My Genealogy Hound

Arnold Rhump, an enterprising farmer and present assessor of the county, is also of German nativity, born in Westphalia, December 14, 1834. Peter Adolph and Minnie (Knipp) Rhump, his parents, were also natives of that country, where they lived and died. The father was a wire manufacturer and served in the German army under Gen. Blucher, during the war with Napoleon, participating in many battles, among which was that of Waterloo. Three sons and three daughters were born to them, four of whom survive, two living in Germany, and Arnold and a sister, who came to the United States in 1855, locating in St. Louis County, Mo. The subject of this sketch was engaged in farming for five years, then moved to the city of St. Louis, where he was occupied as salesman in a mercantile establishment another five years. Coming to Gasconade County, he started a store at Woolam, which he disposed of after conducting some six years, and again became engaged in merchandising as a salesman at St. Louis. Two years thereafter he became permanently located in this county, and since then has farmed in different localities, having owned a number of farms. In 1883 he was elected assessor of Gasconade County, again in 1885 and in 1887 was re-elected, serving in an acceptable manner. Mr. Rhump’s career has been a successful one, for his present position has been obtained entirely through his own unaided efforts. During the late war he served in the State Militia. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican, and anti-prohibitionist, and while a merchant at Woolam served as postmaster. It is worthy of mention that while not a man to court notoriety, he is a liberal contributor to those measures tending to the upbuilding of the county and vicinity in which he makes his home.