My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Barry 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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Dr. Thomas H. Jeffries, the oldest practicing physician and surgeon of Monett, Mo., was born in 1837 in Clinton County, Ky., and is a son of William and Clara (Lawson) Jeffries. William Jeffries was of English descent and was born in Tennessee in 1812. He resided in his native State until after his marriage, when he removed to Clinton County, Ky., where he resided until 1856. He then removed to Benton County, Ark., thence in 1863 to Lawrence County, Mo., coming to Barry County three years later. Here he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1869. His wife was born in Tennessee in 1813, and is still living. She is the mother of twelve children, viz.: Nancy (deceased) John (a farmer in Arkansas), Joshua (of Washington County, Ark.), Sarah (wife of Hiram Cooper, of Barry County, Mo.), Susan (wife of John Gilham of Barry County Mo.), William (deceased), Lucetta (wife of Thomas Wells, of Barry County), James (of Barry County), Clara (wife of George Counts, of Madison County, Ark.), Victoria (wife of Alex. Fritz), Lawson (deceased) and Thomas H. Our subject grew to manhood on his father’s farm in Kentucky and in 1856 went to Benton County, Ark., coming to Barry County, Mo., in 1867. He located at Corsicana, and established a drug store, and in 1870 began the study of medicine. Three years later he commenced practicing his profession, at which he has since been actively engaged. In 1877 he removed to Washburn, remaining until March, 1883, when he came to Plymouth, now Monett where he has since resided. His marriage with Mary J. Ricketts was celebrated in 1858 and to them have been born eight children: Caledonia (Mrs. H. Wormington), Leroy, Emma (Mrs. Frank Reece), Nolia (Mrs. Loyd Jones), an infant deceased, Lawson, Bertha, and Clarence (deceased). Mrs. Jeffries was born in Tennessee in 1839, and is a zealous member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For the past five years Dr. Jeffries has, in connection with his practice, been engaged in the drug and grocery business. Politically he is a Republican. He is president of the board of councilmen of Monett, and is a Mason and Odd Fellow.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Barry County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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