My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Camden 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.

* * * *

David Moulder, merchant, and one of the pioneers of Camden County, Mo., was born in Grainger County, Tenn., May 25, 1840, and is the son of Valentine and Ann (Yaden) Moulder, both natives of Grainger County, Tenn., and of Italian and German descent. The paternal grandfather was an early settler of Tennessee. Valentine Moulder was a farmer by occupation, and immigrated with his family to Camden County, Mo., in 1842. He came through in wagons, and located in Osage Township, about seven miles northwest of Linn Creek. He entered about 200 acres of land, with about five acres cleared, on which was a little log cabin, which is still standing. He set to work to improve his place, and soon had a number of acres under cultivation. On this farm he remained until his death, which occurred in 1862. The mother died in 1852. They were the parents of nine children, three now living: David, Mary E. (wife of T. P. Groom) and Bertha R. (wife of C. M. Piercy). The father represented Camden County in the Legislature two terms, 1852 and 1856; held the office of county judge for about four years, and was a very prominent man in this county. He had a host of friends. His son, David Moulder, was two years of age when he came to Camden County, Mo., with his parents, and thus it may be seen that he has been identified with the interests of Camden County almost all his life. He received his education in the old subscription schools, and was obliged to walk three and one-half miles to attend the same, the school-house being of log, with a hole for a door and a crack for a window. He assisted on the farm, and when the late war broke out he enlisted in the Missouri Militia and served three years. He was engaged in several hard skirmishes, and had one hair-breadth escape, a ball passing through his hat brim. At the close of the war he engaged in merchandising at Linn Creek, which vocation he has since continued, and is the oldest merchant at Linn Creek. He sold goods ten years at Richland, Pulaski County. Mr. Moulder carries a general line of merchandise, and now owns Gov. McClurg’s old mansion, which was built under the Governor’s supervision thirty-five years ago. He also owns the farm, consisting of 300 acres. Mr. Moulder was elected county treasurer in 1874, re-elected in 1876, and resigned in 1877 on account of his removal to Richland. He was married in 1865 to Miss Sallie Selby, by whom he has ten children living: Ellen, Jessie L., Cora M., Thomas V., Charles, George C., John D., Elect E., Emma M. and Sallie. Mr. Moulder is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a stanch Democrat politically.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 46 biographies included in The History of Camden County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Camden County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.