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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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L. J. Bitler, a prominent citizen of Knox County, was born August 4, 1843, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (John) Bitler. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Ohio for about forty years, but came to Missouri in 1857, and located upon the farm where our subject now lives. Mr. Bitler died August 4, 1872. Mrs. Bitler was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was married to our subject’s father in her native State. She is now living with her son. I. J., our subject, lived with his father until his death, taking care of him through his sickness, and afterward remained with his mother, and still lives upon the old home place which consists of 185 acres of good land, well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. December 20, 1866, he was united in marriage to Martha E. Clark, daughter of John L. Clark, and they are highly respected citizens. Our subject has always manifested an interest in political affairs and issues, and has held several offices of minor importance. In 1886 he was the regular nominee of the Republican party for the office of county sheriff, but was defeated, which, however, did not affect him materially as he was not an aspirant for political honors. He is an honorable member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an enterprising and prosperous citizen, and greatly interested in public enterprises, to which he is a liberal contributor.

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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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