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Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk 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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Samuel W. Cossins, M. D., one of the eminent physicians of Polk County, Mo., located at Half Way, is a native of the county, and was born on the 27th of August, 1861, his parents, Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth (Hamilton) Cossins, being natives of Orange County, Ind., and Polk County, Mo., respectively. The father is still living at the age of about fifty-five years, but the mother died at quite an early day, and Mr. Cossins after ward married Martha Barnes, a native of Polk County, who is still living. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits the greater portion of his life, but for some was in the grocery business. He has been an earnest worker in the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and in his political views is a stanch Republican. When the Rebellion broke out he espoused the cause of the Union, shouldered his musket, and for four years was one of the “boys in blue,” and participated in many battles and skirmishes, but was never wounded or captured during his entire service. Mr. Cossins was the father of two children by his first wife, Samuel W. and George W., the latter dying when about two years of age. His last union resulted in the birth of six children, two now living: William T. and Bertie. Dr. Samuel W. Cossins received his education in the Southwest Baptist College, and while still a student in that institution began the study of medicine under Dr. William Lemon, a physician of Greene County. During the winters of 1883-84 and 1884-85 he attended lectures in the Missouri Medical College, and was graduated from that institution in the latter year, soon after locating at Half Way, where he has acquired a large practice and won an enviable reputation as a physician. He is a Republican in his political views, and is Noble Grand in the I. O. O. F. June 23, 1881, he was married to Miss Delphinia A. Brown, a daughter of Peter and Sarah E. Brown of Polk County, by whom he has three children, Walter M., Otta C. and Sarah E. The Doctor and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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