USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
694
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Gen. Robert E. Lee. He was twice wounded, once by a gun shot through the thigh, and again on the wrist. After the close of the Civil War he came to Missouri and settled in Howard County, and in 1874 settled in Cooper County. Later he went to Livingston County where he remained about nine years, but returned to Cooper County and spent the latter years of his life.
Luther Clinton Debo was reared in Cooper County and educated in the public school and has made farming and stock raising his life occu- pation. He bought his present place in Boonville township in 1908. It is a well improved farm situated 41% miles southeast of Boonville, and was formerly the MacFarland place. Mr. Debo has improved this place, and has built barns, silo and other necessary equipment for the successful carrying on of modern day agricultural method, and has one of the valu- able places of the county, and it may be truly said that he is one of Cooper County's successful farmers and stockmen.
June 3, 1909, Luther C. Debo was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth MacFarland, daughter of Warren and Amanda Malvina MacFarland. Warren MacFarland was born on the place where Mr. Debo now resides in Boonville township, Feb. 12, 1841. He spent his life in this county and died July 22, 1908. His wife was born July 31, 1843, and died July 24, 1895. Their remains are buried in the cemetery at Boonville. War- ren MacFarland was a son of Rueben and Eunice (Rice) MacFarland. Rueben MacFarland was born Oct. 17, 1804, and died Jan. 25, 1882. Eunice (Rice) MacFarland was born March 6, 1805, and died Dec. 24, 1874. Rue- ben MacFarland was the son of Jacob MacFarland, who was born Feb. 21, 1772, and died Oct. 13, 1846. Jacob MacFarland's remains are buried in Clarks Fork township on the Melkerson farm. Jacob MacFarland came to St. Genevieve, Mo. in 1816 and in 1818 came to Cooper County and set- tled on the farm, a part of which is now owned by Mr. Debo, the subject of this sketch. After coming here he spent the remainder of his life on this place, as did his son Rueben, also; and Warren MacFarland likewise spent his life on this farm. Archibald Rice, great grandfather of Mrs. Elizabeth Debo, was born Dec. 19, 1782. William MacFarland, a brother of Jacob MacFarland, was the first sheriff of Cooper County. He was born in Buncomb County, N. C., in 1778. He came to Cooper County, in 1816.
Mrs. Elizabeth (MacFarland) Debo has three sisters living as follows: Mrs. Eunice Miller, Millerton, Okla .; Mrs. C. Borne Talliaferro, Ardmore, Okla .; and Mrs. Grover Debo, Boonville township. To Mr. and Mrs. Luther C. Debo have been born the following children: Elizabeth Lee,
695
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
born Dec. 10, 1911; Louis Clinton, born Feb. 22, 1913; and Truman Reed, born Oct. 26, 1914.
The Debos have some interesting historic relics of bygone days. Mr. Debo has the upper and lower buhr mill stones which were first used in a mill which was built by Jacob MacFarland in Boonville township about 100 years ago. This was the first mill to grind flour in Cooper County. Mrs. Debo has in her possession one of the old fashion clocks with wooden wheels, which was owned by her grandfather Oglesby. This venerable time piece is over a century old, and was manufactured by Henry Terry at Plymouth, Conn. There are many other interesting historic relices in the Debo home, which have been collected from generation to generation, during the long residence of this pioneer family in Cooper County. The Debo home is one of the pleasant and interesting places of Cooper County and Mr. and Mrs. Debo have an extensive acquaintance and are among Cooper County's most valued citizens.
Edwin K. Smith, proprietor of "Woodville Mill Farm" in Clarks Fork township, is a native of Cooper County. He was born in Boonville, Dec. 24, 1890, a son of Leslie and Fannie P. (Thompson) Smith. Leslie Smith was a native of Virginia and settled in Cooper County, prior to the Civil War. He spent the remainder of his life here and died in Boonville in 1894. His widow now resides in Kansas City, Mo. They were the par- ents of the following children: Major Richard Smith, who served with the American Expeditionary Force in France; Elizabeth, married Gerald Hughes, Kansas City, Mo .; and Edwin K., the subject of this sketch.
Major Richard Smith was educated in the public schools of Cooper County, and graduated from the Boonville High School. He first enlisted in the Missouri National Guards and served on the Mexican border, and was later mustered out of service. When the United States entered the World War he reenlisted and in Sept., 1917, went to France with the Rainbow Division. During the latter months of the war Major Smith commanded the 117th Field Battalion Signal Corps. During his service in France he was decorated with the distinguished service cross and also the French Croix de Guerre. He arrived in America with his battalion in May, 1919 and remains with the army, stationed at Camp Funston. Major Smith was married in May, 1919, to Miss Bething Plank, of Kansas City, a daughter of Cooper County pioneer parents.
Edwin K. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Boonville and the Westport High School, of Kansas City, Mo. He has made farming and stock raising his principal
696
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
occupation, and has been very successful in this field of endeavor. In the spring of 1917 he purchased 92 acres of the R. S. Rankin farm, five miles southeast of Boonville. The following year he added 71 acres and now owns 163 acres of valuable farm land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. The Rankin mill is located on this place, which is one of the landmarks of Cooper County. Mr. Smith bought a half interest in this mill and operated it four years. This mill was built in 1840 and rebuilt in 1893. For the last two years it has not been oper- ated very extensively.
Edwin K. Smith was united in marriage July 24, 1912, with Miss Robna Rankin, a daughter of R. S. Rankin, sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one child, Elizabeth Louise.
Mr. Smith carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of high grade Jersey cows, and registered Hampshire hogs. He is one of Cooper County's progressive farmers and stockmen. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Christian W. Fahrenbrink, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Clarks Fork township, is a native of Cooper County, and was born in the township where he now resides, Jan. 13, 1874. He is a son of Henry and Magdalena (Schnack) Fahrenbrink, both natives of Germany. Henry Fahrenbrink was born June 8, 1842, and came to America about 1867, and settled in Cooper County. Here he first worked as a farm laborer, and at different times was employed by Henry Knaus, John King and Nick Smith. He later rented land from Robert Clawson. He then purchased a farm of 425 acres, part of the old Colonel Pope place, and was successfully engaged in farming the rest of his life. He died July 8, 1917, age 75 years and 1 month, and his remains are buried in the Lone Elm Cemetery. His widow now resides in Clarks Fork township. They were the parents of the following children: C. W., the subject of this sketch ; H. H. lives in Clarks Fork township; John died in infancy; H. W., a min- ing man of Yuma, Ariz .; Emma married A. C. Brandes, and resides in Moniteau township; Lena, residing at home with her mother, and J. J., also on the home place.
C. W. Fahrenbrink was reared in Cooper County, and was educated in the Jefferson School in Clarks Fork township, and the parochial school at Clarks Fork. He was reared on a farm, and his early training well fitted him for the business of farming and stock raising, which has been his life's vocation. He owns a valuable farm of 173 acres, which is
-
# 1
C. W. FAHRENBRINK AND FAMILY
697
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
located 61/2 miles northeast of Bunceton. He purchased this place in 1901 from the Hall estate. There were no improvements on the place when Mr. Fahrenbrink bought it. He has built a good modern residence which is fitted with acetylene light and other modern conveniences. He has erected two large barns upon the place and other farm buildings, which classifies his place as one of the best improved farms of the county. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, being extensively interested in breeding registered Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Fahrenbrink was united in marriage in 1902 with Miss Dora Brandes, a daughter of Charles and Margaret Brandes, of North Moniteau township. Charles Brandes was a successful farmer and an early settler in Cooper County, coming here prior to the Civil War and serving four years as a Union soldier. He died in 1911, and his widow now resides on the old home place in North Moniteau township. To Mr. and Mrs. Fahr- enbrink have been born the following children: Erna, died in infancy ; Margaret; Carl and Paul, twins ; and Gertrude.
To Charles and Margaret Brandes were born the following children: Christ J., who resides in Moniteau township; Maggie, married Henry) King, Clarks Fork township; Josie, married John Pethan, Clarks Fork township; Emma, married Henry Langkop, Boonville; Lizzie, married William Brokamp, Clarks Fork township; John A., North Moniteau town- ship; Theodore, North Moniteau township; Dora, the wife of C. W. Fahr- enbrink, the subject of this sketch, and Albert C., North Moniteau town- ship. By a former marriage of the mother to Christ Fricke, who was killed by bushwhackers during the Civil War, two children were born, as follows: Sophie, the wife of Christ Rasmussen, of Clarks Fork township; and Caroline, who is now the wife of D. Alpers, Prairie Home township.
Mr. Fahrenbrink is a republican, and takes a good citizen's interest in local affairs. He has been a member of the School Board of Consoli- dated District No. 1 for six years. He is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Farmers Elevator Company, of Bunceton, and he and Mrs. Fahrenbrink are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church at Lone Elm. Mr. Fahrenbrink is a stockholder in the Cooper County Bank at Bunceton, and is a stockholder in the newly organized Farmers Trust Company, of Boonville. He is a substantial and valued citizen.
J. H. Rethemeyer, a successful farmer and stockman of Saline town- ship, who is well known in Cooper County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Gasconade County, Feb. 11, 1881, a son of Henry and Mary
698
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
(Fleer) Rethemeyer. Henry Rethemeyer was born in Germany in 1842 and when he was two years of age was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Gasconade County, Mo. He now resides in Sedalia, at the age of 79 years, and his wife is 64 years old. They were the parents of the following children: Henry, St. Louis; Minnie, married Peter Adair and lives in Prairie Home township, Cooper County; J. H., the subject of this sketch; Annie, married Ed. Roseman, St. Louis; Alvina, deceased ; Mary, married Neal Dancing, Portland, Ore .; Amanda married Frank Less, Sedalia ; and Huldah married Ernest Marshall, Sedalia.
J. H. Rethemeyer was reared in Gasconade County and received his education in the public schools. He remained on the home farm until he was 19 years of age, when he went to St. Louis and drove teams for a time, and did other general labor for about five years. He then came to Cooper County and conducted a general mercantile store for two years. He was engaged in the milling business at Pilot Grove for two years. In 1909 he bought his present place in Saline township. He first purchased 80 acres from W. J. Hurt, to which he has added from time to time, as opportunities offered and his means permitted, until he now owns 197 acres of valuable and well improved land on the Boonville and Jefferson City highway. He has made many improvements on his place until he has made of it one of the model farms of Cooper County. He raises cattle, hogs and sheep, as well as carrying on general grain farming, and is also interested in raising brown leghorn chickens, and altogether, Mr. Rethemeyer is one of Cooper County's successful citizens.
May 7, 1905, J. H. Rethemeyer was united in marriage with Miss Helena Wehmeyer, a daughter of Peter and Magdalena (Fiedler) Weh- meyer, both natives of Germany. Peter Wehmeyer was born March 13, 1835, and came to America when he was 16 years of age. He first worked by the month as a farm laborer for Fred Fricke, and a short time after coming here purchased 80 acres of land in Clarks Fork township, to which he later added 80 acres. He sold his farm later and conducted a store at Clarks Fork for nearly 20 years. Retiring from this business, he bought a 42 acre farm in Prairie Home township, which he sold in 1912. He died in Feb., 1912. His wife preceded him in death, having departed this life June 19, 1899. Their remains are both interred in the Evangelical Lutheran cemetery at Clarks Fork. Mrs. Rethemeyer is one of the fol- lowing children born to her parents: Katie, married Henry Mersey, Prairie Home township; Sophia, married H. C. Honerbrink, Prairie Home
699
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
township; Miss Margaret Wehmeyer, Saline township; Minnie, married J. P. Ruth, Prairie Home; Carrie, married Albert Adair, Saline township; Helena maried J. H. Rethemeyer, the subject of this sketch; Emma and Martha both died in infancy.
Mr. Rethemeyer is a republican and one of Cooper County's most sub- stantial and progressive citizens. The Rethmeyer family are well known and highly respected in this county.
Leonard Langkop, proprietor of "Jefferson Valley Farm" in Clarks Fork township, is one of Cooper County's successful and well known farm- ers and stockmen. He was born in this county Sept. 1, 1874, a son of Ferdinand and Margaret (Smith) Langkop, natives of Germany. Ferdi- nand Langkop was born in 1844, and was brought to America with his parents when he was three years old. The family located in Iowa. Ferdinand Langkop followed farming and stock raising all his life. Dur- ing the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army in 1862, and served until the close of the war. He died at Bunceton, March 3, 1919, age 75 years, and his remains are buried in the Lutheran Church cemetery at Clarks Fork. His wife died in 1888. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children: W. H., a mail carrier, Bunceton; Lizze, married Frank Theiss, Clarks Fork township; Leonard, the subject of this sketch; Anna, married H. J. Kopp, Bunceton; Martin resides in Moniteau County ; Mag- gie died at the age of 10 years; Tillie married Ben Hurt, Bunceton, and one son died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Ferdinand Langkop married Mrs. Mary Henry, and one daughter was born to this union, Lydia, who now resides at Bunceton.
Leonard Langkop was reared in Cooper County and educated in the German school at Clarks Fork, and the public school at New Salem. He was reared on a farm and has made farming and stock raising his life's vocation. He purchased his first land in 1903, which consisted of a farm of 50 acres. He has added more land from time to time to his original farm and now owns 220 acres, which is considered one of Cooper County's best farms. The place is well improved, a good farm residence having been built in 1904, and a large barn was erected in 1906. Mr. Langkop is engaged in stock raising as well as general farming and raises large numbers of Poland China hogs, cattle and sheep.
July 12, 1903, Mr. Langkop was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Barron, a daughter of Walter and Virginia (Hurt) Barron. A review of the Barron family history appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs.
700
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Langkop have been born two sons: Ralph, born May 10, 1904, now a student in the Boonville High School, and Waldo is at home with his par- ents. The Langkop family is well known in the community and Mr. Lang- kop is one of Cooper County's most progressive citizens.
George T. Taliaferro, who died at his home in Clarks Fork township in the spring of 1910, was born in that township June 16, 1860, son of Robert H. and Louise M. (Hickox) Taliaferro, both members of old fam- ilies in this county. Robert H. Taliaferro was born on Feb. 3, 1822, and his wife was born on Dec. 28, 1832. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, as follows: Charles W., born on Jan. 8 1853, Kansas City ; James B., Dec. 8, 1854, deceased; Johnson A., Sept. 10, 1856, New Mexico; George T .; Anna M., Sept. 22, 1862, deceased; Hattie Louise, Aug. 26, 1869, deceased ; Robert Burns, Nov. 21, 1870, Oklahoma; and Mary Vir- ginia, Aug. 4, 1873, now living at Kansas City, Kan.
Reared on the home farm in Clarks Fork township, George T. Talia- ferro received his schooling in the district schools, and from the days of his boyhood his life was devoted to farming. He married at the age of 30, and after his marriage established his home on the farm of 110 acres on which he died, a part of the Carpenter estate in Clarks Fork township, and the rest of his life was spent in the labor of developing the place. It was in 1900 when he established his home there, and in that same year he erected on the place a comfortable six-room house and made other improvements. A few years later he built a new barn, and before his death he had an admirable farm plant, and his affairs were prospering. Mr. Taliaferro died on April 3, 1910, leaving his widow with the care of seven children, the eldest of whom then was under 17 years of age. Mrs. Taliaferro maintained the place, superintended the operations of the same until her sons came of an age to be of material assitance in relieving her of the burden of management, and at the same time continued to make improvements on the farm, these including the erection of an addition to the house in 1916. In 1912, she bought an adjoining tract of 84 acres, and now has a well-improved farm of 194 acres, which her sons are oper- ating. Mrs. Taliaferro has kept her children together, has a very pleas- ant home, and she and her family are comfortably situated.
Mrs. Taliaferro was born in Cooper County, Julia Ann Carpenter, daughter of Gabriel and Sarah (Harris) Carpenter, both members of pioneer families in this county. She was reared in Clarks Fork township, and was living there when married to George T. Taliaferro, Dec. 31, 1890. To that union were born eight children: Mary Mable, born Oct. 23, 1893,
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE T. TALIAFERRO AND FAMILY
701
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
4
a Cooper County teacher; Virginia Myrtle, June 24, 1895, who is a stu- dent in the State Normal School at Warrensburg; Louis Gabriel, March 17, 1897, who has but recently returned from service with the United States Army; Robert Luther, May 17, 1898; Thomas Alfred and Albert Weight (twins), Feb. 10, 1900, who are giving special attention to the operations of the farm; Clara Mildred, Feb. 4, 1904, and an infant son, April 28, 1905, who did not live to receive a name. Louis Gabriel Talia- ferro, the soldier son, enlisted for service in the United States Army, Aug. 15, 1918. He was sent to Camp Jackson, S. C., and was there attached to Company A, First Regiment, Fifth Division, when the sign- ing of the armistice ended hostilities, and his command was mustered out and he returned home to resume the pursuits of peace.
William Kahle, a leading farmer and stockman of Clarks Fork town- ship, and a member of one of Cooper County's respected pioneer families, was born in Germany, Oct. 16, 1847. He is a son of Henry and Eliza- beth Kahle, both natives of Germany. The mother died in her native land in 1852; three years later Henry Kahle came to America with his family and settled in St. Louis County, Mo. In 1857 he came to Cooper County and settled in Clarks Fork township, where he bought a farm of 40 acres from Joel Hurt, for which he paid $5.00 per acre. This land is now owned by Charles Schubert. Upon this place Henry Kahle built a log cabin and cleared about 10 acres of ground. He died in 1860 and his remains are buried in a private burial ground on the Muntzel farm in Clarks Fork township. The children born to Henry and Elizabeth Kahle were as fol- lows: Sophia; Henry ; Mrs. Mena Lohman, Reno, Ill .; Mrs. Bettie Obuch, who died in Texas, and William, the subject of this sketch.
William Kahle was the youngest of the family, and after his father's death he lived with Peter Muntzel for about seven years. He attended school in the Washington and Crabapple school district and in early life was employed as a farm laborer at wages ranging from $15.00 to $25.00 per month. He bought his first land in 1873 with Herman Toellner as a partner. This farm consisted of 150 acres for which they paid $35 per acre. Later Mr. Kahle sold his interest to Mr. Toellner. In 1881 he pur- chased 87 acres and later added to his acreage until he now owns 625 acres, located in Clarks Fork. North Moniteau and Kelly townships, comprising some of the most valuable land in Cooper County. There are two sets of farm improvements on Mr. Kahle's place all of which are of good substantial character, including residences, barns and other buildings.
William Kahle was married Feb. 18, 1874 to Miss Johanna Kunrath,
702
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
a daughter of John and Anna (Schmalfeldt) Kunrath both natives of Ger- many, where they spent their lives and are now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Johanna, the wife of William Kahle, whose name introduces this sketch; Elizabeth who died at the age of 21; Catherine and John. Mrs. Kahle came to this country in company with her uncle, John King, when she was 17 years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Kahle have been born children as follows: Mrs. Lizzie Ohlendorf; Anna, died at the age of 40 years ; Christine, married Henry Lohse; Dora, married Clarence Hosp; Minnie married Henry Twillman; Henry J., who resides on the home place ; Herman F .; Albert; Adolph ; Stella and William J. Herman F. served in the World War. He was inducted into the National Army in Sept., 1917 and became a member of Company L, 556th Infantry, 89th Division. He reached France with his command in June, 1918, and participated in much of the important fighting as a private- mechanic during the closing months of the war. He was at the battle of Argonne Forest, the St. Mihiel drive, and the Meuse River and was at the battle front when the armistice was signed. He was honorably dis- charged from the service at Camp Funston. June 11, 1919, and is now at home.
William Kahle has had an active and successful career and has seen much of the development of this section of the state. He has a distinct recollection, as a boy, of the stirring days of the Civil War. He remem- bers the killing of Christ Fricke and Henry Schulte by guerrillas during the war. Mr. Fricke owned the farm now owned by Charles Schubert and Henry Schulte was working for him when the tragedy took place.
Mr. and Mrs. Kahle are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lone Elm and rank among the best citizens of Cooper County.
Henry Fahrenbrink, now deceased, was a Cooper County citizen of sterling worth, who contributed his share to the upbuilding and develop- ment of this county. He was a native of Germany, born near Westphalia, July 8, 1842. He was reared to manhood in his native land and immi- grated to America in 1866. He came directly to Cooper County, Mo., where for a time he worked as a farm laborer. Later he rented land, the first farm which he operated being the Clawson farm, which is now owned by George Brandes. He operated rented land extensively, at one time farming over 800 acres. In 1875 he purchased 425 acres of the Colonel Pope farm. He improved this place extensively, erecting farm buildings and setting out trees until he made of it one of the best improved farms in the county. In 1893 he erected a large modern residence, with all modern conveniences. He was a successful farmer and stockman. He
703
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY .
fed cattle extensively and met with success in his undertakings. He was a substantial citizen and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lone Elm. He died July 8, 1907, and his remains are buried in the Lone Elm cemetery.
March 28, 1873, Henry Fahrenbrink was united in marriage with Miss Magdalena Schnack, a native of Holstein, Germany. She was born Feb. 24, 1852, a daughter of Christian and Magdalena (Pengle) Schnack, both natives of Holstein. Mrs. Fahrenbrink came to America when she was 18 years of age, with the family of John King, who were neighbors of the Schnack family in their native land. Her transportation to this country cost $66.00 and she worked one year after coming here to pay it.
To Henry and Magdalena Fahrenbrink were born the following chil- dren: Christ W., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; H. H., a sketch of whom also appears in this volume; H. W., a mining man of Yuma, Ariz .: Mrs. A. C. Brandes; Lena, resides at home with her mother, and Julius J., who operates the home place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.