My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Barton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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. Robert Brown is a farmer of Central Township, and is a native of what is now Jersey (then Greene) County, Ill., where he was born on the 1st of October, 1829, being a son of Joseph and Mary (Piper) Brown, and grandson of Griffith and Penelope (Nations) Brown. The latter couple moved from the “Palmetto State,” in 1797, and settled in St. Charles County, Mo., where they both died. Joseph Brown was born in South Carolina in 1794, and was reared and married in St. Charles County, Mo. He died in Jersey County, Ill., on the 5th of October, 1858, having moved there in 1812, being among the early settlers. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife was born in Virginia in 1796, and also died in Jersey County, Ill. Her father and mother were of Irish and Scotch descent, and died in St. Charles County, Mo., and Jersey County, Ill., respectively. Robert Brown is the seventh of ten children, three now living, and made his home with his parents until he attained his majority. He was married on the 4th of May, 1852, to Miss Affa J. Armstrong, who was born in Jersey County, Ill., March 29, 1840, and died on the 28th of August, 1852. November 22, 1857, Mr. Brown married Margaret F. Fay, who was born in Madison County, Ill., in 1840. Their children are as follows : Affa J,, wife of E. W. Perry; Florence D. (deceased), was the wife of Meridy Willis; Harriett E., wife of John Beam; Robert L. (deceased); Clara D., Douglas J. and William J. All were born in Illinois but one. In 1873 Mr. Brown came to Barton County, and has resided on his farm of 325 acres of finely improved land. In 1874 he was elected county and probate judge of the county, and served two years. In 1880 he was elected by the Democrats to represent Barton County in the State Legislature, and at the end of two years was re-elected, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents during his term of service. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 166 biographies included in The History of Barton County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Barton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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