Gasconade Biographies K-L
Gasconade County
Biographies
K-L
John Henry Kahle, son of Conrad and Louise D. (Weimann) Kahle, was
born in the house in which he is now living in 1842, was reared on
the farm and secured a limited education in the English and German
languages. During the war he served a short time in the militia.
In 1847 he selected a companion for life in the person of Miss Dor-
otha Austermann, a native of Gasconade County, born in 1852. The
result of this union was the birth of five children, four now living,
one son and three daughters. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kahle are members of
the Evangelical Church, and he is a Republican in politics. He owns
360 acres of land, and has lived in Gasconade County all his life.
His parents were natives of Hanover, Germany, the father born in 1809
and the mother in 1820. The father followed the occupation of a
shepherd boy until he came to the United States, which was in 1840,
but had married before coming here. After living in Cincinnati, Ohio
two years, they came to this county, and located on the place where
our subject now lives. The father was a Republican in politics, and
he and wife were members of the Evangelical Church. He died in 1881,
but the mother is still living. In their family were five children,
three now living, one son and two daughters.
Christian F. Karstedt, merchant at Stony Hill, and farmer, is the son
of Louis J. and Louise (Bethke) Karstedt, both natives of Prussia, the
former born in 1800 and the latter in 1814. After marriage they lived
in their native country until 1855, when they came to America and lo-
cated in Wisconsin, where the father died in 1881. The mother still
lives and makes her home in Colorado. The father was a farmer and bur-
gomaster in his native country, and both parents were members of the
Evangelical Church. Ten children were born to their marriage, and only
one, the youngest daughter, was born in America. Christian F. was born
in 1835, was reared on the farm and received a good education. At the
age of nineteen he came to America and for several years traveled over
the States, working at whatever presented itself. In 1861 he enlisted
in Company C, Second Missouri Infantry, and served three months. Soon
after he joined the Second United States Reserve Corps, and served un-
til it was disbanded in 1863. He participated in the battle of Wilsons
Creek. He began as a private and arose to the rank of sergeant; was
discharged at Benton Barracks in 1863. Three years later he came to
this county and opened a store, which he has since operated with the
exception of a short interval. In 1868 he secured the postoffice at
Stony Hill, and has been postmaster nearly ever since. In 1870 he
married Miss Catherine Mueller. She was born in Alsace in 1844, and
came to America when but a small girl. By her five children, three
sons and two daughters, were born. Both he and wife are members of the
Evangelical Church, and he is a Republican in politics. He has held
the office of justice of the peace four years to the satisfaction of
all. He began life a poor boy, and has made all his property by hard
work and good management. Besides merchandising he carries on farming
on 150 acres of good land.
August Kattelmann, teacher and farmer of Gasconade County, Mo., is the
son of August and Caroline (Borchard) Kattelmann, both natives of Ger-
many, the former born in Hanover in 1818, and the latter in Prussia in
1831. When young both came with their parents to America, his parents
settling in Gasconade County, and her parents in Franklin County. They
were married in 1849 and settled on the farm on which our subject now
lives. The father was a Democrat in politics, served in the Home
Guards during the war, and died in 1867; his widow still lives. Of
their family of five sons and four daughters, two of the sons are succ-
essful teachers. August was born on his present farm in 1860, received
a fair education in the common schools, and finished at the Central
Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo. He has followed teaching for eight
years. In 1887 he was appointed by the county court to the office of
justice of the peace, and holds that position at the present. In 1887
he married Miss Pauline Toedtmann, daughter of August Toedtmann. He
has made this county his home all his life, has a fine farm of 246
acres, and is an intelligent enterprising citizen. He is a Republican
in politics.
Christopher Kemper, son of Toens and Anna M. (Rehm) Kemper, was born in
Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1828. Both parents were born in the same
place where they spent their lives. The father was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and lived to an advanced age. The mother died while still quite
young. Of their family of nine children, seven came to the United
States. Christopher was the seventh child, and at the age of eighteen
began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he came
to the United States, in 1848. He then learned the cooper's trade in
Cincinnati, Ohio, and, in 1850, came to Gasconade County, Mo., where he
purchased the place he now owns, which consists of 240 acres, two of
which are in grapes. For several years after moving on his farm he
followed carpentering and mill building, but since then has turned his
attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he married
Miss Johanna Berger, a native of Prussia, born in 1835, and who was
brought to America when about twelve years of age. To this union seven
children were born, four sons and three daughters. For thirty-eight
years he has been a resident of this county, and is a man well known
and much respected. He is a Republican in politics, and both he and
wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
Rudolph E. Kessler, stock dealer of Hermann, was born in Roark Township
Gasconade Co., Mo., March 5, 1852. His father, Sylvester Kessler, of
Warren County, Mo., was born in Baden, Germany, and immigrated to Gas-
conade County, Mo., in 1847, settling in Roark Township, when it was
but a wilderness, and when Hermann was but a small village. Rudolph was
reared at home and received a fair education in the common schools and
at Hermann. In 1865 his parents moved just across the county line into
Warren County, and here, in 1874, he engaged in the nursery and fire
insurance business. He has continued the nursery business more or less
ever since, and still acts some as traveling salesman. He was married,
October 12, 1887, to Bertha Durer, a prominent teacher of Illinois, who
also taught in Hermann for four years. She was born in Highland, Ill.,
and is a daughter of Bernhard Durer (deceased). Mr. Kessler owns 148
acres of land in Bridgeport Township, Warren Co., Mo., which is farmed
by tenants. He has never aspired to official positions, and is a man
much esteemed by all. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
F. Louis Kielmann, harness dealer of Hermann, was born in St. Louis,
Mo., June 10, 1845. His father, John W. Kielmann (deceased), was a
native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1831,
residing in Philadelphia, Penn., until 1839, when he came to St. Louis
thence to Hermann in 1841. From 1843 till 1847 he resided in St. Louis
but after that time made his home in Hermann, Mo. He was one of the
founders of Hermann. F. Louis was educated in both English and German
in Hermann, and when a young man learned the saddle and harness maker's
trade, but has not followed that occupation all the time. He was post-
master of Hermann from 1866 to 1881, and at the latter date established
his present business. He was a member of the town trustees and also a
member of the school board for some time. October 7, 1872, he wedded
Augusta Sengenberger, the adopted daughter of John Adam Sengenberger.
Her father was William Rutz. Mr. and Mrs. Kielmann became the parents
of six children: John William, F. Louis, Augusta D., L. Amelia, Julia
and Malvina.
William Klee, boot and shoe maker, and dealer in the same at Hermann,
was born at Bavaria, Germany, May 25, 1846, and is the son of Louis
Klee (deceased), who died on the Mississippi River in a boat, in 1851
while on his way from Germany to Hermann, Mo. The remainder of the
family came on to Hermann, where William has since lived, where he was
educated, and where he learned his trade. He has been in business for
himself sixteen years. He was united in marriage in 1872 to Miss Mat-
ilda Kettlemann, daughter of August Kettlemann. The fruits of this
marriage were the birth of seven children, who are named as follows:
Olive, Edmond, Albert, Theodore, Clara, Otto and Matilda. The mother
of these children died in the year 1883, and, in the following year,
the father took for his second wife Miss Margaret Kraettly, daughter of
George Kraettly, who is now a resident of Roark Township. Mr. Klee is
an honest, upright citizen, and is a hard working man.
George William Klenk, of the firm of Klenk & Bensing, contractors and
builders, of Hermann, was born in that city in 1849, and is the son of
Matthew and Augusta (Stockr) Klenk, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and
Prussia, respectively. When young both came to Hermann, where they
were married about 1845, and where the mother still resides. The father
died March 21, 1862. He was a carpenter by occupation, learning the
trade in the old country, and was a soldier in the Mexican War. George
W. was educated in the public schools, and, at the age of sixteen, be-
gan learning his trade in St. Louis, where he worked for six or seven
years. He spent a year and a half in Kansas City, after which he re-
turned to Hermann, where he has since resided. He was married in 1875
to Miss Julia Noe, a native of Hermann, and to this union were born six
children: William, Louisa, Rosy, Hanna, George and Emma. Mr. Klenk is
a Republican in politics, casting his first vote for U. S. Grant, in
1872. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and a member
of the Lutheran Church, and is also one of the county's best citizens.
Conrad Klinge, the present efficient clerk of the county court of Gas-
conade County, and a representative citizen of Hermann, was born at
Maysville, Ky., September 19, 1842, the son of George and Catherine
(Kraft) Klinge, who had a family of nine children, three of whom surv-
ive. George Klinge was born at Marburg, Hesse, Germany, in 1809, and
his father was a soldier under Napoleon, participating in the battle
of Moscow. The former (George), upon immigrating to America, located
in Fredericksburg, Md., moving thence to Maysville, Ky., in 1842, from
which place a year later he settled at Hermann, Gasconade County, Mo.
He was a bricklayer by trade, and became quite prominent. At the
first call for troops, at the outbreak of the Mexican War, he joined a
company of volunteers in 1846, but, their services not being needed,
they were discharged after reaching Fort Leavenworth. For some ten
years he was captain of an independent company, known as "Jaegar Com-
pany," of Hermann, and in that capacity made the ill-fated trip on the
Missouri Pacific Railroad when, by the disaster occurring at the Gas-
conade bridge, so many lives were lost, he escaping as if by a miracle.
For several yers he was treasurer of Gasconade County, and during the
late war was lieutenant-colonel of a militia regiment. In 1867 he made
a trip to his old home in Europe, and upon returning subsequently died.
Mrs. Linge, who was born in February, 1811, in Germany, still resides
at Hermann. One of their children was a member of Company G, Thirty-
first Missouri Infantry, in the Civil War, and died from internal
wounds received at Vicksburg. The subject of this sketch was reared at
Hermann, there attending the public schools, and June 7, 1861, he en-
listed for three months in the Home Guards, being mustered out October
1; but ten days later he became a member of Company B, Fourth Missouri
Infantry, and served until the regiment was mustered out in February,
1863. Some time after this Mr. Klinge served as deputy constable and
deputy sheriff, and in 1872 was appointed United States Express agent
at Hermann, a position he filled for five years. In 1879-80 he assess-
ed Roark Township, and in 1880 took its census, outside of Hermann. In
1878 he was defeated for sheriff, on an independent ticket, but at the
next election was elected on the people's ticket, and in 1882 he was
elected county clerk on the same ticket. In 1886 he was re-elected.
Politically, he is a Democrat. November 19, 1871 Mr. Klinge married
Miss Regina, daughter of George Bersinger, of Galion, Ohio. They have
a family of six children. Mr. Klinge is adjutant of Capt. Manwaring
Post, No. 320, G. A. R.
Frederick Klossner is the fourth of ten children born to Samuel and
Elizabeth (Tchepler) Klossner, natives of Switzerland, born in 1813
and 1816, respectively. When young both came to the United States,
were married in Ohio, in 1836, and came to Hermann, where they were
among the first German settlers of the county. They lived in Roark
Township until 1856, when they removed to Richland Township, on Gas-
conade River, where the father died in 1864. He was a carpenter and
farmer by occupation. He enlisted in the Mexican War, but had just
reached Kansas City when the war ended. He was an honest citizen.
The mother died in 1875. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Frederick was reared in the pioneer days of Gasconade County with but
little education, and assisted his father in clearing the farm. In
1861 he was three months in the Home Guards. In 1868 he wedded Miss
Pauline, daughter of Paul and Caroline Hoffmann, formerly of Germany,
but early settlers of Hermann, where Mrs. Kossner was born. To this
marriage were born eight children, six now living: Emma, Otto, Paul,
Ella, Henry and Frederick. Since his marriage Mr. Klossner has lived
on the old farm of 163 acres, of which he is owner, all excellent
bottom land. He is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising,
and has improved his stock of all kinds. He is an excellent citizen,
and is an earnest worker for the cause of education and for the public
in general. His children are well educated in both English and German.
A Republican in his political views, his first presidential vote was
cast for Lincoln in 1860. He is a worthy member of the Evangelical
Church.
Philip Koeller (deceased) was born in Germany in 1800, grew to manhood
there, and married Miss Dorathea Voght, also a native of Germany, born
in 1807. While in the old country Mr. Koeller followed the occupation
of a butcher and baker. In 1833 he and family came to the United
States, settled in Philadelphia, Penn., but later moved to Hermann,
where Mr. Koeller followed butchering for some time, and then moved on
the farm. He lived to be fifty-five and she eighty years of age, and
both were members of the Evangelical Church. Of the fourteen children
born to their marriage, two were born in the old country, and the rest
in the United States. August, the next to the youngest child, was born
in 1844, on the place where he now lives. He received his education in
Hermann, where he attended school until fourteen years of age. In 1861
he went out as Home Guard, then in the Gasconade Reserve Corps, which
finally was consolidated into the Fourth Missouri Volunteers, he being
in Company E. In 1864 his brother was drafted, but our subject went in
his stead, in Company I, Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and ser-
ved in all about thirty-three months, being discharged at Memphis, Tenn.
He participated in the battles of Fish River and Spanish Fort. After
the war he returned to farming, and in 1867 married Miss Joanna Meyer,
a native of this county, born in 1849, who bore him nine children,
three sons and six daughters. He is a member of the G. A. R., a Repub-
lican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical
Church. Mr. Koeller is a thrifty farmer, and has a fine farm of 200
acres. He has been road overseer for some time.
Hugo Kropp, proprietor of the Hermann brewery and malt house, is a
native of Germany, born in 1842, and there he passed his youth and
early manhood, immigrating to America in 1867. He first chose a
location at Louisville, Ky., in 1868 going to St. Louis, thence com-
ing to Hermann, Mo., in 1874, where, in 1877 he took charge of the
brewery at this place. At that time it had an annual capacity of
454 barrels, and today, after material and extensive improvements,
exports 4,000 barrels yearly, showing conclusively the business
ability and determination of Mr. Kropp to make his business a success.
He has served as a member of the town board, of which he has been the
chairman, and also filled other positions in public affairs, and at
present is captain of the Hermann fire company. In 1872 his marriage
occurred, and to himself and wife six children have been born. In
this connection it might not be out of place to refer briefly to the
fire department of Hermann, with which Mr. Kropp is connected. It
consists of one steam and two hand engines, hook and ladder truck,
two hose carriages, and is supplied with 1,000 feet of good rubber
hose, on which Siamese couplings are used. The value of the depart-
ment apparatus and supplies is placed at $4,000. The town owns the
buildings, valued at $1,000. The membership at this time is seventy
five, all volunteers; the chief is elected by members of the depart-
ment. The water supply is excellent, being obtained from the river
and six cisterns, which have a capacity of 10,000 gallons daily.
Frederick Lalk, farmer and saw miller of Gasconade County, Mo., was
born in Lippe-Detmold, in 1847, being the eldest of seven children of
Fred and Frederica (Brant) Lalk, who came to the United States in 1848
and settled in Gasconade County, Mo., about seven miles from Hermann.
The father died in 1878, while on his way home from St. Louis, where
he had been to get some machinery for a boat which he had built. He
was an industrious citizen and a stach Republican in politics, and was
a member of the Presbyterian Church. Frederick Lalk, his son, received
such education as the country schools afforded in his boyhood days,
but was often compelled to stay at home and assist his father. During
the war he served in Company C, of the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In
1871 he married Mary Suenkel, who was born in Gasconade County, and
died in 1877, leaving one child. The same year Mr. Lalk married
Caroline Suenkel, sister of his first wife. They have two children.
Mr. Lalk lived on Second Creek ten or twelve years, and then located
on his present farm of 170 acres on Gasconade River. While he was
residing on Second Creek he spent several years in saw milling and
threshing, in connection with farming. His property has been acquired
through his own exertion, and he is a good and honest citizen. Polit-
ically, he is a Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast
for Grant. The name of his child by his first wife is Malinda, and
those by his second are Lizzie and Eda. His brother's names are
William, Henry (deceased), August, a carpenter, and Ernest and Charley,
who are farmers, the latter being a resident of the old homestead.
Hon. William F. Langenberg, a prominent farmer and dealer in live stock
and grain, at Bay Postoffice, Mo., was born in the house where he now
lives, March 4, 1843, and is the eldest of five children (four of whom
are living) born to Casper H. and Elizabeth (Koch) Langenberg. Casper
H. Langenberg was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1797, and was educated
in the common schools of his native country. He was twice married,
first to Miss Hollander, who came with him to the United States in 1837
where she soon after died, having taken sick on the ocean. She left one
daughter, now Mrs. Minnie Hobein, who resides near Drake. Mr. Langen-
berg married his second wife in St. Louis, in 1840. She was born in
Prussia, May 1, 1812 and died August 20, 1880. After their marriage
they came to Gasconade County, and two years later erected the house in
which Hon. William F. Langenberg now resides. The father was an influ-
ential and leading citizen of Gasconade County, and died December 8,
1869. Both he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church.
William F. Langenberg received a private education in German, and was
educated in the English language in the Sunday schools and by his own
efforts. He served in Company E, Missouri State Militia during the war
and on January 20, 1870, married Henrietta, daughter of Fred William
Flachmann, and by her became the father of five children: Fred William,
Annie Paulina, Clara Rosa, Emma Rebecca and Dora Henrietta. Since his
marriage Mr. Langenberg has resided on his farm of 240 acres. He owns
680 acres, and is one of the leading business men of the county. For
twenty years or more he has been extensively engaged in the stock and
grain trade. He has taken a great interest in improving the horse
flesh of the county, and for many years has made a specialty of breed-
ing Norman horses. He has a fine Clydesdale horse in his possession,
which has an enviable record at Louisville, Ky. From 1874 until 1878
he was engaged in the merchandise business at Bay Postoffice, but has
since leased the store. He has been a notary public since 1879. In
1880 he was elected to the State Legislature, and was re-elected in
1882, serving four years to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
He takes a great interest in educational affairs and has given his
children good advantages in both English and German, his eldest daugh-
ter being educated in the St. Louis public schools. Mr. Langenberg is
a Republican in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for
Lincoln. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and
since the organization of the Boulware Farmers' Aid Association he has
been its president.
August Langendoerfer, farmer of Roark Township, is the son of Frank J.
and Frederica (Grossmann) Langendoerfer, both natives of Germany, he
was born in Baden, and she in Wurtemberg. He came to America when a
young man, and for some time worked at the shoemaker's trade in New
York City, Philadelphia and St. Louis. In 1838 he came to Hermann, and
would walk out to his place, which was five miles distant, do a day's
work, and return at night. After having improved his place, he moved
to the same, and became an extensive wine and fruit grower. The mother
of August came to America with her parents in 1837, and was here marr-
ied to the father of our subject. She died in the full bloom of woman-
hood. The father afterward married Anna Lambs. To the second marriage
were born five children, of whom four daughters survive. The father
still lives, and is in his seventy-fifth year. He was a Democrat before
the war, but since then has been a Republican in politics. Both he and
wife were members of the Lutheran Church. August was the youngest son
of the first marriage. He was born in Hermann, Mo., in 1847, and educ-
ated in both the English and German languages. After remaining at home
until 1880 he married Miss Lucia Gaebler, daughter of Ernest Gaebler,
whose sketch may be seen elsewhere in these pages. Mrs. Langendoerfer
was born in Gasconade County in 1860, and by her marriage became the
mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. After marriage,
Mr. Langendoerfer moved to his present residence, which consists of 240
acres of land. He is quite an extensive vine grower, having about four
acres of grapes. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are
members of the Evangelical Church. The other living brother of Mr.
Langendoerfer, Frederick, lives with him, and Louis, now deceased,
served during the war in the Home Guards, and afterwards in the Fourth
Missouri Volunteers.
Victor Lauer, farmer and raiser of fine stock, was born in Gasconade
County, Mo., in 1849, was reared a farmer boy, and in 1875 married
Louise Ruediger, a native of this county, born in 1857, and to them
were born four children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Lauer has
made this county his home all his life, and is considered one of the
successful business men of the same. While growing up he learned
the blacksmith trade, and worked at that for eleven years. He owns
160 acres, and, aside from his farming, has fine breeding stock of
all kinds, among which are Norman horses and Holstein cattle. He is
a Republican in politics. His parents, Frank and Catherine Lauer,
were both natives of Germany, where they remained until their marri-
age. They then came to America, and were among the early settlers of
Gasconade County, where the father followed farming. While in the
old country the father was a soldier most of the time. He lived to
be seventy-four, and she sixty-three years of age. During the late
war he served his adopted Government about three years, and was a
much respected citizen.
Joseph Leising, representative from Gasconade County in the State Leg-
islature, came originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, where he was born
September 21, 1846. His parents were Martin and Ursula (Hangs) Leising,
who, upon immigrating to the United States, located at Chillicothe,
Ohio, where the father followed the trade of a stone mason. He died
there in December, 1863, his widow surviving him until 1867. Young
Joseph, the oldest of seven children, grew to manhood in Chillicothe,
and attended the public schools. His first experience was in learning
the printer's trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the
late war, when, in January, 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Ohio
Cavalry, and served until the close of hostilities. Subsequently he
was occupied in working at his chosen calling in different States and
cities, and in 1874 located at Hermann, where he embarked in the news-
paper business. To this he directed his attention until 1883, but at
present is engaged in driving wells in Gasconade and neighboring
counties. In 1884 Mr. Leising was elected to represent this county in
the State Legislature, and so well did he discharge his official
duties that at the following election, in 1886, he was chosen his own
successor.
August C. Leisner, proprietor of the White House, and dealer in furni-
ture, was born in Wiehe, near Artern, in Prussia, January 1, 1845, and
is the son of Carl August and Caroline (Herfurth) Leisner, the former
a native of Prussa, and the latter of Saxony. Carl August Leisner was
killed in 1848, in the Rebellion. The widow remarried, in 1850, Leo-
pold Leisring. They immigrated the same year to America, locating at
Cincinnati, Ohio, from which city they removed a year later to a farm
near Newport, Ky., their present home. August C. was reared as a farm-
er, receiving a common school education, and at the age of sixteen
years he was mustered into the Home Guards, of Campbell County, Ky., in
which he served three months during the war. He next spent a year in
Cincinnati, and then shipped as steward and cook on a steamboat in the
United States service, plying the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. The boat
was later placed on the St. Louis & Keokuk Packet Line, but when it was
pressed into the Confederate service, some time after, Mr. Leisner went
ashore at St. Louis, and found employment in a number of hotels, among
them the Olive Street Hotel, Lindell and Planter's House, which he was
obliged to leave on account of sickness. Upon recovering his health he
came to Hermann with Charles E. White, who opened the White House. In
1871 he opened a restaurant at Kansas City, which in two years he turn-
ed over to a brother, and then, returning to Hermann, took charge of
the White House Hotel, as manager, under Charles D. Eitzen, administra-
tor of the estate of Gottlieb Rippstein. This hotel is the leading one
of the kind at Hermann. In December, 1876, Mr. Leisner married the
widow of Gottlieb Rippstein, former proprietor of the hotel, and has
since had active control. Under his management it has acquired an ex-
cellent reputation. In 1884 he engaged in the furniture business,
under the firm name of Begemann, Leisner & Co., and in 1885 he purchas-
ed the entire interest of the concern. In 1883 he was elected to the
board of town trustees of Hermann, was re-elected in 1884-85, and serv-
ed as president. In 1885-86 he was a member of the school board, and,
besides, has served as director in the Savings Fund Association,
Hermann Savings Bank and the Agricultural Society, and, in fact, is
recognized as one of the representative citizens of the county.
William F. Leweke, a native of Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1838, and
when nine years of age came to this country, where he was reared, and
where he has followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1859 he married
Miss Louise Meyer, who was born in Prussia, in 1838, and who came to
this country when a little girl. Eleven children were the result of
this union, eight of whom are now living, three sons and five daugh-
ters. Mr. Leweke is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns a fine farm of 320
acres, and for forty-one years has been a resident of this county. His
parents, Christopher and Louise (Redeker) Leweke, were residents of
the same place as himself, were there married and reared a family of
four children. In 1847 they came to America and located in this
county. Both were members of the Evangelical Church, and the father
was a Republican in politics. He was a stone mason by trade, and a
number of the houses still stand as monuments of his workmanship in
this county. He died at the age of eighty-two, and the mother at the
age of eighty-four.