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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dent 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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Rev. Thomas MacGlashan, member of the firm of MacGlashan & Mitchell, manufacturers of wagons and buggies and owners of a general repair shop at Salem, Mo., was born in Scotland in 1832, being the son of Alexander and Betsey (MacDonald) MacGlashan, both natives of Scotland. Alexander’s ancestors were strong supporters of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and when he lost his cause all his followers above a certain rank were to be court-martialed. Alexander Mac Glashan’s ancestors were included in the ranks, and to avoid detection one brother changed his name to MacGlashan, hence the name. Some fled to America, and afterward became famous in the Revolutionary war under the name of MacDonald. Alexander MacGlashan was a millwright and sawyer by trade. He passed his entire life in his native country, and died in 1834 from the effects of an injury received in a mill. His wife, Betsey MacDonald, was born in 1812, and her ancestors were of the MacDonalds of Keppoch. She is still living in her native country. After the death of her husband she married James MacDonald, who is also deceased. Rev. Thomas MacGlashan is the only child by the first marriage, and he was but two years of age when his father died. When large enough he commenced working with his step-father, who was a wheelwright and house builder by trade. He attended school until he was sixteen years of age, and afterward became tutor to the Duke of Athole for two years. After that he became overseer in one of the Duke’s saw-mills, where he remained seven years, and for the following two years and a half he was overseer of the mills for one Mr. Mclnroy, of Lude. About 1859 he became land steward for Gen. Sir John McDonald, having command of all his large landed estate. Gen. Sir John died, and his son, Gen. Alastair MacDonald, succeeded his father. He is at present commander of the forces in Scotland. Mr. MacGlashan could not agree with Gen. Alastair, and accordingly, in 1868, he immigrated to America and located in Milwaukee. The following year he immigrated to Licking, Mo., and here opened up a wagon and builder’s shop, which was consumed by fire, with the tools, etc., six weeks later. In 1866 he married Miss Christina Cameron, a native of Scotland, who was born in 1842. They had one son, Thomas Angus Ewan. In 1872 Mr. MacGlashan came to Salem, and did not even have three cents to pay postage on a letter. He commenced house building as soon as possible, and in a short time engaged with John Eaton, blacksmith, to manufacture wagons for him. From that time until the present he has been more or less engaged in the manufacture of the same. In 1881 the firm was formed. They have manufactured 275 wagons, making about fifty per annum, and also manufacture buggies. Their work is all first-class, all being warranted to give satisfaction. Mr. MacGlashan is a Republican in politics; was justice of the peace of Salem for two years, and taught three terms of school in Crawford County, Mo.,—1870, 1874 and 1875. Mr. MacGlashan is one of the solid, substantial business men of Salem, and has made all his property by economy and good management. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. When a young man he professed religion, and prepared to enter the Presbyterian ministry, but owing to sickness he was compelled to abandon it. After coming to the United States he became a member of the Baptist Church, and in 1870 was licensed to preach; had charge of the Baptist Church at Salem one year. Off and on for the past sixteen years he has been Sunday-school superintendent. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dent County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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