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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dallas 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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H. Behrens is one of the leading merchants of Dallas County, Mo., and was born on the 12th of January, 1856, in Lee County, Iowa, his parents, Henry and Hannah (Burgdorf) Behrens, being natives of Hanover and Brunswick, Germany, respectively. Henry Behrens came to America in 1845, and located in St. Louis, Mo., and about 1847 went to Lee County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and resided until his death, which occurred in 1872. His widow and eight of his eleven children are living, the latter’s names being as follows: Christian H., Henry J., William J., August C., Hannah, Charles C., Martha and Frederick E. Christian H. Behrens resided with his parents on the farm until twenty-three years of age, and received his education in the schools of his native county, obtaining his academic education in Primrose Academy, and also attended several German schools of a high order. After leaving the farm he entered the employ of the large mercantile house of Chonca & Brown, of Fresno, Cal., but about the end of 1882 he came to Buffalo, and on the 11th of December, 1882, engaged in the mercantile business, which he is still successfully carrying on, the firm being now known as C. H. Behrens & Bro. Mr. Behrens started with quite a small stock of goods, but by industry and good management his store has reached its present admirable proportions, and nets him and his brother a handsome annual income. In the spring of 1887 their present building was completed, which is a commodious and handsome three-story brick, the largest mercantile house in the county, and a credit to any city, and is well stocked with all kinds of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes and clothing, and agricultural implements. Although they have resided in Buffalo but a few years, they are already well known throughout the county as enterprising, honorable and reliable business men, and have accordingly secured a large and lucrative trade. On the 28th of November, 1878, C. H. Behrens was united in marriage to Miss Etta Able, who died in 1880, having borne one child, Aaron, and on the 25th of October, 1881, he wedded his present wife, Miss Matilda Able, by whom he became the father of three children, who are all deceased. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is ever ready to give material aid to undertakings of worth, and to further the interests of the churches and schools and enterprises of any kind beneficial to the town and county. Politically Mr. Behrens is a strong Democrat, although being reared in the great Republican State, Iowa. He is well versed in the German and American languages, and is an expert accountant.

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This family biography is one of 74 biographies included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dallas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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