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Adolph Pecaut, dealer in jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware and optical 

goods, De Soto, was born in Switzerland, in 1840, and is a son of Emmanuel 

and Elsie (Textor) Pecaut, who were the parents of seven children, our 

subject being the third.  Emmanuel Pecaut was born in 1814, was a miner by 

occupation, and died in 1871; his wife was born in 1818, and is still living.  

Adolph Pecaut attended the common schools of Switzerland six years, and at 

the age of eleven years was apprenticed to learn the jeweler's trade, serving 

an apprenticeship of four years, at the expiration of which time he worked 

two years as journeyman.  When but eighteen years of age he became foreman 

of one of the largest watch factories in Switzerland, holding the position 

ten years. In 1869 he immigrated to America, proceeding immediately after 

landing to De Soto, Mo., where he established his present business. He was 

the first jeweler to locate in De Soto, and is a skillful workman; he carries 

a first class stock of jewelry, and has been very successful in a financial 

way.  In his native country in 1866 he married Miss Cecelia Racine, who was 

born in Switzerland in 1841, and is a daughter of Mr. August Racine.  Six 

children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pecaut, viz.: Julia, Bettie, Tillie, 

Eva, Daisy and Adolph.  In May, 1887, Mr. Pecaut and his brother-in-law, 

August Racine, put in 175 Edison electric lights in the business houses of 

De Soto, at a cost of $5,500; a few days after they were in successful 

operation Mr. Racine died, thus throwing the whole responsibility upon Mr. 

Pecaut, which he successfully conducted.  He is one of the substantial 

business men of the place, and is highly esteemed.  He is politically a 

Republican, is serving as a member of the school board, is a Master Mason, 

a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the A. O. U. W.