My Genealogy Hound

Adolph Pecaut, dealer in jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware and optical goods, De Soto, was born in Switzerland, in 1840, and is a son of Emmanuel and Elsie (Textor) Pecaut, who were the parents of seven children, our subject being the third. Emmanuel Pecaut was born in 1814, was a miner by occupation, and died in 1871; his wife was born in 1818, and is still living. Adolph Pecaut attended the common schools of Switzerland six years, and at the age of eleven years was apprenticed to learn the jeweler’s trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years, at the expiration of which time he worked two years as a journeyman. When but eighteen years of age he became foreman of one of the largest watch factories in Switzerland, holding the position ten years. In 1869 he immigrated to America, proceeding immediately after landing to De Soto, Mo., where he established his present business. He was the first jeweler to locate in De Soto, and is a skillful workman; he carries a first-class stock of jewelry, and has been very successful in a financial way. In his native country in 1866 he married Miss Cecelia Racine, who was born in Switzerland, in 1841, and is a daughter of August Racine. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pecaut, viz.: Julia, Bettie, Tillie, Eva, Daisy and Adolph. In May, 1887, Mr. Pecaut and his brother-in-law, August Racine, put in 175 Edison electric lights in the business houses of De Soto, at a cost of $5,500; a few days after they were in successful operation Mr. Racine died, thus throwing the whole responsibility upon Mr. Pecaut, which he successfully conducted. He is one of the substantial business men of the place, and is highly esteemed. He is politically a Republican, is serving as a member of the school board, is a Master Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the A. O. U. W.