My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. PFAFF, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Pettis County, resides on a beautiful farm located on section 11, township 44, range 23. He is a man of progressive and enterprising ideas, and runs his farm with the aid of the latest improved machinery in the market. In addition to general farming, he raises grain and stock to a large extent.

Mr. Pfaff was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1855, being the fifth in a family of eight children born to his parents, John and Louisa M. E. (Holt) Pfaff. The father was a native of Philadephia, Pa., in which city he made his home for the first twelve years of his life. After the death of his father he moved with his mother to the Queen City, where he grew to mature years, becoming one of the prominent business men of that city, and finally owned a large varnish establishment. He there died in 1877. His wife, the mother of William, was born in London, England, and at the time of the emigration of her parents to America was in her twelfth year. She was likewise reared to womanhood in Cincinnati, and there met and married John Pfaff. She preceded her husband to the land beyond, dying February 26, 1872, that sad event occurring on the fifty-second anniversary of her birth.

Our subject, unlike many young men of his day, received his education in the city schools of Cincinnati. When ready to enter upon a business career, at the age of eighteen, he entered his father’s varnish establishment, and for eight years thereafter could be found devoting his attention to this business. Two years prior to this time, however, had been spent working in a machine-shop.

In 1880 Mr. Pfaff came to Missouri, and choosing Pettis County for his future home, invested his money in the beautiful farm on which he now lives. More land has been added to the original tract, however, until it now includes two hundred and thirty fertile acres. Soon after coming here, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C., daughter of John and Mary (Price) Laney, natives of England. Their daughter, however, was born after their emigration hither, in New York State. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfaff there have been born eight children, all of whom are living and bear the respective names of Mary, Hattie, Philus, Helen, Mildred, Alberta, Theodore and Ruth. In our subject the public schools have a firm friend, and it is one of his chief desires that his children may be given good educations. Mr. and Mrs. Pfaff, with two of their daughters, are members of the Congregational Church, in which body they are active and conscientious workers. Socially Mr. Pfaff is a Mason, and in politics exercises the right of franchise by voting for Republican candidates. He is an indefatigable worker, an honest and upright man, and has the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.