George Propst was born in 1806 in North Carolina. He was one of six children born to parents George John Propst and Evaline Mary Ficker.
The family seems to have moved back and forth between North Carolina and Pendelton, Virginia (now West Virginia) as some of George’s siblings are both in each place.
They had moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri some time in the 1920′s. On January 13, 1829, George married Hannah Crites in Cape Girardeau. (In the second document, their record is at the top of the second column)
Over the next twenty years, they had eight children together:
- Alfred Propst (b. 1829 – d. 1868)
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Elizabeth Propst (b. 1832)
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Rachel Propst (b. 1832)
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Samuel Propst (b. 1834)
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Joseph Daniel Propst (b. 1835 – d. 1899)
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Polly Ann Propst (b. 1840 – d. 1909)
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Elizabeth A Propst (b. 1841)
- George A Propst (b. 1849)
On October 15, 1833, George purchased forty acres through land grants from the US government. The land was located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
In 1840, the family is living on this land in what is named “Union Township” in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In the 1840 census, only the heads of household are listed and so only George’s name is listed on the census. Presumably however, based on the ages given, the family on the census are George’s wife Hannah, and the following children: Alfred, Joseph, (Samuel must have passed away) either Elizabeth or Rachel (one must have passed away by this time) and another unknown female child or servant. Interesting to point out are the names around them in the area. They all end up intermixed into the family marrying the children and grandchildren of George and Hannah.
On April 10, 1849, George purchased another forty acres through land grants from the US government. The land was located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
In 1850, the family is living on a farm worth $400 in value in Cape Girardeau (District 14), Missouri. George lists his occupation as farmer and also states that neither him nor his wife could read or write. There are many other Propst and Crites family members living right around them including his son Alfred and family.
On April 15, 1853, George purchased another forty acres through land grants from the US government. The land was located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
On January 15, 1856, George purchased another 120 acres through land grants from the US government. The land was located in Bollinger County, Missouri. It is unclear however exactly what he did with these lands because in the 1860 census he is still living in Cape Girardeau.
In 1860, the family is living on what appears to be the same farm in what is now called Apple Creek Township in Cape Girardeau with George being the only farm worker. Given that there are still many family members surrounding them, including Alfred, this is most likely the same farm as they were living on in the 1850 census and the area has now been named Apple Creek. At this time however, George claims that the value of his real estate is zero and that his personal estate is worth an $350. It would appear that his sons, living all around him, now own the farm and he merely works on the land.
In 1870, George passes away in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He is presumed to be buried in Propst Cemetery in Bollinger County, Missouri though the grave has not been found to date.
