My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Adair 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.

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Salmon Otto, proprietor of Sloan’s Point Mills, was born in Preston County, W. Va., June 27, 1833. He is the son of Judge Abraham and Susan (Cuppett) Otto, the former a native of Bedford County, Penn., and the latter of the same State. The father went to Preston County at an early day, and there spent his life. He was a justice of the peace and also a member of the county court. Our subject grew up on the farm in Preston County, and in 1855 went to Putnam County, Ind. About a year later he moved to Des Moines County, Iowa, but since 1857 has been in Adair County. He has worked at his trade in Indiana, Iowa, and some in this county. He is an excellent carpenter. February 5, 1862, he enlisted in the Eleventh Missouri Militia, which was afterward merged into the Second Missouri Cavalry, in which he served as sergeant. He was discharged in l865, at St. Louis. He was in a great many fights attempting to drive Marmaduke (late Governor) out of the State, and in fighting bushwhackers. He was on a furlough for about six months, and was sick for about a year. He resumed carpentering in connection with farming after his return until 1883. He bought a farm in Liberty Township, in 1864, and still own about fifty acres of land. His mill, which is situated on the Chariton River, was bought in 1883; it is a steam mill with a capacity of 200 bushels daily and includes a saw-mill. In 1858 he married Fannie Tinsman. Their children are Adela (wife of T. Moyer), Alice, Pearl, Charles and Maud. One son, Alfred M., died at the age of eight years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Otto is independent. During the war his house was occupied by rebel forces, so that his wife had to leave. The high water attacked them with the same result in 1874, and stood six feet deep in his house.

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This family biography is one of 150 biographies included in the Adair County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Adair County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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