Judge John H. Alfter may be classed among the successful farmers and stockmen of Morgan County. His birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, November 9, 1831, and in 1848 he was brought by his parents to the United States, landing at New Orleans, and came with them almost immediately to St. Louis. In August, 1850, he came to Moniteau County, and entered eighty acres of land, and from there went to Saline County, where he was engaged in running a saw-mill and farming until 1872, when he came to Morgan County, where he had bought and entered 960 acres of land in 1858, which he has since increased to 1,720 acres, all in one body, only ninety of which is under cultivation, the rest being devoted to stock. In 1861 he enlisted in Price's army, and after the fight at Lexington was taken ill and returned home. In 1863 he enlisted under Gen. Shelby, and served until the close of the war, having participated in numerous skirmishes and several hard-fought battles. He was wounded at Newtonia, Mo., and was transferred to Clarksville, Texas, where he was in the hospital for some time. After his surrender at Houston, Texas, he returned by boat to New Orleans, thence up the river to his home. He had under his care Mrs. Gen. Shelby and Mrs. Slayback as far as New Orleans. December 24, 1856, he was married to Catherine Norfleet, who died April 17, 1870, having borne a family of six children: Mary, born September 27, 1857; Henry, born January 14, 1861, and died January 4, 1862; Ada C., born October 1. 1862; Rue Elvira, born February 23, 1864; James Madison, born June 4, 1866, and Frank, born May 18, 1868. February 21, 1872, he wedded Miss Nannie Norfleet, by whom he has five children: John H., born January 23, 1873, and died October 28, 1874; Charley, born January 30, 1875, and died in July, 1876; Joseph, born April 29, 1877; Ellen, born August 11, 1879, and Henry, born December 28, 1881, and died June 21, 1882. Mr. Alfter has always been very public spirited, and is a Democrat, being elected on that ticket to the office of county judge in 1882, and served four years. He has also held numerous local offices, among which is justice of the peace.
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.