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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W. L. Chappell, of Chappell & Chappell, editors and publishers of the Kirksville Democrat, was born in Kentucky July 13, 1859. His parents moved to Clark County, Mo., the following year, and in 1882 he completed a two years’ course in the Kirksville Normal. In August of the same year he bought a half-interest in the Democrat, with J. U. Barnand, and in October, 1883, he became sole proprietor. His father, George A., became a member of the firm in November, 1886. Our subject was married to Lee Smith, a native of Lewis County, June 2, 1885. The father of the subject of this sketch, George A., was born November 1, 1830, in Kentucky, and in March, 1860, moved to Missouri, where he followed the agricultural implement trade and farming. He was married, in 1857, to Martha J. Henton, a native of Lewis County, by whom he had four sons and seven daughters, of whom W. L. is the eldest. The grandparents, Abram and Jane Devear, were natives of Virginia. The maternal great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, but served throughout the Revolution, and the paternal grandfather was a native of Virginia, and died in Crab Orchard, Ky.

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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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