My Genealogy Hound

H. S. Tellman, whose name is closely identified with the farming interests of Miller County, was born in Hanover, Germany, in May, 1833. His parents, Herman and Susan (Tellman) Tellman, were natives of Aschendorf, Germany, and the father was a blacksmith and locksmith by trade. This he learned in the old country and followed it while living there. In the spring of 1837 he and family took passage on the “Brillhuff,” a Russian ship, and sailed to New York City, where they landed after a voyage of ninety-three days. They then came on to St. Louis, making part of the trip by canal. On the way the subject of this sketch, who was but three years of age, fell out of the boat, and but for the timely assistance of his father, who jumped over after him, would have been drowned. They remained in St. Louis for about three months, where the mother had a brother living. In the meantime the father came on to Jefferson City and entered a tract of land five miles south of that city. There were no improvements on the place with the exception of a little log hut just strong enough to keep the wild animals at bay. The roof was made of clap boards, the doors were made of the same, not a nail being driven in the house. At that time Jefferson City had but one brick house and two stores. The father improved the farm and lived there for many years. He assisted in building the State capitol at Jefferson City and put the locks on the governor’s mansion when Reynolds was governor. He helped build the first Catholic Church in the city and put an iron cross on the building. He was a very prominent man, and well known throughout the county. He died on the farm that he had entered, at the age of eighty-nine. He served in the German war and fought under Wellington, and at the battle of Waterloo under Bonaparte. He was born in 1792, and the mother in 1801, and she was about seventy-five years of age at her death. They were the parents of nine children, five now living: Mary, wife of Bernard Richter; John; Jane, wife of Paul Ihler, and Fannie, wife of Philip Herbrant. Those deceased were named Anna, wife of Mr. Schwaller; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Stockman; and Anthony, who was killed in the Home Guards during the war. H. S. Tellman, subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm in Missouri, and was educated in the common schools. At an early age he entered Jefferson City and kept bar for some time. He was a prison guard of the State penitentiary for one year. He then commenced farming for himself, bought land in the woods, improved it and put out a good orchard. During the war he served in the Home Guards and militia as second sergeant, and was in Price’s raid. In March, 1869, he moved to his present property, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 500 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. He has made most of the improvements since living here, all of which are first class, and deals in stock quite extensively. He was married January 29, 1856, to Miss Mary A. Schwaller, a native of Ohio, but whose parents came from France. Thirteen children were born to this union, seven now living: Herman (married to Missouri Riggs), Henry, Mary, John, Charles, Joseph and George. Those deceased were named George S., Anthony, Francis, Herman S., Francis and Susan. Mr. and Mrs. are Tellman Roman Catholics. While in Cole County he was constable for two terms.