Below is a family biography included in The History of Newton 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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Ezra D. Smith, black-smith and wagon-maker at Neosho, Mo., was born in Marion County, Ill., June 1, 1858, and is a son of John C. and Sophronia (Joplin) Smith, natives of the “Blue Grass State.” They moved from Illinois to Newton County, Mo., in 1870, and there Ezra D., the youngest of their seven children, was reared on a farm until twelve years of age, at which time he began learning the black-smith’s trade and plowmaking. He followed this business for a number of years, and in July, 1886, opened his present place of business, where he has a large and lucrative trade. He does general black-smithing, and makes a specialty of carriage-making. Mr. Smith is a young man who commands in a high degree the confidence and respect of the community in which he resides, and with those with whom he has business relations. His marriage with Maria Benson took place September18, 1879. She was born in Iowa, and is the mother of three children, Arthur, Otis and Ethel.
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This family biography is one of 220 biographies included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published in 1888.
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Newton County, Missouri Family Maps
Neosho West Missouri TOPO Map 24 x 29
Newtonia Missouri TOPO Map 24" x 29
The Two Civil War Battles of Newtonia: Fierce and Furious
Camp Crowder (Images of America)
Abandoned Ozarks: Southwest Missouri
Numerous Additional Books and References
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