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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dallas 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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Hon. George W. O’Bannon. In every calling in life, whether of a professional, commercial or agricultural nature, there are always some men who attain the highest round in the ladder of success, and win the confidence, respect and esteem of all who know them, and such a man is Mr. O’Bannon, whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Dallas County, Mo., on the 15th of April, 1841, and is a son of John and Nancy (Proctor) O’Bannon, who were natives of Kentucky, to which State the paternal grandparents came from North Carolina at a very early day. John O’Bannon was reared and married in Kentucky, and in 1840 immigrated with his family to Dallas County, Mo., coming through to this State in a “prairie schooner,” drawn by a yoke of oxen. He entered several hundred acres of prairie land in Jackson Township, where he made a crop the first year, and on which he, himself, erected a little shanty, in which he lived for a number of years. He eventually became a very wealthy land-owner, and by industry and good management his farm became one of the best improved in the county. Here he died in 1877, having lived a long and well-spent life. His widow and five children survive him, the names of the latter being Phoebe, George W., John, Mary and James P. George W. O’Bannon assisted his father on the farm until sixteen years of age, and was then engaged in attending and teaching school at Buffalo until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until July, 1865, and participated in all the skirmishes along the Big Blue River, Boonville, Jefferson City, and was slightly wounded three times, being shot through the hand, arm and shoulder. He went out as lieutenant, and held that commission until he received his discharge. He then returned home, and has since been engaged in the mercantile business, being one of the oldest business men of Buffalo. His house was erected in 1882, and is a two-story brick and basement, and he carries a large and select stock of general merchandise, and has also large farming interests in Dallas County. In 1871 he was elected to represent Dallas County in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly, and served one term. He has also been county treasurer for several years, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was united in marriage, in 1868, to Miss Rebecca Maddux, a native of Dallas County, by whom he is the father of six children: Floyd, Claude, Daisy, Myrtle, Ralph and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. O’Bannon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 74 biographies included in The History of Dallas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dallas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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