My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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. Robert Meriwether, judge of the probate court of Phelps County, Mo., and a resident of Rolla, is a native of Lewis County, Mo., where he was born in 1853. Judge Meriwether received his rudimentary education in his native county, and his collegiate education at Louisiana, Mo., attending the college at that place for three years. In 1870 he became a disciple of Blackstone, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar to practice in Louisiana. Six years later he became a resident of Phelps County, Mo. At the age of eighteen he engaged in the teacher’s profession, and followed this occupation for five years, teaching one year in Phelps County. In 1875 he married Miss Alice J. Bondurant, a native of Lewis County, Mo., born in 1855, and the daughter of Joseph A. Bondurant. Two children are the fruits of this union, Carl and Roy B. Judge Meriwether resided at St. James until 1884, when he came to Rolla and here continued his practice. In 1886 he was elected probate judge of Phelps County, by a majority of 600, by the Democratic party. The Judge is a young man of fine legal ability, and is one of the coming attorneys of Phelps County. He is highly respected and a very excellent citizen. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Farmers & Mechanics Mutual Aid Association of St. Louis, and Mrs. Meriwether is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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