My Genealogy Hound

Bernhard Beckmann, merchant, was born in Germany in 1840, and is the son of Casper and Mary (Maune) Beckmann, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died when Bernhard was but nine weeks old, and in 1850, with his mother and twin sister, our subject immigrated to America, landing at New Orleans. From that city they went immediately to St. Louis, and two days later removed to Union, Franklin County. Here they took up their residence on a farm two miles from that town. The mother died in 1859. Bernhard remained on the farm for five years, and then located in St. Louis, where, until the breaking out of the late war, he worked at his trade, brick making. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, First Regiment of Missouri Infantry, and served three months. He then re-enlisted for three years, joining Company M, of the Second Missouri Light Artillery. He was mustered out at St. Louis, October 6, 1863, and then again enlisted, this time in Company B, of the Forty-seventh Missouri Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He then returned to St. Louis, and remained there three years, after which he removed to Union and opened a brickyard. In 1870 he was united in marriage to Sophia Krege, a native of Franklin County, born in 1845, and died in 1870. To them were born two children, Katie and Edward, both deceased. One year previous to the death of his wife Mr. Beckmann abandoned brick making and engaged in the saloon business. In 1880 he was united in marriage to Napoleon Berger, a native of Germany. In February, 1887, he engaged in his present business, and now carries on a general merchandise store, keeping for sale dry goods, groceries, hardware, queensware, glassware, canned goods, cigars, tobacco, candies, and in fact a general line.