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Below is a family biography included in The History of Pulaski 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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George S. Marks was born in Juniata County, Penn., April 23, 1836, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (Snyder) Marks and grandson of Jacob Marks. The latter was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to the United States previous to his marriage, with his two brothers, John and Peter, who had been millers for the king of their province in their native land, and had to flee the country owing to an edict passed by him. Jacob settled in Perry County, Penn., where he engaged in farming, and was afterward married to a Miss Kleener, she also being of German birth. They both died in Juniata County, having become the parents of the following children: John, Jacob, Luke, Katie (Campbell), Polly (Hildebrand), Hannah (Bell) and two other daughters, who married Costetters. The son, Jacob Marks, was born in Perry County, Penn., February 14, 1800, and by self-application acquired a good education and an excellent knowledge of surveying, filling the office of surveyor of Juniata County for a number of years. He was also engaged in teaching school for twenty-three years, sixteen of the years being spent in teaching two schools. During the Mexican War he volunteered his services, but was never sent to the front, and was also a volunteer in the late war. He resided in his native county until his death in May, 1872. His wife was born in Union County, Penn., October 25, 1798, and received a good education, her father, John Snyder, being a wealthy farmer. She was married on October 22, 1819, to Mr. Marks, to whom she bore twelve children, nine now living: Phoebe A., Andrew N., Daniel H., Louisa J., Peter A., Margaret E., George S., Isaiah W. and Lydia H. Those deceased are John L., Jacob S. and Susannah. The mother of these children died January 2, 1851. John Snyder, her father, was born in Philadelphia County, Penn., in 1772. He was a farmer and manufacturer by occupation, and was a brother of Simon Snyder, who was governor of the State of Pennsylvania for six years, Snyder County being named in honor of the family. John Snyder was married to Susannah Grabiel, who was born in Northumberland County, Penn., in 1776. She was an infant at the time of the Sunberry massacre, December 25, 1776, and was in her mother’s arms when the latter was foully murdered by the Indians. She was rescued by her father, who succeeded in making his escape, and who afterward established Fort Grabiel as a protection against the Indians. During the Revolutionary War he served with distinction as major. George S. Marks resided in his native State until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving no early educational advantages, but has since acquired a fair English education. He worked on a farm and at railroading while in his native State, and in June, 1856, immigrated to Calhoun County, Ill., where he attended school for a short time, and afterward clerked for Lewis Swarens and Jacob Crater for about eighteen months. He then farmed in Pike County, Ill., for about three years, and January 9, 1859, was married to Mary A. Long, a daughter of Thomas S. and Fannie (Deemen) Long. The father was born in Bucks County, Penn., October 3, 1807, and lived to maturity near Easton. He was a farmer, and in 1835 immigrated to Pike County, Ill., where he died November 23, 1884, aged seventy-seven years. His wife was born in the same county as himself, her birth occurring November 7, 1810. She is still living. Their daughter, Mary A., was born in Pike County, Ill., November 27, 1839, and by Mr. Marks became the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living: Alice J., Fannie B., William S., Thomas Grant, Addie May, Charles E. and Orpha B. Eva Maud is deceased. Mr. Marks resided in Illinois until 1868, when he moved to Vernon County, Mo., and at the end of sixteen years came to Pulaski County, where he has a fine farm of 550 acres, with 150 in a good state of cultivation. He also laid out Marks’ addition to the town of Crocker, and owns sixty lots. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served as orderly-sergeant and first lieutenant, being in the service over two years and a half. He was in the battles of Hartville, Vicksburg, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Champion’s Hill, Black River Bridge, Jackson and a number of others. He was discharged at Springfield, Ill., December 16, 1864 He is now a member of the G. A. R., and a member of the Pilgrim Knights, Oriental Masonry, Masonic Lodge for twenty-four years, and for thirty years has been a member of the American Bible Society. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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