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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox 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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Rev. Benjamin R. Northcutt was born in Montgomery County, Ky., in 1820, and is the youngest of a family of eight children of whom three are living, but all of whom lived to be over fifty years of age. The father, Hosea Northcutt, a farmer and carpenter, and a native of Virginia, was a son of Jeremiah Northcutt, a native of Wales, who accompanied his father, Colliver, of London, to the United States in the colonial days. Upon the return of Colliver to the old country he was shipwrecked, and laid upon the wreck of the vessel six days. Both of the grandparents of our subject located in Kentucky during the early history of that State. Hosea Northcutt was a companion of Boone, the famous hunter, and first settler of Kentucky. In the fall of 1828 Hosea immigrated to Ralls County, Mo., where he lost his wife, Nancy, after a life spent with her of over sixty years. Mrs. Northcutt was a Christian lady, and at the time of her death was living with our subject, but died while on a visit to Ralls County. Her husband’s death occurred at the residence of his son a few days later. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife. In politics he was a Republican. This family is noted for its longevity, several of them passing the age of ninety. Our subject was brought to this State when a lad of nine summers, and was reared near New London, Ralls County, which town was almost built by Hosea Northcutt and sons. There being no educational advantages at this early time, our subject received his education from his father, and never went to school a day. He also learned the carpenter’s trade from his father, which he followed extensively. In June, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Barnard, a native of Kentucky, born in the same county as our subject. Her parents also moved to Missouri during the same year that the parents of Benjamin came. The parents of Mrs. Northcutt were among the pioneer families of Kentucky, and as far as Mrs. Northcutt is aware, she is the last of that well-respected family. After his marriage Mr. Northcutt farmed in Ralls County, until 1853, and then purchased property near Colony, Knox Co., Mo., where he farmed until 1868, when he sold out, and moved to Kirksville, for the purpose of educating his children. He has lost all his property. For the past twenty years Benjamin and his son, Hosea, have been engaged in ministerial duties, during which time they have been devoted to their calling. To the union of Benjamin and wife eight children have been born, four of whom are living and are residents of Knox County. They are Hosea A., Ambrose D., James R. and Joseph C. All of these are married, with the exception of Hosea, who is a widower. He has one daughter, a remarkably intelligent young lady, and a graduate of the Kirksville Normal School, where she delivered the class salutatory. Besides raising his own family, our subject has also supported eight orphan children. He now owns a comfortable home in Knox City, and also owns several lots. He is well known, and admired for his true piety and religious zeal, and is an able and faithful minister of the gospel. All his family are members of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox 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: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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