My Genealogy Hound

C. F. Kroeger, merchant and baker, Arkansas City, Ark. Mr. Kroeger was born in Germany in 1853, and is the son of C. F. and Wilhelmina (Bolmeyer) Kroeger, natives also of Germany. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in his native country in 1885. The mother came here in 1886. C. F. Kroeger, Jr., came to this country in 1872, landing in Castle Garden, N. Y., and came direct to St. Louis, thence to Arkansas City, Ark., in 1873, although there was no town at that time here, and was for two years engaged in his trade, engineer, for Capt. Whitehill. In 1874-75 and 1876 he worked on a farm he had rented of Capt. Whitehill, near Louisville, but in 1877 he returned to this city and engaged again with Capt. Whitehill, with whom he remained until 1880. He was married to Miss Mary Meffert, of Louisville, Ky., and after this union he worked for Capt. Whitehill for one year. He then engaged in the bakery business, continued at this one year, after which he sold out and engaged at work with the railroad company at the elevator as engineer. Here he continued for about five years, and was also engaged in the confectionery and grocery business a portion of this time. In December, 1886, he lost his business by the fire which destroyed the greater portion of this town but in 1887 he rebuilt, and in 1888 added the saloon business. He enjoyed an annual business in his grocery department of about $6,000, but sold out in 1890; his saloon business yielded him annually about $7,000. Mr. Kroeger has two residences in Huntington, Miss., and four business houses in this city. Although he started with little or nothing, and has met with many reverses, he has never been discouraged, and always manages to find his way to the front. To his marriage have been born five children, two of whom are now living: William and Sophia. Mr. Kroeger is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife a member of the Catholic Church. Both are esteemed and respected by all acquainted with them.