My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin 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.

* * * *

T. W. Chiles, county surveyor of Franklin County, Mo., with postoffice at St. Clair, was born in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind., April 18, 1834, and is the son of John C. and Mary T. (Brooking) Chiles. The father was born in Virginia, in 1807, and was the son of Tarlton W. Chiles, who was a Virginian. John Chiles removed to Indiana in 1823, and located in Putnam County. He was a graduate of Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., graduating in the same class with Henry Clay, in 1827, delivered the valadictory address, and his diploma is signed by Henry Clay. He was admitted to the bar at Lexington, Ky., in 1828, and practiced his profession there until he removed to Indiana. He attained considerable note as a lawyer and practitioner, and represented Putnam County in the Indiana Legislature a number of years. His death occurred January 6, 1847. The mother was born in Virginia, in 1805, and was the daughter of Robert E. Brooking, a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the War of 1812. She died December 20, 1847. After the death of his parents, our subject made his home in Clark County, Ky., with an uncle, Samuel W. Chiles, where he secured a limited education. In 1850 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and entered a high school at that place. In the fall of 1852 he was connected with the civil engineering corps on the Iron Mountain Railroad. In November, 1853, he located in Franklin County, Mo., and was interested in the Moselle Iron Furnace Company, of which he was superintendent for five years. In 1858 he removed to Dent County, Mo., purchased a farm, and turned his attention to stock raising. April 14, 1858, he married Miss Judith W. Barnes, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born in 1838, and the daughter of James H. Barnes. To that union one son was born, who is now a citizen of St. Louis. Soon after re moving to Dent County, Mo., Mr. Chiles was appointed deputy surveyor, and in 1860 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position of surveyor of Dent County, which position he held until the breaking out of the late war August 14, 1862, Mrs. Chiles died, and shortly afterwards Mr. Chiles moved to St. Louis, and entered the commission business with an uncle, under the firm title of Chiles & Co. In the fall of 1864 he went to New York City, thence to Havana, and then to the mouth of the Rio Grande River, Old Mexico. On July 4, 1865, he left there and returned to St. Louis and purchased a stock of goods, went to Mississippi and engaged in merchandising for about two years, after which he returned to St. Louis and took a position as book-keeper in a nail-mill company, at which he continued until 1870. December 15, of the same year he married Miss Fannie G. Cheatham, who was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1851, and who is the daughter of John E. A. Cheatham, a native of Virginia. To this union a daughter and a son have been born. Soon after his second marriage Mr. Chiles returned to Franklin County, Mo., and, purchasing a farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since continued. In 1872, he was the Democratic candidate for surveyor of Franklin County, was defeated and then served as deputy surveyor for four years under Francis Wilhelmi, his successful opponent. In 1876 he made the race a second time against Mr. Wilhelmi as an Independent and was elected. He held that position until 1880, and was then defeated as an Independent by Joseph Eckert, Democrat. After this he entered the collector’s office and served as deputy collector through 1881 and 1882, under R. M. Armstrong. In 1884 he made the race for surveyor as an Independent, against Mr. Eckert, was elected, and is holding that position at present.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.