My Genealogy Hound

August Altheide, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Prussia, born March 25, 1842, and is the fourth of nine children born to Philip and Hannah (Kampamarm) Altheide, who were born in 1807 and 1813, respectively. They were married in 1834, and in 1852 came to the United States, locating in Boeuf Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying in 1884. The mother is still living. When a young man the father learned the trade of fine linen weaving, and followed this occupation while in the old country, where he had several men under his control a portion of the time. After coming to this country he attended exclusively to his farm. August was but ten years old when he came with his parents to the United States. He spent about three years at school in Prussia, and, after coming to the United States, only about three months in the public schools. He had a great desire to learn the English language, and availed himself of every opportunity to further his knowledge in that direction. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Fifth Missouri Cavalry of “Benton’s Hussars,” which in November was consolidated with the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, serving in Company M, and afterward in Company D. He operated in Southwest Missouri and Arkansas until the spring of 1863, when he went to Columbus, Ky., spent one year, then went to Mississippi and Tennessee, and in January, 1865, was camped at Vicksburg, where he was mustered out May 24 of the same year. His first important engagement was with Gen. Forrest at Ivy Town, Miss., February 22, 1864, at which place he displayed much gallantry, and had his horse shot from under him. The second important battle was at Guntown, Miss., June 10, 1864, and the third on December 28, 1864, at Egypt Station, Miss. He was in nearly all the engagements in which his command participated, entered the ranks as a private, and was mustered out as corporal of Company D. He then returned to Franklin County, remained there until 1867, when he spent one year as a clerk in a grocery store at St. Louis, but was obliged to abandon this on account of his health, and returned to the farm. In 1870 he clerked for about nine months in a store at Drake, Gasconade Co., Mo., and in 1872 was elected constable of Boeuf Township, and served until the year 1876, when he was elected township collector. Since then he has been a member of the school board. March, 1877, he married Miss Anna, daughter of Christian H. and Louisa Gerding, and a native of Boeuf Township. Four children were born to this marriage: Alfred A. S., A. L. A., Frederick William Herman and Anna. Mrs. Altheide was educated in Colorado, and was for several years a successful teacher. Our subject, since his marriage, has resided on the old home place, situated five miles southwest of New Haven, and this consists of 183 acres, all the result of diligent labor and successful financiering. Mr. Altheide is an honest worker for the cause of education and the general upbuilding of the country, and for the comfort and advancement of his family. He is a Republican, politically, and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1864. He is quartermaster of the “Capt. Blandowsky Post” G. A. R., at New Haven. He and his wife are consistent members of the Evangelical Church.