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Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk 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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James B. Easley, the present efficient county collector, was born in Polk County, Mo., February 3, 1855. He is a son of Miller W. and Sophronia (Akard) Easley, both natives of Tennessee, though they came to this county when young, and here married; they still live in Madison Township. His father has been a farmer and a merchant; in politics he was a Whig before the war, and since then has supported the Republican platform. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a well respected citizen. The subject of this sketch, the only one living of a family of three sons, was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He worked in his father’s store till 1879, when he married Mary L. Renshaw, of Greene County, and by her had three children, Eugenia E., Frank B. (who is deceased), and Willie R. His wife is a Presbyterian. He is a Republican, a Mason, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. When the railroad was put through, Mr. Easley and W. M. Potts were in business about a year at Fair Play, when they were burned out. In 1886 Mr. Easley was elected collector, which position he still holds. Though a young man, he fills one of the most important offices in the county. He is highly esteemed, and deserves the confidence reposed in him by the people of his county.

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This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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