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Below is a family biography included in The History of Dent 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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Elbridge L. Dye, member of the planing and saw-mill, and also a member of the lumber firm, of Dye Bros., of Salem, was born in Taylor County, W. Va., in 1847, and is the son of Alexander E. and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Dye, and grandson of Vincent and Frances (Montgomery) Dye, who were natives of Vermont. Alexander Dye was born in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1816, and was a contractor and builder by trade. When a young man he went to Monroe County, Ohio, with his parents, and in this county was married to Miss Bradfield. They remained in this county a short time, and then moved to Tyler County, W. Va., and in 1852 moved to Clay County, Ill. In 1869 he became a citizen of Buffalo, Dallas Co., Mo., and erected the court-house of Dallas County the same year. In 1870 he came to Salem, Dent County, built the court-house for that county, and in 1871 he came to Rolla, where he erected the school building for the School of Mines. In 1873 he built the jail of Dent County. His wife died in 1871. She was born in Virginia in 1822, and after her death Mr. Dye married Mrs. Mary C. Jamison, nee Hudspeth, who yet survives, and is now Mrs. William McMurtray. Alexander Dye died in 1876. He was the father of six children by his first wife and two by his second. Elbridge L. Dye was one of the children born to the first marriage. He was educated in the common schools, came to Missouri with his parents, and at about the age of fifteen commenced working at the carpenter’s trade with his father. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and in 1868 went to Marshfield, where he erected several good buildings in the town. In 1869 he worked on the court-house in Buffalo, and in the fall of 1870 he bought a half interest in a planing-mill and lumber yard with Lewis Martin. In 1877 he married Miss Ary B. Sprague, who was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., in 1858. They have four children: Leslie E., Frank W., Mary A. and Isaac R. In 1880 Isaac Dye, brother of the subject of this sketch, purchased an interest in the firm, and the same year the firm added a saw-mill. In 1882 Mr. Martin sold his interest to Dye Bros., and from that date until the present the firm has been known as Dye Bros. Planing-Mills. Elbridge L. built the public school building in Salem, the Salem Hotel and the Baptist Church. The firm has erected the Dent Block, Christian Church and many buildings of less note. Mr. Dye has made the plans for every church in Salem, and is a skillful workman. The Dye Bros, are successful business men, and look to the welfare and prosperity of Salem, assisting in all laudable and public enterprises. He is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the A. O. U. W., was a member of the city council for eight years, and was president for seven years. He is a member of the school board, and his wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dent County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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