My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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R. J. Chappell was born in Maury County, Tenn., January 27, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Martha (Smith) Chappell, who were also born in Tennessee. The Chappell and Smith families came from Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and there received a good common-school education. He was engaged in clerking in a mercantile establishment, but upon the breaking out of the war he, in May, 1861, enlisted in the Confederate service, and was a faithful soldier until the close of the Rebellion. He received several severe wounds. In 1868 he located in Springfield, Mo., and followed commercial traveling for two years. He located in Peirce City on November 12, 1870, and for four years was engaged in the mercantile business with J. Perkins. He then worked with J. H. Wooldridge for two years, and the following two years was with J. W. Patrick. In 1882 he was elected chief of the Peirce City police force, and has acceptably filled that position ever since. He was married to Annie E., a daughter of Samson Looney, Esq. (deceased), and by her is the father of four sons and three daughters. He is a member of the K. of P.

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This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Lawrence County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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