My Genealogy Hound

William M. Liles is one of the retired farmers of Lawrence County, Mo., and was born in Roan County, Tenn., April 20, 1824; he is a son of Samuel and Susan (McDaniel) Liles, who were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The Liles family were originally from Wales. Samuel Liles went to Tennessee when about fifteen years of age, and there married and reared a family. He was a Baptist minister, and preached the Gospel for many years. He also carried on farming. In 1841 he moved to Polk County, Mo., where he remained two years and then moved to Lawrence County, where he died in 1857. His wife died in 1843. Only five of their large family of children are living: William, Abraham B., Samuel H., Telitha (wife of A. H. Terrell), and Mahala. The father was married three times, and children were born to each of his marriages. William M. Liles was reared on a farm in Tennessee, but in November, 1840, he came to Bolivar, Polk County, Mo., where he remained until 1844, being engaged in farming. He then came to Lawrence County and located two miles east of Aurora, and in 1855 entered 160 acres of land, which he still owns. He has made farming his principal occupation through life, but has occasionally dealt in stock. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has served as school director twenty years. He has retired from active life, and is enjoying the fruits of his early industry. He was married in 1848 to Mahala J. Brown, a native of Tennessee, by whom he is the father of seven living children: William L., Abraham F., Thomas J., George W., Oscar P., Parmelia E. (wife of Robert Shipman) and Minnie E. Three children are dead, and their mother died in 1886. In 1887 Mr. Liles married Mary C. Rinker. He and family worship at the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views.