Charles Reinhard, a leading merchant of Union, Mo., was born in [Rhineprovinz] Prussia
May 1, 1829 and is the son of Nicholas and Louisa (Frohwein) Reinhard,
both natives of Germany. The Reinhard family were originally of Hugue-
not descent, our subject's great grandfather having been one of the
Protestants driven from France at the time of the exile of the Hugue-
nots from that country. He settled in Germany. The name was originally
Renard. The mother's ancestors on both sides were from Holland. The
parents of Charles immigrated to America in 1848, and landed at New
Orleans. From that point they worked their way up the river into Miss-
ouri, and located in Gasconade County, near Hermann, and in that county
passed the remainder of their days, the father's death preceding that
of the mother's. For five months after reaching Gasconade County Char-
les was in the employ of Theodore Bates, during which time he learned
the English language and accustomed himself to American habits and
peculiarities. He next began work as a carpenter, and in the spring of
1852 located in Union. He soon afterwards engaged in merchandising, at
which he continued successfully until interrupted by the late Civil War
when his business was broken up by both the Confederate and the Federal
raiding parties, and was wrecked financially, he losing not only his
own fortune thereby; but considerable funds held in trust by him as
guardian for orphan children, and he emerged from the war period with
little save a good name and sound credit. He at once re-engaged in
business, which he has continued up to the present, and is now propri-
etor of one of the best general stores in Franklin County. He has long
since recovered from his financial troubles, having paid back every sum
held in trust by him. In 1864 he was nominated and elected treasurer
of Franklin County, and until 1870 discharged the duties of that office
in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner. In 1853 he was united
in marriage to Miss Christina, daughter of Paulus Dress; she was born
in 1840, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children, six
of whom are now living.
Business partner with Ignatz Neimaier (1826-1863) whose wife Johanna was a sister to Charles' wife Christina Dress Reinhard.