USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 111
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 111
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 111
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WILLIAM OBERHELLMANN, the senior member of the firm, was born and reared in Warren county - born November 25, 1849 - and is a son of Henry and Mary (Niemann ) Oberhellmann, who came to this county from Germany in 1851. William, after he grew up, was mar- ried in 1874 to Miss Caroline Knapheide, a daughter of Ernst Knap- heide, also originally from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Oberhellmann have one child, Annette.
AUGUST BRUEGGENJOHANN, the junior member of the firm, is also a native of the county, and a son of William B. and Christine (Stineker) Brueggenjohann, who came from Germany to Warren county, in 1844. August Brueggenjohann was born on his father's farm, in this county, February 2, 1860. He was reared on the farm and received a good common-school education. He became a mmeber of the above named firm, as stated above, early in 1884. Mr. Brueg- genjohann is a young man of good business qualities and is proving a valuable addition to the business house with which he is connected. In 1883 Mr. B. was married to Miss Louisa Knapheide, a daughter of Ernst Knapheide.
HENRY W. OBERHELLMANN
(Farmer, Post-office, Holstein).
With the large influx of German settlers in North-east Missouri be- tween 1830 and 1840, and particularly in St. Charles and Warren coun- ties, was the father of the subject of the present sketch, Henry A. Ober- hellmann, who came to America with his family in 1833 and settled in Warren county. He was a millwright by trade in Germany, but in- tended to follow farming exclusively in this country. He died, how- ever, in about a year after settling in the county. Henry W. Ober-
1047
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
hellman, the subject of this sketch, was about 10 years of age when the family came to Warren county. In 1849 he was married here to Miss Engel Niemann, a daughter of F. Niemann, of Warren county, but formerly of Germany. To them were born two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other, William, is a merchant and post- master at Holstein. Before his marriage Mr. Oberhellmann had be- gun farming for himself, and this he continued afterwards. In 1852 he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who was taken from him by the inexorable hand of death. Subsequently he was married to Miss Sophia Bierbaum, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Bierbaum, originally of Germany, but at the time residents of St. Charles county, both of whom are now deceased. By his last marriage were born nine children, two of whom died in infancy, The others are : Henry, Mina, Fritz, Johanne, Martin, Daniel and Anne, the last of whom is the eldest and wife of Fritz Lichtenberg, a farmer of this county. Mr. Oberhellmann has for years been justly regarded as one of the industrious farmers and worthy citizens of Charrette township. His tract of land contains 255 acres, a large part of which is under fence and well improved. He was one of the founders of the Ger- man Church at Holstein.
HENRY A. OBERHELLMANN
(Farmer and Justice of the Peace, Post-office, Holstein).
'Squire Oberhellmann was a grandson of Henry A. Oberhellmann, who settled in this county from Germany in 1833, and is a son of Frederick A. Oberhellmann and nephew of Henry W. Oberhellmann, the last two of whom are still living, and are worthy, respected citi- zens of Warren county. 'Squire Oberhellmann was born in this county, December 31, 1846, and was reared on his father's farm. He obtained a good common school education in the district schools of the neighborhood where he was reared, and continued to make his home with his parents until he was about 25 years of age, or until he was married. August 24, 1871, he was married to Miss Margarethe, a daughter of Henry and Christine Borgman, formerly of Germany. The 'Squire and Mrs. Oberhellmann are blessed with five children : Caroline, Mary, Emily, William and Ida. After his marriage 'Squire O. located on a farm with his young wife and engaged in farming for themselves, He has a neat farm of about 100 acres, and is regarded as one of the industrious, frugal, thrifty farmers of the vicinity. In 1874 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds, having been appointed and re-elected ever since. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Holstein, Mo.
PROF. P. FREDERICK PEITZ (Principal of the Dutzow School, Dutzow).
As in this country, so in every other, and to a more marked degree in the countries of Europe than here, particularly in Germany, is
61
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
society divided into classes, more or less distinctly defined by differ- ences of character, intelligence, position in affairs, culture, etc. Prof. Peitz, born and reared in Germany, is a representative of one of the better classes of society in his native country, Prussia. His father, still residing there, is a successful contractor, and a man of marked intelligence and good education. Prof. Peitz was born in Mintard, Kreis (county ) Disseldorf, on the Rhine, in Prussia, September 25, 1852. His mother was a Miss Gertrude Huelsmann before her mar- riage, and of a very worthy and respected family. The Professor was the second in the family of six children, and like the others, was given good school advantages as he grew up. He took a four years' course at the Marcellum College, in Cologne, Germany, and afterwards, in 1869, came to America. Here, in order to more thoroughly qualify himself for teaching in the English language, he took a special course at St. Joseph's College in Teutopolis, Effingham county, Ill., where he graduated in 1870. He was then employed as a teacher at St. Aloysius College, in East St. Louis, and later along, taught with suc- cess in St. Louis county. Early in 1872, he was employed to take charge of the school at Dutzow, where he has ever since continued. The fact that for 13 years he has had charge of one school is a greater commendation of him as a teacher and an individual than anything that could be said here to his credit. On the 20th of April, 1880, Prof. Peitz was married to Miss Minerva Krekel, an accomplished daughter of Col. Francis Krekel, formerly of Germany. Mrs. Peitz is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, at Washington, Mo. The Pro- fessor and Mrs. Peitz have two children : Johanne and Wilhelm A. Prof. Peitz is comfortably situated at Dutzow, having a handsome residence property, which is kept in neat and presentable condition. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
CAPT. CHARLES E. RUGE
(County Assessor, Post-office, Holstein).
Capt. Ruge, a native of Denmark, born December 9, 1831, was principally reared in Franklin county, Mo., to which his parents emi- grated with their family in 1839. He was the son of Dr. Charles J. and Caroline (Krag) Ruge, his father a prominent physician of their native country and afterwards of Franklin county. In 1857 they crossed over into Warren county, where they made their permanent home. Dr. Ruge died in 1876 while on a visit at Washington, in Franklin county. His wife died the same year. Capt. Ruge, the sub- ject of this sketch, came to Warren county with his parents in 1857, and the same year was married to Miss Charlotta Duebbert, a daugh- ter of J. F. Duebbert, of St. Charles county, but formerly of Ger- many. Capt. Ruge was engaged in farming until the war broke out when he went bravely to the defense of the Union. He served as a private, lieutenant and captain under Gens. Fremont, Sherman and Grant, and was in some hard fought battles. After the war Capt. Ruge engaged in farming, but his health broke down, resulting from
1049
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
the exposures and hardships he had endured during the war. He was therefore compelled to quit farming, and in 1870 the people, appre- ciating his high character as a man and his business qualifications, elected him to the office of county assessor. He discharged the duties of this office so acceptably that he was again elected in 1872, and has been continuously re-elected every two years, and still holds the office. . This speaks more for his standing in the county as a citi- zen and officer than anything that could be said here to his credit. In 1876 Capt. Ruge lost his first wife, who had borne him five children, namely : Julius P., a regular graduate of medicine and a practicing physician of Holstein ; Annette, Antony, Carl and Talitha. In 1878 Capt. Ruge was married to Miss Anne Staudinger, a daughter of Louis Staudinger, of St. Louis. There are two children by this union : Maximilian and Clementine.
HENRY W. RUGE (Farmer and ex-Assessor of Warren County).
Mr. Ruge was a lad five years of age when his parents, Karl and Karoline Ruge, immigrated to America with their family from Den- mark, their native country. They settled in Franklin county in 1839, where Henry W. grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of 23, in 1851, he came to Warren county and continued to work here at his trade until 1861. He then enlisted in the Union service, becoming a member of Co. B, Third Missouri, under Gen. Fremont, continuing in the service until the summer of 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He was early promoted to the rank of sergeant, which he held until the close of his service. He was in a number of heavy engagements, and was severely wounded at Mission- ary Ridge, Ga. After his discharge Mr. Ruge engaged in merchan- dising at Holstein, in which he continued until 1870, when he opened an agricultural implement house, and also became a dealer in and shipper of grain. In 1880 Mr. Ruge bought the farm where he now resides, near Holstein, where he has a comfortable place, including a neat and commodious residence, well furnished, and is pleasantly sit- uated. He was county assessor of Warren county for seven years consecutively preceding 1872. In January, 1867, Mr. Ruge was mar- ried to Miss Louise, a daughter of Dr. Wilhelm Kerstens. Mrs .. Ruge's mother was a Miss Elise Barrez before her marriage, and both parents were from Prussia, coming thence to Franklin county in 1836, where Dr. Kerstens died in 1855. Her mother is now the wife of Philip Schieffer, or rather his widow, for he is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ruge have three children : Robert, Theodore and Olga. Four are deceased : Alvin, Elfrie, Waldemar and Eno. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Ruge was born in Denmark, May 15, 1834, and was the third of eleven chil- dren of his parents.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
WILLIAM G. RUGE
(Dealer in General Merchandise, Grain and Country Produce, North Washington) .
Mr. Ruge has had a somewhat extended experience in business and has been satisfactorily successful. He is now recognized as one of the substantial and prominent business men of the south-eastern part of Warren county. He carries a large and full line of gen- eral merchandise, required by the general trade. He also handles large quantities of grain, and also buys and ships general farm produce quite extensively. He pays the best prices for farm products the market justifies, and buys his goods for cash and sells at the low- est possible figures consistent with sound business management. He is also a large real estate owner, having, besides handsome residence and business properties, about 2,000 acres of fine land in Missouri
and Arkansas. Mr. Ruge, like his brother Henry W., and also Charles E., is a native of Denmark, born in Schleswig, September 6, 1839, and was the fifth in his father's family of children. An outline of. the family history has been given elsewhere. He was reared in Franklin county and received a common-school education at Wash- ington. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B, Third Missouri, Union service, as a private, and served until he was honorably discharged in 1864. He was twice promoted for merit in the service and bravery ; first to the rank of second lieutenant and then to that of first lieutenant. After returning from the army he was commissioned first lieutenant- colonel and then colonel of Warren and Montgomery counties regiment of E. M. M., which regiment served during Price's raid through Mis- souri. In June, 1865, he engaged in merchandising at Holstein, where he continued with success for about eight years. He then re- moved to Washington, in Franklin county, and shortly established his present business across the river in North Washington. In 1864 Mr. Ruge was married to Miss Seralda Marshall, a daughter of Henry and Eliza Marshall, of Warren county, her mother, who was a Miss Barrez, being of German birth. Mr. and Mrs. R. have six children : Alice, Adelia, Agnes, Oscar, Ella and Franciska. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Lutheran Church.
JULIUS P. RUGE, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Holstein).
Dr. Ruge, a regular graduate of medicine and a successful young physician of the southern part of Warren county, was born and reared in this county, and was a son of Charles E. Ruge and wife, nee Char- lotta Dubberdt, natives of Denmark, who settled in this county in 1839. His father was a farmer and made this county his permanent home. Dr. Ruge was born on his father's farm in the southern part of the county, March 14, 1860, and was the eldest of the family of children. He received a good general English education as he grew up, taking, besides a common school course, a course in the Warren- ton Academy, and subsequently attending the State University and
1051
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis. In 1880 Dr. Ruge ma- triculated at the Missouri Medical College, where he took a regular course of two terms, and graduated in the class of 1882. After his graduation he returned to Holstein, where he engaged in the practice of medicine with Dr. Eimbeck. Subsequently he formed a partner- ship with Dr. A. W. Graham. Dr. Ruge, a man of general education and thoroughly trained in his profession, has had a successful career as a physician, considering the time he has been engaged in practice.
F. A. SCHABERG
(Of F. A. Schaberg & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Groceries, Woolens. Etc., Marthasville).
With an average stock of over $5,000 in the lines of general mer- chandise and groceries, and with a large trade throughout the country surrounding Marthasville, the firm of F. A. Schaberg & Co. may with truth be said to have one of the leading business houses of the southern part of Warren county. They also have a large slaughter- house, and do a considerable business in this line. Of course a busi ness so successful and important as is theirs is not the work of a day, or a week, or a year, but is. the result of years of industry, good management and close attention to business. This firm has been doing business at Marthasville for within less than 12 months of 20 years, and has fairly earned by long and patient energy and fair dealing the gratifying success it has achieved. Well known in this part of the county, these gentlemen are highly respected and popular as business men and citizens, as they are well known. Mr. Schaberg was brought to this country from Germany by his parents while he was yet in infancy. He was a son of Bernard Schaberg, and was born in Prussia, March 16, 1835 .. The family came to Missouri the following year, and settled in St. Charles county, where the father entered 540 acres of land and improved a large farm. He died there in 1866. F. A. Schaberg, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm in St. Charles county, and in 1858 engaged in merchandising at Femme Osage, in partnership with his cousin, Gerhard Schaberg. He continued in business at Femme Osage for five years in partner- ship with his cousin, and two years afterwards removed to Marthas- ville, where he has ever since been engaged in business. March 6, 1856, Mr. Schaberg was married to Miss Dorotha Welge, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Welge, formerly of Germany, and who came over in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Schaberg have had seven children: Matilda, wife of Charles Koch ; Auguste, Martha, Benjamin, Gustav, Amande and Hilda. Two others died at tender ages.
HON. HENRY A. SCHOPPENHORST
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Holstein).
The career of the subject of the present sketch affords a striking and valuable illustration of what industry and perseverance can accom- plish at. farming in Warren county, when directed by good business
1052
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
judgment and intelligence, and accompanied with economy and fru- gality. Mr. Schoppenhorst commenced for himself when a young man practically without a dollar, and although he has yet hardly more than reached middle age, he is already one of the leading farmers of Warren county, situated on, and the owner of, one of the finest farms in the county, and as a citizen he has risen to enviable prominence in public affairs. His farm is a beautiful place of 227 acres, handsomely and elaborately improved, including a fine two-story brick residence erected at a cost of about $4,000, and a large handsome new barn, built at a cost of over $1,500. His other improvements correspond favorably with his dwelling and barn, and everything on his place has the appearance of neatness, thrift and enterprise. Mr. Schoppenhorst has served his country with credit in the State Legislature and has held other official positions of local consideration. He is a native of the county, born March 27, 1840. Mr. Schoppenhorst is a son of William Schoppenhorst, a retired farmer and esteemed citizen of the county. His mother was a Miss Mary Pieterjohn before her marriage, and both his parents came over from Germany in 1834. They were married in this county, however, his mother having come over when a young lady with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Fiegenbaum. The mother died in 1861, and his father is now living with a second wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Schneiderjohn. By the first marriage there were six children, and none by the second marriage. Only two of the children, the subject of this sketch, and Minnie, who is the wife of William Hunnefeld, are living. The father was born in Prussia, September 5, 1813, and was a son of Hermann and Elizabeth (Schroer ) Schoppenhorst. He is, therefore, now in his seventy-first year. He is in comfortable circumstances, and is living in easy retirement at Hopewell Academy,1 Henry Schoppenhorst, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to work on the farm at his father's homestead, and in early youth attended the neighborhood schools. At the age of 18 he entered the Quincy College, in Illinois, which he attended for about three years, thus receiving an advanced general education. Returning from college in 1861, he worked on the farm until the fall of the following year, when he enlisted in Co. H, Thirty-third Missouri infantry, under Gen. Fisk, for the Union service. His company was subsequently under different commanders, and he continued in the army until the close of the war. Among other severe engagements, he was in those of Pleasant Hill ( Ark. ), Tupello.(Miss. ), in the rear of Vicksburg, Helena ( Ark. ), Nashville (Tenn. ), and Ft. Mobile ( Ala). Throughout the war he served as an orderly sergeant, and made an enviable reputation as soldier and officer. At the close of the war Mr. Schoppenhorst returned to Warren county and engaged in teaching, which he continued up to the fall of 1867, when he set- tled on the place where he now resides. In 1866 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, a position he held as long as he would consent to fill it, for some eight years. In 1872 he was appointed
1 He died while this was in progress of publication, August 29, 1884.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
notary public, a commission he still holds. Two years later he was nominated for, and elected to the Legislature, and his service in the House was one of marked ability and sound judgment. Mr. Schoppenhorst has been twice married. In 1865 he was married in this county to Miss Friderike Hunefeld, a daughter of William and Christine (Stineker) Hunefeld. She died on December 18, 1867, leaving one child, a daughter, Mary C. To his present wife Mr. S. was married May 8, 1868. She was a Miss Katherine Meinershagen, a daughter of W. F. and Wilhelmina ( Brinkmann) Meinershagen. Mr. and Mrs. Schoppenhorst have eight children: Julius W., Martha W., Elizabeth C., Emma M., Gustavus A., Clara C., Paul G. and Arthur B.
FREDERICK SCHWARZE
Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Hopewell).
The present sketch bears witness briefly to the life and career of a man whose time has been industriously and honestly spent and whose labor and frugality are rewarded with an ample competence for him- self and family through his remaining and declining years, as well as sufficient to give his children each a substantial start in life. He is a worthy representative of that sturdy race of Germans who have done so much for the material development, the prosperity and general welfare of the country. He was born in Prussia, March 5, 1829, and when 14 years of age accompanied his parents to the United States. They settled in Warren county in 1844, where both parents resided until their deaths. The father, John F. Schwarze, was a farmer by occupation and Frederick, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to that calling. He continued farming in Charrette township until 1859, when he removed to his present place. Meanwhile, in 1853, Mr. Schwarze was married to Miss Justine, a daughter of Frederick and Hedwig ( Wilkennig) Schoomann, formerly of Germany. Eight children are the fruit of this union, namely : Caroline, deceased wife of F. W. Mallenbroch ; Herman, William, Henry, Anne, Matilde, Fritz and Louis. Mr. Schwarze's homestead contains 200 acres and is one of the best improved farms in this part of the county. His dwelling, a handsome new two-story frame, alone cost over $3,000. He also has about 500 acres in an adjoining tract, a large part of which is well improved. His homestead was an original grant to Kincaide, the pioneer Spaniard, and, in fact, one of the first white men who ever trod the soil of what is now Warren county. He sold his claim to John Wyatt, one of the pioneer Americans of the county and an old Revolutionary soldier, from whose estate Mr. Schwarze bought the land. John Wyatt is buried on the farm under an apple tree which he himself brought from Kentucky in his saddle pockets and set out, it now being an ancient, weather-beaten old tree, over four feet in diameter, but still bearing. Wyatt and his wife and three daughters were buried under this tree. He died in 1855 at the age of 96 ; his place of burial is not more than 40 feet from where the first. regular court of Warren county was held.
1054
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
HENRY SCHWEISSGUTH
(Farmer, Post-office, Dutzow).
Mr. Schweissguth is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born in Oberleiden, December 23, 1834. His parents were Johann and Katharine Schweissguth, and he was reared in his native vicinity. He early took a course in the Art School, Alsfeld, Germany, of which be became a graduate. In 1857 he came to America and spent about nine months in New York City, working at the stone-cutter's trade, which he had previously learned. After an absence from there of about four months he returned by way of New Orleans and St. Louis. He settled in Warren county in 1853, and on the 16th of February, 1859, was married here to Miss Louise Berg, a daughter of Gotlieb Berg, formerly of Germany. Mr. Schweissguth worked at his trade for awhile and then engaged in farming, which he has ever since con- tinued. He owns a good farm of 160 acres where he resides, and is an industrious, well-to-do farmer. His first wife died September 17, 1864, and he was subsequently married to Miss Wilhelmina Schneider, of Franklin county. She died July 13, 1868, and afterwards he was married to Miss Louise Schweissguth, a daughter of Henry and Katharine Schweissguth, who came over from Germany in 18 -. Mr. Schweissguth has one child by his first wife, Alliome ; one by his second wife, Peter ; and two by his present wife, Otto and Rapzlie. He is a man of industry and one of the worthy, well respected citi- zens of the township.
JOSEPH STAMM
(Retail Dealer in Wines, Beer, Cigars, Tobacco, Etc., North Washington).
Mr. Stamm is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, May 8, 1848, and the fourth of five children of Peter and Christina ( Bentfeld ) Stamm, of old families in Prussia. His father was a shoemaker by trade and Joseph was brought up to that occupation. The father died in 1878, but the mother is still living. Joseph Stamm came to the United States in 1865 and located in Warren county. He worked at his trade here two years and then went to St. Louis, where he worked for William Fink at shoemaking until 1869. Returning to Warren county, he set up a shop at North Washington for himself, which he carried on for 12 years. In 1881 he engaged in his present business. He carries an unusually good stock of wines, and the best article of beer that the canvasser, who except for the regular seven days of the week is a temperance man, ever unctuously imbibed. He also has a good stock of cigars and several brands of chewing tobacco, the very sight of which fairly sets one's jaws to working in- voluntarily. In all candor, and jokes aside, Mr. Stamm keeps a first-class house in his line, and the best articles of goods to be had. In 1874 he was married to Miss Caroline Hillermann, a daughter of Joseph Hillermann, formerly of Prussia. They have six children :
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