My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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Andrew J. Bell was born in Franklin County, Mo., October 24, 1829, and is the fifth in the family of twelve children of William and Polly (Armstrong) Bell, natives of Missouri. He was reared on a farm, his educational advantages being limited, and at the age of twenty began doing for himself, and in 1850, with only money enough to reach his destination, emigrated to California, where he worked in the gold mines, accumulated considerable means and traded some in stock. In 1858 he returned to his native home, in Franklin County, Mo., with about $2,500, and settled on a farm. He married Sarah V., daughter of Andrew McAllister, and of the twelve children born to their union ten are living, viz.: Elizabeth F., Andrew L., Francis E., James W., Cora B., Bertha A., Allen E., William J., Beverly C. and an infant son. Mr. Bell owns 340 acres of improved land, well stocked, and has a pleasant home, where he is surrounded by an interesting family, who command the respect of the neighborhood. He does his part in assisting and maintaining the church and ministry and all laudable enterprises of the county.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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