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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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John McReynolds, an old and respected citizen of Colony Township, was born in Marion County, Mo., November 30, 1822, and is a son of William and Ruth (Culbertson) McReynolds. The father was born in North Carolina, January 17, 1787, and died March 10, 1847, in Knox County, Mo. The mother was born June 16, 1796, and died August 7, 1851. Her birth and death occurred in the same counties as that of her husband. They were married in their native State, and moved to Marion County, Mo., after stopping in Illinois during the year of 1818, at which time the State was sparsely inhabited. They moved to Lewis County, Mo., in 1830, and to Knox County seven years later. They were both members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. McReynolds was a farmer by occupation. Of the seven children born to them, our subject is the youngest, and his sister, Leah, and himself are the only survivors of the family. John received his education in a primitive, log schoolhouse in Missouri, and, being the youngest, lived with and cared for his parents in their old age. He now resides upon the old homestead, which, under his care, has been finely improved and cultivated. When his father settled in this county, the settlers were few and far between, the families of James Stovall and John Standifor being their nearest neighbors, although living a mile and a half distant. Our subject now owns 600 acres of good land in Lewis and Knox Counties, the result of his industry and good management. In 1843 he married Mary E. Dale, of Lewis County, born in Kentucky in 1827. This lady is a daughter of John Dale, and to her union with our subject, seven children were born, all living: Leah, Ann V., William C., John S., Ella, Julius C. and Ophelia. Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has ascended to the Royal Arch degree He has represented Colony Lodge, No. 108, in the Grand Lodge, and helped organize his lodge and Farmer’s Lodge, No. 222, at La Belle. He is a Democrat, but has never held nor sought public office. He is a prominent stock raiser, and the people of this county are indebted to him for the introduction of some fine stock. In 1870 he went to Canada, and upon his return brought some Cotswold sheep, Berkshire hogs, Durham cattle, and other blooded stock. His wife is a worthy and highly-esteemed lady, and an affectionate wife and mother, and, with her husband, ranks among the honored and respected citizens of Knox County.

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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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