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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Joseph St. John, a prominent merchant and business man, of Knox County, was born in Ripley County, Ind., December 4, 1829, and is a son of Abram and Sarah (Brown) St. John. The father was a native of Kentucky, and a wheelwright by trade. The mother was a native of Maine, and a daughter of Timothy Brown, whose name is associated with the early history of the Aurora Missionary Baptist Association, which is now one of the strongest in existence. It was organized at his home in Aurora, Ind., there being seven members to start with, five of these being Timothy Brown and wife, Sarah Brown, his daughter, our subject’s mother, Joseph Brown a son, and Lydia St. John, our subject’s aunt. When a child Joseph was sent to Lewis County, Mo., to live with his maternal grandfather, to which place the latter had moved. He remained with his grandfather until 1850, and then went to California in search of boundless wealth. He then engaged in mining and packing four years, and then returned to Lewis County, by way of Nicaragua and New York. He resided in Lewis and Clark Counties until 1861, and then joined the Missouri State Militia. In 1862 he enlisted in the Third Missouri Infantry, Confederate Army, and served until the fall of Vicksburg. While in service he participated in numerous battles, among which were Pea Ridge, Iuka, Corinth, Black River and Vicksburg. He then went to Texas, where he remained until the close of the war, and then returned to Lewis County. In 1875 he removed to Colony Township, Knox County, and in 1886 came to Colony. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until a few years ago, when, in connection with farming, he embarked in mercantile life. He was first a huckster, then had the management of a granger store, which he finally bought. He now has a fine stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, notions and groceries, and his great object is to please his customers. In 1857 he was married to Nancy Beckner, a native of Lewis County, Mo., and born in 1833. This lady is a daughter of Andrew Beckner, and to her union with our subject five children have been born, of whom three are living, viz.: Frank J., Mary C., and Edwin W. Those deceased are Yancey and Van S.

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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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