My Genealogy Hound

William Kleinschmidt was born in Prussia, Germany, December 8, 1839, and is one of the eight children born to Charles and Charlotte (Huseman) Kleinschmidt, only four of whom are living, viz.: Anna, William, Louis and Minnie. Charles Kleinschmidt, also a native of Prussia, brought his family to the United States in 1856, and until the following March resided in St. Louis, Mo., when they removed to Jefferson County, settling in Plattin Township, where the father died in 1866. William Kleinschmidt was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his native country. When young he learned the shoemaker’s trade, but has never followed it. October 28, 1860, he married Miss Jane Zollman, daughter of Phillip and Phillipine (Volker) Zollman, the latter a native of Nassau, Germany, who came with her parents to the United States, in March, 1849, living in St. Louis until December of that year, and then removed to Jefferson County, Mo., settling where Mr. Kleinschmidt now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Kleinschmidt nine children have been born, viz.: Minnie, Christ., Phillipine, William, Emma, Lydia, Frank, Ida and Malinda. Minnie married William Halter, of Plattin Township, and has two children, Arthur and Adolph. Christ, married Minnie Fink, and Phillipine became the wife of Herman Schmidt, and has two children, Albert and Henry A. Mr. Kleinschmidt owns 300 acres of land in Jefferson County, and a half interest in a tract of 160. He devotes his attention to farming and stock-raising, paying especial attention to graded stock. He has served as school director for many years, and has been local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past twenty-four years, of which Mrs. Kleinschmidt is also a member.