My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Barry 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.

* * * *

William U. Forbis is one of the oldest settlers of the township in which he resides, and was born in Christian County, Ky., in 1820. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (McLean) Forbis, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. They came to Kentucky in their young days, and were there married and lived until they had a family of four children, when they came to Missouri (1844), and after residing two years near Springfield came to Barry County, and located on a farm near Crane Creek, where the family still resides and where the father died in 1878. He was twice married, the second time to Jane Hays. The mother of William U. Forbis died about 1827 or 1828. He grew to maturity in Barry County, his education being limited to the country schools. During the war he served in the State Militia for about three years, and was disorganized at Lawrence County, but was not discharged until 1887. Nancy Alley became his wife, and their union resulted in the birth of four children: John, William, Nancy and Robert. John and Robert are deceased Nancy is the wife of M. Hilton. The mother died in 1861, and Mr. Forbis then married Elizabeth Hines. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Barry County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Barry County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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