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Below is a family biography included in The History of Pulaski 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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Anderson Keith, merchant and farmer, and a native of Miller County, Mo., was born on the 10th of July, 1848, and is a son of John and Catherine (Whittle) Keith, who were born in Indiana and Kentucky, respectively, the former’s birth occurring in 1820. He was taken to Kentucky when small, and was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school education. He removed to Miller County, Mo., at an early day, and during the late war served in the Home Guards, the State Militia and the regular army until the close of the war. He has been very successful, and is said to be one of the neatest farmers of the county. The following are his children who are living: Anderson, Paradine, James, Martha Jonathan, Francis, William R. and Simon P. Those deceased are Elizabeth, Polly A. and Henry. The mother of these children died in 1872, after which Mr. Keith married Susan Dean, of Miller County, by whom he has five children: George, Sallie, Melvin, Cordelia and Mary. Anderson Keith was reared on a farm in Miller County, Mo., and received a common-school education. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age, and then began life for himself, and was married to Martha E. Smith, a daughter of Thomas L. and Mary J. (Gaston) Smith, who were natives of Illinois, where their daughter was born. She was taken to Pulaski County when quite small, then to Miller County, where the father died. The mother is still living. Mrs. Keith became the mother of four children, three living: William T., Albert N. and Arthur L. Mary C. is dead. In 1876 Mr. Keith came from Miller County to Pulaski County, and purchased his present farm of 100 acres, sixty acres being under cultivation. He farmed exclusively for four years, but since that time has given a portion of his time to the mercantile business. Through his influence a post-office was established at Hawkeye in 1881, and he was appointed its postmaster, and has since been filling the duties of that office. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican in politics.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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