My Genealogy Hound

James Lieurance, harness maker and saddler at Eldon, Franklin Township, was born in Wisconsin November 14, 1848, and is the youngest of five children born to James and Eve (Michel) Lieurance, the father a native of Indiana, and the mother of Tennessee. The maternal grandfather was a native of Germany, came to America and settled in Pennsylvania at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. James Lieurance were married in Ohio, afterward emigrating to Wisconsin, where the father entered land in Warren County. Soon after the birth of James, Jr., the mother went to Illinois, Randolph County, and here our subject received his education. He assisted in the duties on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Miller County, Mo., and bought a farm within one-half mile of the present site of Eldon. He continued farming until 1884, when he sold the farm and opened the first drug store in that place. This he continued until the fall of 1887, when he sold out to Dr. Temple and opened a harness shop. In the spring of 1881, when Aurora Springs was organized and laid out, Mr. Lieurance carried the chain for the surveyor, Mr. Fulkerson; also in March, 1882, he carried chain for H. Burlingame when he surveyed the streets of Eldon. In 1885 Mr. Lieurance erected a residence in Eldon, and has taken an active part in the prosperity of that city, where he has made his home. He was married to Miss Mary P. Thompson, a native of Montgomery County, Ill., and the daughter of Peter and Cornelia (Bandry) Thompson. Mr. Thompson came to Miller County, Mo., in 1866, and bought about 600 acres of land, for which he paid $12,000. To Mr. and Mrs. Lieurance were born three children: Harley Edward, Artemus Floyd and Barney. Mr. Lieurance is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 462, and has held several offices in the same.