ST. CHARLES COUNTY HISTORY

By Dorris Keeven-Franke

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History happens. All stories, especially the difficult ones, need to be heard. Award winning author, a public historian, professional genealogist, and International speaker. Member of the Missouri Speakers Bureau and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Tag: Foristell

  • Freedom Seeker Benjamin Oglesby

    Freedom Seeker Benjamin Oglesby

    Many of St. Charles County’s enslaved men would resist enslavement and risk everything to enlist in the U.S. Colored Troops. Leaving families behind, they used the network to freedom known as the Underground Railroad to enlist in the U.S Colored Troops during the Civil War. One man named Benjamin Oglesby was born in Bedford, Virginia…

  • Smith Ball, a freedom seeker

    Smith Ball, a freedom seeker

    Freedom seeker Smith Ball had fought at Fort Blakely in Alabama, The Battle of Blakeley was the final major battle of the Civil War, with surrender just hours after Grant had accepted the surrender of Lee at Appomatox in the afternoon of April 9, 1865.

  • Benjamin Oglesby

    Benjamin Oglesby

    After Freedom seeker Benjamin Oglesby served in the 56th U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, he returned home…