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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox 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.

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Jacob Schempp, who is one of Knox County’s enterprising and energetic citizens, was born in Urach, Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1836, where he learned the carpenter’s trade, in which he became very proficient. In 1854 he immigrated to the United States, where he worked at his trade in New York City for one year. He then went to Quincy, Ill., where he engaged in the carpentering business, and built a number of fine buildings. He also did a great amount of bridge work, and pile driving on the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad, in which he was fairly successful. In 1879 Jacob settled in Knox County, Mo., in Myrtle Township, where he purchased a farm of Charles McCoy, containing 415 acres of land, well stocked and improved. Since living in Missouri, Mr. Schempp has built several county bridges, and his work is highly recommended. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Christiane Wagner, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Christian Wagner. This lady was an infant when her parents went to Illinois, in which State she was married to our subject. To this union ten children were born, eight of whom are living: Annie, Mary, Jacob, John, William O., George, Earl and Arthur. Annie and Mary are married, and reside in Knox County. Mr. Schempp owns a fine farm, well improved and cultivated, which is the result of his hard labor, industry and economy, and since his residence in Knox County he has established a fine business, and is well known as a good and responsible carpenter. In politics he is a Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox 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: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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