Biographies of Benton County Citizens

From Goodspeed's 1889 History

 

*Disclaimer*  I think these biographies are a great resource, but they aren't always 
100% factual.  I would use them as a resource, then work toward documenting what 
you find listed in the bio, because these weren't exactly written by the people them-
selves.  But they are great sources of information, and many contain two or three or 
more generations of the family.  Good luck!

Biographies  D - G
Biographies  H - M
Biographies  N - Z



John R. Hackler, another prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Alexander
Township, and one of the enterprising citizens of Benton County, Mo., was
born in Graham County, Va., in May, 1846, and is the son of Philipp and
Polly (Phipps) Hackler, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer
by occupation, and resided in Grayson County until his death. John R.
Hackler grew to the age of nineteen in his native county, and received
fair educational advantages. He came West in 1865, was in Kansas for about
ten months, and then went to Washington Territory, where he freighted for
about one year. From there he went to Nevada and Idaho, Utah and Arizona,
and freighted through these Territories. He then spent about two years in
Arizona, engaged in mining, and then followed the same occupation in
Nevada and Utah. He returned to the States in 1876, locating in Benton
County, Mo., where he purchased his present farm, and where he has since
resided. He has a tract of about 400 acres, with 250 under cultivation,
all bottom lands. He has good buildings, and is prosperous and happy. He
was married in Benton, December 26, 1878, to Miss Nannie Bailey, a native
of Benton County, where she was reared and educated, and the daughter of
E. K. Bailey, one of the old pioneers from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Hackler
are the parents of two children: Mabel and Edgar. They are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hackler is a member of the school board,
and is active in advancing the educational interests of his district.

Judge George A. Hart was born in Coffee County, Tenn., February 7, 1840,
and is the son of James and Mary (Harthlock) Hart, natives of North
Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father was a farmer by
occupation, and died in Hickory County, Mo., in 1862, at the age of
sixty-three years. He was a captain in the State Militia. The mother is
still living, and makes her home in Hickory County, Mo. Judge George A.
Hart emigrated to Hickory County, Mo., with his parents in 1859, but
previous to this, in the same year, he was united in marriage to Miss
Drusilla Robinson, a native of Tennessee. The fruits of this union were
eight children: John, a farmer of Union Township, Benton County; George
S., also a farmer of Benton County; James, at home; Mary E., wife of Mr.
Jordan, of Union Township; Martha J., wife of Thomas Dienon; Sherman, at
home; Ida, at home, and Hastain. After his marriage Judge Hart settled in
Hickory County, where he passed the winter of 1859-60. He then moved to
Fairfield, Benton County, and there remained until 1862, when he again
moved to Hickory County. Here he resided until 1868. Previous to this, in
1862, he enlisted in the cause of the Union in the Eighth Missouri State
Militia, and served until July 17, 1865, as a private, participating in
many battles. After the war he returned to Hickory County, and, as before
mentioned, remained there until 1868, when he moved to Benton County, and
settled in Union Township, where he has remained ever since. He now owns
520 acres of land. He has held the office of justice of the peace for
eight years, and in 1880 was elected as one of the county judges, which
position he still holds. In 1882 he was elected presiding judge, and
re-elected to the same position in 1886. Politically he is a Republican,
and his first presidential vote was for Lincoln. He is a member of the G.
A . R., is a prominent man in politics and all matters pertaining to the
good of the county. He started a general store at Hastain, and in 1884
established a saw and grist-mill.

Charles Harvey was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and moved to Indiana,
when thirteen years of age, with his father, Manliff Harvey. In 1854 they
moved from that State to Illinois, and from there to Missouri in 1865,
locating within two miles of where Lincoln now stands. The winter after
his arrival a building was put up on the ground now occupied by the store
of Scheetmann & Co. A postoffice was started in 1866 by a Mr. Lowman, and
called Lincoln postoffice. At the time Mr. Harvey moved to this State a
number of other families came with him, also several young men, and while
making the journey it was necessary at times to station guards during the
night, as the guerrillas were then very much feared throughout Missouri.
Mr. Harvey is now the owner of 460 acres of land, and has a fine residence
in the village of Lincoln. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily
Yancy, daughter of Joel Yancy, of Benton County, formerly of Kentucky, and
two children, both daughters, Ida D. and Maggie, were the result of this
union. Miss Ida will graduate at Baird Female College, at Clinton, Mo.,
next year. She is a graduate of Appleton City High-school under Prof.
Perky, of that place.. July 15, 1862, Mr. Harvey enlisted at Fairmount,
Vermilion County, in Company E, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and was
at the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga,
Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca and Dareville. On the 17th day
of May, 1864, he was wounded in the right hand by a minie-ball,
necessitating amputation of two of his fingers, one being taken out by the
roots, as gangrene had set in. After this time he was never in active
service again, but was on duty at the front until the close of the war.

H. D. Heimsoth was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, September 24,
1829, and is a son of Herman Henry and Anne Catherine (Bozkelman)
Heimsoth, all of whom came to the United States in 1844. To the parents
were born seven children: Herman Henry, Catherine, Herman D.; Anna, who
died in 1855 in Chicago; Frederick, who died January 12, 1889, and left a
wife and ten children, one of whom is dead; Martha, the deceased wife of
Peter E. Holtzen, left two children; and Henry, who is married and has
seven children. After landing in the United States the family first came
from New Orleans to St. Louis, from which place they moved to Boonville,
where the father entered and improved a farm of 120 acres. This farm he
sold, however, and purchased eighty acres, which he increased to several
hundred acres, and, in time, divided it among his children. H. D.
Heimsoth, whose name heads this sketch, went to Boonville in the spring of
1845, and for one year clerked in the store of Wilson & Brown, after which
he went to St. Louis, and was in the employ of a cigar merchant for eight
years. He then returned to Benton County, Mo., and was married the same
year (1853) to Miss Charlotte Maria Dierking, by whom he became the father
of ten children, five of whom are living: John D., born July 18, 1859;
Louis E., born July 22, 1863; Katie, born February 8, 1866; Edward T.,
born October 9, 1870; and Emma Charlotte, born September 20, 1873 Those
deceased are: Herman Henry, who was born July 15, 1854, and died March 9,
1855; Henry, born December 31, 1861, and died January 15, 1862; Louisa,
born July 29, 1868, and died July 2, 1876; William Herman, born January
25, 1856, and died November 22, 1878; and Theresa Matilda, born November
30, 1875, and died October 9, 1878. Mr. Heimsoth lives on his valuable
farm of 320 acres, on which he has resided since 1855, and is extensively
engaged in farming and stock-raising. During the sessions of 1873 and 1874
he served in the State Legislature from Benton County, and from 1877 to
1881 served as county judge. He was a Republican in politics for some
time, but now supports the principles of the Democratic party. He and wife
belong to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Rev. William Heyne, pastor of the Lutheran Church at Lake Creek, Mo., was
born in Apolda, Saxony, Germany, June 5, 1860, and is the youngest of five
children born to the marriage of Louis Heyne and Eberhardine Koppisch, who
were also native Germans. He was educated in his native land, his studies
being pursued in the institution of Pastor Fred Brunn at Steeden, Hessen,
Nassau. In 1875 he immigrated to the United States, and entered Concordia
College at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained a student until 1879. He
then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was in a prominent educational
institution of that city for three years longer. On the 17th of May, 1883,
he was united in marriage to Miss Hedwig Schaller, of St. Louis, by whom
he became the father of three children, two sons and one daughter: Ernest,
Edwin and Ada. He received his naturalization papers on the 15th of April,
1886, and in his political views has since been independent. The church of
which he is now pastor was established in 1842, and he entered upon his
duties September 26, 1882, and has won the respect and esteem of his
congregation.

W. W. Hockman. Among all classes and in every calling in life may be found
those who excel in whatever they undertake, whether of a professional,
agricultural or commercial nature, and prominent among them stands the
name of Mr. Hockman, who is closely associated with the farming interests
of the county. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1834, and is the
son of Jacob D. and Angeline (Cummins) Hockman, natives of Woodstock, Va.,
and Preble County, Ohio, respectively. The father was of German descent,
and a cooper and farmer by occupation. He immigrated to Boone County,
Ind., in 1844, and was among the first settlers of that county. He located
at Thorntown, and there died in 1849. The mother was of Irish descent.
After the death of her husband she married John Hughs. She died in 1881.
W. W. Hockman was the third child born to his parents, and remained at
home and managed the farm until the death of his mother. In 1853, or when
nineteen years of age, he married Miss Jane Wallace, a native of Ohio and
the daughter of John Wallace. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Hockman moved to
Northwestern Iowa, where they. resided two years, and then returned to
Indiana, and settled in Clinton County, where they remained until 1862. In
August of that year Mr. Hockman enlisted in the One Hundredth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, serving as orderly-sergeant of Company I until 1863,
or up to the surrender of Vicksburg, when he received a sunstroke, which
disabled him from service for some time. He then returned home, remaining
there four months, when his health improved, and he again enlisted, in the
Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and participated. in
the Hood and Thomas campaign. He was in the battles of Pulaski, Franklin,
Columbus and Nashville, being in the various charges of the last-named,
place. He was discharged at Victoria, Tex., in September, 1865, and then
returned to Indiana. Later he sold out and moved to Ford County, Ill.,
where he remained four months, and then moved to Dade County, Mo. After a
residence there of five years he moved to Fort Smith, Ark., where he lived
two years, and then moved to Pettis County, Mo., where he also remained
two years. He then came to Benton County, where he has resided ever since.
He is the owner of 400 acres of land in Benton County and a tract of land
in Camden County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hockman were born eight children:
Angeline (deceased, wife of William Jones; she died in 1881, leaving two
sons), Theodore, a farmer and carpenter of Benton County, and a minister
in the Methodist Protestant Church; Margaret, wife of E. Gibbs, of Texas
County; Samantha, wife of Cyrus Newman, of Camden, lumberman at Climax;
Minnie, at home; Amy, now attending school at Frankfort College, Indiana;
Myrtie, at home, and Morton. Mr. Hockman is a member of the A. F. & A. M.,
also a member of the G. A. R., and is one of the prominent and much
esteemed citizens of the county. He takes an active interest in politics,
and is president of the Republican club; is a great reader, and is well
posted on all subjects. He is one of the most enterprising men of the
county; has spent much time and money in inducing immigration, making two
trips East for that purpose.

Judge Peter Holsten, one of the representative citizens, and a successful
farmer and stock-raiser of Williams Township, was born in Hanover,
Germany, November 28, 1838, and is the son of Peter and Rebecca (Kley)
Holsten, both natives of Hanover. The family immigrated to the United
States in the fall of 1850, made a settlement in Morgan County, purchased
a farm and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years.
Mrs. Holsten died in that county in 1863, and Mr. Holsten died in Benton
County about one year later. Peter Holsten, Jr., is the youngest of three
sons and four sisters, two brothers and one sister deceased. Another
sister is living in Morgan County, and there are two in Benton County.
Judge Holsten spent his boyhood days on the farm in Morgan County, and in
1861 enlisted in the Home Guards for about three months, and then enlisted
in the Second Missouri Infantry, Company H, and served until June, 1865,
when he received his discharge. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to
the rank of corporal and participated in the following battles: Pea Ridge,
Ark., Stone River or Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and was in the Atlanta
campaign. He was also in the Perryville, Ky., fight, and in the Franklin,
Tenn., battle. At the battle of Perryville he received a flesh wound in
the lower limb, and at the battle of Franklin he was taken prisoner, held
about five months in Alabama, and was not discharged until the close of
the war. He then returned to his home, and has since been engaged in
farming and stock-raising. He was married in Benton County, Mo., September
21, 1865, to Miss Margaret Tobaben, a native of Hanover, Germany, and the
daughter of Peter Tobaben, one of the early settlers of Benton County. To
Judge Holsten and wife have been born three children: William H., Anna R.
and Catherine J. Judge Holsten is a Republican in his political views, and
has ever supported the principles of that party. He was elected county
judge in the fall of 1880, at the expiration of his term was re-elected,
and still again re-elected, serving in all six consecutive years. He and
Mrs. Holsten are members of the German Lutheran Church. 

Dr. Henry H. Holtzen, a skillful and successful physician, and native of Benton County,
Mo., was born on the 17th of November, 1856, being a son of Peter E.
Holtzen, a native of Hanover, Germany. The latter was brought to America
by his parents when four or five years of age, and spent the remainder of
his days in the land of his adoption. He was married to Miss Metta
Heimsoth, by whom he had two sons: Henry H. and Ernest F. Henry H. was
reared on the farm on which his grandfather settled, and at an early day
began the study of medicine. During 1875 and 1876 he was a student at Ann
Arbor, Mich., and then entered the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis,
from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1877. He then came to
Benton County, Mo., and after residing at Cole Camp for a few months came
to his present location, where he commands the respect and esteem of all
who know him, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He has a
nice little place, consisting of sixteen and a half acres, on which are a
good house, barns and orchard. November 6, 1879, he was married to Miss
Adelheid Harms, by whom he has two children: Emil and Mabel. The Doctor
has always voted the Democratic ticket.

George W. Howery, now living on Section 25, Union Township, is one of the
old settlers of Benton County, Mo., having come here as early as 1848, and
was born in Virginia April 3, 1825. He is the son of Jacob and Polly
(Huff) Howery, and is the eighth in a family of twelve children, who are
named as follows: James (deceased); Samuel, now in Virginia; Jacob,
Eleanor (deceased), Maria (deceased); Daniel, now in Kansas; John B., in
Benton County; George W.; David, in Virginia; Lucinda (deceased); William
Lewis, now in Virginia, and Nancy, now in Ohio. George W. Howery left home
when but thirteen years of age, and went about sixty miles down the river
in Virginia, there remaining for one year. He then went to Scott County,
Va., remained about three years, and then moved to Missouri, in 1844,
locating in Cole County, where he operated a tan-yard, until he came to
Benton County, in 1848. Mr. Howery says he landed in Jefferson City with
just 25 cents in his pocket, and loaned that to a fellow to buy a gallon
of spiritus fermentare. He then hired out at 40 cents a day to cover corn,
and later made a contract with Hiram Messersmith to exhume an old tan-yard
that was buried up. He then went to work and tanned all the hides that Mr.
Messersmith could gather up, on shares. He remained there about four
years, and was there united in marriage to Miss Virginia Bell, April 11,
1847. She was a daughter of William and Nancy Bell, and a native of
Virginia, born April 12, 1827. Her father came to Missouri when she was in
her fourth year. She was one of twelve children born to her parents, viz.:
Betsy (deceased); Eleanor, now in Cole County; Gordon, now in the Choctaw
Nation; Virginia; Maria, now in Bates County, Mo.; Washington, now in
Benton County; J. M., now in Washington Territory; William (deceased);
Robert, now in Pulaski County; Payton J., now in Jasper County, Mo.:
Thomas B., now in Jasper County, Mo.; and Nancy M. (deceased). When Mr.
Howery first came to Benton County he settled on 160 acres of land, which
he has since increased to 200 acres--160 here, and 40 in timber. He
carries on general farming and stock-raising, having about 20 head of
cattle, 12 horses, and usually about 60 or 70 hogs. Mr. Howery is a
Democrat politically. By his marriage he became the father of eleven
children-William L., now in Saline County, Mo.; James H.; Eleanor, wife of
Charles Campbell, now living in Sedalia; Nancy M., wife of Jack Arnold,
now in Anthony, Kan.; Emma (deceased) was born February 18, 1856, and died
October 27, 1880; George W., now in Saline County, Mo.; Rose B., wife of
James Treadway, now living in Henry County; Louisa, at home; Thomas B., at
home; Anna, wife of George Hanam, now in Morgan County, Mo.; and Frances,
now teaching school, and makes her home with her parents. Mr. Howery is a
public-spirited, enterprising citizen, and is a liberal contributor to
church and school funds. September 14, 1863, he enlisted in Company K,
Eighth Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri State Militia, and was in service
until the close of the war. He was on the Shelby and also on the Price
raids.

John Jagels, residing in Williams Township, in the northeastern part of
Benton County, Mo., was born on the farm where he now lives March 8, 1854,
and is a son of Henry and Anne (Gruben) Jagels, who were born in Hanover,
Germany, and came to the United States in the year 183 . They reared a
large family of children, ten in all, seven of whom are living at the
present time. John Jagels was educated in the public schools, also
attending Broadway College at Sedalia, Mo., from which he graduated March
25, 1874. Since then, for fourteen years successively, he has been engaged
in teaching public school in Benton and Pettis Counties. He was married,
October 7, 1881, to Miss Anna Shroeder. Their union has resulted in the
birth of three children: Pauline Maggie, who was born July 6, 1882; Albert
Henry, born September 29, 1884; and Louis Herman, born July 21, 1888. Mr.
Jagels is now the owner of a good farm of 280 acres, 160 of which are in a
high state of cultivation and the rest in timber. His farm is always
supplied with running water, and his orchard is of sufficient size to keep
him well supplied with fruit. His residence and barns are commodious and
substantial buildings. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and is
the present clerk of his school dis- trict. He and wife are members of the
Lutheran Church.

Claus Junge deserves worthy mention as one of the prosperous merchants of
Cole Camp, Mo. He was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on the 19th
of March, 1847, his parents being G. H. and Mary (Viebroch) Junge, who
spent their lives in Hanover. Claus Junge remained in his native land
until eighteen years of age, receiving a good education in his native
language, and in 1864 immigrated to the United States, remaining two years
in New York City. In 1867 he immigrated to Missouri, and was engaged in
farming in Benton County for a few years, and since 1885 has been engaged
in merchandising. In 1888 he added hardware and farming implements to his
general stock of goods, and commands a large and paying trade in the town
and surrounding country. April 25, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss
Anna Tietgen, a native of Germany, reared in Benton County, Mo. Mr. Junge
and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected
citizens of the county.

Peter Kahl was born in Franklin County, Penn., in 1830, and moved to Ohio
in 1849, where he remained four years. He then moved to Iowa, living there
for six years, and then moved to Pettis County, Mo., where he remained
only a few months before he crossed the plains during the Pike's Peak
excitement in 1859, and afterward continued on to California the same
year, after prospecting in Colorado for several weeks. He joined a party
of about 100 individuals, went overland, and, although the Indians were
very bad, they reached the Pacific coast in safety. He resided in Merced
County, and worked on his brother's ranch until 1863, when he took passage
for home, coming by way of the Isthmus, and soon reached Mason County,
Ill. He was there married to Mrs. Hammil, daughter of George Spangenberg,
a native of Pennsylvania, and after living there for two years he and
family moved to Benton County, Mo., and in 1865 they settled on their
present property. He is the owner of 610 acres of as good land as is to be
found in Benton County, with a fine, large brick building and good
outhouses. Mr. and Mrs. Kahl are the parents of four living children, and
have two deceased: Katie died September 4, 1878, at the age of seventeen
years; Madie died in infancy; Amy M., John Wesley, William Edward and
Ethel Janette. Mr. Kahl is an Odd Fellow of long standing, and is a
Democrat in politics. Mrs. Kahl and two children, Wesley and Amy, are
members of the Baptist Church.

George Kieffer, lumber dealer at Cole Camp, Mo., was born on the 22d of
October, 1853, in Jefferson County, N. Y. [For parents' history see sketch
of Garrett Kieffer.] Since 1868 he as been a resident of Benton County,
Mo., and up to the age of twenty-seven years made his home with his
mother. He secured a good common-school education in his youthful days,
mostly by self application, and at the age of eighteen years be an
pedagoging in Morgan and Benton Counties, continuing this for several
years, and during the intervals between terms was engaged in tilling the
soil. In 1878 he located in Versailles, Morgan County, where he kept a
restaurant for four years, and then sold out and came to Cole Camp, where
he has since been engaged in the lumber business, his yard being the first
establishment at Cole Camp. He keeps a large stock of all kinds of
building material, and is ever ready to supply the demand of the public.
He is a member of the school board, and has always worked for the ad-
vancement of educational institutions in the county. November 2, 1881, he
was married in Benton County to Miss Cora Melvin, who was born in Ohio,
but was reared and educated in Benton County, Mo., her father being
Benjamin Melvin. Mr. and Mrs. Kieffer are the parents of three children:
Gertrude, Georgia and Charles. The mother is a member of the
Congregational Church.

Garrett Kieffer, merchant, and revenue collector of Benton County, Mo.,
was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in October, 1856. His father, Luther
Kieffer, was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States when a
lad of twelve years, coming with his parents, and was reared in the State
of New York. He was there married to Polly Rouse, a native of New York,
and soon after went to California, but returned home, and at the breaking
out of the Civil War enlisted in a New York regiment, being elected
captain of a company and afterward major, and served three year. He
afterward re-enlisted, raised a regiment, and served until he was killed.
Garrett Kieffer remained in his native State until he was twelve years
old, then moved to Missouri with his mother, and located at Cole Camp,
Benton County. Here he grew to manhood, receiving a good common-school
education. His early days were spent in farming, running a
thrashing-machine, and trading and dealing in horses, but in 1882 he en-
gaged in merchandising, forming a partnership with Mr. Mahnken, and has
since done a very successful business. He has always been identified with
the Republican party, and was elected on that ticket as collector of
Benton County at the general election in 1888, and still holds the office,
having carried his township almost unanimously, receiving 410 out of 520
votes. October 23, 1880, he was married in Cole Camp, to Miss Anna
Mahnken, a daughter of his business partner, and by her is the father of
three children: Amy, Sidney and Luther. Mrs. Kieffer is a member of the
German Lutheran Church.

John Koenke, a successful agriculturist of Williams Township, Benton
County, Mo., and an old settler of this county, having come here in 1854,
was born in Germany, April 17, 1850, and is the son of Henry and Anna
(Khute) Koenke. He is the eldest of five children, who are named as
follows: John; William, who is now living in Benton County; Henry, now in
Germany; Alice, now in Germany; and Anna (deceased). John Koenke left his
native country at the age of twenty-three, and August 15, 1853, took
passage for the United States from the port of Bremervorde. He landed at
New Orleans after a trip of seven weeks and five days, remained there a
short time, and then came by steamboat up the Mississippi River to St.
Louis, where he stopped during the winter of 1853-54. He then left St.
Louis and went to St. Paul, Minn., where he rafted logs down the river
that summer. In the fall he came to Benton County, Mo., where he entered
eighty acres of land, and there lived for some time. May 11, 1855, he
married Miss Alice Buckhols, and made his home with her father until 1862.
She was born in Germany, in September, 1835, and by her marriage became
the mother of seven children: Anna, wife of James Bockelman, now living in
Benton County; George, at home; Henry, now in Dakota; John, in Pettis
County; Herman, at home; Catherine, and William, who died July 4, 1875, at
the age of over one year. Mr. Koenke affiliates with the Republican party
in politics, and is a much esteemed citizen of Williams Township. He has
followed farming the principal part of his life, and in connection is also
engaged in raising stock. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church,
of which he has been trustee for five years.

Augustus Kreisel is a native of Benton County, Mo., was born January 29,
1867, and is the son of Eugene J. and Anna C. (Freund) Kreisel, and
grandson of Christopher Kreisel, a native of France, who settled in Benton
County in 1838, and was among the earliest settlers of the county. Eugene
J. Kreisel was also a native of France, and was but nine years of age when
he came with his father to Missouri. He was reared in Benton County, and
there married Miss Freund, who was of French and German parentage. He was
a miller by trade, and built two mills in the county with the assistance
of his father. This business he has followed nearly his whole life. He
served a short time in the Home Guards during the late unpleasantness
between the North and South, and was postmaster for a brief period at his
mill. He died November 19, 1887. He was a member of the Masonic order. His
wife survives him. In their family are five sons and one daughter, all
grown, married and the heads of families with the exception of Augustus
Kreisel, who is the youngest of the family. All are living in Benton
County. Augustus Kreisel attained his growth in this county, and received
a good education in the common schools of the community. He then began
clerking at Sedalia, in 1885, with C. E. Ilgenfritz in the hardware
business, and remained in that capacity for a year and a half, when he
returned home and took a winter term of school. The following summer was
spent on a farm adjoining Cole Camp, and in the fall and winter he taught
a short term of school held in the same house where was had his first
school experience. When the session closed he resumed clerking, and
entered the general merchandise store of L. Schroeder, at Cole Camp, in
1888, and there he has since remained. He is a wide-awake, thorough-going
young man, and his prospects are bright. The family are members of the
German Lutheran Church.

Judge Fred A. Kullmann was born in Prussia, May 28, 1842. He emigrated
with his parents and two younger brothers to the States about 1853, and
located in Benton County, Mo., about 1857, in the neighborhood where the
Judge now resides. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Fifth
Missouri State Militia, and afterward re-enlisted in the Thirteenth
Missouri Cavalry Veteran Volunteers. He was married after the war to Miss
Babetta Hasfurther, who was principally reared in Benton County. The Judge
was elected assessor in November, 1882, which office he held until January
1, 1889. In the fall of 1888 he was elected associate judge, and is a
member of the county court at present. To Judge Kullmann's marriage have
been born twelve children, of whom three died. The Judge belongs to the
Lutheran Church.

James H. Lay, attorney at law and president of the Warsaw Bank, was born
in the county in which he now resides, December 18, 1844, and is a son of
James H. Lay, Sr., a native of Virginia. The latter removed to Kentucky
with his parents when a child, and there grew to manhood, after which he
moved to Benton County, Mo., and married Mrs. Jane Holland, a native of
Kentucky, and a daughter of William Siddons. He came to Missouri in 1840,
and was one of the pioneers of Benton County. He served as public
administrator for about twenty years, and died in 1870. James H. Lay,
whose name heads this sketch, was reared in his native county, and
received a good education in the colleges at Springfield and Fayette, Mo.
He commenced the study of law in 1863, under the supervision of Judge
Wright, and was admitted to the bar the following year, after which he
commenced practicing his profession in Warsaw. From 1865 to 1867, under
the Drake Constitution, he was debarred from practice, but for many years
has been a prominent member of the Missouri bar, and has a lucrative and
increasing practice. In 1875 he was elected to represent his county in the
State Legislature, being re-elected in 1883, on the Democratic ticket. In
1881, on the organization of the Warsaw Bank, Mr. Lay was elected the
first president, and has acted in that capacity ever since. May 13, 1869,
he was married in Warsaw to Miss Julia Parks, a daughter of Judge Samuel
Parks. She was born, reared and educated in Benton County, and her union
with Mr. Lay has resulted in the birth of two sons and one daughter: Henry
P., a student in Washington University; A. W., and Florence, eight years
old.

F. E. McLane, son of J. Wesley McLane, was born in Carroll County, Mo.,
November 29, 1849. John W. McLane moved from Illinois to Cooper County,
Mo., and there married Miss Margaret Johnston, who was born in that
county, and who was the daughter of Col. Alexander and Mary (Hammons)
Johnston. She is still living, is over seventy years of age, and is now
residing in Windsor, Mo. F. E. McLane was united in marriage to Miss
Matilda F. Wynn, daughter of George W. Wynn, who came to Benton County,
Mo., in 1866, and lives near Palo Pinto. Mrs. McLane was born in
Williamsport, Ind., May 5, 1855, and by her marriage she became the mother
of nine children, all living: Stella B., Pearle E., Oka Lee, Bert, Boy,
Finis, Grover, Ida F. and Cora M. Mr. McLane is a member of the Christian
Church at Palo Pinto, is deacon in the same, and is superintendent of the
Sunday-school. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and is State
deputy and assistant secretary in the same. He has been school director
ever since his marriage, and has given excellent satisfaction in his
district. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Mr. McLane is a successful tiller of the soil, and is also engaged in
stock-raising, making a specialty of raising registered Poland-China hogs
for breeding purposes.

D. I. McMillian, an enterprising and successful citizen of Benton County,
Mo., was born in Gasconade County, of the same State, and is the son of
Thomas McMillian, who came to that county in 1829, from the State of
Virginia, and the grandson of William McMillian, who was also a native of
Virginia. D. I. moved to Benton County in the spring of 1868, and located
on 280 acres near where he now lives, in Fort Lyon, and to which he has
since added forty acres. Mr. McMillian purchased the store of Baker &
Lane, and located at Fort Lyon in 1886, where he has since carried on a
successful business. He started with a full line of groceries, and the
next year, wishing to increase the stock to include a full line of
mercantile goods, one-half interest was sold to H. M. Bumpass, his son,
George W., taking charge of the father's interest, under the firm title of
McMillian & Bumpass. They have a fine large room well fitted with a select
stock of goods, and are wide-awake, energetic business men. Mr. McMillian
was united in marriage to Miss Sidien Yeater, daughter of G. W. Yeater, of
Benton County, in 1870. They have no children. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics.

William R. D. Mabry, postmaster at Cole Camp, Mo., is a native of
Missouri, born in Pettis County, April 12, 1842, and is the son of R. G.
Mabry, a native of Kentucky, born in Logan County, July 1, 1814. The
latter was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, in
1828. They settled in Marion County, and here R. G. Mabry grew to mature
years, and married Miss Martha Jane Ray, a native of Mercer County, Ky.
She is the granddaughter of old Gen. Ray, of Kentucky. After marriage they
resided in Illinois until 1841, when they moved to Missouri, and located
in Pettis County. In 1849 he moved to Benton County, Mo., and is now
residing in Cole Camp, Mo. He was a soldier in the Mexican War. His only
child, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Benton County, and June
10, 1861, he enlisted in the Home Guards. He entered the volunteer service
March 13, 1862, in Company E, Seventh Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, as
a private; was promoted to corporal, sergeant and sergeant-major. He
participated in thirteen different engagements, and was discharged at St.
Louis April 11, 1865; returned home, and April 21, 1865, he was united in
marriage to Miss Amanda J. Fowler, a native of Benton County, and the
daughter of Samuel Fowler, one of the pioneers of Maryland. Mr. Mabry has
held several official positions, serving as census enumerator in 1880;
also served as justice of the peace, and was appointed postmaster at Cole
Camp, August 20, 1885. He taught school up to 1886; was an able educator
and a good disciplinarian. He is active in politics, and has always
advocated the principles of Democracy. Mr. Mabry is the owner of a farm
near Cole Camp, and has, in connection with his other business
enterprises, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He lost his first wife
October 22, 1873. Four children were born to this union: W. R. D., E. F.,
Samuel A., assistant postmaster, and Mary M. Mr. Mabry married his second
wife, Mrs. Josephine Crawford, January 21, 1883. She was born in Benton
County; was a widow, and the daughter of L. Palmer. Three children have
been born to this union: Grover C., Emma L. and Rosa Elizabeth. Mr. Mabry
is a member of the G. A. R. organization.

Henry Mahnken, merchant of Cole Camp, Mo., was born in Germany on the 13th
of December, 1840, his parents, Claus and Margaret (Ficker) Mahnken, being
also natives of Germany. In 1841 they immigrated to America, and settled
in Benton County, Mo., where the father made a farm and engaged in the
milling business. Here he died on the 4th of November, 1886. Henry Mahnken
grew to manhood in Benton County, and in August, 1862, enlisted in the
Sixtieth Enrolled Militia, Company I. While serving as a scout in Benton
County, he received a gunshot in the elbow, which caused the loss of an
arm. He was in the hospital at Warsaw for some time, and after his
regiment was disbanded, in January, 1863, he returned home. The following
year he engaged in the saloon business at Cole Camp, but three years later
he embarked in general merchandising, which occupation he has followed up
to the present time. The present firm, Mahnken & Kieffer, was established
in 1878, and their stock of general merchandise is among the best in the
county. Since 1881 Mr. Mahnken has been postmaster of Cole Camp, and has
also served as mayor of the town one or more terms. He is one of the
directors of the Third National Bank at Sedalia, and in addition to his
mercantile business is engaged in trading and dealing in cattle and lard.
He was married in July, 1861, to Miss Martha Imbusch, who was born in
Germany, but was reared in Benton County. Their children are as follows:
Margaret, wife of C. P. Michaelis; Anna, wife of Garrett S. Kieffer, Claus
P., John H., H. L., Lena M. and Amelia A. Three children died in early
childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Mahnken are members of the Lutheran Church, and he
is a member of the G. A. R., Fred Steel Post, No. 244, of which he is
quartermaster. C. P. Michaelis, merchant of Cole Camp, Mo., is a native of
Benton County, born on the 15th of April, 1858, being a son of Hemrich and
Mary (Holsten) Michaelis, who were of German birth, and immigrated to the
United States about 1840, settling in Benton County, Mo., where the father
followed the wheelwright's trade. He served three years in the Union army
during the late war, and is now residing in Cole Camp. C. . Michaelis
received the most of his education in the common schools of the county,
and this he supplemented by an attendance at the Lyman School of East
Boston, Mass. (a public school). After returning home he went to Sedalia,
where he clerked for several years, and in 1876 engaged in business for
himself in Cole Camp, but sold out soon after, and the following two years
were spent in farming. December 15, 1882, he became a general merchant of
Cole Camp, and carries a complete and choice stock of goods, and commands
a good trade. June 20, 1878, at the age of twenty years, he was married to
Miss Margaret Mahnken, a daughter of Henry Mahnken, whose sketch appears
in this work. They have four children: Anna M., Laura, Vernetta and Gustav
Hemrich. The family worship in the Lutheran Church.

Henry Monsees, an old settler of Benton County, who came here in 1843, was
born on a steamship when his parents were coming to America, September 22,
1843. He is a son of Clause and Anna (Aliet) Monsees, and the third of six
children, who are named as follows: Anna, John J., Herman F. (now living
in Benton County, Mo.), Henry, Gesche A. (wife of John Burches) and Dick
(now in Benton County). Henry Monsees remained at home until he was
seventeen years of age, and then enlisted in the war. He was in the Home
Guards for about three months, subsequently enlisting in Company E,
Missouri Cavalry, Enrolled Militia, in 1862, and remained in the service
until the close of the war, although he says he has never been mustered
out. He was in a number of battles. He was united in marriage to Miss Lena
Tidgin November 28, 883, and for some years previous to that time had
followed agricultural pursuits on his farm, which consists of 178 acres of
very good land, ninety acres of which are under cultivation. This pursuit
he still continues, and in connection raises considerable stock.
Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He and wife are
members of the Lutheran Churh. To their union were born three children
Thedore C., born October 20, 1884; Alvinia, born August 4, 1886, and
Lydia, born April 24, 1888. Mr. Monsees' father died August 4, 1877, at
the age of sixty- six years, but his mother is still living on the old
homestead. She was born March 15, 1815, and is now seventy-five years of
age.

Matthew D. Moore, Sr., is worthy of mention as one of the enterprising and
successful farmers and stockmen of Benton County, Mo., and is one of the
pioneers of the same, having been a resident of his present farm since
1850. He was born in Madison County, Ill., April 14, 1825, but was reared
principally in Adams County, of the same State, where he was first married
in 1848. After coming to Benton County, Mo., he entered a section of
prairie land and 120 acres of timber land, his farm being one of the best
in the county and finely improved. His residence is commodious and
substantial, and his barns and other out-buildings in excellent condition.
He served in the Home Guards about six months in 1864, and then entered
the regular United States service, Forty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and
served until the close of the war, being a participant in the fight at
Jefferson City, and was mustered out at St. Louis in the spring of 1865.
After returning home he resumed farming and stock-raising for a number of
years. He was married in Adams County, Ill., to Melissa E. Baley, of
Virginia, who died September 12, 1881, leaving two children: M. D., Jr.,
who is married and resides near his father, and Dora, wife of Jacob
Freund, a resident of Kansas. He married his second wife in Benton County,
her name being Maggie L. Foster, a native of Tennessee. They have two
children: Lou and Bernice. Mr. Moore is a member of the G. A. R., and is a
Master Mason. He has always been an active Republican in politics, and has
numerous times been a delegate to the county and State conventions. His
father, William Moore, was born and reared in North Carolina, and was
married across the line, in South Carolina, to Mary Thomas of that State.
They moved to Illinois at an early day, and the father enlisted from that
State in the War of 1812, serving three years, and participating in a
number of engagements with the Indians and British. He resided in Madison
County for a number of years, and then moved to Adams County in the spring
of 1831, where he died two years later.

Henry Muller, a successful agriculturist and one of the prominent
stock-raisers of the county, was born in Benton County, Mo., November 4,
1850. His father, Garret Muller, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Blaedesal, was also a native of
Hanover. The family immigrated to the United States about 1830, and first
located in Benton County, where they purchased a farm. Here the father
died July 10, 1887. Henry Muller was the second in a family of three sons
and four daughters, all living in the county, with the exception of the
oldest brother, John Muller, who is a business man in St. Louis. Henry
Muller attained his majority in Benton County, and was married, March 2,
1871, to Miss Gazena S. Mahnken, daughter of John H. Mahnken, one of the
early settlers from Hanover, and a resident of Benton County. Mrs. Muller
was born and reared in Benton County. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller
purchased land and settled on the farm where they now reside. This tract
consists of 300 acres, all fenced and in cultivation, and he has also a
fine orchard of about 300 trees. He is extensively engaged in
stock-raising, and feeds from two to four car loads of cattle each winter.
Mr. and Mrs. Muller are the parents of eight children: Garrett, John H.,
Paulina G., Maggie S., Lily A., Henry E., Lucinda G. and Alonzo F.; they
lost one daughter, Katie E., who died at the age of three years. Mr. and
Mrs. Muller are members of the Lutheran Church.

Gerd Muller, farmer and stock-raiser, also dealer and shipper, is a native
of Missouri, born in Benton County, on the farm where he now resides,
October 10, 1861. He is the son of Gerd and Sophia Muller, whose sketch
appears in that of Henry Muller. Gerd Muller, our subject, grew to manhood
on the farm, and received a good practical education in the common schools
and at Cole Camp school. He remained with his parents until the death of
his father, which occurred in 1887, and since then he has taken charge of
the farm. He also commenced feeding and dealing in stock about the same
time, and handles on an average from five and upward cars of cattle and
from forty to fifty cars of hogs annually. Mr. Muller has 317 acres of
land in the old home place, which is situated two and a half miles south
of Cole Camp. Nearly all is fenced and about 265 cleared. He has a neat
residence and a large barn, the largest in the county (84x42 feet); also
has a tract of eighty acres adjoining Cole Camp. Mr. Muller was married in
Benton County, August 30, 1883, to Miss Katie Boescher, daughter of Herman
Boescher, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. Mrs. Muller was
born in St. Louis, reared and educated in Benton County, and supplemented
a common-school education by several terms at Sedalia College. Mr. and
Mrs. Muller are the parents of two children-Clara, born August 30, 1884,
and Eddie W., born August 30, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Muller are members of the
Lutheran Church at Cole Camp. They are highly respected by one and all,
and are most popularly known. They have many friends and relatives.







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