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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Adair County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Hon. Andrew Ellison, judge of the Twenty-seventh Missouri Circuit, is a native of Lewis County, Mo., born November 6, 1846. He was reared in that county until he was sixteen years of age, when he entered the Christian Brothers’ College at St. Louis, where he remained until June, 1865. He then began the study of law at Canton, Mo., with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. In April, of the following year, he came to Kirksville, and began the practice of his chosen profession, and was eminently successful, and rose rapidly to the front rank of the legal profession, and was the leading lawyer of his judicial circuit; and, upon the transfer of Judge Henry from the circuit to the supreme court of the State, Mr. Ellison was appointed at the age of thirty, by the Governor, to fill Judge Henry’s unexpired term, which he did with profound legal ability, showing his entire fitness for the position, as was manifested by his election in 1876, by a very large and popular majority, in a judicial district in which the political party with which he is identified (Democratic) is in a large minority; and three times elected to the same office with handsome majorities. Mr. Ellison is one of the very best judges in the State, his decisions standing the test of the closest scrutiny of the supreme court. His high, honorable standing in the legal profession is attested by the official positions entrusted to him. He is widely known all over the State, and intimately associated with the best and leading men of both parties throughout the country. Socially he occupies a conspicuous and influential position, as would be inferred from the facts above stated. In his manners he is cordial, courteous, warm-hearted and genial, yet not lacking in the dignity due his official stations. In 1875 he was made a regent of the State Normal School at Kirksville, in which position he has since served with ability, having been twice re-appointed. He was united in marriage to Julia M., a daughter of Dr. Samuel Hatch, of Canton, Mo., in December, 1869. To this union have been born two sons and two daughters. The Judge is a Knight Templar, and he and his family are members of the Christian Church. James, the father, was a native of Ireland, born about 1802. He came to America in childhood, and located in Brown County, Ohio, but in 1834 went to Bourbon County, Ky., where he was admitted to the bar. He then, in 1835, moved to Monticello, Mo., where he was admitted to practice in the supreme court. He was judge of the old Fourth Judicial Circuit, and served in both Houses of the Legislature previous to the war. He is still a prominent citizen of Canton, and is spending his declining years in retirement. In 1837 he was married to Martha Cowgill, who is also still living. She is the mother of twelve children, of whom Andrew is one of the seven survivors.

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This family biography is one of 150 biographies included in the Adair County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Adair County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Adair County, Missouri family biographies here: Adair County, Missouri Biographies

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