Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Rhoda Fone for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Young’s History of Lafayette County, Missouri, Volume II By Hon. William Young, (1910) B. F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana =========================================================================== Pages 709-710 WILLIAM L. KARSTEN One of the “banner farms” of Lafayette county is that owned by William L. Karsten, and there are very few indeed among his neighbors and friends but who envy him the success which his honest efforts and steady onward plodding has brought him. He is now living in honorable retirement after a very busy life, and he is certainly entitled to a little respite, having made the comfortable competency which is today his by his own efforts. As his name would indicate, Mr. Karsten is of German descent, although he was born at Concordia, Lafayette county, Missouri, the date of his birth being June 17, 1863. He has preferred to spend his life in his home community. He is the son of Richard and Sophia (Kremelmeyer) Karsten, both born in Hanover, Germany, where they grew to maturity and were educated, and from which country they came to America in an early day and, penetrating to the Middle West, located at Concordia, Missouri, and there established a very comfortable home. Like many unfortunate men in this portion of the country during our great Civil war, Richard Karsten fell a victim to bushwhackers and was killed in 1863. His widow survived until December 9, 1900. Three children were born to them, of which number William L., of this review, is the only one living. Mrs. Richard Karsten, after the death of her first husband, married a Mr. Dryer, who was also killed during the Civil war; her third husband was a Mr. Keuck, by whom she had one child, who is still living. Mr. Keuck died in Lafayette county, Missouri. Richard Karsten devoted his life to farming and always made a good living for his family. He and his family were members of the Lutheran church. William L. Karsten was reared on the farm and he was educated in Saline county, this state, having been reared there by his aunt, Mrs. Mary Diers, who cared for him like a mother. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and considering the fact that he started out in life for himself empty handed and has had to battle his way alone, he is deserving of great credit for what he has accomplished and for the large economical, he was able to buy a place of his own in 1890, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres. Of this he later sold thirty acres, but subsequently purchased eighty-three, making him a farm now of three hundred and seventy-three acres. He has been a good manager and has reaped abundant harvests from his fields, which he keeps well improved and the soil in a strong condition. He has a beautiful home and good outbuildings, -- in fact, has one of the choicest places in his township, and one of the most valuable. He now merely oversees his vast acres, having lived retired for some time. He has always kept a good grade of stock of all kinds. Mr. Karsten is a Republican in politics, and he is a member of the Luthern church. He has led an honest, and upright life and is held in the highest regard by his neighbors and many friends. ===========================================================================