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Below is a family biography included in The History of Cedar 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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W. W. Redford and S. W. Billingsley, owners and proprietors of Park livery, and Schell City and El Dorado stage lines, have one of the most complete and best equipped livery barns in Southwest Missouri, and are one of the oldest firms in El Dorado Springs. This business was established in 1884; fine rigs are found throughout, as well as everything essential for a first-class barn. Mr. Billingsley was born in Marion County, Va., in 1845, and is the son of Sias and Anna (Morgan) Billingsley, natives of Maryland, but early settlers of Virginia, where Mr. Billingsley died in April, 1887. Mrs. Billingsley died in May, 1889. Mr. Billingsley was of Welsh descent, and was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. S. W. Billingsley was the fourth of six sons and three daughters. He received an ordinary education in the common schools, and graduated from Fairmont, Va., Normal, in 1862, and also graduated from Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburg, Penn. In 1863 he taught school in Virginia, and in 1870 came to Henry County, Mo., where he taught school for several years. He then engaged in the grain business at Clinton for several years, after which he followed farming until his removal to El Dorado in 1884, and then embarked in the livery business. In March, 1875, he married Miss Celest Fields, daughter of Nathan A. and Mary E. Fields, both natives of Virginia, but early settlers of Missouri. They were married in Henry County of that State, April 25, 1839, and have lived on their present farm ever since. This is one of the wealthy and respected families. Mr. Fields was sheriff a number of years, and was also assessor of Henry County for a number of years. To Mr. Billingsley and wife were born three children, two sons and a daughter. In his political views, Mr. Billingsley is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Seymour; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Royal Arch Chapter at El Dorado Springs, having joined in Virginia, in 1873, and is a prominent citizen. Mrs. Billingsley is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 92 biographies included in The History of Cedar County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Cedar County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Cedar County, Missouri family biographies: Cedar County, Missouri Biographies

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