My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Webster 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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Prof. John H. Magill. Among the educators of Missouri worthy of honorable mention is Prof. Magill, who is now superintendent of public instruction of Webster County. His birth occurred on the 12th of April, 1857, in Crawford County, Ill., and until fifteen years of age he made that county his home, and there received his education, attending the Olney High-school, in which institution he made very rapid progress in his studies. When only eighteen years of age he taught a country school, and after his term was completed entered the Normal School at Danville, Ind., taking a teacher’s course. He then took a scientific course in the college at Carmi, Ill., and during a four and a half years’ attendance at this institution was engaged in teaching book-keeping and penmanship. In 1882 he became a resident of Webster County, Mo., and had charge of the Mountain Dale Seminary for three years, and then became principal of the Henderson Academy, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. He makes a specialty of thoroughly preparing teachers for their work, and has won an enviable reputation as an instructor in Webster County, his school enrolling from 150 to 175 pupils throughout the year, which is a high average for a private school in Southern Missouri. In April, 1887, he was elected superintendent of the Webster County schools, and has filled the duties of this position with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In the summer of 1887 he held a teacher’s institute for two weeks, for the especial purpose of preparing teachers for their work, and owing to his encouragement and advice newer and better methods are being adopted for instructing the young. He was married in Greensburg, Ind., in 1882, to Miss Anna G. Stagg, who was born, reared and educated in the “Hoosier” State. They have two children, Delia and Ralph. One son, Logan, died when three years old. Prof, and Mrs. Magill are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is a Master Mason. He is a son of John and Emeline (Martin) Magill who, were also natives of Illinois. The father was a farmer and stock trader, and made several trips south to New Orleans. He died in his native State, his wife surviving him at this date (1889).

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

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