My Genealogy Hound

Charles Alder, farmer and stock raiser of Boeuf Township, Franklin Co., Mo., is the fifth of seven children born to John and Frances (Rogers) Alder. The father was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1790, and was of English descent. He was reared principally in Virginia, and when young learned the shoemaker’s trade, which occupation he followed until thirty years of age. When about twenty-two he started for the West, but stopped at different places to work, so that he was several years reaching Missouri. In 1830, prior to his marriage, he settled upon the farm where Charles now resides. This is situated three and a half miles south of New Haven. Here he died in 1872. He was a man of industrious and temperate habits, and was universally respected. He started life a poor boy. and, at the time of his death, was worth, perhaps, $20,000, owning over 500 acres of land. The mother was born in Kentucky, and died in 1874, at the age of fifty-seven years. They were married in the year 1832. She was a member of the Christian Church. Charles was born April 8, 1849, was reared at home, and received but a limited education, not having attended over four winter terms of school. June 16, 1875, he married Miss Augusta, daughter of Daniel F. and Wilhelmina Byersdorf, natives of Germany. Mrs. Alder was born in Gasconade County, Mo., and by her marriage became the mother of two children: Jessie and John Arthur. Our subject has passed his entire life on the farm where he was born and reared, which now consists of 270 acres. He is a Republican in his political views, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant in 1872. He has been for many years a faithful and consistent member of the Christian Church. He has five sisters living—two in Callaway County, two in Franklin County, and one in Kansas. All are married.