My Genealogy Hound

Charles F. Spery, proprietor of the Hermann Machine Works, was born in Germany July 17, 1858. His father, Joseph Spery, of St. Louis, came to the United States from Germany in 1844, and was back to his birthplace several different times. It was while he and wife were on one of these visits that Charles was born. The father lived in Philadelphia, Penn., twelve years, working at his trade of watch-case maker. In 1864 he settled on a farm near Hermann, where Charles was reared and educated. The father is now living in St. Louis. Our subject followed farming. In his twentieth year he built a small steam yacht of his own, without experience or assistance, which proved so successful that he obtained a position as pilot and engineer on the river. In his twenty-fifth year he went into the sawmill and lumber business, on the Gasconade River, but soon after failing health caused him to sell his boat and sawmill. He then went to Philadelphia, to learn the machinist trade, where his parents then lived. In March, 1885, he established the machine-shop business. He repairs machinery of all kinds, and is also engaged in manufacturing. April 19, 1888, he added to his business a foundry for all kinds of castings. March 3, 1882, he married Miss Matilda Metzler, who bore him one child, now deceased. Mrs. Spery was the daughter of Ferdinand Metzler. She died September 9, 1884. In 1887, May 10, Mr. Spery married Miss Rosa Kraemer, daughter of Frederich Kraemer, of Chamois, Osage County, Mo. She was born in Hermann. Mr. Spery is a Knight of Labor, a member of the fire company, and also a member of the Lutheran Church.