My Genealogy Hound

A. H. Breckenkamp, member of the firm of Degen, Breckenkamp & Co of the Washington Planing and Flouring Mills and lumber yard, also carpenters and builders of Washington, is a native of Franklin County, Mo., born in 1839 and a son of Henry and Mary (Kappelmann) Breckenkamp, both natives of Prussia, born in 1804 and 1805, respectively. The father was a carpenter by trade, was married in 1826 and in 1839 came to America settling in Franklin County, Mo., fourteen miles west of Union. He purchased 240 acres and followed agricultural pursuits in connection with keeping a country store for six teen years. He died in 1878. The mother died in 1876. Of the eight children born to their marriage our subject was the sixth. He was born three days after his parents settled in Franklin County, and what education he received was largely due to his own exertions. In 1861 he engaged in merchandising in St Louis, but only continued this for six months. December 25, 1862, he married Miss Catherine Kappelmann, a native of Germany, born in 1842, and who came to the United States when five years of age. To Mr. Breckenkamp and wife were born five children; four of them are yet living: August H., Catherine, Edward and Clara. After marriage they settled in Lyon Township and here Mr. Breckencamp continued tilling the soil. In 1862 he was appointed by the county court as county collector for two years. He then engaged in teaching school and followed this for nine months, after which he was appointed public administrator to fill a vacancy. At the expiration of the term he was elected to the same position, which he held for eight years, being re-elected four times In 1875 he came to Washington, and in 1880 became a partner in the first-mentioned business. The lumber yard was not combined until 1881. In 1867 he was appointed by the Governor as notary public, which position he now holds He is a Republican, and cast his first vote in 1860. He was a strong Union man during the war, and was first lieutenant of the home militia. Mr. Breckenkamp is book-keeper and cashier of the firm of which he is a partner, and has been since he became a member. He, his wife and two of his children are members of the German Lutheran Church.