Gasconade Biographies M-P
Gasconade County
Biographies
M-P
Gustave Manske, farmer, was born in Prussia, July 16, 1814, and is a
son of Martin and Rosali Manske. He was reared on the farm, and rec-
eived a good collegiate education. In June, 1838, he married Miss
Caroline Vearch, who bore him eleven children, only four now living:
Adolph, Otto, Emma, wife of William Stricker, and Amelia. In 1852 Mr.
Manske came to the United States, spent about a year and a half in New
Orleans engaged in the carpenter business, and then returned to the
old country for his family. They then returned and settled in Morgan
County, Ill., where they remained eight years. They then removed to
Leavenworth County, Kas., and in 1867 came to Gasconade County, Mo.,
settled on Gasconade River in Richland Township, where they have 205
acres of good land, about 108 under cultivation, all the result of his
own labor. He served in the Home Guards during the war. He has al-
ways taken a deep interest in all matters pertaining to education, and
has given his children good educations in both German and English. He
is a Republican in politics and is an enterprising citizen. Adolph,
eldest son of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1845, and educa-
ted in the common schools. In 1863 and 1866 he was in the Government
employ as watchman and driving team ambulance in Southwest Missouri, a
part of the time at Leavenworth, Kas., and North Missouri. In 1861 he,
with a number of emigrants, crossed the plains to the Rocky Mountains
in seach of the precious metal in Colorado and Nebraska. Aside from
that he has devoted his attention to farming and stock raising. He is
a Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for
Abraham Lincoln.
Hon. Charles M. Matthews, presiding judge of Gasconade County, was born
in Third Creek Township, this county, November 11, 1836, and is the
son of Hon. James A. Matthews (deceased), a native of Franklin County,
Tenn., who came from that State and settled in Gasconade County, Mo.,
at a very early day. He, his wife and three children made the trip in
a one-horse cart, and after reaching this county the cart was traded
for a cabin in which to shelter the family. Indians and wild animals
abounded, and the father could often bring down a deer while standing
in his cabin door. They paid their taxes in furs, beeswax and tallow,
and were obliged to go to St. Louis to trade and market their produce.
The nearest postoffice and blacksmith shop was at Union, in Franklin
County, thirty miles distant. The father was a very loyal man during
the late war, and raised the first Missouri Volunteer Regiment of Home
Guards for the defense of the Union. He spent of $7,000 of his own
means in defense of the Union, besidees several thousand dollars' worth
of food and clothing to the soldiers of that regiment. He also volun-
teered in the army, and was made colonel of the regiment he raised.
Charles M. received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of
pioneer days, with split logs for seats, wall desks, wooden hinges for
the doors, etc. During the war he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Miss-
ouri Cavalry, and was in service three years. He participated in the
battles of Wilson's Creek, Surcy Landing on Red River, Cotton Plant,
Siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Bank's defeat at Sabine Cross Roads,
Mobile and others. He enlisted as private and was discharged with the
commission of second lieutenant of the regular army. He contracted a
disease while in the service, which still remains with him and totally
disables him from manual labor. He was married, February 21, 1858, to
Miss Jane Fitzgerald, daughter of Edward Fitzgerald (deceased), and
became the mother of three children, only one now living, Lucretia J.,
who married George Nicks, of Maries County, Mo., and bore him four
children: Georgianna, Araminta, Charles and John. Mr. Matthews' third
child by his first wife, Henry A., was murdered, December 23, 1887, by
Pink Harrison and William A. Joll, who were in a quarrel, and Henry
tried to make peace. Mrs. Matthews died April 16, 1860, and in March,
1867, Mr. Matthews married Miss Helen Hinton, daughter of David Hinton
(deceased). To this union were born two children, one now living:
Mary E., who married William Nicks, of Canaan Township, and has one
child, Emaline. Mr. Matthews owns 271 acres of land, and is success-
fully engaged in farming and stock raising. He was elected county
judge of the southern district in 1880, and presiding judge in 1882,
which position he still holds, having been re-elected in 1886. He has
been a member of the Baptist Church for over thirty years, and belongs
to the G. A. R.
S. W. Maushund, general merchant at Hermann, was born near Cassal,
Germany, February 10, 1836, and is the son of Conrad Maushund, of Ger-
man nativity. The father immigrated to America some time after the
marriage of his second wife, Catherine Bishop, who now resides in Lex-
ington, Mo., under the name of Henry Hagen. Conrad Maushund died in
July, 1849. The subject of this sketch grew up in Hermann, supplement-
ing his primary education with a course in private schools at Hermann
and St. Louis. In 1853 he carried on, for about six months, the cigar
business in that city, which he had learned partly at his old home and
finished in St. Louis, but later discontinued it, and after a change
of residence became engaged in steamboating, and then worked for two
years for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company with the civil eng-
ineers as rodman on the road; then he spent three years in the employ
of George C. Mueller, in clerking at Hermann, and resumed railroad
work after a period passed in steamboating, learning to be a pilot on
the Upper Mississippi River, and from brakeman rose to the position of
yardmaster of the Missouri Pacific Railroad at St. Louis. In April,
1860, Miss Maria C. Rasche, of Hermann, but originally from Philadel-
phia, Penn., became his wife. In 1861 Mr. Maushund entered the Home
Guards and served three months. He finally became engaged in the dry
goods business, in connection with the cigar trade, but after five
years closed out the dry goods interest and went to manufacturing
cigars again, and in November, 1883, turned over the cigar business to
his sons. Since then he has carried on general merchandising. They
have a family of seven daughters and three sons.
Thomas J. McMillan, LL. B., attorney at law, notary public, farmer,
etc., of Brush Creek Township, was born in that township in 1861, and
is the younger of two children born to Daniel and Eliza J. (Burchard)
McMillan. The father was born in Patrick County, Va., in 1821, and
when eleven years of age he, with his brother Edward, a boy of eight-
een, came from Virginia to Mount Sterling, then the county seat of
Gasconade County, where they had an elder brother, Thomas, living.
They made part of the journey on foot (walking to the falls of the
Kanawha River), and the remainder by boat. Daniel worked on the farm
during the summer, attended the common school in winter, and became a
fair scholar. He was married in 1849 in Gasconade County, and sett-
led one mile west of Bem, where he improved a good farm and passed
the remainder of his life. He died in 1876, and was well known
throughout the county as an honest, enterprising citizen. He was
postmaster at Bem for some time. He was a Democrat, an active poli-
tician, but not an aspirant for office. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church from youth. His father, William McMillan
was born in Patrick County, Va., and was under Gen. Harrison in the
Indian War. His father, Thomas McMillan, was born in Scotland and
came to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and was killed at the
battle of Trenton. The mother of Thomas J. was born in Brush Creek
Township, in 1828, and is living there at the present. She has been
teaching in the public schools of the county for thirty-five years
and has been but twice out of the State. She is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South since youth. Her parents, Judge
Samuel and Barbara Burchard, were natives of Maryland and South Caro-
lina, respectively. Mr. Burchard came with his parents to St. Louis
County, but afterward moved to Gasconade County, where he married and
settled in Third Creek Township, but afterward in Brush Creek Town-
ship, where he died in 1868. He was sheriff of Gasconade County,
also assessor and county judge. Mrs. Burchard died in 1859. Thomas
J. McMillan remained in the common schools until 1877, when he enter-
ed and spent two years at the Missouri School of Mines, at Rolla. He
then taught until 1883, at which time he entered the law department
of the State University, at Columbia, and graduated in 1885 fourth in
the class of twenty-three; was admitted to practice the same year by
Judge A. J. Seay. He has been successfully engaged in the practice
of his profession since and has a bright prospect opening before him.
He teaches school during the winter months, and has charge of a farm
in the summer. He has been notary public since 1887. May 18th, of
the same year, he married Miss Charlotta Wacker, who was born near
Drake, and who is the daughter of August and Charlotta Wacker,
natives of Westphalia, Germany. Mrs. McMillan was educated at Her-
mann and was also a teacher of considerable prominence. Mr. McMillan
has 200 acres of land in the old farm, and 120 in the farm on which
he is living. He is a Democrat politically, and has been a delegate
to the State conventions of his party since sixteen years of age, was
a delegate to the State convention at St. Louis in 1886, and is an
active worker for the party. He is secretary of the Gasconade Teach-
ers' Association, and one of its best educators.
Charles W. Mellies, dealer in general merchandise, and postmaster at
Woollam, Mo.;, was born in Lippe-Detmold, in 1849, the son of Herman
and Charlotte (Kilker) Mellies,who came from Germany to Gasconade
County, Mo., in 1851, and located near Bay Postoffice. Here the
father owned a good farm, and died in 1885. The mother died in Dec-
ember, 1886. She was the mother of seven children, two by her first
husband, Louis Mellies. All of the children lived in Gasconade County
until a few years ago, when four moved to Kansas. Charles W. Mellies
received a fair education in both English and German, in the old sub-
scription schools, and in 1876 engaged in the mercantile business at
Woollam, with William Berger, the firm being known as Berger & Mellies.
They still continue, with good success. Mr. Mellies was assistant
postmaster till 1883, and since then has been postmaster. In June,
1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie, daughter of his part-
ner, William Berger. The latter came from Germany to Franklin County,
Mo., when a young man, and Mrs. Berger from the same, when a child,
with her parents, and located at Berger Station. They now reside near
Drake. Mr. Berger has held the offices of justice of the peace, sher-
iff and collector, presiding judge of the county court, and also as
probate judge. Of fifteen children born to his marriage, only six are
living. He is a Democrat, and a first class business man.
Henry L. Mellies, who is another successful farmer of Brush Creek Town-
ship, was born in Gasconade County, Mo., in 1855, and is the eldest of
a family of ten children born to Ernst and Wilhelmina (Aufderheid)
Mellies, natives of Germany, but who came to the United States when
young, and settled with their parents in Gasconade County, where they
are now living. The father, Ernst Mellies, was born in Prussia, in
1831, and attended the common schools in Germany until fourteen years
of age. In 1854, he married, and in 1857 settled near Woollam, where
he has a good farm. He was in the Home Guards and Company F, of the
Missouri Militia, during the war, and was sergeant most of the time.
During Price's raid he was captured and held a prisoner a short time.
Soon after the war he took up the study of medicine, and has since had
quite a successful practice, in connection with farming. Politically,
he is a Republican, and a non-partisan in county affairs. His wife was
born in Hanover, Germany, and came with her father, Fred Aufderheid, to
Gasconade County. Henry L. Mellies received his education in English
and German languages. He remained on the farm until nineteen years of
age, at which date he began clerking in a store at Woollam, and there
remained two years. He then remained one year with Mr. Link, at Bem.
In 1879 he married Miss Emma Brinkmann, a native of Third Creek Town-
ship, and the daughter of F. W. and Wilhelmina Brinkmann. The fruits
of this union were three children: Amanda, Hannah and an infant. Mr.
Mellies lived in Brush Creek Township one month, and then removed to
Bem, on his farm of 325 acres. He is an industrious farmer, and takes
a great interest in the improvement of his stock. He is a member of
the A. O. U. W., also a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Repub-
lican in politics, voting for R. B. Hayes in 1876.
Christian H. Meyer, a successful farmer of Roark Township, and the son
of Henry and Christine (Grannemann) Meyer, was born in Gasconade Co.,
Mo., in the year 1842. He grew to manhood on the farm, securing a fair
education in the common schools of the county, in both the English and
German languages. In 1861 he enlisted in the Home Guards and served
three months. He then joined a reserve corps and later the Fourth Miss-
ouri Volunteers, serving altogether eighteen months. After returning
home he worked on the railroad for some time, and then engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits, at which he has been quite successful. In 1868 he
led to the hymeneal alter Miss Wilhelmina Vedewald, a native of Frank-
lin County, Mo., born in 1847, and the result of this union was the
birth of five children, three sons and two daughters. Soon after marr-
iage they settled upon the farm he now owns, which consists of 182
acres. For forty-six years he has been a resident of Gasconade County,
and is accounted a good farmer and an honest, upright citizen. He is a
Republican in politics.
Henry August Meyer, clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio recorder
of Gasconade County, is a leading citizen of Hermann, Mo., near which
place he was born July 5, 1850. He is the youngest of the surviving
children born to Ernst Henry and Christine (Grannemann) Meyer, who were
married in 1835. Ernst Henry Meyer, a native of Holtzhausen, Prussia,
was born March 3, 1809; he immigrated to America in 1836, without his
family, and located in Richmond, Va., where he remained about two years
working at his trade, that of a blacksmith. He then returned to his
native country with the intention of remaining, but becoming dissatis-
fied he again set sail for America with his family, reaching Hermann,
Gasconade Co., Mo., July 21, 1838, where he located for a while. Sub-
sequently he became the owner of some 260 acres of land in Sections 6
and 7, Township 45, Range 4 West, 133 acres of which he entered from
the Government, upon which land he resided up to the time of his death.
On December 7, 1840 he declared his intention of becoming a citizen of
the United States, and subsequently, April 8, 1845, he was admitted to
full citizenship, under the name of Ernst Meyer, in the Gasconade Cir-
cuit Court. On April 29, 1870, he again sailed from New York to his
native land in search of health, returning the 23rd day of July follow-
ing. After the death of his first wife, he was married on August 30,
1871, to Catherine Brock, a native of Germany, with whom he lived but
a short time before his death, which occurred September 9, 1871; he was
buried in the family graveyard on the homestead above mentioned, about
three miles from Hermann. He was a citizen well known and respected by
all in the community, and was a strong Republican in politics. Mrs.
Christine Meyer was born at Nordhemmen, Prussia, March 15, 1811 and
died in Gasconade County, February 7, 1863, and was buried on the home-
stead. Of the children born to the parents six survive, as follows:
Henry August Meyer, of Hermann; Henry Meyer, of St. Louis; Louis Meyer,
of Hermann; Christian Meyer, of Gasconade County; Edward Meyer, of
Effingham County, Ill., and Louisa Meyer (now Mrs. Krug), of St. Louis.
Those deceased are Caroline, William and Annie. Henry August Meyer,
subject of this sketch, was reared on the homestead near Hermann, where
he attended the public schools, he subsequently completed a normal
course at the Central Wesleyan College, Warrenton, Mo., graduating in
1874. He then returned to Hermann and took charge of Frene Creek
School, near that place, where he taught five years. At the August
term of the county court, in 1877, he was appointed school commissioner
of Gasconade County, which position he filled until the November term,
1878, when he tendered his resignation. In November, 1878, he was
elected on the People's ticket as clerk of the circuit court, by a
majority of 154 votes, was re-elected on the same ticket in 1882, by a
majority of 130 votes, and again elected in 1886 on the regular Repub-
lican ticket, by a majority of 387. From April, 1881 to April, 1887,
he served as a member of the German school board of Hermann, during
which time he was treasurer of the same. On August 11, 1875 Mr. Meyer
married Henrietta Vedewald, who was born in Franklin County, Mo., on
December 1, 1854 and is a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Meyer) Vede-
wald, who came to America in 1843 and located on a farm in Franklin
County, Mo., where the father died September 4, 1869; he is buried in
the old graveyard of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Franklin County,
of which church he was a member. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are the parents of
six children, born as follows: M. Lydia, born May 20, 1876; Benjamin F.
born June 6, 1878; Martha C., August 23, 1880; Luella J., December 31,
1882; Cora F. E., August 30, 1885 and Olinda W. C., May 15, 1887. The
parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Meyer is also a member of Hermann Lodge, No. 32, A. O. U. W.
John Henry Meyer, farmer, of Gasconade County, Mo., was born in the
county where he now resides, April 22, 1844, and is the eldest child
born to John Henry and Margaret Catherine (Peaper) Meyer. The father
was a native of Hanover, Germany, born about May 9, 1810. The mother
was born in Westercappenn, Prussia, and is now about seventy-four years
of age. Mr. Meyer served in the regular army of his native country
about six years and then came to the United States, and for two or
three years worked as a laborer in St. Louis, Mo. He then sent for his
father's family and with them came to Gasconade County, settling in
Boulware Township. Here the mother died a few years after. The father
married again and died in this county in 1875. John Henry Meyer was
educated in both English and German. At the breaking out of the late
war he joined Company A, Third Missouri State Militia, and was in var-
ious skirmishes during that time. December 23, 1869, he was united in
marriage to Sophia, a daughter of Henry and Henrietta Bierwirth, both
native Germans, and immigrants to the United States in 1851. The
father died in 1878 and the mother in 1851. Mr. Meyer and his wife
became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: William
H., Catherine, Fred William, Mary, Louisa, Henry and John Logan. The
first two years after his marriage Mr. Meyer lived with his father-in-
law, while he cleared some land on his present farm and built his
house. He is now the owner of 298 acres of land, of which seventy-five
acres are improved, principally by his own efforts. He held the office
of regisrar of the county court from 1872 until 1878, and in 1880 was
appointed to fill a vacancy as justice of the peace, and in 1882 was
elected to the same for four years. In 1884 he was elected public
administrator for Gasconade County, and has since held the office with
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all. He is a Republican
in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for Grant. He is
a member of the A. O. U. W., which he represented in the Grand Lodge in
St. Louis in February, 1888. He and wife are members of the Evangeli-
cal Church.
Louis Meyer, dealer in agricultural implements and proprietor of a
portable sawmill at Hermann, was born in that city, January 1, 1840,
and is a son of Ernst Henry Meyer (deceased), a native of Prussia and
a pioneer settler of Hermann. (For further particulars of parents
see sketch of Aug. Meyer, just preceding this.) Louis remained on the
farm near Hermann until fifteen years of age, when he began learning
the wagon maker's trade, which, after completing, he removed to St.
Louis and followed for about two years and a half. He then returned
to Hermann, and built a shop on his father's farm. A year later he
enlisted in Company B, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was in
service twenty-one months, being on guard duty all the time. After
returning from the war he established a wagon maker's shop in Hermann
(1864), and there remained until 1873, when he added a blacksmith
shop, and operated the same until 1878, when he rented the blacksmith
shop. He also rented the wagon maker's shop in 1883, and now deals in
agricultural implements and owns and operates a saw mill, called the
Eagle Sawmill, which was manufactured at Indianapolis. It is driven by
a traction engine, and the same engine can be used for threshing. Dec-
ember, 1864, he married Mary Velewald, daughter of Frederick Velewald
(deceased), an early settler of Franklin County. Six children, five
of whom are now living, were born to Mr. Meyer's marriage: Louis,
Louise, Hattie, Emily and Edward. Mr. Meyer was a member of the town
council, was treasurer of the County Agricultural Society, and was a
member of the school board, of which he was president for three years.
He is treasurer of Hermann Aid Society, is a member of the G. A. R., of
which he is senior vice-commander and he is also a member of the German
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Capt. William Meyer was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1836, being the
elder of two children born to John H. R. and Lisette (Stenter) Meyer,
also natives of Hanover. The father was born in 1808, and in 1839
came to the United States, and for five years was a resident of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. Up to the time of his death, in 1883, with the excep-
tion of two years' residence in St. Louis, he resided in Gasconade
County. His wife died in Cincinnati. Their daughter, Caroline, is
the wife of Frank Stoenner, of Osage County, Mo. Capt. William Meyer
received a fair education in both English and German, and at the
breaking out of the war was made captain of Company E, Thirty-Fourth
Missouri Militia, and in September, 1861, was commissioned captain of
Company A, Third Regiment, Sixth Division of Missouri Militia, which
he commanded for six months at Douglas Prairie and Pacific. He ret-
urned home in 1865, and married Mary, daughter of Emil Hensley, form-
erly of Tennessee. Mrs. Meyer was born in Franklin County, of the
latter State, and died in 1872, leaving four children: George R.,
Mary C., Mary L and William (deceased). In 1873 Capt. Meyer married
Palemley P., daughter of Leroy Dennis, also formerly of Tennessee,
where Mrs. Meyer was born. They have four children: Edward A.,
Lisette C., Letta C. and William W. Capt. Meyer and his wife reside
on the old home farm of 190 acres. During the war he and three Rob-
inson brothers built a saw and grist mill on Second Creek, which they
operated for about ten years. He has served as constable and justice
of the peace, and from 1884 to 1886 was county judge from the North
District. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first presiden-
tial vote for Lincoln. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.
William Miller, farmer and stock raiser of Gasconade County, Mo., was
born in Prussia, in 1834, and is the fifth of six children born to
Peter Henry and Mary (Erka) Miller. They came to the United States in
1838, and after spending one year in Franklin County came to Gasconade
County, and were the first German settlers of Second Creek, and almost
the first in the county. The country was very wild at that time, and
the woods were full of wild animals of various kins, bears, panthers,
wild cats, and deer being among the various species. The father was a
well-to-do farmer, and died at the age of fifty-three. The mother died
three years later at the same age. Of their family, two sons and one
daughter are living. The daughter, Mrs. Minnie Stupplemann is residing
in Osage County. The two sons are among the first farmers of Gasconade
County. William Miller attended the common schools, which were then
very inferior, three months during the year, and after becoming grown
attended school in St. Louis for some time. At the age of fourteen he
went to St. Louis, and for four years drove a flour wagon in that city.
He then became cabin boy on a Mississippi steamer, and for three years
worked on the Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois Rivers. After his
return to Gasconade County he worked for various farmers, and after a
time purchased part of his present farm. March 1, 1855 he married
Sarah Adkins, who was born in Hermann, and died in 1872, leaving five
children: Mary J. (wife of Charles Hoffmann), Henry, Rebecca (deceased),
Martha (deceased) and Louisa. In 1872, Mr. Miller married Minnie Hoff-
mann, who was born in Lippe-Detmold, and died in 1876, leaving one
child, Sarah. The same year Mr. Miller married Mary Hilkemann, a
native of Gasconade County. She died leaving three children: Sophia,
William and Minnie. Mr. Miller is the owner of over 600 acres of fine
land, 200 acres of which are in a good state of cultivation. In 1867
he erected a large stone house, and all his property has been the
result of his own industry. He is a Republican in politics, and cast
his first presidential vote for Fremont. He deals quite extensively in
stock, shipping principally to St. Louis.
Vincent Mueller, blacksmith of Morrison, was born in 1848, and is a
native of Baden, Germany. His parents, Matthew and Anna M. (Roesch)
Mueller, were natives of Baden, where they spent their lives on a farm.
Of their family of ten children only two ever came to this country.
While growing up Vincent learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he
has worked all his life. At the age of twenty-one he sailed for Amer-
ica, and after spending a short time in New York found his way to Gas-
conade County, Mo., where he again resumed his trade in the southern
part of the county, until 1882, at which date he moved to Morrison, and
where he has since had a good business. In 1870 he was united in marr-
iage to Miss Pauline Gronert, a native of Prussia, Germany, who bore
him eight children, three sons and five daughters. All the family are
members of the Catholic Church, and are respected and esteemed citizens.
Their eldest son, Henry, is learning the trade of his father. Mr.
Mueller is a Democrat, politically, is a member of the C. K. & A.,
being president of the lodge at Morrison.
Robert C. Mumbrauer, photographer of Hermann, is the son of Charles
Mumbrauer, a native of Hanover, Germany, who immigrated with his family
to the United States in 1854. After remaining in New Orleans until the
spring of 1855 they removed to Hermann, Mo., where they have since re-
sided. Robert C. was born in Schelda, Germany, September 7, 1851, and
was reared and educated in Hermann. He learned his profession in Her-
mann and St. Louis, working with Fred Scattley, of the latter city, for
about a year. In 1870 he engaged in business for himself, traveling in
tent and portable house until 1876, when he returned to Hermann and
established a gallery in that place, which he continued for eighteen
months. He then traveled until the fall of 1879, on portrait work,
after which he returned and has carried on the business in Hermann.
September 11, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Cary, a
native of Whelling, W. Va., who came to Osage County, Mo., when quite
small. She is the daughter of James Cary (deceased). The following
six children were born to Mr. Mumbrauer's marriage: Albert E., Maggie,
Charles, Walter, Emma and Rosa. Mr. Mumbrauer was deputy sheriff for
six years under Theo. Bergner, and was nominated for sheriff on the
Democratic ticket in 1884. He was city marshal one year, and was five
years in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in the
detective service. This was during the time and after he was deputy
sheriff. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the A. O. U. W.
A. B. P. Mundwiller, farmer and magistrate of Roark Township, is the
son of Ralthasar and Magdalena (Fritz) Mundwiller, natives of Alsace,
Germany (France), who, when children, came with their parents to Amer-
ica in 1832, the latter being among the first settlers of Gasconade
County. On reaching years of discretion the father and mother of the
subject of this sketch went to St. Louis, in 1847, were married and
then returned to Gasconade County, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. The father was a wide awake man, and one who took an
active interest in schools, roads and other improvements. He for some
time, served as magistrate. During the late war he was one of the
first to take up arms in answer to his country's call, and was first
lieutenant in the Home Guards. Afterward he raised Company E, of the
Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, United States army, and was elec-
ted captain, which commission he held until mustered out of service.
Both he and family were members of the Catholic Church. He died at
the age of fifty-two, lamented by all. Of the twelve children born
to their marriage, nine are still living. The eldest of this family
is our subject, who was born in Roark Township in 1851, and educated
in the common schools and High School at Hermann. He remained at home
until twenty-four years of age, and then engaged in teaching, which
profession he followed in winter, and engaged in farming during the
summer. In 1875 he married Augusta Keuper, a native also of Roark
Township, and the fruits of this union were the birth of five children.
In 1882 Mr. Mundwiller was chosen magistrate of his township. He is a
Republican in politics, and both he and wife are members of the Catho-
lic church. He has 120 acres, and is accounted a man of intelligence
and thrift.
Gustavus J. Mundwiller, son of Balthasar and Magdalena (Fritz) Mund-
willer, was born in Gasconade County, Mo., March 8, 1857, and received
his education in the common schools, High School at Hermann, and fin-
ished at the Rolla School of Mines in 1876. He then, for five terms,
taught in the schools of this county, and at the same time carried on
farming. In 1881 he married Miss Barbara Schuster, a native of Gas-
conade County, born in 1859. Four children were born to this union,
two sons and two daughters. In political principles Mr. Mundwiller is
a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. Having
moved on his farm in 1880, he has since followed agricultural pursuits
and has 108 acres of good land. He is turning his attention to the
raising of fine draft horses, and is succeeding quite well. He has
lived in this county all his life, and is accounted a successful farm-
er and a highly respected citizen.
Dr. Edmund Nasse, like others mentioned in the present volume, is also
a native born resident of Hermann, his birth having occurred February
11, 1858. He was educated in the common or public schools of that
place, supplementing the course there received by attendance at a high
school at Warrenton, Mo., where he became still better fitted to pre-
pare for the professional life which he had determined to enter. When
but seventeen years of age he began reading medicine under the guidance
of his father, Dr. August Nasse, and subsequently, in 1878, attended
the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in 1881, well
fitted to commence at once the active practice of his profession. Re-
turning to Hermann he practiced a few months, and next spent a year in
the West, finally coming back to this place, where his time has since
been devoted to the duties of his adopted calling. As a practitioner
he has been successful, as his numerous acquaintances can well testify.
In 1882 he also assumed charge of the drug store previously established
by his father, and still conducts the same. In September, 1886, Dr.
Nasse was married to Marie Thomann, of Chicago, who has borne him one
child. The Doctor's parents, August and Matilda (Wuerdemann) Nasse,
were both natives of Germany. The father was born in Bielefeld, West-
phalia, April 26, 1814 and in 1837 immigrated to America, residing for
a short time at Cleveland, Ohio, and later going to Cincinnati, where
he completed his medical studies in the Ohio Medical College. Follow-
ing this he practiced several years at Augusta, Mo., next located at
Ellsworth, Texas Co., Mo., and in 1847 came to Hermann, where he
resided and followed his profession until his death, in 1884. He was
well and favorably known and generally esteemed, enjoying universal
respect. Mrs. Nasse was born in Bremen, in 1816 and died at Hermann,
in 1882; she came to America when quite young.
Charles F. Neuenhahn, wagon and carriage maker at Hermann, was born in
that town January 8, 1858, and is the son of August Neuenhahn (deceas-
ed). The father was of German-Saxony descent. He was an early and
prominent citizen of Germany, and was for many years constable and
county commissioner. Charles F. was reared and educated in Hermann,
where he has carried on business for the past two years. He worked as
a journeyman for about twelve years, in various parts of the United
States, and was successful with that as well as successful with any
enterprise he undertook. He traded among the Indians of the west and
southwest some time. May 29, 1884 he took for his companion through
life Miss Theresa Poeschel, the daughter of William Poeschel, who is
now a resident of Roark Township. The result of Mr. Neuenhahn's marr-
iage was the birth of two children: Charles and Alma. Mr. Neuenhahn
is a first class citizen, and is secretary of the Harmonie, a musical
society of Hermann.
Henry Nolte, farmer of Roark Township, is the son of Henry and Mary
(Schaefer) Nolte, both of whom were born in Waldeck, Germany. They
were married in that country, and of the six children born to them,
four of their births occurred in the old country and two after reach-
ing the United States. The father was a farmer by occupation and,
after coming to America (1845), they settled in Gasconade County,
where both died. The father was born in 1800, and died in 1875, and
the mother in 1807, and died in 1869. Both were members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and the father was a Republican in politics.
Henry was born in Waldeck, Germany, in 1833, and when twelve years of
age came with his parents to Gasconade County, and the principal part
of his education was received in the old country. After leaving home
he worked among the farmers until 1859, when he married Miss Martha
Humburg, a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, born in 1839, and by her
became the father of nine children, five now living, four sons and
one daughter. In 1878 his wife died, and the following year he marr-
ied Miss Louisa H. Gentner, daughter of G. Henry Gentner. She was
born in this county in 1841. During the war, Mr. Nolte served three
months in the Home Guards, and a short time in the Enrolled Militia.
He owns 160 acres of land, the same as his father, and in that occu-
pation has been quite successful. He is a Republican in politics.
Fritz Ochsner, livery man and deputy sheriff of Gasconade County, Mo.,
is a native of the county, born eight miles south of Hermann, November
27, 1851. His father, Henry Ochsner, who is now deceased, was a native
of Switzerland, and came to the United States when a young man settling
in Gasconade County, Mo., where he afterward made his home. Fritz Och-
sner received a fair education in the common schools, and farmed until
twenty-five years old, when he came to Hermann and engaged in the liv-
ery business. He was elected township constable in the fall of 1884,
and was made deputy sheriff in the fall of 1885. January 8, 1884, he
took for his companion through life Miss Louise Schupert, daughter of
Casper Schupert, of this county. They are the parents of two children:
Lillie and Amanda. Mr. Ochsner is a worthy young citizen and is doing
well financially. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
Christian F. Oelschlaeger, farmer and wine grower, is the son of Daniel
and Christina P. (Oelschlaeger) Oelschlaeger, both of whom were born in
Wurtemberg, Germany, though not related. Here they were married, and
reared three children. The father was a tailor by trade, and in 1833
they crossed the ocean to America, and located at Philadelphia, Penn.
Becoming a member of the German Settlement Society, they came to Her-
mann in 1837, and soon after moved to the place where our subject now
lives. The father lived to see his eighty-seventh year, and the mother
to see her sixty-fifth year. Both were members of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church. The father served four years under Napoleon. Christ-
ian F. was born in the same place as his parents, in the year 1827, and
was the youngest child born to their union. He came to this country
when only six years of age, and his education was limited to a few
months' attendance at Philadelphia. At the age of nineteen he enlisted
in the Mexican War, but was discharged, with others, on account of hav-
ing no arms. In 1851 he married Mariah Krattli, a native of Switzerland.
She died in 1886. To them were born eight children, four sons and four
daughters. Mr. Oelschlaeger is conservative in his political views,
voting for the man more than for the party, and he is a member of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, as was also his wife. He has for forty
years lived on the tract of land he now owns, which consists of 225
acres, and has lived for fifty-one years in the county. When his par-
ents reached this country, ten cents was all the money they had. They
immediately went to work, and, by laboring almost day and night, succ-
eeded in accumulating considerable property. The father was one of the
successful and enterprising farmers of Gasconade County, as is also his
son, the subject of this sketch.
Christian D. Oncken, farmer and stock raiser of Richland Township, was
born in Oldenburg, Germany, March 20, 1828, and is the son of Christian
D. and Eliza (Knodt) Oncken, who spent their lives in Germany. The
father died in 1840, aged fifty-three years, and the mother died about
1877, at the age of eighty-three years. The father was a magistrate,
and served in the French War of 1813 and 1815. He was one of the vet-
erans at Waterloo, and a commissioned officer. Christian D. received a
fair education, and, after reaching manhood, followed the occupation of
a farmer for about three years. In 1847 he came to Hermann, and worked
in the tanyard and mill of his cousin, Hans Widersprecher, until 1849,
when the cousin died. Mr. Oncken then engaged in merchandising for a
short time, and in 1850 was married to Miss Elizabeth, a native of Ger-
many, born in 1854, the daughter of Jacob Jaeger. She came with her
parents from Germany at the age of two. Ten children were the result
of Mr. Oncken's marriage, seven of whom are living: Frank, Henry,
Julius, George, Adelia (wife of Ernst Lange), Bertha (wife of Charley
Stricker), and Ella. Mr. Oncken, immediately after marriage, settled
on his present farm, then almost a wilderness, twelve miles west of
Hermann, on the Gasconade River, and which consists of 490 acres. He
served in Company A, Enrolled Missouri Militia, during the war, and was
justice of the peace four years prior to that struggle. He is a Repub-
lican in politics and a good citizen. When Stople Postoffice was
established, about 1853, Mr. Oncken carried mail from there to Hermann
once a week, for two years, at $26 per year, the postoffice then being
Gasconade Ferry Postoffice, which he was instrumental in establishing.
Francis Oncken is a prominent resident of Hermann, and at present occu-
pies the position of judge of the probate court of Gasconade County, to
which he was elected in 1876, re-elected in 1880 and 1882, and again in
1886. Born in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, October 22, 1829,
he remained there until immigrating to America in 1851, at which time
he came direct to Gasconade County, Mo., where he had relatives living.
Here he resumed his previous occupatioin of clerking. Crossing the
plains to California in 1853, he spent about three months there, then
returned and the same year went back to Germany on a visit, from whence
he returned permanently in August, 1854. For some time he carried on
merchandising at Oldenburg, but in 1860 retired to his farm, and during
the war he served as captain in the Home Guards and militia. After the
war he again engaged in business, and in company with his partner pur-
chased and operated a steamboat on the Missouri and Gasconade Rivers.
In 1876 Mr. Oncken was elected probate judge, and presiding judge of
the county court, and removed to Hermann in 1878. His career in this
official capacity has been an honorable and creditable one. October 12,
1860, he was married to Amanda Doyon, who was born in Hermann in 1843;
she is the daughter of Joseph Doyon, a Canadian. Eight of twelve chil-
dren born to this worthy couple still survive. The parents of Judge
Oncken, Christian D. and Charlotta (Knodt) Oncken, were natives of Var-
el on the Jahde, Germany, born in 1798 and 1800, respectively. The
former was an officer in the German army, and took part in the battle
of Waterloo. He died in 1842 and his wife in 1878.
Louis C. Ott, county school commissioner, is the son of Jacob and Hen-
rietta (Hoffman) Ott. The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in
1823, and the mother in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1827. In 1848 he
came to America and located in Gasconade County. About a year later
she crossed the ocean, and they were married in that county, after
which they settled on the place where they still live in Section 28,
Township 45, Range 5. He was a gardener in the old country, and after
coming here followed agricultural pursuits. He is a Republican in pol-
itics, and both belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Louis C. was
born on the home place in 1860, was reared a farmer boy and educated in
the common schools, but completed his schooling in Central Wesleyan
College, where he attended three years. In 1880 he began teaching in
the schools of Gasconade County, and has continued this occupation ever
since. In 1887 he was elected county school commissioner. In politics
he is a Republican in National affairs. In 1886 he married Miss Maggie
Roedel, a native of Moniteau County, Mo., born in 1863. To this union
was born one daughter, Lizzie M. L. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ott are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ott is a successful teacher,
and an intelligent wide awake commissioner.
Albert Pfotenhauer, farmer, is the son of Andrew and Margaret (Phillipp)
Pfotenhauer, who were born in Saxony in 1826, and Switzerland in 1830,
respectively. The father came to the United States some years before
the mother, who came in 1844. They were married in Gasconade County,
and here the father followed agricultural pursuits, at which he was
very successful. He was in the militia for some time during the war.
He died in 1862 and she in 1871. Both were members of the Evangelical
Church. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters,
Albert being the second child. He was born on the farm he now owns in
1854; was educated in the district schools. In 1874 he married Miss
Matilda Schultz, sister of August Schultz. She was born in Wurtemberg
in 1855, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, five
now living, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Pfotenhauer has been a
farmer all his life, and has a good farm of 120 acres. He is a Repub-
lican in politics.
Louis Poeschel, another successful farmer of Roark Township, is the son
of Melchior and Sophia (Stedzner) Poeschel. The father was born in
Saxony in 1813, and the mother in Prussia in 1819. While in the old
country the father followed the occupation of a stone mason, and since
coming to this country has followed agricultural pursuits and wine
growing. They made the trip to America in 1854, and located in Gascon-
ade County, where, the same year, the mother died, leaving nine child-
ren. The father has married twice since then, and by his second wife
had three children. The father is still living, and is a member of the
Evangelical Church, of which his first wife was also a member. Louis
was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1839, and reared on a farm, and in the
spring of 1854 he and his brother came to America about two months be-
fore their parents. During the war he served in the Home Guards, the
Third Missouri Reserve Corps, and was transferred to the Fourth Miss-
ouri Volunteer Infantry. He then served seventeen months on a gunboat
on the Mississippi River, in all he served about three years. After
the cessation of hostilities he returned to Gasconade County, where he
has farmed ever since. In 1864 he married Miss Mary Streker, a native
of Gasconade County, and the result of this union was the birth of
twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Two of the sons are de-
ceased. Mr. Poeschel has 160 acres of good land, besides some town
property, and has made this county his home for thirty-four years. He
is a Republican in his political views, and he and wife are members of
the Evangelical Church, to which they contribute liberally. They are
highly esteemed in the community, and are recognized as substantial
citizens of the county.
Melchior Poeschel, retired wine-grower of Hermann, was born near Alten-
burg, Germany, November 12, 1813, and is the son of John Poeschel, a
native of the same. Melchior came to the United States in 1854, settl-
ing in Hermann, where he has since lived, and where he engaged in wine
growing until the fall of 1881. His first marriage was to Sophia
Fleischer, who bore him nine children, only one now living, Louis, a
resident of Roark Township. Mrs. Poeschel died, and her husband took
for his second wife Johanna Rosine, and three children were born to
this union: Oscar (deceased), Allwin and Ida. The second wife died,
and Mr. Poeschel married Wilhelmina Rulle, whose maiden name was Flake.
Mr. Poeschel is an old settler of the county, and is an influential
citizen.
Michael Poeschel, retired merchant and founder of the Stone Hill Wine
Company, of Hermann, Mo., was born May 30, 1809, in Altenburg, Saxony,
Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1839, locating in Her-
mann, Mo., where he founded the Stone Hill Wine Company, in 1861, which
has gained a world renowned reputation. The firm name was M. Poeschel
& Scherer. Wine was first made here from grapes in 1846 in small
amounts by himself, Messrs. Riefenstahl, Strecker, Langendoerfer and
others. The first quantity shipped to market was in 1848 (a thousand
gallons), by Mr. Poeschel. He became wealthy in that business and re-
tired from active work in 1883. The entire community has been greatly
benefited by this enterprise. March 18, 1855, witnessed the marriage
of Michael Poeschel to Catherine Wagner, daughter of George A. Wagner
(deceased). To their union have been born six children, four of whom
are living: Johanna, Amalia (Mrs. Adam Starck), Hedwig (Mrs. George
Kraettly) and Helena. Mr. and Mrs. Poeschel are members of the Luther-
an Church, and are well known and worthy citizens of the county.
William Poeschel (deceased) was one of the old settlers of Gasconade
County, born in 1829, in Saxony, and was the son of John Poeschel. He
came to America in 1846, and the same year enlisted in the Mexican War
but only served about one month. His company being disbanded he went
with a train to carry provisions to the army, and in that capacity
served about two and a half years. In 1850 he married Miss Theodora
Neidhardt, a native of Baden Germany, born in 1828, and who came to
this country in 1849. After marriage they settled upon the farm where
his widow still lives, and which consists of ninety-five acres, of
which eight acres are in grapes. He was a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, and she of the Catholic. He died in 1870. He was a
stirring, successful farmer and wine grower, and, although starting
with nothing, succeeded in becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of
the county. In their family were seven children, two sons and five
daughters. One son, William F., was born in this county March 4, 1857
and was educated in Hermann, finishing school at St. Louis. He remain-
ed at home with his mother until 1879, when he married Amanda Colling,
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Colling, who were early settlers of
Gasconade County. She was born in that county December 25, 1859, and
by her marriage became the mother of two children, one son and one
daughter. After marriage they settled upon the farm on which they are
now living, 186 acres, and in this county William F. has lived all his
life, and is accounted a stirring young farmer and a good citizen. He
is a Republican in politics.
Charles F. Pope, teacher, justice of the peace of Third Creek Township,
and notary public, was born at Muenster, Westphalia, in 1839. The dom-
icile of his parents was Detmold, the capital of the principality of
Lippe-Detmold. Lost both parents while yet very young. Was adopted by
his guardian and his wife, who were childless. Received a good educa-
tion at the college in said city; came to the United States late in
1854, and settled in Third Creek Township, early in 1855. Was married
in 1859 to Miss Charlotte A. Waterman, who died in 1878, leaving him
eight children. Served during the war in Company F, Third Regiment
Missouri State Volunteers. Followed agricultural pursuits chiefly till
1870, when he took up teaching as a profession. Has, by the experience
gained by constant application and love of the work, become one of the
most successful educators of the county. Served his fellow citizens
since 1874, uninterruptedly, as justice of the peace, and, since 1876,
as notary public, runs an independent collecting agency and practices
in the inferior courts. A public spirited and industrious man, he is a
liberal supporter of all laudable public enterprises. His political
creed is Republican, and he cast his first presidential vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln. He is a Presbyterian, and a liberal supporter of the
Church.
Adolph J. Prudot, dealer in provisions, fancy groceries, etc., at Her-
mann, was born in St. Louis, Mo., January 28, 1844, the son of Albert
and Josephine (Billet) Prudot, natives of Lorraine, France (now a Ger-
man province), who came to the United States in 1835, locating in New
Orleans, La. In 1840 they removed to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Her-
mann and after a residence of about fourteen years, to Carondelet.
Sebastopol, Ill, became their home after a short time, and there the
father (who was born in 1800) died October 4, 1874. His widow subseq-
ently died at the home of a sister, in Greenville, Ill., June 16, 1884,
at the age of seventy-four. Mr. Prudot was a mechanic by trade, but
afterward followed farming. Adolph J. was the seventh of nine children
in the family, five of whom are now living: Eugenia Price, who married
Nicholas J. Price, of St. Louis; A. P., living in Carondelet, Mo.;
Josephine, wife of P. Martin, of Greenville, Ill., and August. The
subject of this sketch received the rudiments of an education at the
public schools of St. Louis, and when fourteen years of age learned the
occupation of hair dressing and wig-making, at which he worked three
years. For two years thereafter he was employed as salesman in a gro-
cery house of the same city, later, was with a confectionery firm, and
after two years more went to New Athens, Ill, and was occupied in
general business two years. Returning to Hermann he subsequently
opened a saloon, and finally conducted a hotel for some time, but in
1871, his present successful business commenced to receive his atten-
tion. The trade which he now controls is both extensive and lucrative.
June 16, 1870 Mr. Prudot was married to Sarah A. Steiger, daughter of
Dr. Steiger, of Hermann. Their only child, Constance, died when quite
young. Mrs. Prudot is a step-daughter of Dr. John Feldman, of Hermann.
Adam Puchta. Among the German settlers who came to Gasconade County
were John Henry and Mary (Schulteisz) Puchta, natives of Ober Kotzau,
Bavaria, Germany, born in 1802 and May 13, 1810, respectively. The
father had previously been married, and by this union three children
were born, only two living: Frederick and John Adam. The mother of
these children died in 1832, and June 22, 1833, the father married Miss
Schulteisz, who bore him eight children, seven now living: Catherine,
Margaret, Anna, Charles, Mathilde, Emil and Pauline. The first three
were born in Germany, and the rest in America. The father, while in
his native country, was a farmer and butcher by occupation. In 1839
they sailed for America and made their home in Gasconade County, where
both spent the remainder of their days. He lived to be fifty-five and
she seventy seven years of age. Both belonged to the Evangelical
Church. The second child born to the first marriage, John Adam, was
born in Ober Kotzau, Germany, November 27, 1831 and came with his par-
ents to Hermann, Mo., in 1839. April 15, 1853, he drove an ox team to
California, and was there nearly three years, mining gold. After re-
turning he married Miss Clementina Riefenstahl, daughter of George
Riefenstahl, one of the early settlers of Hermann. By this marriage
he became the father of one child, a daughter, deceased. In 1858 his
first wife died, and in the following year he married Miss Bertha
Riefenstahl, who was born in 1838, and who was a sister to his first
wife, and the first girl baby born in Hermann, Mo. she bore him two
children, one son and one daughter: Clementine (deceased), and Henry
John, who was born April 4, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Puchta are members of
the Evangelical Church, as was also his first wife. He settled in the
woods, cleared a fine tract of land of 100 acres, and has been success-
fully engaged in farming and wine growing. He has held the offices of
school director, roadmaster, etc., and is a Democrat in his political
belief. His brother, Frederick, also came to Hermann, Mo., in 1839.