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Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington 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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Elbert E. Southall, one of the oldest established merchants of Caledonia, is the son of Field T. and Lucy (Spencer) Southall, both natives of Virginia. After marriage they moved to Haywood County, Tenn., where the mother died. Later, the father moved to Mississippi, and finally to Arkansas, where he passed away. She lived to be about thirty-six years of age, and he fifty-two. He was a merchant and farmer, and for several years was sheriff in Virginia. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had been married previous to his wedding Miss Spencer, and had one child. To the last marriage were born three sons and three daughters. The second child, Elbert E., was born in Amelia County, Va., in 1833, and obtained his education in the subscription schools of early times. He remained with his father until his death, after which he farmed and taught a short time, and then turned his attention to merchandising. Having served as clerk in Powhattan, Ark., he and a partner purchased a $6,000 stock, mostly on credit, but energy and industry soon brought them out, and they continued successfully until the war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate States army, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Jackson, Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, etc. In a skirmish at Lovejoy Station he was slightly wounded. Returning home, he found his business wrecked, and in 1865 he came to Caledonia, and, with the exception of about three years, has followed mercantile pursuits. The same year he married Miss Eliza E. Long, daughter of Horace M. Long, who came to this county many years since. Two children were born to Mr. Southall and wife: Minnie I. (deceased) and Cyrus L., a promising young business man. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views. In 1882 he was appointed postmaster at Caledonia, and has held the office ever since. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

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This family biography is one of 138 biographies included in The History of Washington County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Washington County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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