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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis 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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Thomas A. Barr, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., in 1841, the son of Jerry B. and Eliza Ann (Dowell) Barr, natives of the same county. The grandfather, Adam Barr, was a Kentuckian, whose father, Adam, Sr., was a native of Maryland, and went to Boonesboro, where he was a follower of Daniel Boone. Adam, Jr., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served under Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. The father was reared in his native county, and was married in 1839. In 1852 he went to Scotland County, Mo., and the following year removed to Hancock County, Ill. In 1861 he returned and located in Lewis County, but in 1863 removed to Marion County. Since 1883 he has been in Adams County, Iowa. He was justice for several years in Marion County. His second wife, Sarah Cochran, whom he married in Illinois, was a native of Pennsylvania, and is still living. His first wife died in 1856. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject received few educational advantages, and left home at his majority. In 1866 he married Anna L., a daughter of John Wesley and Jane Wright. Their children are Clarence I., Arthur T., Warden T., Adelaide J. and Edgar B. Our subject remained in Illinois until 1868, when he came to Marion County. Six years later he engaged in merchandising at Maywood, where he continued until 1879. Since that date he has lived on his present estate, a finely improved farm of 460 acres, near Maywood. He also owns a third interest in the Maywood Flouring Mill. Politically he is a Democrat, and his first ticket was for McClellan. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife hold to the faith of the Christian Church.

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This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis 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: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Lewis County, Missouri family biographies here: Lewis County, Missouri Biographies

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