USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 113
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Dec. 11, 1870, the Rev. Benjamin F. Reed was married to Martha Branstter, who was born in Pike County, Mo., in 1856, and to this union 13 children have been born, 10 of whom are living, namely: Howard, of Fayette, Mo .; Augustus, of Blackwater; Nora, wife of H. Branstter, of LaMine township; Cora, wife of F. Miller, of East Boonville; Ada, wife of N. Renison, of LaMine township; Artie, of Blackwater township; Arlie, of that same township; May, wife of E. Figgans, of Blackwater township, and George and Charlie, of Blackwater township. Among the children thus enumerated are two sets of twins, Mrs. Nora Branstter and Mrs. Cora Miller and Artie and Arlie.
Jacob Gross, a successful farmer of Pilot Grove township, was born in Belleville, Ill., Feb. 12, 1855, son of Jacob and Josephine (Wachter)
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Gross, who came to this county with their family from Illinois many years ago.
Having been but a lad when he came to Cooper County with his par- ents, Jacob Gross here grew to manhood, completing his schooling in the local schools, and remained on the home farm until his marriage in 1877, when he rented a farm. He continued as a renter until about 1892, when he bought his present farm in Pilot Grove township, and has since made his home there. Mr. Gross has a well improved place of 11216 acres and in addition to his general farming he raises live stock. When he bought the place the only "improvement" on it was a log cabin. This primitive structure, Mr. Gross soon supplanted by a new and modern house and the other improvements he has made on the place are in keeping with the same. Mr. Gross is a republican and has for years given close attention to local political affairs. He served for some time as a member of the school board. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
Jacob Gross has been twice married. Feb. 15, 1877, he was married to Elizabeth Berringer, who was born in Boonville, Feb. 9, 1858, and who died Sept. 11, 1894. To that union were born seven children, namely: Sophia, deceased; George, whose present whereabouts are unknown to his father; Rosa, wife of William Ashmead, of Pilot Grove township; Clara, wife of William Tempfel, living in Montana; William L., also of Montana ; Anna, deceased, and Herman, who is at home assisting his father. Nov. 25, 1896, Mr. Gross married Mrs. Mary Ann (Aldridge) Ashmead, widow of Joseph W. Ashmead and whose son, William E. Ashmead, married Mr. Gross's daughter, Rosa. Mrs. Mary A. Gross was born in Stonebridge, Worchestershire, England, June 16, 1855, and was but seven years of age when she came to this country with her parents, John and Sarah (Sprague) Aldridge, in 1862, the family locating in Alton, Ill., where they remained for some years or until the death of Mrs. Aldridge, when they came to Missouri and located in St. Clair County, where Mary A. Aldridge married Joseph W. Ashmead. To that union two children were born, Mrs. Gross having besides the son mentioned above a daughter, Mrs. Lil- lian Hull, of LaMine township.
Frank J. Hoff, a successful farmer of Pilot Grove township, the pro- prietor of an excellent farm, was born in Pilot Grove township Oct. 27, 1882, son of Jacob and Bena (Felton) Hoff, substantial residents of that community.
Reared on the home farm in Pilot Grove township, Frank J. Hoff re- ceived his schooling in the district schools and from the days of his boy- hood has devoted his attention to farming. In the fall of 1905 he bought
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from his father the farm on which he is now living and began operations on his own account. After his marriage in the spring of 1912 he estab- lished his home on that place and since then has made numerous substan- tial improvements. Mr. Hoff is independent in his political views. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
May 7, 1912, Frank J. Hoff was married to Anna Thiel, who was born at Tipton, Mo. and to this union three children have been born, Helen Beatrice, deceased, Andrew N. and Geraldine Elizabeth. Mrs. Hoff was born Nov. 27, 1887, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Besthen) Thiel, the latter of whom, also born in Moniteau County, is living at Tipton. Peter Thiel, who died some years ago, was born in Germany but had been a resident of this country since his boyhood, his parents having been among the early settlers of this section of Missouri.
Daniel J. Meyer, proprietor of an excellent farm in Blackwater town- ship, and one of the progressive young farmers of Cooper County, was born in this county Dec. 21, 1885, son of Louis and Mary (Martin) Meyer. Louis Meyer, who died in 1916, was born in 1860 and was a farmer all his life and was successful. At the time of his death he owned 320 acres of land in this county. His parents were natives of Germany and upon coming to this country settled in Indiana, but many years ago came to Missouri and located on a farm in Pilot Grove township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Louis Meyer was a member of the Catholic Church, as is his widow, and their children were reared in that faith. There were 11 of these children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Louisa Quigley, of Pilot Grove township; George A., living on the old home place; Daniel J .; Mrs. Margaret Ausemus, of Black- water township; Lena, wife of Edward McClammer, of Blackwater town- ship; John is on the home place with his brother George, and Lorine and Anna, who are living with their mother in Pilot Grove.
Daniel J. Meyer received his schooling in the local schools and has devoted his attention to farming with considerable success. Upon under- taking operations on his own account he bought a tract of cighty acres from his father which he has brought up to a high state of productivity. In addition to his general farming he also raises stock quite extensively. He is a democrat and is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
Dec. 22, 1909, Daniel J. Meyer was united in marriage to Lucy Daugh- erty, who also was born in Blackwater township, and to this union five
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children have been born, namely: Ruby, William, Bernice, Ruple, who died when three weeks old, and Helen. Mrs. Meyer is a daughter of John Daugherty and wife, the latter of whom was a Miss Linn, former well known residents of Blackwater township and both of whom are now de- ceased.
George A. Meyer, one of Blackwater township's well known and pro- gressive young farmers, who is living on the old Meyer place in that town- ship, farming the same in conjunction with his brother Daniel, was born on that farm. He was born Feb. 12, 1883, son of Louis and Mary (Mar- tin) Meyer, the latter of whom is living at Pilot Grove.
Reared on the home farm, George A. Meyer received his schooling in the local schools and since boyhood has been interested in farming. His father was an extensive farmer; at the time of his death in 1916 was the owner of 320 acres of land in Blackwater township and George A. grew up familiar with the details of farming. In 1908 he began farming on his own account, renting land from his father and after his marriage in the fall of 1910 continued to make his home on the home place, 227 acres of which he is now farming in conjunction with his younger brother, Daniel J. Meyer, who is living on an adjoining farm. Not only is Mr. Meyer carrying on his general farming operations with profit, but he is doing well in the live stock way. He is a democrat, and he and his wife are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Pilot Grove.
Nov. 24, 1910, George A. Meyer was married to Harriet Brommer, who also was born in this county, and to this union five children have been born: Mary M., Georgia Frances, Walter M., Opal and Gladys. Mrs. Meyer was born in Boonville township, daughter of Morris Brommer and wife, the latter of whom was a Miss Lebo. Mr. Brommer is living on his farm in Boonville township. His first wife, mother of Mrs. Meyer, died some years ago and he later married Lydia McGuire.
Otto Stoecklein, proprietor of a well improved farm in Pilot Grove township, is one of the best known farmers and stockmen in that neighbor- hood. He was born in Baden, Germany, Aug. 24, 1879, son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Rainhard) Stoecklein, natives of Germany.
Andrew Stoecklein was born in 1844 and grew up in his native country, was there married and in 1882 he with his family came to the United States locating on a farm in Clear Creek township, this county. July 23, 1900, he left for a visit to his old home in Baden, was taken ill and died there in that same year. His widow, who was born April 9, 1841, is living on the home place in Clear Creek township. She is a Catholic, as was her
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husband, and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth.
Otto Stoecklein was but three years of age when he came to this country with his parents in 1882 and he grew to manhood on the farm in Clear Creek township, his schooling being received in the local schools. In 1904 he began farming on his own account, renting a farm; his affairs prospered and in 1908, he was able to buy a farm of his own, in Palestine township, which he proceeded to improve and on which he lived until in 1917, when he sold it and bought what was known as the Abe Brownfield place of 134 acres in Pilot Grove township, where he since has made his home and which he has greatly improved. Mr. Stoecklein is a success- ful breeder of Poland China hogs. He is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
Feb. 9, 1904, Otto Stoecklein was married to Mamie Hamilton, who was born in this county, and to this union have been born seven children: Bernard, Leonard, Lorine, Otto, Jr., Mildred and Martha (twins) and Teresa. Mrs. Stocklein was born in LaMine township and was reared in the family of Bernard Martin.
Arthur H. Wood, one of Palestine township's well known and pro- gressive farmers and owner of a well-improved farm in that township. has been a resident of Cooper County since the days of boyhood. He . was born in Rock county, Wis., Feb. 18, 1881, only child of Herbert and Sarah (Taylor) Wood, both of whom were born in that state, the for- mer born in 1850 and the latter in 1854.
In October, 1887, Mrs. Sarah Wood came to Cooper county with her young son Arthur, then six years of age, having been attracted to this county as a place of residence by the fact of her brother, William Taylor, having located here in 1871. He is still living here, with his sister and her son in Palestine township. It was thus that Arthur H. Wood came to be reared in Cooper county and here received his schooling. From the days of his youth he has devoted his attention to farming, for a time renting a farm, and in 1901 bought 80 acres, to which in 1914 he added an adjoining tract of 105 acres. He is also farming his mother's place of 185 acres and is a substantial farmer. He carries on his operations in accordance with modern methods and is doing well, he and his mother and his uncle having a very pleasant home in Palestine township. Mr. Wood is a republican and has ever given his attention to civic affairs.
John Stoecklein, a progressive and substantial farmer of Pilot Grove township has been a resident of Cooper county since his boyhood. Hu.
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was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 8, 1867, son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Reinhart) Stoecklein, natives of that country, who came here during the '70s and settled in this county.
When he came to Cooper County, John Stoecklein began working as a farm hand and was for six years thus engaged, working on the farms of Joseph Stuckey and Hamilton Lusk. After his marriage in the spring of 1891, Mr. Lusk rented a farm to him and "set nim up in business," providing him (without security) with a team of mules and other essen- tials of farming, at the same time giving him a bit of advice which Mr. Stoecklein today admits would have made him a rich man had he pos- sessed the foresight to follow it. In 1897 Mr. Stoecklein bought a farm a mile east of Pleasant Green, making his home there until 1909, when he bought the farm where he is now living and has since resided on this place. Mr. Stocklein has a well improved farm of 151 acres and in addition to his general farming he is raising pure bred Chester White hogs. Since taking possession of his present place he has erected a new house and barn and the other improvements on the place are in keeping with the same. He is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
April 16, 1891, John Stoecklein was married to Caroline Prummel}, who was born in Michigan, daughter of Peter Prummell and wife, na- tives of Germany, and to this union have been born seven children, Rich- ard, Genevieve, Florence, Gertrude, Helen, John and Philip.
Peter D. McClain, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Clear Creek township and widely known breeder of Poland China hogs, is a native son of Cooper county. He was born in Palestine township, Jan. 18, 1863, son of David and Jaily (Stevens) McClain, both of whom also were born in this county, members of pioneer families, and the latter of whom is still living, making her home with her son Peter, at the great age of 93 years.
David McClain was born in this county in 1829, his parents having been among the early settlers in this part of Missouri, and here he grew to manhood, became a farmer and so continued until his death, which oc- curred in 1883. To him and his wife were born the following children: Bettie, who married H. C. White and is now deceased; John, deceased ; William, who is now living in Texas; Rhody, wife of J. T. Hirst, of Se- dalia; Fannie, wife of Alexander Lane, of Lebanon township; Joann, who
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married Theodore Beck and is now deceased; Peter D., the subject of this sketch; George, of Palestine township, and two who died in infancy. The mother of these children, who (as noted above) is still living, was born in what is now Palestine township in 1826.
Peter D. McClain was 20 years of age when his father died and he continued on the farm, helping look after affairs for his mother, until his marriage at the age of 26. He then rented a farm in Palestine town- ship and soon afterward bought a farm there. For 20 years he resided there and in 1912 bought his present farm in Clear Creek township. Mr. McClain has a well-improved farm of 364 acres. He is quite extensively engaged in the breeding of Poland China hogs; holds stock sales twice a year and ships his stock for breeding purposes quite widely over the country. He is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Methodist church.
In 1889 Peter D. McClain was married to Florence Mowrey, of this county, and to this union six children have been born, namely: Lulu, wife of F. R. Quint, of the Pettis county; Cecil lives in Blackwater town- ship ; Marie, Emil and Ross, at home, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. McClain was born in Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of David and Miria (Fichelberger) Mowrey, who also were born in Pennsylvania and who came to Cooper county in 1877, locating here on a farm.
Andrew F. Gramlich, proprietor of a well kept farm in Clear Creek township, is a native son of Cooper county. He was born on a farm in Clear Creek township, Dec. 23, 1884, son of Frank and Josephine (Stoltz- enberger) Gramlich, both of whom also were born in this county.
Frank Gramlich was born in Clear Creek township in 1854, son of Martin Gramlich and wife, who were pioneers there. He grew to man- hood on the farm there and after his marriage to Josephine Stoltzenberger, who also was born in Clear Creek township, member of a pioneer family there, settled on a farm where he is still living. His wife died Feb. 1, 1919, at the age of 56 years. Two children were born to them, Andrew F. having a brother, Peter, who lives on the home place with his father.
Andrew F. Gramlich received his schooling in district schools and when 21 years of age began farming on his own account, renting land at first. A few years later, in 1909, the year of his marriage, he bought the farm on which he is now living, a well-kept tract of 130 acres, and has since lived there. Mr. Gramlich has made extensive improvements and is carrying on his farming according with up-to-date methods. He is a
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Republican. For some years he served as director of schools and is now overseer of roads in that district. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Oct. 28, 1909, that Andrew F. Gramlich was married to Josephine K. Gross, who also was born in this county, and to this union four chil- dren have been born: Ernest George; Isabel J., Marie E., and Lucille K. Mrs. Gramlich was born in Pilot Grove township, Oct. 15, 1885, daughter of George Gross and wife.
Louis N. Hoff, one of the representative citizens of Clear Creek township, is a native of Michigan. He was born at Paw Paw, Van Buren county, Dec. 28, 1856, son of William and Catherine (Donehoe) Hoff.
William Hoff was a native of Germany, born at Eppenbraun, Dec. 12, 1832, and when about 20 years of age he left his native land and ar- rived in New York on the day on which Franklin Pierce was inaugurated President of the United States in 1853 and for two or three years made his home there and in Rochester, N. Y. In the latter city he married in October, 1854, and in the following year he and his wife moved to Michigan and settled in VanBuren county, near Paw Paw, where Mrs. Catherine Hoff died in June, 1881. In Feb., 1883, William Hoff moved to Missouri and bought 107 acres in Clear Creek township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died Feb. 3, 1917. William Hoff and his wife were the parents of two children, Louis N. and Mrs. Margaret Waters, a widow, living at Sterling, Col. The mother was born in On- tario, Canada, in April, 1834, and was in her 48th year when she died. She and her husband were Catholics and their children were reared in that faith.
Louis N. Hoff grew up on the home farm in Michigan, and attended the common schools, such as they were, and as a home student in later years became a well informed man. Not only that, but his own lack of opportunities in the days of his boyhood impressed upon him the neces- sity of better school facilities and for many years he has given his most earnest attention to school affairs and as a school officer has done much to advance the cause of education in his home district. Mr. Hoff was married in the spring of 1880 and had for some time been farming in Michigan when his father came to Cooper County in 1883. Three months after his father's arrival here Louis N. disposed of his interests in Michi- gan and came here, taking charge of the place his father had bought in Clear Creek township, renting the same until 1889, when he bought 80 acres, a part of the place which he now owns. As his affairs prospered
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Mr. Hoff in 1892 bought adjacent land and now has there a well-imporved and profitably cultivated farm of 223 acres. The Hoff house occupies a commanding elevation on the south bank of the LaMine river, overlook- ing the beautiful valley of the LaMine, and is one of the best building sites in that section of the county. Mr. Hoff is stockholder and a director of the Citizens Bank of Pilot Grove. He is a Democrat as was his father. For 33 years he was a member of the school board in district No. 14. He and his family are members of the Catholic church at Pilot Grove and when the congregation there set about the erection of a church he was selected as one of the members of the building committee, and in that . capacity gave of his time and his means to the completion of the present substantial church and other buildings. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Louis N. Hoff has been twice married. Feb. 4, 1880, in Michigan, he was united in marriage to Anna Brummell who was born in DuPage county, Ill., and to that union seven children were born, namely: William, deceased Mary, wife of William Schneider, Clear Creek township; Joseph, Clear Creek township; Francis, deceased; Bertha, Benton Harbor, Mich .; Edward L., who has just recently returned from a period of military training at Camp Funston, where he was assigned upon being inducted into the National Army during the World War, but was mustered out following the signing of the armistice; and Leo, deceased. The mother of these children died Sept. 9, 1895, and on May 25, 1897, Mr. Hoff mar- ried Matilda Irene Schneider, who was born on a farm in South Moniteau township, and whose parents are now residents of Pilot Grove. To this union eight children have been born, namely: Anna, wife of F. Lamm, Pilot Grove ; Albert, at home, and Charles, George, Alice, William, Louis N. Jr., and Dorothy.
James S. Funkhauser, a well known and substantial farmer of Leb- anon township is a native of Cooper county. He was born on a farm in Saline township, Jan. 1, 1865, son of James C. and Elizabeth A. (Calvert) Broyles, and was the fourth in order of birth of the five children born to them. When seven years of age he was adopted by Eli and Elizabeth Ann Funhauser, Virginians, who had settled on the farm which he now owns in Lebanon township about 1870 and which after their death he in- herited.
Reared on the farm, James S. Funkhauser received his schooling in the district schools and from the days of his boyhood was a valuable aid in the labors of developing the farm which he now owns. He re-
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mained by his foster parents and when 21 years of age took charge of the farm on a rental basis and after his marriage in the fall of 1889 established his home there and has since lived on the place. which he has improved in admirable fashion. Mr. Funkhauser is a Democrat. but has never been an aspirant for public office.
Oct. 7. 1889. James S. Funkhauser was married to Blanche Starke, of this county, and to this union two children have been born. namely: Mary P .. wife of L. Edmonston, of Pleasant Green, and Jack, of Kansas City. Jack Funkhauser was born on the farm on which his parents re- side. Dec. 30, 1893. and upon completing the course in the local schools took a course in the Manual Training High School at Kansas City. Upon his graduation from that school he became employed as a solicitor for the First National Bank of Kansas City and is still connected with that institution. He married Ruth DeLancey. who was born in Kansas City, and has one child. Donald Lyle. Mrs. Blanche S. Funkhauser was born in this county Nov. 11. 1869. and is a daughter of the late Judge John D. Starke, who died at his home in Otterville in 1917 and who for many years was recognized as among the most prominent figures in the public life of central Missouri.
William Henry Stahl. one of the best known of the old time residents of Lebanon township. is a native of Pennsylvania, but has been a resident of Missouri for fifty years. He was born on a farm in Perry county, Pa .. Feb. 9. 1843. son of Abraham and Mary (Ernst) Stahl, both of whom also were born in Pennsylvania. where they spent all their lives. Abraham Stahl was born in 1818 and was 73 years of age at the time of his death. He and his wife were the parents of ten children. of whom seven are still living. the subject of this sketch being the eldest.
Reared in the home farm in Pennsylvania, William H. Stahl attended the district schools. During the Civil War he served the government as a teamster and after the war returned to his home. In the fall of 1868 he married there and in the following spring (1869) came to Missouri with his wife and located in Morgan county. where he engaged in farming and remained until 1873. when he came to Cooper county and rented a farm. A year later he bought 120 acres in Lebanon township, a part of the farm on which he is still living. He prospered and in time added to his hold- ings until he became the owner of his present fine farm of 201 acres. Of late years Mr. Stahl's health has not been up to standard and he has long been living practically retired. the operations on his farm beng carred on by- hs son-in-law. L. H. Roesler, who is living on the home place. For some
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years Mr. Stahl made his home in Texas, seeking a change for the better- ment of his health, and also for some time lived in Clarksburg, Mo., but the old home farm still seems the best place in the world for him. He is a Democrat and he and his family are members of the Methodist church.
Oct. 1, 1868, in Perry county, Pa., William H. Stahl was married to Mary Arnold, who also was born in that county, and to this union eight children have been born, namely: Mrs. Jennie Spillers, Wichita, Kan .; George D., the owner of a farm southeast of Tipton; Bluhm E., deceased; Laban, of Buffalo, Okla .; William E., who recently received his discharge from the United States army and is now living at Denver, Colo .; Irvin Lee, of Rock Island, Texas; Roy T., deceased, and Ruth, wife of L. H. Roesler, on the home farm. William E. Stahl, the soldier son was born Nov. 28, 1884, and was engaged as a traveling salesman when he enlisted for service in the National Army. With his command he got to the seaboard on the way for overseas service, but was taken ill and was for 11 weeks confined in hospital at Baltimore. On this account he did not get to participate in foreign service and was in due time discharged and went to Denver for more complete recuperation than could be promised in the climate of this region. Mrs. Stahl, the mother of these children was born on June 17, 1849, and is a daughter of Samuel and Diana (Garber) Arnold, both of whom also were born in Pennsylvania. Samuel Garber died at Kansas City, Mo., and his wife died at Colorado Springs, Colo. Oct. 1, 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Stahl celebrated the "golden" anniversary of their marriage and the occasion was made one of many congratulations and much felicitation on the part of their many friends in the community of which they have been a part for so many years. This excellent couple have nineteen living grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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