My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES WIEDEMAN. Among the many prosperous farmers and fruit-growers of Randolph County is Mr. Wiedeman, who is at present the part owner and occupant of a fine farm located on sections 7 and 8, township 8, range 5. The estate comprises eighty acres of well improved land, on which the various cereals are raised, but he makes a specialty of wheat. He also has a large and fine apple orchard, from which he derives splendid profits.

Our subject is a native of Bohemia, where he was born in 1837, his parents being Mathias and Fannie (Hlawac) Wiedeman, of the city of Strakonitz. The mother having died, Charles, with his brothers and one sister, emigrated to the United States in the fall of 1860, landing in New Orleans in January of the following year, after a voyage of over eight weeks. From that city he made his way to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he learned the trade of a cooper. After spending a few weeks here, he and his brother August enlisted in the Union army, in Company C, Second Missouri Infantry, and served for a period of three years. He participated in many of the important engagements of the war, among them being Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Dalton, Ga. He was mustered out and honorably discharged September 28, 1864, at St. Louis. His brother August was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. The father died in Cape Girardeau in 1862.

Mr. Wiedeman remained in St. Louis for a year and a-half after his service in the Rebellion, and purchased with his brother Joseph William their present possessions. Joseph likewise fought for the honor of his adopted country, in Company E, First Missouri Cavalry, under Generals Schofield and Thomas.

April 15, 1873, our subject was married to Miss Mary Froley, whose parents died in Bohemia, where she was born February 22, 1846. She embarked for America in 1866, and landing in New York City made her way direct to Cape Girardeau, remaining there but three months. She thence came to Rockwood, this county, where her marriage occurred. Our subject and his wife have one child, Charles, Jr., whose birth occurred February, 23, 1874. He is still at home and assists his father in the care of the farm. Socially, Mr. Wiedeman is a member of Rockwood Post No. 734, G. A. R. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Republican party.