My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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.

* * * *

Frank Kamuf, a native of Germany, immigrated to America in September, 1857, and is a boot and shoe-maker by trade. He is the youngest of nine children of Christoph and Margaretha (Bender) Kamuf, born August 18, 1840. The parents were natives of Germany, born in 1802 and 1804, respectively, although the father was of French origin. The latter was a nurseryman for nearly forty-five years, after he had served in the German Army for twelve years, five of which he had the honor of being first lieutenant in the Grand Duke’s body guard, at Karlsruhe. After being married and settled down in life, he was twice elected mayor of Rettigheim, Baden, serving in all twelve years. He was well educated, and was liberal in politics and religion. The mother died November 2, 1878, and the father immigrated, four years after, via New York to Cincinnrti. Ohio, and after a visit of seven months at the homes of three older sons there, came to our subject’s home at Winchester, Mo., in October, 1883, and died there at the age of nearly eighty-three years, on February 14, 1885. Our subject was educated, after six years of common school, at the high school at Heidelberg, Germany, and at the age of seventeen emigrated via New Orleans to St. Louis, whence, after a brief stay there, he went to Keokuk, and five years later he came to Bonaparte, Iowa. There he was engaged as foreman in a boot and shoe making establishment, while his boss carried on a tannery. After holding the situation for nearly three years he was married, on March 13, 1884, to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of the late Rev. Ludwig and Maria W. (Engelbrecht) Waiher. She was born January 10, 1843, in York, York Co., Penn. Their children now living are Emma, Maggie, Anna, Carrie and Louis. Three sons and one daughter died while yet very young. Our subject came to his present home on the 1st of August, 1865, where he established the business he now follows, and is the oldest business man in the town. In September, 1870, he was commissioned as postmaster, and served with honor and satisfaction to all concerned until the election of Cleveland. He is largely a self-made man, a good Sabbath-school worker, and stands high in society, and in the church of his choice. He is a man of truth and veracity, and of temperate habits. His first vote was cast for Gen. Grant, who was his party’s candidate. Himself, wife and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.