William Crede is a German and came to the United States with his brother Herman Crede, when about sixteen years of age, his brother being about a year and a half older than himself. They came immediately to Osage County, Mo., and made their home with their Grandmother Schroeder, who had been left a widow in Germany, and who had come to Osage County, Mo., in 1835, being one of the early settlers of Westphalia. In Osage County she was married to John Clawson. William Crede lived with them until he was eighteen years of age, and then engaged to a party to drive a team to Texas, and after residing one season in Ft. Arbuckle, Choctaw Nation, he returned to Osage County, and was engaged in steamboating on the Osage River for a number of years, after which he followed the same business on the Missouri River. In 1860 he returned to Osage County, and in the fall of 1860 built a steamer for the Osage River in partnership with Jackson Fowler, but it was sunk at the commencement of the war, by order of Gov. Jackson, at the time of the burning of the bridge across Osage River to keep Gen. Lyon and army from Jefferson City. After this Mr. Crede went in a boat with several others to St. Louis, among whom were a younger brother, Charles Albert, who came to this country some years after himself, and brother Herman. Charles was killed in a scrimmage with rebels in Jasper County, Mo., in 1863. There our subject enlisted in the Fifth Missouri Infantry and participated in the battles of Carthage and Wilson's Creek, and after his term of service had expired he re-enlisted in the Third Missouri Cavalry, commanded by Col. King, which was afterward consolidated with the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, which was under Col. John F. Phillips. After three years' hard service protecting the State from the depredations of the guerrillas, he was mustered out of service at St. Louis and returned to Cole County, where he was married to Miss Emma, a daughter of Ferdinand P. Clarenbach, by whom he has a family of six children: Minnie, wife of Charles Haas, of Denver, Col., Mary Theresa, wife of Waller Sullens, a farmer of Cole County, Frederick Albert, Emma, Charles R. and Oliver. After his marriage Mr. Crede bought a farm of 340 acres near where he now lives, and after residing here for about seven years sold out and purchased the farm of 440 acres where he is now living. It is one of the most fertile farms near the Osage River, and 200 acres are in a fine state of cultivation and splendidly improved. His dwelling house is 44x18 feet, with a 26 foot L two stories in height, and his barn is 92x52 feet. Besides his home farm he owns seventy-three acres in Jefferson Township, and a one-half interest in a 200-acre farm in Clark Township. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics and was nominated by his party for county judge. His parents, Charles Henry and Clothilda (Schroeder) Crede, were native Germans, in which country the former is still living.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).