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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis 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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William E. Agee was born in this county July 12, 1849, the son of Robert L. and Virlinda A. (Brown) Agee, natives of Virginia. The former, coming to this county in 1836, was a brick mason by trade, engaged in farming for several years near Monticello, came to Canton in 1845, and for thirty-five years followed contracting and building, and up to within eight years ago, built nearly every brick building in Canton. He retired from active business in 1879, and is now in his seventieth year, a highly respected pioneer of this county. The grandfather, Joseph Agee, came to this county in 1839, and bought a large farm near Monticello. He died in 1849, in his eightieth year. Jacob Brown, the maternal grandfather, was a pioneer near Canton. Our subject and Reuben M., the youngest son, are the only survivors of three sons and one daughter. William E. was educated at Christian University, and in 1866 entered the dry goods and general store of A. L. Richart, as clerk, remaining in his employ ten years, the last five years as buyer and general manager of the business. In 1876 he began his present business with his brother, Reuben, as special partner, which is now one of the largest establishments in Northeastern Missouri. They dissolved partnership January 8, 1887. Our subject now conducts the clothing and furnishing department, and Reuben M. the shoe and hat department. In 1869 he married Miss Ruth F. Henton. She died in 1872, leaving one son, now deceased. July 15, 1885, he married Miss Louise C. Cluskey, formerly of St. Louis, Mo. They have one child—a daughter— Grace Marie. Our subject is a Democrat, an encampment member of the I. O. O. F., and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis 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: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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