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Below is a family biography included in The History of Newton 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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Hon. Jasper Buzzard is a prosperous farmer of Newton County, Mo., and is a son of George Buzzard, who was born in Pennsylvania, reared in Holmes County, Ohio, and at an early day came with his parents to Missouri, being among the earliest settlers of Newton County. He was married to Ellen Shields, of Tennessee, a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Moore) Shields, who were also Tennesseeans, and by her became the father of six children: Jasper, John, Lafayette, George W., Sarah (wife of C. Underwood) and Mary E. (wife of B. Throll). The father died April 20, 1879; his widow is still living. Hon. Jasper Buzzard, their eldest child, was born in Newton County, December 21, 1839, and was reared on his father’s farm. During the war he enlisted in the Second Kansas Cavalry, Company K, the command operating mostly in Arkansas and on the frontier, a large portion of the time doing escort duty. After the war he returned home and engaged in the peaceful pursuit of farming and stock raising, in which he has been very successful. He owns a valuable farm, well improved, containing 420 acres of land. In 1886 he was chosen from the western portion of the county as a suitable man to represent the interests of the county as one of its judges, and, although a Republican in his political views, was elected by a handsome majority, and proved himself as identified with the county’s interests. He has been twice married, the first time December 15, 1860, to Mary J. Gray, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Gray, natives of Virginia. She was born in Virginia, and died in 1865, leaving two children: John W. and George E., since deceased. His second marriage took place in April, 1866, his wife being Tennessee Gray, a sister of his first wife, and they have nine children: Charlie, Annie E., Madison, Belle, Benjamin E., Manly, Roy, Maudie May (deceased) and Blanche.

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This family biography is one of 220 biographies included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Newton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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