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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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Joseph H. Turpin was born in Pulaski County, Mo., January 13, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy J. (Barnett) Turpin. The father was born in Kentucky, and after residing in Indiana for a short period came to Pulaski County, Mo., when eight years old. He was born in 1806, and his parents were said to be the first white settlers in the county. The country was then a wilderness, inhabited by Indians, who were of a friendly disposition, and there were no schools, churches or houses for many miles. Thomas acquired a good education by studying at home, and throughout life followed the occupation of farming, dying in 1871. His wife was born in Kentucky, and by Mr. Turpin became the mother of six children, two of whom are now living: Joseph H. and Eliza A. (Yakely). Martha, Mary, Thomas and John are deceased. Mrs. Turpin died in 1871. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were Kentuckians, and died in Missouri. Joseph H. Turpin, whose name heads this sketch, was born, reared and educated in Pulaski County, and remained with his parents until their respective deaths. During the late war he served in Company A, Forty-eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was at first stationed at Rolla on post duty. He was ordered to Nashville during Hood’s campaign, and was afterward at Columbia, Tenn., on post duty. He was subsequently on garrison duty at Chicago, and then returned to St. Louis, Mo., where he received his discharge at Benton Barracks, in 1865. He then resumed the peaceful pursuit of farming, and September 13, 1875, was married to Tennie (Anderson) Jewell, who was born in Tennessee, and was brought to Missouri when small. Four children were born to their union. Thomas H., Amanda J., John E. and James R. (deceased). Mr. Turpin tilled the home farm until 1876, when he purchased some land on Gasconade River, moved upon it, and has been a resident of Pulaski County for a long time, owning 350 acres of land, with about 200 acres under cultivation. He is a Republican politically, a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and his wife is a member of the Christian 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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