My Genealogy Hound
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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Robert J. Boas (deceased), a son of Jacob Boas, was born in St. Louis County, Mo., April 25, 1816. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Washington County, and at about the age of sixteen years he married Miss Sophia Engledon, whose birth occurred in Virginia, April 12, 1819. After his marriage he engaged in business for himself on Coutaway River with a capital of $3,000; he owned rich mines and was engaged in smelting lead at what was known as the old town of Webster, whence he went to Ste. Genevieve County, where he became a prominent man. He served six years as sheriff of Ste. Genevieve County, and represented the same county three terms in the State Legislature, refusing to serve in that capacity longer. In 1849 he went to California, where he spent two years, and returning, removed from Ste. Genevieve County to Jefferson County, and engaged in mercantile pursuits in De Soto. Owing to impaired health he moved back to the family homestead in Washington County, where he died May 17, 1880, his wife having died April 29, 1880. They have five children, three sons and two daughters, John R., Thomas B., Robert J., Allie J. and Louisa S.
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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
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