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Below is a family biography included in The History of Benton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Jordan L. Shaver, merchant at Fairfield, Mo., is a native of Wilson County, Tenn., born April 2, 1846, and the son of William H. Shaver, who was born in Sumner County, Tenn., and who was married in the same county and State, to Miss Susan E. Langford, also a native of Tennessee. The family moved to Missouri in 1839, and located in Benton County, where they remained one year, but afterward moved back to Tennessee. Mr. Shaver died in 1846, and in 1859 his widow returned to Missouri, and settled in Richwoods, Benton County. She died November 22, 1881. To their marriage were born six sons, and Mrs. Shaver was the mother of one child by her subsequent marriage to T. W. Dalton. The brothers are all living, four in Benton County and three in Tennessee, and all are married with the exception of the eldest brother, James M., who is in the store with his brother, J. L. Shaver. The last named was but thirteen years of age when he came to Missouri, and his youthful days were spent on the farm, where he received a good practical education in the common schools of Benton County. This was supplemented by a year at New Middleton College, Tennessee. Later he followed teaching in Benton County for three years, and in 1878 commenced merchandising at Mt. View, Benton County, where he sold goods up to March, 1888. He then sold out, and purchased his present property in October of the same year. He succeeded A. J. Wisdom, of Warsaw. Mr. Shaver carries a stock of general merchandise, and has built up a good trade; has also a stock of drugs, and aside from this is the owner of a good farm. He was married in Benton County, Mo., December 5, 1872, to Miss Florence V. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, but who was partly reared in Wisconsin, and the daughter of Lafayette Smith. This union resulted in the birth of eight children: William C., Bertha I., Nellie B., John R., Jordan E., Florence V., Leslie V. and Vivian.

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This family biography is one of 86 biographies included in The History of Benton County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Benton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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