Augustus Derst    

AUGUSTUS DERST, retired merchant, Meadville, was born August 24, 1822, in Germany, son of August and Christina (Berkes) Derst, who both died in Germany before our subject set sail for America. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Augustus, Jr., is eighth and the only one to come to the New World. He was married in 1844 to Margaret Burchardt, in his native land, where the eldest child, Charlotte, was born, and in 1846 they came to America, landing in New York, thence traveling direct to Meadville, Penn. Here the family of Mr. and Mrs. Derst was increased, in course of time, by six, viz.: Daniel, married to Mary Christy; Mary, wife of Henry Leighty (have one child); Henry, in Colorado; John in Kansas, married to Kate Smallenberger, of Meadville; Clara, at home, and Elizabeth, deceased. Charlotte is now the wife of Henry M. Rupp, a native of New York, proprietor of restaurant on Water Street, Meadville; have five children: Carrie E., George A., Henry M., Jr., Lottie and Elmer H. Mr. Derst commenced life on nothing, and for the first seven years after arriving in the land of his adoption, labored at whatever he could find to do. Be was absent for a time in California. For twenty years our subject carried on with success a grocery on Water Street, Meadville, and his industry and uprightness in business have enabled him to retire with a good competency, not having for the past twelve years been engaged in any special business.

History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 728

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