Heinrich Adolph Schoppenhorst

Hon. Henry A. Schoppenhorst

In the career of the subject of this biography we find a striking example of what industry and perseverance can accomplish when accompanied by good business judgment and intelligence.  Mr. Schoppenhorst commenced in life for himself when a young man, practically without a dollar, and although at this writing he is still in the prime of life, he has gained a place among the wealthy and influential agriculturalists of Warren County.  As a citizen he has risen to prominence in the conduct of public affairs, and is favorably known throughout this section, where he has spent his entire life.

Our subject was born March 27, 1840, in Warren County, Mo., and is the son of William Schoppenhorst, formerly one of the highly esteemed residents of that county, but who died August 29, 1884.  He and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Pieterjohn, were both natives of Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1834, being married in Warren County, Mo.  The mother made the journey to this country with her sister, Mrs. Fiegenhaum [sic], who also settled in Missouri.  She departed this life in 1861.

The father of our subject was born September 5, 1813, and was the son of Herman and Elizabeth (Schroer) Schoppenhorst.  His life in the New World was a very successful one, and at the time of his death he was a well-to-do citizen of Hopewell Academy.  For some time he engaged in farm pursuits, having improved one of the finest estates in the county.  Of his six children only two are living, Henry A. and Minnie, the latter being the wife of William Hunanfeld [sic].  Our subject was trained to farm work, and during his boyhood years attended the schools of the neighborhood.  When a youth of eighteen years, he entered the college at Quincy, Ill., where he took a three-years course, being greatly benefited by the opportunities thus given him.

Returning home in 1861, Mr. Schoppenhorst began working the old homestead, where he remained until the fall of the following year.  His spirit of patriotism was aroused by the late Civil War, and responding to the call for volunteers, he offered his services in defense of his country's flag, and was mustered in as a member of Company H, Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, commanded by Colonel Fisk (later General).  He fought under various leaders, and remained in the service until the cessation of hostilities.  Among the important engagements in which he participated were those at Pleasant Hill, Ark.; Tupelo, Miss.; Vicksburg, Miss.; Helena, Ark.; Nashville, Tenn; and Mobile, Ala.  Throughout the war he served as Orderly-Sergeant, and made an enviable reputation as a soldier and officer.

On the establishment of peace, Mr. Schoppenhorst returned to his home in Missouri, and being offered a school, engaged in teaching until the fall of 1867, when he located upon his present fine estate.  This tract comprises two hundred and ninety acres, and is one of the finest places in the state.  On it Mr. Schoppenhorst has erected a fine two-story brick residence, which cost $4,000, a substantial barn costing $1,500, besides correspondingly comfortable and commodious outbuildings of every description.  Everything about the estate has the appearance of thrift and enterprise on the part of the owner, and the soil is cultivated in such a manner as to yield an abundant harvest each year.

The year after his return from war, Mr. Schoppenhorst was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, a position of which he was the incumbent for eight years, when he refused to hold it longer.  Since 1872 he has served as Notary Public.  In 1874 he was the choice of his county as candidate for the Legislature, and was elected by a large majority.  So well did he look after the interests of his constituents, that he was again elected in 1884, becoming a member of the Thirty-fourth General Assembly.  In 1892 he was made a member of the Thirty-seventh General Assembly, and at the present time (1895) represents his party in the Thirty-eighth, each time being elected by an increased majority, which fact shows his great popularity and his ability to fill important positions.  During the years he has been in the Legislature he has served on various important committees, on each and every one of which he displayed marked talent and sound judgment.

In 1865 Mr. Schoppenhorst was united in marriage with Miss Fredericka Humfeld [sic], a daughter of William and Christina (Stineker) [sic] Humfeld.  She passed away December 18, 1867, leaving a daughter, Mary C.  The following year our subject married Miss Catherine, daughter of W. F. and Wilhelmina (Brinkman) Meinershagen, and to them were born the following-named children: Julius W., Martha W., Elizabeth C., Emma M., Gustavus A., Clara C., Paul G., Arthur B., Frank and Lydia.  Our subject is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Church, to which his wife and children also belong.  In politics he [is] a strong Republican, and is an acknowledged leader of his party in this section.