My Genealogy Hound

Woodford M. Paris was born in Warren County, Tenn., April 22, 1832, and is a son of Solomon C. and Mary (Daniel) Paris. Definite information as to the exact locality and date of Solomon C. Paris’ birth cannot be found, but to the best of Woodford M. Paris’ knowledge his paternal grandparents were Virginians, who immigrated to Tennessee in an early day and engaged in farming. Solomon C. Paris was reared in Tennessee, and was married in Cannon County. His wife, nee Mary Daniel, was born near Richmond, Va., and was taken by her parents to Tennessee when she was quite young. Her father, John Daniel, settled in Cannon County, and there she remained until her marriage. Her parents were both born and reared in Virginia on the James River. John Daniel was a soldier in the War of 1812. Solomon C. Paris and wife were the parents of four children, of whom Woodford M. and Adaline are living. Adaline first married a man named Hudspeth, who died in California, and after his death she married Isaac Johnson, who is now dead. She is now residing in Bonham, Tex. The two children who are dead are Thomas and Nancy C. Woodford M. Paris removed from Tennessee to Missouri September 2, 1847. He made the journey in a two-horse wagon, crossing the Mississippi River at Greene Ferry in an old-fashioned flat. Settling near King’s Point in Dade County, he remained there ten years, and in 1859 removed to Lawrence County and located four miles southeast of Mount Vernon on Honey Creek. After seven years’ residence here he returned to Dade County, settling on Pennsylvania Prairie, where he lived three years. Thence he came to Mount Vernon, and at the expiration of one year removed to Turnback, in Ozark Township. Remaining there eight or nine years he came to Lincoln Township, where he still resides. His farm contains 200 acres of land, 110 of which are under cultivation. On February 22, 1855, Mr. Paris was united in marriage with Margaret Osborne, who came to Polk County, Mo., from White County, Tenn. Her parents afterward located in Dade County, Mo., where she was married. To her and Mr. Paris have been born nine children, all of whom are living. They are Eli J., Preston S., Sarah A. (Mrs. George S. Poogue), Marion G., Mollie, William T., George W., Edward and Claudius B. Mr. Paris is well informed and is chiefly self-made, he having received only a limited subscription school education in his youth. While a resident of Dade County he served as justice of the peace for two years, and dispensed the duties of that office in a manner most satisfactory to all. By trade he is a blacksmith and carpenter, but he has devoted the most of his life to agricultural pursuits. He also understands surveying, at which he works at times. During the Civil War he first acted as guide for the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. He then enlisted in Company B, Seventy-sixth Missouri Militia, which was afterward reorganized into the Seventh Missouri Provisional Cavalry. He served for three years, and was mostly on skirmish duty. His discharge was received at Mount Vernon in 1865. Both Mr. and Mrs. Paris are Christians and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. For the last twelve or thirteen years Mr. Paris has been a member of the I. O. O. F.