My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Texas 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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Elder John W. Brown, who is prominently identified with the farming and stock raising interests of Burdine Township, Section 22, was born in Mississippi County, Mo., April 26, 1840, his parents being George Wesley and Lucinda (Scott) Brown. Elder John W. Brown was left motherless when a few months old, and his father died in August, 1883. He was reared in St. Francois County, Mo., and was obliged to make his own way in the world. He first contracted chopping cord-wood, and added farming to this. After the late Civil War he came to Texas County, purchasing a fine tract of land, consisting of 240 acres, where he located and where he has since lived. He was married in St. Francois County, Mo., to Miss Hettie Jones, a native of Missouri, born in Bollinger County, and the daughter of Thomas and Delilah (Pullum) Jones, natives of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born six sons, all living: William Isaac, a farmer of Texas County, who married Miss Sarah Keen, and has a family; John Wesley, a farmer of Wright County, who married Miss Evalina Dye; Thomas Benton, a student at Mountain Grove High-school, a school-teacher; James Harvey, Albert L. and Christopher C. yet remain on the farm with their parents. They buried their two daughters, Martha Delilah and Mary Melvina. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have extended their Christian charities to other children than their own, and have adopted two little orphans girls, Rhoda Elizabeth Klymer and Mary Catherine Drennon. Mr. Brown has served on the school board of his district, and has worked as a local minister for the past twenty years in the Baptist Church, of which he, his wife and children are all members.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in The History of Texas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Texas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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