My Genealogy Hound

Otto P. Margedant, merchant at Edgar Springs, Mo., and son of Mattias and Frederica (Richter) Margedant, was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 28, 1836. The father, Mattias Margedant, was born in Dusselldorf, Germany, in 1816, and was a printer by trade, which occupation he followed before coming to America, working in jobbing offices. He immigrated to the United States when a young man, came to St. Louis after a year’s residence in New Orleans, and was here engaged in the printer’s business, which he followed until his death in that city in 1850. The mother, Frederica Richter, was born in Canstadt, Germany; came to the United States when quite a young woman, but after her marriage to Mr. Margedant in Germany. They had one child born to their union, Otto P. After her husband’s death Mrs. Margedant married a Mr. Huffsmith, and is now living in St. Louis, Mo. Otto P. Margedant was reared principally in St. Louis, received a good education, and when young learned the trade of mathematical and philosophical instrument maker, but never followed it. During the time of his residence in St. Louis he was employed by McDowell & Bro., general merchants, and also taught school in Illinois. He began life for himself in 1866 by going to Texas County, Mo., where he taught school for eight years. He also engaged in merchandising at Licking for about ten months. At the opening of the late war he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisting as a private, afterward orderly-sergeant, and then promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, serving altogether three years and six months. Among the battles in which he participated are the following: Wilson’s Creek, Fremont’s Body Guard, Prairie Grove, Pleasant Hill, La., Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark., evacuation of Little Rock. He was wounded at Prairie Grove. After the war he returned to Texas County, Mo., where he remained until 1876, when he came to Edgar Springs, this county. He was engaged in lead mining on Little Piney for one year, and then taught school for one year. After that he engaged in the drug business for some time, sold out and engaged in his present business, which is the largest of its kind in Edgar Springs. In 1858 Mr. Margedant married Miss Jennie Dooley, of Texas County, Mo., and daughter of Thomas Dooley. Mrs. Margedant was born in Cole County, Mo., and by her marriage to Mr. Margedant became the mother of ten children: Sarah J., Emma F., Henrietta, Agnes, Lillian, Edwin L., Albert, Walter, Oscar and Florence. Mr. Margedant is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the K. of L., and he and Mrs. Margedant are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He has been postmaster of this office for nine years.