Biographical Sketch of Christian H. Behrens, Dallas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Christian H. Behrens is one of the leading merchants of Dallas
County, MO., and was born on January 12, 1856, in Lee County, 
Iowa, his parents, Henry and Hannah (Burgdorf) Behrens, being
natives of Hanover and Brunswick, German, respectively.  Henry
Behrens came to America in 1845, and located in St. Louis, MO.
and about 1847 went to Lee County, Iowa, where he purchased a
farm and resided until his death, which occurred in 1872.  His
widow and eight of his eleven children are living, the latter's
names being as follows:  Christian H., Henry J., William J.,
August C., Hannah, Charles C., Martha and Frederick E.  Christian
H. Behrens resided with his parents on the farm until twenty-three
years of age, and received his education in the schools of his
native county, obtaining his academic education in Primrose Academy,
and also attended several German schools of a high order.  After 
leaving the farm he entered the employ of the large mercantile house
of Chonca & Brown, of Fresno, Cal., but about the end of 1882 he 
came to Buffalo, and on December 11, 1882, engaged in the mercantile
business, which he is still successfully carrying on, the firm being
now known as C. H. Behrens & Bro.  Mr. Behrens started with quite a
small stock of goods, but by industry and good management his store
has reached its present admirable proportions, and nets him and his
brother a handsome annual income.  In the spring of 1887 their 
present building was completed, which is a commodious and handsome
three-story brick, the largest mercantile house in the county, and
a credit to any city, and is well stocked with any kind of dry goods,
groceries, boots, shoes and clothing, and agricultural implements.
Although they have resided in Buffalo but a few years, they are 
already well known throughout the county as enterprising, honorable
and reliable business men, and have accordingly secured a large and
lucrative trade.  On November 28, 1878, C.H. Behrens was united in
marriage to Miss Etta Able, who died in 1880, having borne one child,
Aaron, and on October 25, 1881, he wedded his present wife, Miss
Matilda Able, by whom he became the father of three children, who
are all deceased.  He and wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church, and he is ever ready to give material aid to undertakings
of worth, and to further the interests of the churches and schools
and enterprises of any kind beneficial to the town and country.
Politically Mr. Behrens is a strong Democrat, although being reared
in the great Republican State, Iowa.  He is well versed in the German
and American languages, and is an expert accountant.

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