My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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French Carder, an old and prominent citizen of Colony Township, Knox County, was born in Taylor County, W. Va., March 10, 1821, where he lived until 1855, and then came to Knox County, Mo., where he has since made his home. He had previously visited Knox and Marion Counties, in 1840, and can relate many interesting stories of that trip. While young he learned the stone mason’s trade, at which he worked a great deal in after life, and also worked in timber, making his start in life that way. When he came to Missouri he invested $4,000 judiciously, and at one time owned over 2,000 acres of some of the best land in the county, but he has given all but one half section, which he reserved for himself, to his children. In 1844 he married Amanda Goodwin, a native of Taylor County, W. Va., and born in 1823, and their union has been blessed with eight children—five sons and three daughters—of whom seven are living: John S., Susannah, Julia A., Luther J., Homer F., Calvin and Maggie. F. M., the eldest Son, died in August, 1887. Our subject started in life a poor man, but by industry, good management and the assistance of his good wife, has been very successful in life. Mrs. Carder has been a good and faithful woman and wife, and has helped her husband bear many trials and hardships, as well as share his joys. They have both been active members of the Missionary Baptist Church for over forty years, and Mr. Carder is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Colony Lodge, No. 168. In politics he has been a Democrat until lately, but believes in voting for the man and not for the party. He is a strong Prohibitionist, and eagerly looks forward to the day when the cause of temperance shall be victorious. He is a public-spirited man, and a hearty supporter of laudable public enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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