My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis 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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William D. Briscoe is the son of Walter D., one of the earliest pioneers of this county, when it required pioneer hardihood to make a home in the forest. He located near Durham, where he became a well-to-do farmer. He was born in 1809, the son of Walter, Sr., a Virginian of German ancestry, who afterward moved to Kentucky. The father died in 1853. He had been married November 5, 1829, and in 1832 came to this county. The mother’s name was Eliza A. Waggenner, who was born in Kentucky, January 9, 1813, and died June 20, 1864. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, the third of seven children, attended common schools, and in 1861 married Nancy O., a daughter of John and Sarah J. (Haycraft) Fisher. He was then twenty-five years of age. Their children are John T., William D., Jr., Maggie L. (the wife of F. S. Ammerman), Anna E. and Sarah B. After some years on his mother’s farm he came to this township, and since 1863 has been at his present home. His farm consists of 480 acres, which is one of the best in the county, and a small part of which is inherited. In 1863 he served in the Confederate Army at Kirksville, and for a few months after. He was a Douglas Democrat, and has never deserted that party. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis 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: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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