My Genealogy Hound

William Berger, farmer and merchant of Boeuf Township, is a son of John C. and Ann J. (Klaussmeyer) Berger, natives of Prussia, the father born in 1796 and the mother about two years later. The father was a farmer by occupation, and of the eight children born to their marriage only two came to America; the rest died in the old country. The mother died at the age of thirty-six, and the father, who came to America about two years after his son, William, died at the age of sixty-five. He was never called into the regular army as he was the only child, and the law of Prussia at that time freed an only son. The subject of this sketch was born in Northern Prussia in 1832, and was about two years old at the time of his mother’s death. Reared without the knowledge and influence of a mother, his education was neglected to a considerable extent, and, although the youngest of eight children, he was the first to come to America, which he did in 1849. After spending two years in St. Louis he came to Franklin County, Mo., and in 1852 married Miss Charlotta Schumacher, also a native of Prussia, born in 1838, and when a little girl was brought to this country. In 1854 Mr. Berger and wife came to Gasconade County and settled on the farm where they now live. Fifteen children were born to this marriage, only six now living, four sons and two daughters. During the war Mr. Berger was in the Home Guards. In connection with farming he has been interested in merchandising for the past twenty years, and has an interest now in two stores. He owns about 600 acres of land, is a successful farmer and business man, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church. He has held some important official positions; from 1864 to 1868 he held the office of sheriff and collector, and from 1868 to 1872 the position of probate judge and ex-officio presiding justice of the county court. In 1873 his successor died and he was again elected to fill the unexpired term. He is now notary public. He is a Democrat in his political views, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is accounted one of the most stirring men of his community.