My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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Charles H. W. Diedrich, proprietor of the Tonsorial Palace, news and cigar and tobacco stand of Washington, Mo., was born at Scharsfeld, near Harz, Province of Hanover, Germany, in 1848, and is the son of Charles A. W. and Rosine (Henne) Diedrich, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, born in 1823 and 1827, respectively. In 1849 they immigrated to America, and the same year the mother died at Peoria, Ill., with cholera. The father has since resided at St. Louis, and since the death of his first wife has been married three times. To his first marriage were born two children: Wilhalminna, wife of Frederick W. Redecker, of Jefferson County, Mo., and our subject. He was only an infant when his parents came to the United States, and he remained with his father until nearly eighteen years of age, but previous to this he had worked in his father’s paper box and match factory in St. Louis, and then spent two years in learning the brushmaking trade. At the age of between fifteen and sixteen, on August 16, 186£, he enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Regiment Missouri Infantry Volunteers for one year, was in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, 8panish Fort and Fort Blakely, and in numerous severe engagements. He remained in service until hostilities ceased, and was then discharged at St. Louis, August 8, 1865. Three years later he came to Washington, Mo., and began as an apprentice to learn the barbers’ trade, and worked at this one year. In 1869 he married Miss Clara Evertz, a native of St. Louis, Mo., born in 1851, and the daughter of Charles Evertz. This union resulted in the birth of eight living children: Hugo, Alma, Walter, Alfred, Charles, Arthur, Pierce and Harry. The year following his marriage Mr. Diedrich opened a shop, his partner being Mathias Huppert, this firm lasting one year, when Mr. Diedrich began on his own resources. Six years ago the cigar and tobacco stand was added, five years ago the bath room, and three years ago the news stand. He is a Republican in politics, is a member of the A. O. U. W. and also the G. A. R.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Franklin County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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