My Genealogy Hound

Samuel H. Schleef, of the firm of S. H. Schleef & Co., dealers in general merchandise, notary public and insurance agent, is a native of Prussia, born in 1844, the son of J. Fred and Henrietta (Kindervater) Schleef, also natives of Prussia, born in 1809 and 1810, respectively. They were married in 1833, and in 1847 came to the United States, locating first in Warren County, Mo., where the mother died in 1856, and where the father married Mrs. Mary Hewendick, in 1857. In 1866 the father came to Franklin County, Mo., and located three miles south of New Haven, where he still resides. He has been a farmer all his life. Our subject’s educational advantages were very meager, as his entire schooling only amounted to about six months. He went to St. Louis and there acted as clerk for different firms for about six years, after which he went to Holstein where he clerked one year, and then in 1869 he came to New Haven, and clerked about one year. After that he acted as bookkeeper in a flour mill from 1870 to 1872. He then formed a partnership with Ed. Meloey and L. Grannemann in the mercantile business, and in 1874 the firm was changed to L. Grannemann & Co., which firm and that of S. H. Schleef & Co. are under the same management, Mr. Grannemann having charge of one establishment and Mr. Schleef of the other. In March, 1871, he married Miss Louisa Pehle, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born in 1852, and the daughter of A. and W. Pehle. To Mr. Schleef and wife were born seven children, only four now living: Alice, Oscar, Addie, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Schleef has been notary public since 1881, and since about 1882 he has been in the insurance business. He served one year as justice of the peace, and has also held various city offices. He is at present a member of the school board, in politics he is strictly independent, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant, in 1868. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.