Biographical Sketch of William Ahrens, Franklin County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

**********************************************************************

William Ahrens, manufacturer and dealer in foreign and domestic cigars,
of Washington, MO., is a native of Westphalia, Germany, born in 1858;
son of Ernest and Mary Ahrens, natives of Germany, born in 1822 and
1824, respectively.  The father was a teamster and mail carrier.  He
died in 1873, and his widow in 1879.  Of their twelve children only 
three are now living, viz.: William (our subject), August, painter in
Wichita, Kas., and Augusta, in Germany.  Our subject was educated in
his native country, and at the age of thirteen commenced learning his
trade, working as an apprentice for three years.  He afterward worked
as a journeyman in Germany until 1880, when he immigrated to the United
States, and for three years worked in various cities throughout the 
Union.  In 1883 he came to Washington, MO., established his factory and
began the manufacture of cigars on his own responsibility.  He manu-
factures about 108,000 per annum and makes ten different brands.  His
best, however, are "Little Billy," "Stonewall," and "Washington's
Daisies."  Mr. Ahrens is a first-class workman and a good business man.

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Joe Miller <mio@netins.net>
		      Penny Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>

====================================================================