My Genealogy Hound

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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William C. Martin, retired farmer and stock raiser, and one of the much esteemed citizens of Spring Creek Township, was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1826, his parents being George and Matilda (Childers) Martin, who probably spent all their lives in Tennessee. The father died about 1832 or 1833, and the mother followed him to the grave after her son, William C., came to Missouri. He was one of six children, and the only one who ever came to Missouri. He received a very meager education, and remained with his mother until twenty-three years of age. In 1849 he moved to Dent County, where he was married, in 1852, to Miss Rachel M. Barnes, a native of Alabama, born in 1830, and the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Barnes, who moved from one of the Carolinas to Alabama. In about 1844 the family removed from Alabama to Arkansas, and the next year from that State to Dent County, where her father died in 1880. The mother is still living, and is eighty-four years of age. Her father and mother came from Ireland at an early day. Her father left home before she was born, and she never saw him. Mrs. Martin’s father was of Scotch origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born four sons and one daughter, all living: Eliza Jane, now Mrs. John Thomas Watson; William T., John Westley, Francis Marion and George Washington, all of whom have had the best educational advantages. The youngest is a graduate of Dixon (Ill.) College. Since the war Mr. Martin has lived on his late farm, four miles north of Salem, and was the owner of 300 acres of land. He has just recently sold to his son-in-law. He dealt largely in stock, and is one of the county’s most substantial citizens. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but of late years has been a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor in 1848. He and wife have been members of the Baptist Church for many years, and are members in good standing.

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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

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

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