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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John C. Barrett, an old and prominent citizen of Franklin County, was born in Eastern Virginia, October 23,1814, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Brisco) Barrett, who were native Virginians, and who passed their last days in that State. The father was an overseer, and died when our subject was a child. The mother then married James Jones. At the early age of ten John C. was cast upon the world to shift for himself. He went to live with a cousin, and there remained until twenty years of age, getting nothing for his work. He then left for the Rappahannock River country and was engaged as an overseer for the small salary of $135 per year. This was the first money received by him for work. He then went to Jefferson County, now West Virginia, near Charleston, and again obtained work as overseer, where he remained six years, being in the employ of a nephew of Gen. George Washington, Bushrod Washington. While in Jefferson County, Va., he married Miss Ann Lay, a native of that county, who came to Missouri in 1841. She was born in August, 1824, and died in Franklin County, Mo., in 1852. To this marriage were born eight children, only three now living, viz.: William H., James P., and D. Jane. In 1853 Mr. Barrett took for his second wife Miss Margaret (Groff) Giersa, a daughter of Andrew Groff, and the widow of George L. Giersa. She was born in Franklin County, Mo., September 16, 1821, and died in the same county October 19, 1887. To them were born nine children, four now living: John C, Harriet, Nora and Groff. Although starting in life with very little of this world’s goods Mr. Barrett has accumulated considerable property, and can live in comfort the balance of his days. In 1850, in company with George L. Giersa and others, he crossed the plains to California, driving four teams of oxen. While on the way he took the cholera, and by using his own medicine cured himself, but owing to ill health returned shortly, satisfied that health was better than wealth.

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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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