My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence 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.

* * * *

S. W. Todd, who can also be numbered among the enterprising farmers of Greene Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., and who lives on the second highest peak of the Ozark range of mountains, was born in Madison County, Ky., in, 1841. He is the son of Isom F. and Nancy (Woolery) Todd, natives of Kentucky, whose parents were from Virginia, of German descent, and were among the first settlers of Kentucky. The grandfather Woolery enlisted in the Mexican War, but peace was declared before he reached the scene of action. William Todd the great-uncle of our subject, was in the War of 1812, and was in a number of the leading engagements. He lived to be ninety-four years old, and died October, 1866, in Madison County, Ky. Isom F. Todd was born August 12, 1812, and his wife August 12, 1811. They were reared and married in Madison County, Ky., and there they have lived ever since with the exception of one winter, when they went to Indiana, but returned the following spring To their marriage were born eight children, five now living: Mary F. (who died at the age of twenty-one), Speed W., Jerry A., George B., Isaac F. (who died at the age of nine years), Nancy B., Sarah C. and Sarina (who is deceased) The father and mother are active workers in the Baptist Church, as are all the children with the exception of S. W. The latter grew to manhood in Madison County, and was educated in the common schools. He remained in this county until 1878, but during this time had served in the militia for several months Jerry A., his brother, served three years and four months in the First Kentucky Cavalry, and had two horses shot from under him, and has a scar above his right ear from an ounce ball. After the war S. W. returned home and engaged in farming, etc. He moved to Dade County in 1878, and rented land for three years, after which he built on the farm where he now lives, and which consists of 125 acres in the home place. He was married to Mrs. Margaret Ann (Moody) Newland in 1867. She was born and reared in Madison County, Ky., and was the daughter of Whitefield Moody, who was a large land owner of Greene Township, Mo. She had previously married a Mr. Newland, and by him became the mother of two children, Lillie D. and C. C. B. To the last marriage she became the mother of four children, two now living, Emer and E. R. W. The two deceased are named as follows: George P. (who was thrown from a horse and killed when seven years of age), and Ste. Monique (who died at the age of fourteen months). Mr. Todd is a member of the Farmers’ Alliance, and is a good citizen.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.