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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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James G. Sansom, justice of the peace and farmer, is a native of Allegheny County, Penn. He was born May 26, 1831, the elder of two children of William and Margaret (McCain) Sansom, the former of English descent, born in 1808, in Bedford County, Penn., and the latter a native of Ireland, born in 1810. The mother was two years old when they brought her to Armstrong County, Penn., where she was married in 1830. The father died in Western Pennsylvania, in 1846, and the mother afterward married a Mr. Todd, but remained in her native State until her death, in 1863. The father was a cooper by trade. Our subject was educated in his native State before his majority, and at the latter period, equipped with his carpenter trade, came to Galesburg, Ill., and made that his headquarters, although he traveled considerably in the Rocky Mountains before his removal to Missouri. Since 1868 he has been on his present farm, which he cultivates along with his work at his trade. His wife, Esther, is a daughter of Samuel and Rosanna (Ferris) Maxwell, and was born January 1, 1844, in Union County, Ohio. She came to Galesburg in 1856, and seven years later was married, on September 16. Their children are William H., George S., James P., Rosanna E. and Mary M. Our subject is a skillful mechanic, and has acquired considerable real estate. His farm embraces 220 acres of land, in good condition and well improved. Our subject is an earnest Democrat, first voting for Pierce, and has served three terms as justice. He, his wife, Rosanna E. and James P., are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clark County, Missouri family biographies here: Clark County, Missouri Biographies

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