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Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  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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CARY ATKINS is one of the most enterprising of the young agriculturists of Johnson County, within whose confines he was born December 26, 1859. He devotes his entire time to farming and stock-raising, being the possessor of one of the best cultivated tracts in township 44, range 27. It is pleasantly located on section 17 and is eighty acres in extent.

Mr. Atkins is the son of James G. and Elizabeth (Elliott) Atkins, natives of Kentucky. He was thoroughly trained to farm work by his honored father, who was a practical agriculturist, and when his services were not needed on the home place he attended school, thus gaining a good education in the common branches. His father encouraged him in his desire to acquire property, and while yet a boy gave him an interest in all the stock and grain raised on the estate. When ready to embark in life on his own account he had a snug little sum of money earned in this manner.

In the year 1881 Cary went to St. Clair County, where for one year he farmed rented land, after which he returned home and spent the years intervening until 1884 in working the home place. In 1885 he again left home, this time going to Vernon County, where he was engaged in farm pursuits for a twelvemonth. He met with good success in these various undertakings, and after his marriage, which occurred May 6, 1885, rented a tract of land for three years in the neighborhood in which he now makes his home. The lady to whom he was married was Miss Cora Roberts, whose birth occurred in Chilhowee Township, in 1867. Her parents were William T. and Louisa Wilmore Roberts, whose sketch will appear on another page in this volume.

Mr. Atkins became the owner of his present farm in the fall of 1888, but did not move upon it until the following year. He erected thereon a substantial residence and then gave his undivided attention to cultivating and improving the land. He attends industriously to all departments of farm work and keeps everything up in a thrifty manner. He has never been a politician, in the sense of an office-seeker, but has made it the rule of his life to vote for Democratic candidates. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this township numbers himself and wife among its most valued members, and he has held the offices of Deacon and Sunday-school Superintendent. Honorable and upright in his dealings with all, he has won many warm friends, who hold him in high esteem.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Johnson County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Missouri family biographies here: Johnson County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Johnson County, Missouri here: Johnson County, Missouri Map

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