My Genealogy Hound

Simeon Traw, a farmer and stock raiser, and one of the pioneers of Pulaski County, was born in Washington County, Va., in 1818, and is the eldest of the seven sons and two daughters born to David and Christina (Fudge) Traw, who were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The parents were married in Washington County, Va., and when our subject was but four years of age the family removed to Adair County, Ky., where the father died about 1842; he was a farmer by occupation. The mother died in Camden County, Mo., since the war, and both were members of the Christian Church. They were of German descent, and of their family of nine children all grew to maturity, and seven are still living, who have families of their own, and rank among the enterprising citizens of their respective neighborhoods. Simeon Traw received but a limited common-school education in his native State, and in 1837, at the age of nineteen years, he married Susan, daughter of Josiah and Minerva Smith, natives of Virginia, who afterward removed to Cumberland County, Ky., where Mrs. Traw was born. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Traw, but three of whom are now living, viz.: John, Josiah and James B. Mr. Traw located in Pulaski County in 1841, when the white settlers were few and the Indians, bear, elk and wild turkeys plentiful. After living about two years on the Gasconade River he removed to Camden County, where he lived on the Wet Glaize until 1881; in the latter year he settled in Richland. He owns about 600 acres of land in two tracts in Pulaski County, being the result of long years of industry and enterprise. The family is one of the most prominent and well known in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Traw are consistent members of the Christian Church, and for many years have been identified as among its most active workers. Mr. Traw is a Democrat in political faith, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren in 1840.