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Below is a family biography included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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Francis Oncken is a prominent resident of Hermann and at present occupies the position of judge of the probate court of Gasconade County, to which he was elected in 1876, re-elected in 1880 and 1882, and again in 1886. Born in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, October 22, 1829, he remained there until immigrating to America in 1851, at which time he came direct to Gasconade County, Mo., where he had relatives living. Here he resumed his previous occupation of clerking. Crossing the plains to California in 1853, he spent about three months there, then returned and the same year went back to Germany on a visit, from whence he returned permanently in August, 1854. For some time he carried on merchandising at Oldenburg, but in 1860 retired to his farm, and during the war he served as captain in the Home Guards and militia. After the war he again engaged in business, and in company with his partner purchased and operated a steamboat on the Missouri and Gasconade Rivers. In 1876 Mr. Oncken was elected probate judge and presiding judge of the county court, and removed to Hermann in 1878. His career in this official capacity has been an honorable and creditable one. October 12, 1860, he was married to Amanda Doyon, who was born in Hermann in 1843; she is the daughter of Joseph Doyon, a Canadian. Eight of twelve children born to this worthy couple still survive. The parents of Judge Oncken, Christian D. and Charlotta (Knodt) Oncken, were natives of Varel on the Jahde, Germany, born in 1783 and 1800 respectively. The former was an officer in the German army, and took part in the battle of Waterloo. He died in 1842 and his wife in 1878.

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This family biography is one of 146 biographies included in The History of Gasconade County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Gasconade County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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