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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William M. Bozarth, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Howard County, Mo., in 1825. He is the third child of Hiram and Margaret (Cleeton) Bozarth, who are mentioned in the sketch of J. M. Bozarth. Our subject was reared without even pioneer advantages of education. His principle training was with the old flint-lock rifle in hunting the wild animals of the forest. January 1, 1846, he married Jane, a daughter of William and Eunice Ringo, and sister of R. M. Ringo, of Kirksville. Their children are William H., James T. and Alonzo. His wife died November 21, 1851, and November 27, 1858, he married Catherine Snyder. Their children are Sarah E., Eachel, Elizabeth, Robert L., Fannie and Major Richard. This wife died in 1869, and in December, 1871, Christina Swisher became his wife. Their children are Minnie, Vinnie and John. After some time in the old home Mr. Bozarth came to his present farm in 1856. His estate embraces about 200 acres in the home farm, and thirty acres of land elsewhere. He was a strong Union man, and in August, 1864, he joined Company B, Thirty-ninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and operated mostly in Northeastern Missouri. He was with the division that was sent to Nashville, but arrived too late for the fight. In 1852 he was on the Star Route mail service from Monticello to Trenton, a distance of 125 miles, the first route of Northern Missouri. For several years he was engaged in carpentering and contracting also. He first voted for Cass, and has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the F. & A. M. order and of the Christian Church, while his wife holds to the Methodist faith. Mr. Bozarth has an excellent memory, and is a good conversationalist.

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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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