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Below is a family biography included in The History of Moniteau 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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W. J. Fulks, sheriff and collector of Moniteau County, Mo., is a native of the county, born in Pilot Grove Township January 27, 1846, being a son of William and Eliza (Barger) Fulks, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Tennessee. In 1828 the father became a resident of Boone County, Mo., where he remained until 1831, then locating in Moniteau County, Pilot Grove Township, where he entered land and erected a little log cabin, in which he lived for several years. He always followed the occupation of farming, and became a prominent citizen of the county, and served a number of years as judge of the county court during the 50’s. In 1865 he went to California, Mo., where he still resides. Seven of the twelve children born to him and wife are living at the present writing. W. J. Fulks, the subject of our sketch, was the youngest of the sons, and was reared on a farm in Pilot Grove Township, receiving such education as the schools of that day afforded. After residing in California with his parents until 1868, and attending school during this time, he entered a lumber yard, remaining until 1873, when he entered into partnership with V. B. Bean, under the firm name of Bean & Fulks, general merchants. In 1879 Mr. Fulks bought his partner’s interest, but two years later Kelly & Yarnell became associated with him in business, the firm taking the name of Fulks, Kelly & Co., which continued until 1886, when Yarnell sold to the other two, and the firm is now J. F. Kelly & Co. They are doing a large business, and have established themselves firmly in the estimation of the people. Mr. Fulks was elected county treasurer in 1882, and in 1884 was re-elected. In 1886 he was elected sheriff and collector, and re-elected in 1888 to his present position, the duties of which he is filling very creditably. He was married, in 1870, to Sallie Sappington, by whom he has four children: Elbridge B., Elmira E., Clarence J. and Maude. Mr. Fulks is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge and Chapter. His grandfather Fulks died in Virginia, and grandfather Barger died in Moniteau County, Mo., where he had settled at quite an early day. His father is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years.

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This family biography is one of 187 biographies included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Moniteau County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

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