My Genealogy Hound

Fritz Wehrmaun is a general blacksmith, and three-fourths’ owner of the steamer “New Haven” which sank at the landing, and while yet under water was purchased by him. He remodeled it and attached a cabin etc., and since then it has been used as a transfer boat between St. Louis and New Haven. It was formerly used as a ferry boat at New Haven. Mr. Wehrmann is a native of Germany, born in 1847, and the son of William and Menne (Coestermyer) Wehrmann. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was twice married, his last wife being the mother of our subject. Both parents passed their lives in Germany, the father dying about 1880, at the age of seventy-two, and the mother in 1884, at the age of sixty-five. Fritz remained at home until seventeen years of age, and received a common-school education. He then learned the blacksmith’s trade, and in 1866 came to the United States, where he spent the first six years in Warren County. In 1872 he came to New Haven, where he has since continued successfully engaged in his trade. Besides his steamer, he has a good property in the city, and ten acres of land, for which he paid $2,600. He has served in various city offices, trustee, alderman, member of the school board, etc. He had charge of the levee at New Haven, for which he donated liberally. In March, 1871, he married Miss Eda Reker, a native of Warren County, Mo., and the daughter of William and Charlotta Reker, both of whom were natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Wehrmann were born six children: Bettie, Clara, Paulina, Frederick, Paul and Dellephina. Mr. Wehrmann is a Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Aid Association, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.