My Genealogy Hound

Judge Joseph E. Billups was born in Virginia on June 15, 1820. He is the third of seven children born to the marriage of William and Jane (Garwood) Billups, natives of Virginia, from which State, on October 14, 1840, they came to Missouri, and located about one-fourth of a mile northeast from where our subject now lives. There they continued to live until the death of Mr. Billups, August 5, 1846. Joseph E. then became head of the family, and continued to support his mother until she died on April 10, 1855. The early educational advantages of Judge Billups was somewhat limited, but by much desultory reading and a large business experience he has acquired a thorough practical education. He began business for himself by purchasing a claim of 320 acres of land, to this he added from time to time until he now owns over 1,384 acres of as good land as there is in the county. He has long given his attention to stock-raising, and at present he has over 246 head of cattle. All this property he has made by close application and hard labor, united with superior business ability. In 1886 the people desired a reform in local affairs, and formed what was called the “the tax payers ticket,” and recognizing the ability and integrity of Mr. Billups nominated him for county judge. He was elected, and is now filling the position with satisfaction to all. December 25, 1851, he was united in matrimony to Mary A. Smith, a native of Kentucky, having been born near Elizabethtown, from which place she came with her parents about March 12, 1849, to Missouri. To their union have been born two children: Ida, (born April 11, 1853) and William E., (born June 19, 1866). The former was married December 6, 1875, to C. E. Bull, now of Milton, Iowa. The latter is a graduate of Quincy Business College, and has attended schools at Kirksville, Burlington (Iowa,) and Columbia. He afterward studied law at Lancaster, Mo. Judge Billups is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat, and it is safe to say no man stands higher in the estimation of the people.