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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. 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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William Lasswell, Sr., was born in Hardin County, Ky., in the year 1808, and was the son of Jesse and Jane W. (Mitton) Lasswell, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. There is no Irish or German blood on either side of the family. In 1820, at the age of twenty-one, our subject married Miss Sarah Williams, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Williams, natives of Virginia. After living in Hardin County, Ky., a number of years our subject and wife, in 1846, moved to Northeast Missouri, and remained a short time in Scotland County. In 1847 they moved to Clark County, where they rented land a number of years, suffering all the privations incident to pioneer life. In 1852 they moved to their own farm in Washington Township, where they remained until 1865. They then sold out, and purchased land seven miles from Canton, Lewis County. Several years later he traded this farm for one he first rented in 1846, in Clark County, where he has ever since resided. To their marriage were born eight children, five of whom are yet living, are married, and have families. Our subject is a Democrat in politics. October 28, 1870, he lost his wife; she was a Christian woman, and for many years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1877 Mr. Lasswell married Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, who had three children by a previous marriage. Our subject, though seventy-eight years of age, is still quite vigorous in mind and body. Felix M. Lasswell, son of our subject, was born in Hardin County, Ky., May 8, 1832. He met with many hardships, after starting out for himself at the age of sixteen, but gradually overcame all difficulties, and managed to save money. He is now considered one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of Clark County. In 1856 he married Miss Standifird, a daughter of Aquilla Standifird, who was killed in the war. To our subject and wife were born these children: Emily C., James F., John W. (who was drowned), Roberta B., Aquilla, Walter and Judson (twins), Edmond K., Clarence and Lawrence. In 1865 Mr. Lasswell sold his land in Washington Township, and purchased land in Lewis County, where he remained several years, and then returned to his former place of residence, where he has one of the finest farms in Clark County; it contains 480 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church.
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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book, The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887. For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Clark County, Missouri family biographies here: Clark County, Missouri Biographies
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