My Genealogy Hound

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 R. Roach, farmer, minister and hotel-keeper, of Bourbon, was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1826, and is the third of nine children born to James C. and Elizabeth (Little) Roach. When William R. was a child his parents moved to Kentucky, where he grew to maturity, receiving but a limited common-school education; by close application in later years he became a fine scholar, and is well posted on all general subjects. In 1849 he was married to Mary A., daughter of Thomas Burgess, and of their nine children, six are now living, viz.: Margaret E., Sarah C., James H., William L., Thomas S. J. and Edward M. Mrs. Roach died in 1869, and was buried in Franklin County, Mo. In 1869 Mr. Roach married Amanda J., widow of Nathaniel Moxley. One child has been born to this union, Francis B. Mr. Roach removed to Missouri in 1855, and settled in Crawford County, where he bought forty acres of land; he also owns the hotel at Bourbon. He is a minister of the gospel, being an adherent of the Baptist faith, of which church his wife is also a worthy member. Though not a political aspirant, Mr. Roach is a stanch Democrat, and commands the respect of all who know him.

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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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