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Below is a family biography included in The History of McDonald 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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George W. Howard, a prosperous young citizen of Powell, was born near Bentonville, Ark., on February 19, 1855. He is a son of Anderson Howard, (deceased). George W. was left an orphan in 1860 by the death of his father, his mother having died five years before. He was left in the lone world with two sisters and four brothers, all of whom were left homeless and dependent on relatives and friends. George and his younger sister lived with Mrs. Elizabeth Black for four long years, after which time he lived with Uncle Billy Woods for a number of years, during which time he became interested in an education. He went out into the world at the age of sixteen, without money and without friends. For a number of years he taught both public and private schools, until he obtained capital enough to enter into the mercantile business at Pea Ridge, Benton Co., Ark., in partnership with his brother-in-law, R. A. Walker, both with a capital of only $800. At the end of two years George W, purchased the interest of his partner and continued until he came, to Powell in 1883. Here he established a general merchandise business, which he still controls, carrying a stock of $2,000, and doing an annual business of $3,000. He also has a store at Cyclone, seven miles below Powell. His capital in the latter is $1,200, and his yearly business at both places averages about $4,000. He manages the store at Powell, and is also postmaster, while W. W. Newman, his clerk, has charge of his store at Cyclone. On February 24, 1884, Mr. Howard was united in marriage with Laura B. Harper, a daughter of Mathew Harper, of Center Township, McDonald Co., Mo. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Ettie V.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of McDonald County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: McDonald County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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