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Below is a family biography included in The History of Benton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Claus Eckhoff, farmer and stockman of Benton County, Mo., was born in Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1845, and is a son of H. H. Eckhoff and Maria (Keike) Eckhoff, also natives of Hanover. The family came to the States in the fall of 1852, and settled in Benton County, Mo., on a farm which was partially improved, and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father’s death occurring on the 30th of March, 1886. Claus Eckhoff has resided in Benton County the greater portion of his life, and remained with his father until he attained his majority. When the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Missouri Militia, and served as a private until he received his discharge on the 16th of May, 1865. At the beginning of the war, while serving in the Home Guards, he was taken prisoner at the fight at Cole Camp, May 14, 1861, but was paroled after a short imprisonment. After returning home he resumed farming, and was married in December, 1867, to Mattie Hashagen, a native of Benton County, and a daughter of Henry Hashagen. He purchased and lived on a farm near Lincoln for some time, then sold out and bought the old homestead which belonged to his wife’s father. The place consists of eighty acres, and the property became his in 1883. It is all under cultivation, and besides this he has a twenty-acre tract of timber land. His house and barns are substantial buildings, and he has a good young orchard. His union has been blessed in the birth of the following children: John Henry, Herman P., William L., Anne Maria, Caroline E., Gesina, Charlie, Mettie, Paul Benjamin and Catherine. Gesina, Mettie and Catherine are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Eckhoff are members of the German Lutheran Church. He has always been a Republican in politics.

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This family biography is one of 86 biographies included in The History of Benton County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Benton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Benton County, Missouri family biographies here: Benton County, Missouri Biographies

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