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Below is a family biography included in The History of Moniteau 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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G. A. Burkhardt, one of the first merchants of California, Mo., was born in Saxony, Germany, May 31, 1835, and is one of four surviving members of a family of ten children born to the marriage of August J. Burkhardt and Johanna Schmidt, who spent their lives in their native land. The father was a locksmith by trade. G. A. Burkhardt is the youngest of the family now living, and while still a resident of his native land was apprenticed to the merchant’s trade for two years. When in his sixteenth year he determined to come to America to seek his fortune, and in April, 1851, he took passage at Hamburg, on a sailing vessel, and landed at New York City, after a voyage of forty-two days. He remained on a farm near that city for about three weeks, waiting for his brother to arrive, and when he did come they left for the West, going by the great lakes and canals to Chicago, thence to Hermann, Mo., where he remained with a farmer for some time to learn the English language. He then became a clerk in a hardware store in St. Louis, and while there, in 1854, one of his brothers died of cholera. In 1856 be went back to Germany to get a legacy left from his father’s estate, and in August, 1857, arrived safely again in New York. On August 28, 1857, he began merchandising in California in partnership with C. F. Eberhardt, continuing thus associated until 1861, when the latter died, and Mr. Burkhardt purchased his interest, and conducted the business alone for six years. He then began managing the steam City Mills, which he had purchased. He deserves great credit for the assistance he has given in furthering the interests of the town and county, and many of the improvements that have been made in the town are due to his determined and persistent efforts while he was a member of the city council. He held the latter position from 1862 to 1863, and then filled the position of mayor up to 1869. In 1868 he was elected sheriff, and re-elected in 1870, and again filled the position of councilman, serving in this capacity for a great many years. He has also served as school director, and in all his official positions has done honor to himself and credit to his friends. He has always been a successful merchant, and his store building is a handsome brick structure. Besides this property he owns a valuable farm adjoining the city, and is party to a new addition to the town, known as Russell and Burkhardt’s Addition. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W., and is a charter member of the latter lodge. In 1857 he was married to Miss Emma Kehr, a native of Philadelphia, by whom he has six children: Laura, wife of A. F. Snow; Julia, wife of Robert Blunstengl; Theodore, Charles, Cornelia and Ida.

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This family biography is one of 187 biographies included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Moniteau County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Moniteau County, Missouri family biographies here: Moniteau County, Missouri Biographies

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