My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Putnam County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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Otho Staggs, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1835, and is a son of Christopher and Anna Staggs, formerly of Hampshire County, Va. When about twenty- six years old the father went to Belmont County, Ohio, where he was married, and spent the remainder of his life in farming. He died in 1858, when about sixty-six years old, and his first wife died in 1842. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father was a member of the Baptist Church. He was twice married. Otho Staggs remained at home until seventeen years of age, receiving a limited education. In 1858 he married Amy Mercer, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Mercer. Mrs. Staggs was born in Belmont County, Ohio, at which place they lived four years, then moving to Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1866 they moved to Putnam County, Mo., locating twelve miles northeast of Unionville, where he purchased eighty acres of land; to his original purchase he has since added until he now owns 500 acres, 125 situated in Appanoose County, Iowa. His farm is very nicely improved and cultivated, and his barn and dwelling are among the best in the county. He is one of the self-made men of the county, and the property is the result of his own unassisted toil and good management, as he was obliged to go in debt for his first purchase. In the fall of 1875 Mrs. Staggs visited her former home and parents in Ohio; and in the fall of 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Staggs were both back and visited relatives and friends. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln in 1860. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; have had ten children, eight of whom are now living: Henry B. (of Kansas), Mary C., William M. (of Kansas), Ella E. (wife of Theophilus Phillips, of Appanoose County, Iowa), John W., Anna E., Jesse R. and Addison E.

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This family biography is one of 139 biographies included in the Putnam County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Putnam County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Putnam County, Missouri family biographies here: Putnam County, Missouri Biographies

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