My Genealogy Hound

Charles W. Mellies, dealer in general merchandise, and postmaster at Woollam, Mo., was born in Lippe-Detmold, in 1849, the son of Herman and Charlotte (Hilker) Mellies, who came from Germany to Gasconade County, Mo., in 1851, and located near Bay Post-office. Here the father owned a good farm, and died in 1885. The mother died in December, 1886. She was the mother of seven children, two by her first husband, Louis Mellies. All of the children lived in Gasconade County until a few years ago, when four moved to Kansas. Charles W. Mellies received a fair education in both English and German, in the old subscription schools, and in 1876 engaged in the mercantile business at Woollam with William Berger, the firm being known as Berger & Mellies. They still continue, with good success. Mr. Mellies was assistant postmaster till 1883, and since then has been postmaster. In June, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie, daughter of his partner, William Berger. The latter came from Germany to Franklin County, Mo., when a young man, and Mrs. Berger from the same, when a child, with her parents, and located at Berger Station. They now reside near Drake. Mr. Berger has held the offices of justice of the peace, sheriff and collector, presiding judge of the county court, and also as probate judge. Of fifteen children born to his marriage, only six are living. He is a Democrat, and a first-class business man.