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Below is a family biography included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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J. G. Lingsweiler, one of the most extensive lumber dealers in Southern Missouri, now located at Lebanon, Mo., was born in Buffalo, N. Y., April 13, 1844, and is one of ten children, nine now living, born to John N. and Christiana Lingsweiler, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in 1818, and emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to America with his parents when about fourteen years of age, or in 1831. His father, John Lingsweiler, was a baker by trade, and died in the State of New York. John N. Lingsweiler, father of J. G., was reared principally in New York State, and received such educational advantages as were available in those early times. He was married in this State, and in 1846 moved to Racine County, Wis., where he purchased a farm, and resided until 1884. He then came to live with his son, J. G., at Lebanon, where he yet lives, and is now in his seventy-first year. The mother is also living, and is in her seventieth year. Their nine children now living are named as follows: John G., Louise, Edward, Mary, William H., Christiana, Carrie L., Frank I. and Julia. J. G. Lingsweiler, the eldest of this family, was but two years of age when he went to Wisconsin with his parents. He was educated partly in that State and partly in Missouri. January 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second Wisconsin Regiment, and served until the close of the war. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Lost Mountain, Culp’s Farm, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta (where they had several hard fights), Buzzards’ Roost, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and several skirmishes on the way to Savannah, and also participated in the grand review at Washington. Mr. Lingsweiler was but nineteen years of age when he enlisted, but, being a strong and vigorous young man, was accepted without difficulty. He fought bravely for his country, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. In March of the following year he came to Lebanon, where he attended school, then called Lebanon Collegiate School, for two years. He also attended school at Rolla, working for his tuition, and after quitting school he went to Arlington, Mo., where he clerked in a drug store for a short time. He then entered into partnership with a gentleman in the grocery business, and continued at this for about nine months. All this time Mr. Lingsweiler was waiting for the ‘Frisco Road to be completed to Lebanon, with a view to going into the lumber business at that place. He started with a small capital, buying as he could, and hauled one car load of lumber from Arlington before the road was completed. He soon built up a large trade, and became quite extensively engaged in the business. He is now one of the most extensive lumber dealers in this section; owns the block where he carries on his business, and has a beautiful brick residence. He is one of the enterprising and prominent business men of Laclede County, and has a host of warm friends. Mr. Lingsweiler is also the owner of several business buildings and dwelling houses. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F., in which he passed through the chairs, also a member of the Encampment, K. T. and G. A. R. He has held the office of city alderman and is a member of the school board. He was married in March, 1871, to Miss Emma R. Ostrander, a native of New York, and by whom he has four children: Charlie E., Mabel I., Arthur F. and Myrtle V.

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This family biography is one of 104 biographies included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Laclede County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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