My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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Jesse Edmonson, postmaster and merchant of Chambersburg, was born August 10, 1851, in McDonough County, Ill., and is the youngest of six children (one deceased) born to James and Sarah (Waymick) Edmonson. The parents were natives of Indiana, but were married in Illinois, where they came when young. Soon after marriage they located in our subject’s native county, and there remained until about 1855, at which date he moved to Missouri, and two years later to Scotland County, of the same State. In 1801 they moved to Clark County, where they resided one year, after which they returned to Illinois. In 1804 or 1805 they again returned to Clark County. Mo., and located on the farm, where they have since resided. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Clark County, and at the age of seventeen left the parental roof, and May 23, 1808, Miss Mary Toops became his wife. She was born June 9, 1852, near Louisville, Ky., and is the daughter of Henry and Nancy (Combs) Toops. Three children were the result of our subject’s marriage: James Henry, Emma Jane and Annie May. Our subject began farming soon after marriage, and continued at the same exclusively until 1882, at which date he purchased an interest in the general store at Chambersburg, becoming a member of the firm of Edmonson & Bro., but remained in the store only five months, when he moved to Athens, and established himself in the grocery business under the firm title of Edmonson & Fincher. He remained at Athens until February, 1884, when he returned to Chambersburg, and again engaged in merchandising with J. M. Toops, under the firm name of Edmonson & Toops. Since April 15, 1886, our subject has had control of the business alone, and is sole proprietor. In connection with merchandising our subject has also managed a farm, and is an industrious and enterprising young merchant. He is a Democrat in politics, but cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greely. He is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., and has passed through all the chairs. His wife is an active member of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clark County, Missouri family biographies here: Clark County, Missouri Biographies

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