My Genealogy Hound

John Sommerhauser, manager of the firm of Porth & Holtschneider, lumber dealers of Versailles, Mo., their stock consisting of lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, lime, hair, cement, etc., was born in Prussia in 1862, and is the son of John and Mary (Weber) Sommerhauser, both natives of Prussia. The parents came to America in 1881 and settled in Moniteau County, Mo., where the father bought a farm, and there died in 1886, at the age of fifty-five years. The mother still resides in Moniteau County, and is a member of the Catholic Church, as was also her husband. To their marriage were born twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Joseph, a farmer of Moniteau County; John, Josepha, William, a student at Carthagena, Ohio, preparing for the ministry; Christina, Mary and Peter. John Sommerhauser was reared on the farm until fourteen years of age, when he entered a dry goods house and clerked for about eight years. In 1883 he immigrated to America and settled in Moniteau County, Mo., where his parents had previously. In 1884 he accepted a position as clerk for Edward Holtschneider, lumber merchant of Tipton, Mo., and remained there until September, 1887, when he took charge of the yard he now manages at Versailles. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and an honest, upright citizen.