My Genealogy Hound

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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Moses Furnish, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Polk Township, was born in Gallatin County, Ky., March 1, 1812, and is one of the fourteen children of James and Keziah Ann (Ray) Furnish, both natives of Virginia. The father was of French and English ancestry, and when young went to Kentucky, where he was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject. He was a farmer, without much education, and died about 1831. The mother died about 1824. Both were members of the Baptist Church. Moses remained with his parents until their death, enjoying few educational advantages, and in 1838 married Eliza Towles, by whom he had twelve children, four daughters and two sons of whom are now living. They are Sarah (wife of John Gerard), Virinda (wife of William Abner, of Kansas), Mary J. (wife of William Lowe, of Kansas), Susan E. (widow of George Mikel), Richard (of Schuyler County) and Robert P. Mrs. Furnish died January 12, 1858, and he married his second wife, Laura L., daughter of Abiram Case, of Lee County, Iowa, January 1, 1860. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Ed., Tolbert, Cora, Ira, Allen, Leo and Dora. The deceased (Lewis) was their seventh child. Mr. Furnish is one of the early pioneers of Adair County, having come here in 1841, and has since resided on his present farm. He at first purchased only forty acres, but has been steadily increasing his possessions until he is now one of the leading farmers of the county. He is earnestly interested in the welfare of the country, and education finds in him a strong advocate. In early life he belonged to the Whig party, but after its dissolution he became a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

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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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