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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Philip B. Williams, farmer and stock raiser, was born in what is now Carroll County, Va., January 15, 1831, and is the son of Garet and Charity (Beamer) Williams, also natives of Virginia. The grandfather, Samual Williams, was born in Wales, and was one of the early settlers of Virginia, where he spent his last days. Garet Williams moved from Virginia to Putnam County, Ind., in 1852. He remained there until 1863, and then located in Pike County, Ill., dying there in 1864. Philip B., the subject of this sketch, is the only son and third child of a family of seven, who grew to maturity. He was reared upon the farm in Carroll County, Va., and September 9, 1851, was married in North Carolina to Melinda Neugent, daughter of Jacob and Rhoda (Harrold) Neugent, of Carroll County, Va. Mrs. Williams was born in North Carolina, and is the mother of five children: Asberry F., married and a resident of Putnam County; Virginia I., wife of John Williams, of Oregon; Laura E., wife of John Farnsworth, of Appanoose County, Iowa; Hulda M., and Philip Temple, a lad of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are Methodists in religion. After his marriage Mr. Williams remained in Carroll County a few mouths and then went to Putnam County, Ind., in the winter of 1851-52, where, for the first year or two he engaged in farming and worked on public works. In 1859 he moved to Iowa, and February 14, 1860, located upon his present farm in Putnam County, Mo. He at first bought sixty acres of slightly improved land on Shoal Creek, but now owns 160 acres of well cultivated land. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Home Guards, and in August, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry, serving until discharged at Washington, June 13, 1865. He was present at the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, the battles at Jonesboro, Atlanta, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain, and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. The fight at Bentonsville, N. C., was his last; he was present at the grand review at Washington. Since returning home he has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He is a Republican, and held the office of township treasurer five years, with fidelity and zeal, and served for many years on the school board. He is the chaplain of the G. A. R. post at Omaha.

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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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