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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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James March, an old and much respected citizen of Benton Township, Knox County, Mo., was born in Clark County, Ky., March 9, 1816, and is the son of Absalom and Elizabeth (Brandenburgh) March. The father of our subject was of Swiss ancestors. He was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born January 6, 1788, and his father, Jacob March, was from North Carolina, and came to Kentucky when the Indians were very numerous and very hostile, and the pioneers were obliged to build block houses as a means of protection. The father of our subject was a resident of Clark County, Ky., until 1828, when he came to Boone County, Mo., and there resided until his death, which occurred March 6, 1870. He was a farmer all his life. About 1850 he joined the Christian Church, but later, with his wife, became a Baptist. The mother of our subject was of Irish ancestors, and was born in Clark County, Ky., December 22, 1796, and died in Boone County, Mo., June 12, 1852. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and her husband was a member of the Christian Church. To their marriage were born twelve children, seven now living, our subject being the eldest. He received a liberal education in Howard County, and then engaged in teaching school for the next three years, when not farming. November 26, 1840, he married Emily Ann Roberts, who was born in Madison County, Ky., April 18, 1821. Her parents, Lawrence and Elizabeth (Flemming) Roberts, moved to Howard County, Mo., when she was quite young. She afterward moved with her parents to Boone County, where she was married to our subject. To this union were born twelve children, seven living, viz.: Elizabeth F., David L., Martha J., Emily Ann, Amanda E., James A. and Lucy A. Those deceased are Mary E., Susan A., Sarah L., Willis F. and Ida C. In 1841 our subject moved to Knox County, Mo., and purchased part of the land that he now owns. In 1850 he was elected surveyor of Knox County, and held this office for nine years, being a very efficient officer. Our subject, before the war, was a Whig, but since that event he has been a Republican. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church for some time, but afterward joined the Christian Church, of which they have been members since 1850, and of which he has been an elder ever since he joined.

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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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