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Below is a family biography included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Frank Spieler, farmer, of Moreau Township, was born in Prussia in 1833, and is the son of John G. and Elnora (Kampfer) Spieler, natives of Prussia. The father was born June 29, 1810, and the mother April 24, 1813. John E. Spieler, grandfather of our subject, was a weaver by trade, and lived to be sixty-two years old. He was the father of five children, three daughters and two sons, all now deceased. John G. Spieler was the fourth of this family in order of birth. He attained his majority in Prussia, received his education in the high schools, and was a weaver by trade. He was also quite a fine musician. His brother, James A., Was musical instructor of the garrison of soldiers in the village, and John G. was with him in the band. He was married when twenty-four years of age, and sailed for America March 23, 1841. He landed at New Orleans June 6, and at Boonville, Mo., on the 26th of the same month, with his wife and son, Frank. They located near Prairie Home, Cooper County, on a farm, and here the father followed the weaver’s trade, but was also in demand to play for musical entertainments, etc., having brought sixteen different instruments with him from the old country. Later in life he devoted himself entirely to his farm, and died at the age of seventy-six years. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. His wife died in February, 1885, and was a member of the above-mentioned church. Her father, Gotleib Kampfer, was a soldier in the Prussian army, was a soldier and officer for thirty-two years, receiving a number of promotions, and was a man of education. He was a blacksmith by trade. To the parents of our subject were born six children, three now living: Frank, Mrs. Theresa Miller and Mrs. Bertha Elder. Those deceased were named as follows: Charles A., Amelia and Mary. The last two died in infancy. Charles A. died in August, 1885, on the old homestead in Cooper County. Frank Spieler was but a small boy when he moved with his parents to Missouri. He attended the district schools some, and received a good German education. May 11, 1851, he hired to J. A. Lander, with whom he remained until July, 1853, when he took a trip to the State of California, and was forty-four days on the water going from Boonville to San Francisco. He remained in the State of California until March, 1855, was very successful financially, but failing health caused him to return to Missouri, where he again hired to Mr. Lander. He remained in this capacity until September, 1857, when Mr. Spieler took charge of a carding machine and blacksmith shop, which he carried on until the fall of 1859, when he settled on his present property. July 22, 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-third Missouri Militia, and served until March 23, 1863, when he received a furlough, and went home. In August, 1863, he was again called into service. In September, 1864, a company was organized, and Mr. Spieler was made second lieutenant of the same. He was in active service during Price’s raid, and was in the battle of Jefferson City during the raid. He was discharged March 12, 1865, at Jefferson City, and afterward returned home, and resumed his work with Mr. Lander in the mercantile business until February 17, 1887. Mr. Spieler was first married September 29, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Sappington, a native of Missouri, born January 12, 1833, and died March 7, 1862. To this union were born two children: Albert, who died four days before his mother, at the age of two months; and John O., who now resides in California, Mo., and is deputy sheriff. Mr. Spieler was married the second time March 29, 1868, to Miss Sarah H. Stinson, a native of Moniteau County, who died July 12, 1873. One child, Elizabeth, was born to this union. Mr. Spieler was again married June 8, 1875, to Mrs. Susan (McClonahan) Wood, widow of Josiah Wood. She was born in Cooper County, Mo., March 26, 1839, and by this marriage became the mother of one child, Charles P., who is now at home. Mrs. Spieler had one child, Sarah J., by her former marriage. Mr. Spieler is a Republican in politics, is a member of the Christian Church, and is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 276, of Clarksburg. Mrs. S. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 187 biographies included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Moniteau County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Moniteau County, Missouri family biographies here: Moniteau County, Missouri Biographies

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