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.

* * * *

Judge William C. Elmore, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of White County, Tenn., and was born February 5, 1825. His father, Thomas, was a native of Georgia, where he was reared, but was married after coming to Tennessee. Anna (Sailors) Elmore, his wife, was a native of North Carolina. The family resided in Tennessee until 1830, at which date they removed to Illinois locating in Schuyler County, where they resided until the death of the father, February 8, 1880. His wife had previously died in October, 1879. They reared a family of ten children to maturity—six sons and four daughters. Only three of the sons are now living, and all in Adair County. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm in Schuyler County, Ill., receiving a common-school education in youth. February 24, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A., daughter of Henry Clark, of Monroe County, Ill. Mrs. Elmore was born, reared and educated in Monroe County. After their marriage they located on a farm in Schuyler County, where he farmed until the autumn of 1855, when he sold out and moved to Adair County, Mo., coming across the country with a team. Upon his arrival in Adair County he liked the country so well that he bought a pre-emption claim upon which he permanently located. He first bought 120 acres, which he proceeded to improve, and has since bought more until he now owns 720 acres, all in Wilson Township, 240 in the home place. He has 40 acres of timber. Mr. Elmore is now comfortably located, having a substantial residence and good outbuildings. He is also the owner of two vacant lots in Kirksville. He has acquired the most of his property by steady industry and good management. He has served as township trustee and associate judge of the county court. In 1862-63 he served five months in a Missouri State Militia. He lost his first wife May 26, 1885. She was a most excellent woman, a devoted wife and mother, and died at the early age of thirty-seven years. To them eleven children were born, all being grown except one, and six of whom are married. Thomas M. is engaged in business in Huntsville, Mo.; George L. and William H. are farming in Adair County; Martha A. is the wife of James F. Johnston, of Adair County; Emily is the wife of Benjamin Young, of Adair County; Araminta C. is the wife of Seymour Read, of Adair County. Those unmarried are as follows: McClelland, Terry, Chase and Jesse. Clarence, a lad of fifteen years, resides at home. In December, 1885, Judge Elmore married his present wife, Mrs. Henrietta Conner, a sister of his former wife. In the winter of 1855 the Judge saw twenty-one head of deer within a short distance of his house. At that time the woods and prairies abounded in wild game.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.