,000 gallons of wine in 1887. He has also been engaged in
burning lime ever since he came to this place. He ships wine to St.
Louis, Chicago, Des Moines and other points. He was married November,
1868 to Lena Sohns, daughter of George M. Sohns (deceased), and to this
union were born nine children, five now living: Henry, George, Louise,
Jane and Rosalinda. Mr. Sohns never seeks official honors. He is a
member of the K. of P. and K. of L., also a member of the I. O. O. F.
Abram Souders, another successful farmer of Brush Creek Township, was
born in Washington County, Ind., in 1844, and is the youngest of a
family of seven children born to Benjamin and Nancy (Teauge) Souders.
(For further particulars of parents see sketch of Hamilton Souders,
whose sketch just precedes this.) Abram was left an orphan at an early
age, and when nine years of age he came with his eldest brother to Gas-
conade County, where he has ever since lived. He received but very
little education, and at the age of sixteen began for himself. At the
age of twenty-two he married Miss Melvina, daughter of James and Eliza-
beth Morris, who were formerly from Washington County, Ind., where Mrs.
Souders was born. To Mr. Souders and wife were born six children, viz.:
Alice E., Mary C., Emily J., Charles E., Cora E. and Francis M. Mr.
Souders has lived on his present farm of 114 acres, situated four miles
northwest of Oak Hill, on Big Bourbois Creek, since his marriage, and
can testify with pride to the fact that the most of his property was
obtained by his own individual efforts. He is a farmer and thresher by
occupation, and owned the first steam thresher in the vicinity. He
threshed 30,000 bushels one season. He is a Republican in his politi-
cal views, and his first presidential vote was for U. S. Grant.
Hamilton Souders, farmer and blacksmith of Brush Creek Township, was
born in Washington County, Ind., in 1828, and is the eldest of a family
of seven children born to Benjamin and Nancy (Teauge) Souders, natives
of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. When young both moved
northward with their parents to Indiana, where in a few years they were
married and spent the remainder of their days in Washington County. The
father was a farmer and died in 1851. His father, Frederick Souders,
was a native of Virginia, was of German descent, and died in Indiana.
The mother of Hamilton Souders died in 1852. Hamilton received but
little education, was reared on the farm and was married in 1854 to
Miss Lydia Ann, daughter of Andrew Naggle, a native of Washington Cou-
nty, Ind. Seven children were born to this union, six now living:
Andrew B. (who is living on the old farm), George Henry, Joseph Levi,
Mary E. (Mrs. Isham Holliday), Caroline (deceased), Nancy J. (Mrs.
William Vincen) and Marion H. The same year of his marriage Mr. Sou-
ders came to Gasconade County, moved on his farm, only two acres of
which had been cleared, and in a part of the house he now occupies.
Mr. Souders now has over 300 acres, 100 of which are improved, and the
most of which was obtained by his own efforts. It is one of the best
farms in the county. Mr. Souders is a Republican politically, and is a
member of the Baptist Church. His wife died February, 1885. She was
also a member of the Baptist Church.
Charles F. Spery, proprietor of the Hermann Machine Works, was born in
Germany, July 17, 1858. His father, Joseph Spery, of St. Louis, came
to the United States from Germany in 1844, and was back to his birth-
place several different times. It was while he and wife were on one of
these visits that Charles was born. The father lived in Philadelphia,
Penn., twelve years, working at his trade of watch-case maker. In 1864
he settled on a farm near Hermann, where Charles was reared and educa-
ted. The father is now living in St. Louis. Our subject followed
farming. In his twentieth year he built a small steam yacht of his own
without experience or assistance, which proved so successful that he
obtained a position as pilot and engineer on the river. In his twenty-
fifth year he went into the sawmill and lumber business, on the Gascon-
ade River, but soon after failing health caused him to sell his boat
and sawmill. He then went to Philadelphia, to learn the machinist
trade, where his parents then lived. In March, 1885 he established the
machine shop business. He repairs machinery of all kinds, and is also
engaged in manufacturing. April 18, 1888 he added to his business a
foundry for all kinds of castings. March 3, 1882 he married Miss Mat-
ilda Metzler, who bore him one child, now deceased. Mrs. Spery was the
daughter of Ferdinand Metzler. She died September 9, 1884. In 1887,
May 10, Mr. Spery married Miss Rosa Kraemer, daughter of Frederich
Kraemer, of Chamois, Osage County, Mo. She was born in Hermann. Mr.
Spery is a Knight of Labor, a member of the fire company, and also a
member of the Lutheran Church.
William H. Spery, a successful farmer of Roark Township, is the son of
Joseph and Caroline (Stedley) Spery, natives of Baden, Germany. The
former was born in 1824, and the latter in 1828. They immigrated to
America, and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1851 and February 1,
1864, located in Gasconade County, Mo., becoming successful farmers and
wine growers, on the farm now owned by their son, William. The latter
was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1861, and when about three years of
age was brought to this county by his parents, reared on the farm where
he now resides, and secured a fair education in the common schools. At
the age of twenty he went to Philadelphia, where he ran a saloon for
two years. He then returned to this county, and in 1886 married Miss
Louise Birkel, who was born on Wohlt's Island, about three miles above
Hermann, in 1866, and who is the daughter of Frank Birkel. One child
is the result of this union. After marriage, Mr. Spery settled on his
present place of location, and here has a fine farm of 169 acres, seven
of which are in grapes. Mr. Spery is a Republican in politics, and he
and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He is a wide-awake
young man and a good farmer.
August Spohrer was born in Richland Township, Gasconade County, Mo., in
1852, and is the youngest child born to Frank and Katharine (Fischer)
Spohrer, natives of Baden, Germany. They came to Gasconade County in
1852, and settled on Gasconade River, Richland Township, where the
father died in 1865, and the mother previous to this, in 1855. The
father followed agricultural pursuits, and was an excellent farmer.
August remained with his father until his death, after which he lived
with his brother. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood a
short time, and at St. Louis six months. He worked on a farm near Des
Moines, Iowa, in 1872 and in 1873 moved to Leavenworth, Kas., on a
stock farm. January 22, 1875 he married Cordelia, daughter of Eli and
Detitia Dennis, formerly of Tennessee, where Mrs. Spohrer was born in
1855, in Grainger County. They came to Gasconade and Osage Counties in
1858. Six children were born to Mr. Spohrer's marriage, four of whom
are living: Dora, Mary, William and Oscar. Mr. Spohrer has since lived
on his farm sixteen miles west of Hermann, on Gasconade River, which
consists of 140 acres of valuable land. He is an excellent farmer and
stock raiser, and makes a specialty of breeding thoroughbred, short
horned cattle, and Poland-China and Berkshire hogs. He is a Republican
in politics, his first vote being for Hayes in 1876. He is a member of
the A. O. U. W. His brother, William Albert Spohrer, who died March
28, 1881, was a single man. He served three years in the Union army,
in Company C, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, first under Gen. Fremont, and
operated in Tennessee, Alabama, etc., and was mounted orderly when dis-
charged. Only three children, two sons and one daughter, of his
father's family are now living, and all in Richland Township; the
daughter, Mrs. Louisa Bohl, the sons, Louis and August Spohrer.
Dr. G. A. Spreckelmeyer, present county coroner, and one of the success-
ful practitioners in the community, is a native of Franklin County, Mo.,
born February 10, 1857. His parents, Dr. F. and Charlotta (Miller)
Spreckelmeyer, were of German nativity. The former immigrated to Amer-
ica in 1835, locating at Dundee, Franklin Co., Mo., where he practiced
his profession for a long time, next moving to within three miles of
Berger, his present place of residence. He was born September 1, 1812
and his wife's birth occurred in 1835; she followed her husband to
America in 1849. The subject of this sketch was brought up to an agri-
cultural experience until his fifteenth year, then entering upon a
course at Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., where he remained for
two years. Following this he was engaged in teaching school two years,
and upon commencing his professional study entered the Missouri Medical
College of St. Louis, in 1876, from which institution he was graduated
after a thorough course, March 5, 1879. Soon after he chose a location
at Lange's Store, three miles south of Morrison, where he has continued
to enjoy a lucrative practice until the present time. His time is also
taken up largely in the work attendant upon the duties of coroner. Dr.
Spreckelmeyer was married, in 1874, to Mary E. Lange, whose birth occ-
ured at Fort Madison, Iowa, December 8, 1854. To this union a son and
daughter have been born.
George Starck was born in Rhine Hessen, Germany, October 1, 1845, the
son of Louis Starck, a native of the same place. George Starck came to
the United States in 1866, and made his home in New York City for about
six months. In the spring of 1867 he came to Hermann, Mo., where he
has since resided, and been engaged in the wine business. April 2,
1872 he was united in marriage to Laura Feldmann, daughter of Dr. John
Feldmann, of Hermann. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of four
children: Ottmar, Laura, Olinda and Louis. Mr. Starck erected a fine
brick residence in 1885. It is very conveniently arranged, and is the
most expensive private residence in the county, being 42 x 50 feet, two
stories high, with a handsome French roof. The kitchen is 15 x 20 feet
and is a model of convenience. The house is heated by steam, and ligh-
ted by gas, which is manufactured on the premises. Mr. Starck is one
of the proprietors of the Stone Hill Wine Company, in Gasconade County.
D. F. Stoenner, justice of the peace and farmer of Boulware Township,
and native of the same, was born in 1848, the third of six children of
Caspar H. and Katie (Schliencamp) Stoenner, who were natives of Han-
over, Germany. The father was born about 1813, and in 1842 left the
old country and came to St. Louis, Mo., and in January, 1843, came to
Gasconade County. Here he afterward made his home, and became one of
the esteemed citizens of the county. He died in March, 1884, and his
wife in 1862. Both were members of the Evangelical Church. Of their
five children who are living, one daughter resides in St. Louis, and
the rest of the family in Gasconade County. D. F. Stoenner was educa-
ted in both English and German, and in 1873 was married to Sophia,
daughter of Kasten and Rebecca Buschmann. Mrs. Stoenner was born in
Gasconade County, and became the mother of four children, two of whom
are living: Henry and Ella. Mr. Stoenner has always lived on the old
home farm, where he owns 173 acres of well improved land. Since 1886
he has been justice of the peace, and for thirteen years he has been
district clerk and director. He is a Republican in politics, and
cast his first presidential vote for Grant. He and wife are members
of the Evangelical Church. Mrs. Stoenner's father was born in Bruns-
wick, Germany, in 1820, and in the winter of 1836 came with his parents
Henry and Margaret (Kasten) Buschmann, to St. Louis, Mo., and about two
years later to Gasconade County, where the father died in 1841, and the
mother in 1878. Kasten Buschmann was married in St. Louis, and since
1851 has resided in Gasconade County. He is one of its wealthy citi-
zens, and from 1860 to 1864 was sheriff and collector of the county.
Since 1865 he has been notary public, and is now postmaster of Bay
Postoffice. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
Henry W. Stoenner, dealer in general merchandise and standard farm
machinery, carrying a stock of goods to the value of $7,000 annual
sales about $15,000 or $16,000 has been engaged in the business since
1878, at Bay Postoffice, and is one of the county's leading business
men. He is assistant postmaster in the Bay Postoffice. He was born
near Bay, in 1854, and is the son of Casper H. and Mary (Schlienkamp)
Stoenner, formerly of Germany, where they were married. They came to
the United States in 1840, settled in Gasconade County, being among
the first German settlers on Punching Camp Creek, and at a time when
there were only a few houses in Hermann. Here the mother died in
1862, and the father in 1883. He was a farmer, and both were members
of the Evangelical Church. Henry W. received his education in both
the English and German languages, and at the age of seventeen began
for himself as clerk at Drake, where he remained one year. After
that he was in Osage County two years, then in Hermann for the same
length of time, and was in the State of Kansas for three years, en-
gaged in the grain business. He then commenced his present business,
which he has continued successfully ever since. In 1877 he married
Miss Dora M., daughter of Kasten Buschmann, who is postmaster at Bay,
and who is one of the first German settlers of Gasconade County. To
this union three children were born, only one living: Annie R. Mr.
Stoenner is a Democrat in politics, casting his first vote for S. J.
Tilden, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
August Toedtmann, magistrate of richland Township, was born in Lippe-
Detmold, Germany, in 1840, being the son of Goettlieb and Mina (Siker)
Toedtmann, both natives of the same place as August. Having lived in
their native country until 1848, they came to New Orleans and on to
this county, where they settled on the Gasconade River. The father
lived to be about sixty-six years of age, and the mother is still liv-
ing. Grandfather Toedtmann was a soldier against Napoleon I, and the
father of the subject of this sketch was exempt from military duty,
being the only son. By trade he was a carpenter, and in connection
carried on farming. He was a Democrat in politics. Of their family
of six children, four sons and two daughters, August was the youngest.
He received a limited education and in 1861 enlisted in the Home
Guards, and after serving three months, volunteered, for three years,
in Company B, of the Fourth Missouri Infantry, United States Army. By
special order they were discharged in 1863 at Benton Barracks. Since
then he has farmed in this county. In 1863 he married Catherine Goetz
a native of this county, and to this union were born six children,
three sons and three daughters. He is a Democrat in politics, is a
member of the G. A. R., Masonic fraternity, A. O. U. W., and in 1886
he was chosen justice of the peace of Richland Township. He is a
member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife a member of the Evan-
gelical Church. For forty years he has been a resident of this county
and two of his daughters are married and settled in this county.
Judge William Toedtmann, another successful farmer and stock raiser of
Richland Township, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1831, and is
the third of seven children born to Gottlieb and Mary (Siker) Toedt-
mann, who came to the United States about 1843, settling in Boulware
Township, where the father took up a claim on Gasconade River, but one
year later moved back in the valley, where he improved a good farm. He
was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and died in 1869, at the age
of sixty-eight. The mother is still living on the old farm, and is
about seventy-eight years old. William attended school in his native
country until he came to the United States, when he attended the Eng-
lish schools for about four months. He assisted in improving the farm
until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-first Miss-
ouri Volunteer Infantry, served in Fifteenth Army Corps, operated in
Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and South
Carolina, was in fourteen engagements, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post,
through the Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge,
Ringgold's Point, Resaca, and through the Georgia and Atlanta campaigns
without being wounded or captured. He was mustered out of service at
Nashville, Tenn., about May, 1865. He enlisted first as a private, but
was immediately made corporal, and afterward sergeant. He then return-
ed home, purchased his present farm of 160 acres, situated fifteen
miles west of Hermann, and in 1867 married Miss Katie, daughter of
George Meyer, a native of Pennsylvania, but one of the first settlers
of Gasconade County, where Mrs. Toedtmann was born. She died in 1868,
and in 1870 our subject took for his second wife Miss Louisa Meyer, a
native of Gasconade County, and the daughter of William Meyer. Of the
nine children born to Judge Toedtmann and wife, only three are now
living: Charlie, Lizzie and Hulda. Judge Toedtmann is extensively en-
gaged in the breeding of short horn cattle and Berkshire and Suffolk
hogs. The Judge is a prominent man in the county. In 1878 he was
elected county judge for the Ninth District, re-elected in 1880, and
served four years with satisfaction. He was formerly a member of the
school board, and is a public spirited man. He was formerly a Republi-
can in his political views, and his first presidential vote was for
J. C. Fremont, in 1856. He is now a Democrat and a member of the Re-
formed Church.
August Wacker, farmer and stock raiser of Canaan Township, was born in
Prussia, in 1828, the eldest of four children born to Hermann and Wil-
helmina (Ramhorst) Wacker, who died in the old country. The father was
a farmer, and was three years in the regular army; he was born in 1801,
and died in 1872. The mother was born in 1799, and died about 1876.
August Wacker attended the common schools until fourteen years of age,
when he began working for farmers. He came to the United States in
1856, and was the only member of the family who left their native land.
He was married in 1857 to Charlotta Pauge, a native of Hanover, Germany
who, with another sister, came to Missouri to meet their elder sister.
Her parents died in Germany. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Wacker: Henry, William, Charlotta (Mrs. T. J. McMillan), Emma, August
and Anna. Since his marriage Mr. Wacker has lived in Canaan Township,
and for about nineteen years on his present farm. He is one of the
most extensive land owners and stock raisers of Gasconade County. He
has about 540 acres after giving his children about 500 acres. He
started with little or nothing, cleared about six acres upon which he
settled in a log cabin. He now has one of the best farms in Gasconade
County. During the war he was in Company H of the Third, or Col. Matt-
hews' regiment of the Missouri Militia. He has taken a great deal of
pains in the education of his children, having them taught both the
German and English languages. His daughter Charlotta is a teacher. Mr.
Wacker is a Republican in his political views, his first presidential
vote being for Lincoln. He is a member of the Evangelical Church.
Anton Walker, Sr., is the son of Kasper and Barbara (Baumann) Walker,
both natives of Switzerland. He remained a bachelor until forty years
of age, when he married and reared a family of eight children, five
sons and three daughters. He was a farmer by occupation, and both
lived all their lives in their native land. He was one of the Swiss
soldiers who impeded Napoleon on his Itailian campaign. He lived to
be seventy-nine and she sixty-one years of age; of their children
three sons came to America. Anton was born in Switzerland in 1821.
On reaching manhood he went to Paris, France, and for about five years
worked as a dairyman. In 1847 he came to America, and after running
on the Mississippi River a short time came to this county in 1848.
From 1850 to 1855 he made three trips to California to mine gold, and
while upon one of the return trips the ship ran upon a rock about 300
miles south of San Francisco. On board were about 800 passengers, and
all would undoubtedly have perished for food and water had not a ship
passed by and picked them up. For seven days they hung on the rock,
and the last two or three days their fare was limited to one potato a
day. In 1856 Mr. Walker married Miss Matilda Gulden, a native of New
Jersey, born in 1837, and the daughter of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina S.
(Trautwein) Gulden, who came from Bavaria, Germany in 1833; her father
died and Mrs. Gulden married Daniel F. Byersdorf. Ten children were
the result of Mr. Walker's marriage, five sons and five daughters.
During the war he was in the militia; he votes for the man in all pol-
itical matters. He owns 365 acres in this and Osage Counties, and as
a farmer has been quite successful.
Robert Walker, prosecuting attorney of Gasconade County, and one of its
leading young attorneys, was born near Hermann, Mo., October 15, 1858.
His father, whose birth occurred in Switzerland November 19, 1821, left
there at the age of nineteen, and after living at Paris, France several
years, came to America in 1848; the gold excitement then revalent indu-
ced him to visit California, and in all he made three trips there, pur-
chasing cattle in Missouri and driving them across the plains, where
they were sold at a good profit; he also engaged to some extent in dig-
ging gold. In the spring of 1856 he purchased a farm in the northern
part of Gasconade County, on which he settled and where he still lives.
In the spring of 1856, Miss Mattie Gulden became his wife; she was born
in New Jersey, August 9, 1837, and when a child accompanied her parents
to near Hermann, where she was reared. The subject of this sketch
spent his boyhood and early manhood almost entirely on the farm, and
during his younger years attended the public schools in the winter
seasons. When about twenty years old he entered Central Wesleyan Coll-
ege, at Warrenton, attended one year, and then taught school for four
winters in the country, working on the farm during vacation. In the
fall of 1884 he became a student of law at the Missouri State Univer-
sity, graduating in the spring of 1886. In the following fall he
became a candidate for prosecuting attorney, and as an independent was
elected, after which he removed to Hermann, and began the practice of
his profession in connection with his official position.
Christopher Weber was born in 1839 in Gasconade County, Mo., and is the
son of Sylvester and Veronica (Hubeli) Weber. The father was born in
Saxony in 1801, and the mother in Switzerland in 1811. While growing
up, the father learned the carriage makers trade, at which he worked
until he came to this country in 1832. He then worked for several
years in the car shops at Philadelphia, Penn. The mother came to Amer-
ica when only eleven years of age, and was married to Mr. Weber in
Philadelphia. They came to Gasconade County in 1837, and entered the
land where Christopher now resides, being among the very early settlers
and here they passed the remainder of their days. He died in 1860 and
she in 1873; he was a Democrat in politics. Of their family of eleven
children only two are now living, our subject and a sister. The former
was reared on a farm, and during the war served in Company F, Fourth
Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served about fifteen months. After
the war he returned to the farm. In 1865 he married Miss Ida Naegelin;
a native of Gasconade County, born in 1847, and the daughter of George
Naegelin; nine children were the result of this union, four sons and
five daughters; two of the daughters died. Mr. Weber has a farm of
152 acres on which is one of the finest stone houses in the country,
besides good out buildings; he has about three acres in grapes. He is
a Republican in politics, and is a good farmer.
Christ Wehmeyer, an enterprising stock dealer of Morrison, Mo., was
born in Prismende, Germany, August 23, 1843, and is the son of Fred-
erick and Catherine Wehmeyer, themselves natives of the same country,
who immigrated to the United States, and located in Warren County, Mo.,
when Christ was quite a young boy. While in Germany, the father was a
tailor, but after coming to this country his attention was turned to
farming, his home continuing to be in Warren County until his death in
1861, at the age of fifty-eight; she was of the same age at the time of
her death, four years later. Christ and a brother, John C., at present
a resident of Gasconade County, are the only children living of the
original family of six. In 1863 he removed from Warren to Franklin
County, and thence to Osage County in 1866, where he lived until 1882
with the exception of the years 1872 and 1873, when he was engaged in
stock dealing in Washington, Franklin County. Since the date mentioned
he has made his home in Morrison, and from a small start has come to be
a prominent stock man of the county, shipping annually from $20,000 to
$25,000. During the late war he served eight months in Company H,
Twenty-third Missouri (United States service), but owing to ill health
was discharged. March 11, 1865, Mr. Wehmeyer was married to Miss Mary
Rusch, a native of Switzerland, daughter of Jacob Rusch. This union
has been blessed with five children, two of whom survive: Bertha and
Martha. Anna, Henry and an infant are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wehmeyer
are members of the Methodist Church, and the former is much interested
in Sunday School work, having served as superintendent several years.
Politically, he is a Republican.
Chrisostomus Will, another early settler of Gasconade County, was born
in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1819, and is the son of Peter and Gertrude
(Herbst) Will. The father was also born in Hesse Cassel in 1776, and
the mother, who was nine years younger than her husband, was born in
Bavaria. The father was a farmer and was for twenty-one years burgo-
master of his village. He and wife spent their entire lives in Hesse
Cassel, and both lived to be sixty-two years of age. Eleven children
were born to their marriage, five sons and six daughters, of whom only
two came to America: Magnus, who came in 1838 to Cincinnati, Ohio, was
here married and worked at the stone mason's trade until 1842, when he
came to Hermann. He died in 1888, leaving a widow and twelve children.
Chrisostomus remained in the land of his birth until 1848, when he
joined his brother in Hermann. In 1850 he took for his wife Otilia
Fritz, a native of Alsace, born in 1831, and who lived but five years
after marriage, leaving three children, two sons and a daughter. In
1856 Mr. Will married Mrs. Marianna Stolle, nee Mueller. She was born
in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1830, and to her marriage to Mr. Will became
the mother of ten children, three of whom are living, one son and two
daughters. Mr. Will and wife are members of the Catholic Church, as
was also his first wife. He served in the militia during the war, and
is a Democrat in his political views. He has lived on his present farm
which consists of ninety acres of good land, for twenty-nine years, and
is a member of the St. Joseph's Association of youths and men.
J. P. Wiseman, an enterprising farmer of Canaan Township, was born in
Bourbis Township, in 1841, and is the youngest of six children born to
Jonathan and Eleanor (Fitzgerald) Wiseman. The father was, perhaps,
born in Virginia, and the mother in Kentucky, in 1811. The latter
went with her parents to St. Louis County, was married there, and a
few years later she and husband moved to Gasconade County. The mother
died when the subject of this sketch was eleven days old, and the
father died on the Mississippi River when he was sixteen years old.
Young Wiseman was reared by his uncle, Fieldon Phelps, of St. Louis
County, but who afterward removed to Franklin County, and when Josephus
was about six years old removed to Canaan Township, where the latter
received a very limited education. During Price's raid through South-
eastern Missouri he was captured in Franklin County, and imprisoned at
Rock Island, Ill., over four months. After the war he remained with
his uncle until 1872, when he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Rev.
William and Virginia Bridges, natives of Virginia, who came with their
parents to St. Louis County, but afterward went to Franklin County,
where they were married, and where they still live. Mr. Bridges has
been a Baptist minister for nearly thirty years. To Mr. Wiseman and
wife were born five children, viz.: F. William, Fannie L., Tallitha V.,
Leslie P. and Hattie O. Since his marriage Mr. Wiseman has lived on
his farm four miles northeast of Owensville; 118 acres in the home
place and eighty and forty in other tracts. He is a Democrat in poli-
tics, and cast his first presidential vote for Seymour in 1868. He is
a member of the Masonic fraternity of Cedar Lodge, No. 37, at Owens-
ville, and of Owensville Lodge, No. 378, A. O. U. W.
August Wohlt, of the Hermann Ferry and Packet Company, at Hermann, was
born in Gasconade County, Mo., August 3, 1853, and is the son of Henry
Wohlt, of this county. August received a fair education in the common
schools, and came to Hermann in 1875, where he has been engaged in his
present business. Prior to this, however, they built a boat, and now
own and run the ferry (steam). They built the "Royal" in 1884, a small
steam packet, with which they do a general coasting business on the
Missouri and Gasconade Rivers, and are doing well. May 12, 1878, he
chose for his companion through life Miss Caroline Spery, daughter of
Joseph Spery, of St. Louis, and the result of this union was the birth
of two children, both deceased. He never aspires to official positions
and is a hard working, industrious citizen. He is a member of the
Hermann Fire Company, and the Triple Alliance, with headquarters at
Troy, Mo.
Gustave Wohlt, of the Hermann Ferry Company, was born in Gasconade
County, Mo., May 31, 1862 and is a son of Henry Wohlt, of Graf's
Island, one and a half miles above Hermann. Gustave Wohlt was educa-
ted in the common schools of Hermann, and May 6, 1885 was united in
marriage to Miss Julia Heckmann, who is a daughter of Henry L. Heck-
mann, of Hermann, Mo. Mrs. Wohlt was born in Hermann, Gasconade Co.,
Mo., during the war, August 8, 1864. They had one daughter, Olivia,
born April 15, 1886, and died April 25, 1886; and one son, Gilbert,
(living), born August 27, 1887. Mr. Wohlt engaged in his present
business in 1883, the firm then consisting of two persons, Gustave
and August Wohlt, brothers. The present firm consists of three
persons, Gustave Wohlt, August Wohlt and William L. Heckmann. The
subject of this sketch is a worthy young citizen of the county, and
a member of the K. of P.