My Genealogy Hound

Christian F. Karstedt, merchant at Stony Hill, and farmer, is the son of Louis J. and Louise (Bethke) Karstedt, both natives of Prussia, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1814. After marriage they lived in their native country until 1855, when they came to America and located in Wisconsin, where the father died in 1881. The mother still lives and makes her home in Colorado. The father was a farmer and burgomaster in his native country, and both parents were members of the Evangelical Church. Ten children were born to their marriage, and only one, the youngest daughter, was born in America. Christian F. was born in 1835, was reared on the farm and received a good education. At the age of nineteen he came to America, and for several years traveled over the States, working at whatever presented itself. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Second Missouri Infantry, and served three months. Soon after he joined the Second United States Reserve Corps, and served until it was disbanded in 1863. He participated in the battle of Wilson’s Creek. He began as a private and arose to the rank of sergeant; was discharged at Benton Barracks in 1863. Three years later he came to this county and opened a store, which he has since operated with the exception of a short interval. In 1868 he secured the post-office at Stony Hill, and has been postmaster nearly ever since. In 1870 he married Miss Catherine Mueller. She was born in Alsace in 1844, and came to America when but a small girl. By her five children, three sons and two daughters, were born. Both he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is a Republican in politics. He has held the office of justice of the peace four years to the satisfaction of all. He began life a poor boy, and has made all his property by hard work and good management. Besides merchandising, he carries on farming on 150 acres of good land.