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Below is a family biography included in The History of Crawford 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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William M. Walls is justly conceded to occupy a prominent position among the leading agriculturists and stock men of Liberty Township. His birth occurred in 1831, in Marshall County, Tenn., his parents having a family of five children, of whom he was the fourth. His father was Spencer Walls, and his mother’s maiden name was Anna Higdon. William was reared in his native State, but in youth received no education whatever, and it redounds to his credit that through his own studious habits he has learned to read and write since his marriage, securing in this way a fund of general information. October 12, 1850, Mr. Walls was married to Miss Caroline Orr, who bore him six children, two of whom are living: Anna, married August 25, 1872, to Frank Wheeler, and Evaline, who became Mrs. John Smith, December 12, 1880. In 1873 Mrs. Wall died, and on August 4, of that year, he married Miss Elizabeth Baucomb, by which union there were five children; three of these survive: Effa M., William C. and Ernest C. The death of this wife occurred October 31, 1884, and in 1885 Miss Nancy Avery became Mr. Walls’ third wife, her parents, James and Martha Avery, having been natives of Tennessee. Their two children are Paulina and Alice J. On coming to Missouri, in 1851, the subject of this sketch had but $28 in money, and very little property, but he entered forty acres of land and commenced its improvement, making additions from time to time until he now has 500 acres, on which is found a large amount of stock. During the war he was first lieutenant of Company K, Sixty-third Missouri Volunteer Regiment (United States army), but served only a short time. He is a Democrat, and himself and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church.

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This family biography is one of 117 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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