My Genealogy Hound

Henry Buente, merchant at McGirk, Mo., was born in Lippe Detmoldt, Germany, in 1838, being the second of twelve children born to Henry C. and Charlotte Buente. He attended the schools of his native land and did some farming until twenty-two years of age, when he located in the city of Bremen, from which place he immigrated, in 1868, to the United States. Soon after landing he came to Gasconade County, Mo., and after clerking for some time in a store in Drake went to Woollam, where he remained two years. After attending school one year he opened a store in Owensville, where he continued to hold forth until 1880, then came to what is now McGirk, and purchased ten acres of land and opened his present establishment, which he has conducted quite successfully up to the present time. At the time of his locating, there was not a house in sight, but it has continued to build until it is now quite a promising little town. February 2, 1881, he became postmaster, and January 22, 1883, he became ticket agent at that place, and sold the first ticket on the 29th of the same month. He keeps a general line of merchandise, and in addition to his store is engaged in buying grain, wood and produce. In 1888 he shipped from his station over 1,000 cords of wood, and about fifty car-loads of grain. He takes an active interest in aiding enterprises for the good of the town, and is public spirited and enterprising. February 21, 1874, he was married to Miss Louisa Distelkemp, a native of Germany, who came with her parents to the United States in infancy, and by her is the father of four children: Emma, Bismark, Laura and Eddie. December 11, 1887, his excellent wife died. He and family attend the Lutheran Church.