My Genealogy Hound

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

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H. J. Charles, another successful farmer and stock raiser of Greene Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., and the son of Hiram and Sarah (Burum) Charles, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1831. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Tennessee with their parents when quite young. By their marriage they became the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity and four of whom are now living: Dorcas J. (wife of Mr. Armstrong), Amanda M. (wife of Mr. Lawson), Lucinda (wife of Mr. Long) and Hiram J., our subject. Those deceased were named James, Etheldredge, Minerva and Mary. The father died in 1833 or 1834, and the mother in 1840. Hiram J. was but three years old when his father died, and his mother died only a few years afterward. He was reared by his uncle, James Charles, with whom he remained and assisted on the farm until twenty-two years of age. He was married to Elizabeth J. Brice, who was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1832. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, four now living: Hiram P., Mary J. (wife of Elbert W. Williams), Lina and Dona B. In 1854 Mr. Charles moved with his wife and one child by wagon to Southwest Missouri, and located two miles east of where he now resides. He remained on that place until after the war, when he sold out and moved to his present location. This was in the year 1868. During the war he enlisted in the Southern army and served until the surrender in 1865. He was twice wounded, in the arm and thigh, and was confined to his bed three months. These wounds bother him to some extent to the present day. The principal engagement in which he participated was the battle of Helena, but he was wounded at Okolona, Ark. He was first orderly sergeant, and was then promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Mr. Charles has a fine farm of 460 acres, 250 under cultivation. Mrs. Charles is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Their five children deceased are named as follows: Columbus (who died at the age of nine), Cornelia (died at the age of three), James (at the age of fifteen months), Antonia (at the age of three months) and an infant daughter unnamed.

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This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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