Biographical Sketch of A. Derege, Bloomington Township, Buchanan 
County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
**********************************************************************

A. Derge, of the firm of Derge & Hagenstein, merchants, DeKalb.  The
subject of this sketch was born in Gruneberg, Prussia, on November 21,
1833.  Was raised in his native country, and was there educated, re-
ceiving the principal part of his education in Berlin.  In the fall of
1852, he became infatuated with the glowing accounts of America, and
crossed the ocean, landing in New York City in November of that year.
First went to Watertown, Wisconsin, where he was engaged as clerk in
a bakery till the following spring, when he returned to his native
country, having official business.  He remained there till 1855, when
he again came to America, and located in Wisconsin, where he was en-
gaged in various works till the spring of 1858.  Then went to Lyon
County, Kansas, and took up a Government claim, but remained but a 
few months, when he came to St. Joseph, Missouri and the following
winter went to DeKalb, and engaged as clerk in a store until 1861. He
then went to Atchison, Kansas and embarked in the mercantile trade,
and pursued the same till 1864, when he disposed of his stock and en-
gaged as clerk.  In 1867, he returned to DeKalb and began in mercan-
tile trade as one of the present firm, since which time he has been
doing the leading business of the city.  Has held the position of
postmaster since 1871.  Besides keeping a general stock of goods they
are also engaged in the grain and stock trade, the junior partner of
the firm attending principally to that department, their stock aver-
aging from $5,000 to $8,000, and doing from $25,000 to $30,000 worth
of business each year.  In 1873, Mr. Derge took a trip to his native
home.  He was married September 20, 1860, to Miss Amanda Bretz, who
was born in Ohio, October 24, 1842.  They have four children: Alice,
Frederick, William and Bertha.  Mr. Derge is a member of the Masonic
Lodge of Wellington, No. 22, and also an Odd Fellow, of DeKalb, No. 191.

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