My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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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W. H. Beach, agricultural implement dealer, was born November 27, 1840, in Milford, one of eight children of Harvey H. and Isabella (Henry) Beach, the former of English origin, born about 1813, in New York, and the latter of Irish stock, a daughter of Hugh Henry, a descendant of Patrick Henry. She was born about 1826 in Marion County. Her father came to Knox County in 1837, and remained until his death in 1861, the mother having died five years before. Harvey H. was a farmer and a builder, was county judge and president of the county board, and was elected as a Whig in a Democratic county, of 600 majority. He went to California in 1849, but returned in 1851 in ill health. Our subject was fairly educated, and when of age took a trip to Halifax, by way of Boston. He then returned to the homestead in New York, and married and returned to Knox County. Three years later he went to Saratoga County, N. Y., where he was a farmer and teacher for eight years. He then came to Canton, and has since been in his present business. He is agent for the Springfield Threshing Machine Company and the Piano Manufacturing Company. Margret M., his wife, was born in August, 1842, in Saratoga County, N.Y., and was married October 20, 1862. Our subject is a Democrat, and first voted for McClellan. He is a Knight Templar in Masonry, and he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. The father was a lieutenant-colonel in the Missouri and Iowa boundary war, and was an adjutant in the Mexican war.

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This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Lewis County, Missouri family biographies here: Lewis County, Missouri Biographies

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