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Below is a family biography included in The History of Maries County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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John J. Travis, a farmer, merchant and stock-dealer of Jefferson Township, Maries Co., Mo., is a native of Rutherford County, Tenn., and was born February 22, 1850. He is the youngest of five children, four of whom are living, born to W. H. and Catherine (Vance) Travis, both natives of Tennessee. W. H. Travis was born in 1813, and in 1854 removed from his native State to Maries County, Mo., where he engaged in farming, and was an influential and highly respected citizen until his death, which occurred in October, 1877; he served as justice of the peace of Jefferson Township for twenty years, and at the time of his death was serving his second term as county judge, to which office he was elected by the Democratic party. Mrs. Catherine Travis was born in 1820, and her death occurred in Maries County in June, 1888. John J. Travis received his early education at the common schools, and first engaged in teaching school, subsequently being occupied in buying and shipping stock to St. Louis, and still devotes considerable attention to that line of business in which he has been successful. In August, 1873, he received the appointment of postmaster of Steen’s Prairie Postoffice, which position he still holds, and now has the office located in his store, which he opened in 1881; he carries a well-selected stock of general merchandise, valued at $1,500, and deals in all kinds of produce, enjoying a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Travis owns 600 acres of land, about 180 acres of which are under cultivation, and provided with good buildings and improvements. He is an unmarried man, and resides on the old homestead, with his sister, which is located on Dry Fork Creek, fifteen miles northeast of Vienna. A shrewd business man, he is well and favorably known by his many friends and patrons.

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This family biography is one of 37 biographies included in The History of Maries County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Maries County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Maries County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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